South Africa produces more Chenin Blanc than any other grape varietal dating back to 1655. Originally chosen for its high yields and resistance to the strong Cape winds and disease, it originally achieved international acclaim when blended with Clairette as “Lieberstein” – at the time it was the world´s biggest selling brand wine with 31 million litres sold in 1964. 

Today of course it is produced in wood or stainless steel & the unwooded version invariably receives the John Platter “superquaffer” of the year award. Twice winning Simonsig is included in the Chenin Blanc section.

We believe it is the first time oaked Chenin´s have been seen in Portugal. Top of the range Ken Forrester´s FMC (WS 92) has been cited as one of the 250 best wines of the world and we believe these oaked Chenin Blancs will sell well in Portugal – given it is a white wine but matured and nutured as a Red Wine.

The Sauvignon Blancs include internationally known Mulderbosch & Neil Ellis, accompanied by two New Zealand stalwarts TinPot Hut and Kim Crawford. Tinpot Hut won the 2008 Sommeliers award in London whilst the Kim Crawford was ranked as number 40 in Wine Spectator´s Top 100 of the same year.