Chardonnay 2010/11 - Bergsig Estate, Breede River Valley, South Africa

Wines from this beautiful farm in the foothills of Bainskloof Mountain have been scooping numerous awards for many years and this is no exception, recently collecting a Silver at the International Wine Challenge. Fermented and matured in French and Russian oak for 6 months for added richness, it boasts complex fragrance and flavours of buttered toast, caramel and citrus with a very long finish. A powerful wine that complements crabs, lobsters, scallops and creamy fish dishes such as kedgeree.

Gold medal winner ‘Chardonnay du Monde’ (France) 2007.

Appropriately named Bergsig (‘Mountain View’) because of its location where the towering Drakenstein and Hex River mountains meet, this family farm, established in 1843, is one of only four wine estates in the Breedekloof district. It is owned and run by the Lategan family, with De Wet Lategan being the 6th generation winemaker.

Vineyard management is focussed not only on ensuring the best possible grape quality but also on conservation, and the farm is certified as a user of environmentally friendly farming methods. From careful vineyard management to De Wet’s winemaking expertise, every wine is crafted with the aim of maximising pure and intense varietal flavours – the dry white wines are cold fermented to capture every ounce of flavour and aroma, whilst the Chardonnay and red wines age and develop complex characters in the cellar of over 400 mainly French barrels.

The wine range includes the most important grape varieties and wine styles, but also reflects University-trained De Wet’s creativity. With the confidence to enter national and international wine shows, Bergsig’s impressive tally of over 100 awards, trophies and medals is eloquent testimony to the success of the estate’s drive for quality.

Bottle Size: 75cl

ABV: 13.5%