Groot Constantia Chardonnay 2019

Groot Constantia Chardonnay 2019

Groot Constantia is the jewel in the crown of the upper reaches of the Constantia Wine Appellation. Founded in 1685, it finds itself amongst the oldest and most renowned of the wine estates of the Cape. The Estate was responsible for a golden era of Cape Wines with the export of ‘Constantia Wine’. Found in the cellars of the crowned heads of Europe, politicians, and written about by Dickens, Jane Eyre and Baudelaire. A shipment went every month to Napoleon, Emperor of France, who was in exile on the Island of St Helena.

Floricius Beukes, the Estate’s Vineyardist and Boela Gerber the Winemaker

The two people who with their teams are responsible for this fine award-winning wine are Floricius Beukes, the Estate’s Vineyardist and Boela Gerber the Winemaker. The grapes come from two vineyards up on the slopes, one east facing and one north facing. Both are on vertical shoot position trellis systems. Flo and his team do the pruning, canopy management, and harvesting is done by hand. Pest control is done biologically, and soil health, and weed control are managed by a selected mix of winter cover crop. The grapes are hand harvested and then whole bunch pressed. Is makes for a softer extraction of the juice. The wine was fermented and matured for 10 months in 35% new, 40% 2nd and 25% 3rd fill French oak barrels. 30% of the harvest was fermented using the natural yeasts from the vineyard. The barrels were rolled once a month after fermentation to enhance the mouthfeel of the wine. Malolactic fermentation was allowed on a small portion of the wine. The barrels are blended and the wine is prepared for bottling.

Groot Constantia Barrel Cellar

Pour

From a very elegantly labelled Burgundy shaped bottle closed with natural cork. In the glass, the wine is a pale honey straw is colour. The aromas are classical Chardonnay. Sappy citrus, lemon and lime with a touch of windfall oranges. From entry a delicious line of acidity takes with it the fabulous fruit, oak spice, and vanilla. Creamy and generous there is a long clean aftertaste. A truly impressive glass.

Nina Timm’s Granny’s Roast Chicken

Pair

There are so many dishes with which to partner this outstanding ‘made-for-food’ wine. I have always felt that a well roasted, buttery, organic chicken with all the wonderful accompaniments of a jug of real gravy, rustly roast potatoes and a couple of interesting vegetable dishes is the perfect match. Pork Belly with lots of crackling would also be a good partner as would a tranche of creamy hard cheese. Click HERE for Nina Timm’s Granny’s Roast Chicken.

Nina Timm of my-easy-cooking.com