De Grendel Op die Berg Chardonnay 2021
Wines named Op die Berg come from the Graaff Farms high on the Witzenberg Mountain range in Ceres, at an altitude of 960 meters above sea level. Unlike most others, usually marine affected, this unique Wine Appellation exhibits South Africa’s only truly continental climate with winter temperatures frequently dropping below freezing, covering the vineyards planted well-drained, soft, yellow shale soils in snow at times. Perfect conditions for a good sleep for the wines in winter.
Charles Hopkins – Founding Winemaker at De Grendel
Picked early in the morning before the Summer heat rises in the vineyards, the grapes are destemmed, crushed and lightly pressed at De Grendel Cellar by Charles Hopkins and his team. 650 litres per ton are removed and the juice is cool settled for two days. The perfect yeast is added and the juice is taken to 225 litre French Oak barrels for fermentation. One third of the barrels were new, the other two thirds were second and third fill barrels. Here the wine lies on its lees for five months during which time ‘bâtonnage’ takes place twice a week. Bâtonnage is the method of stirring up the lees and takes place twice a week before malolactic fermentation and once a month after malolactic fermentation to enhance the mouth feel and structure of the wine. The wines are then blended and prepared for bottling.
Op die Berg Vineyards snow covered in Winter
Pour
From a Burgundy shaped bottle, closed with a superior screw cap. The label is in black, elegant and simple. In the glass, the wine is a pale lemon coloured hay. The aromas are classical Chardonnay. A wave of citrus, ripe yellow apples and poached quince. The palate on entry is rich and generous with a lovely acidity line running through to the long and gently waning aftertaste. Soft on the palate, good weight and a harmonious ending.
Ian Bergh, award winning De Grendel Restaurant Chef
Pair
The De Grendel Op die Berg 2021 is a serious food wine with a lovely story. Excellent for sipping with little snacks like roasted fat almonds, large olives and perhaps slices of salami. You will find many partners for this fine wine on the menu at De Grendel Restaurant where award winning Chef Ian Bergh has some great stuff on offer. Do go to the Estate’s Website for more information about the menus. Click HERE.
Op Die Berg vineyards also produce a fine Pinot Noir and Shiraz
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