South Africa, Swartland
Chenin Blanc
Alcohol
11.8%
Analytical data
Vinification
The fruit was whole-bunch pressed at the lowest possible pressure, with only the finest free-run juice kept and settled over-night at a at a neighbourly Paardeberg colleague’s cellar and all for an ice-cold tray of beers. Next day, once again with help we transported the juice to the cellar where it was left to its own devices to ferment naturally.
I allowed for lees contact for four months, before it was racked from the tank and ready for the next ferment in bottle, after which we transported it to the final destination where it stayed until degorgement.
In September 2012 the wine was disgorged Zero Dosage – i.e. no additions of any syrup or liqueur, but only topped up with the contents of another bottle before corking – hand labelled and packaged with generous help of my mother, Gerda and sister, Julie.
Total production amounted to 365 Magnum (1.5ℓ) and 430 standard (750mℓ) bottles. As everyone knows size does matter! It’s my aim to produce Kap Klassiek in Magnums, as this larger format bottle allows the wine to mature slower developing subtle nuances of flavour and producing bolder expression.
More importantly, I know way too many wine lovers for whom a standard bottle of bubbly will never suffice and a Magnum is truly the perfect size from which to enjoy the complexity and joy that is Filia!
COMPOSITION OF THIS KAP KLASSIEK…
…bottle fermented sparkling wine, crafted with inspiration from méthode tradionelle, utilising artisanal vinification techniques and 100% dry-land, sustainably farmed bush vine, Chenin Blanc from Nuwedam, Paardeberg, Swartland.
Vineyard
Viticulture
2013’s winter dosed our vines with more than enough rain, allowing the water to make its way deep within the decomposed granite to the subterranean layers of clay – where it is stored and accessed by the roots in the heat of a Swartland summer. This allows the fruit to ripen and the vine to build enough reserves for the next year.
A sort of normal growing season ensued with good fruit development, however the harvest was quite tricky as intermittent rain caused consternation with harvest dates & sugar levels which required nerves of steel and an intimate knowledge of the vineyards to ensure optimal results.
Our vines repaid natures kindness with an almost unheard of 3,5 tons per hectare. This improvement is down to the favorable preceding winter and the incredibly fastidious efforts of viticultural consultant Rosa Kruger and our workers who put in countless hours of care.
