Swartland

Rall Ava chenin blanc 2016
Around South Africa in 80 wines, Chenin Blanc, Drinks, South Africa, Swartland

Rall Ava Chenin Blanc 2016

This was a surprise. And I’m afraid I’m back in Swartland and drinking chenin blanc. Again. This Rall Ava arrived instead of or as a replacement for something I ordered online. In it went to my poorly documented cellar. And then one day it came out. And what a pleasant surprise it was. Swartland Chenin Blanc. Again. I didn’t know that Donovan Rall was a former Young Gun winemaker and one of the most respected vignerons in Swartland. He makes […]

City on a Hill chenin blanc viognier 2016
Around South Africa in 80 wines, Chenin Blanc, Drinks, South Africa, Swartland, Viognier, Wine

City on a Hill chenin blanc viognier 2016

It’s difficult to escape Swartland. Though not the prettiest of the Cape’s wine regions, the wines are so bloody good. I’m talking about those made with minimal intervention. City on a Hill The City on a Hill 2016 is one that knocked me off my perch. Bold, textured, savoury, spicy and with none too much acid, it’s also comparatively low alcohol at 12.5%. The viognier brings that dirty edginess of tropical fruits that balances out the acid of the chenin […]