The wine Chenin Blanc from the Alvi’s Drift winery
The Chenin Blanc from Alvi’s Drift Winery represents an excellence in the South African wine scene, perfect for those who desire fruity, quality wines at an accessible price. This winery, named after a historic bridge over the Breede River, is run by the Van Der Merwe family, pioneers in winemaking since 1930. With a focus on sustainability and quality, Alvi’s Drift offers wines that captivate palates around the world.
The Winemaking
The winemaking of Chenin Blanc begins with hand harvesting, conducted in the cool morning hours to ensure that only the healthiest and most mature grapes are selected. The grapes, grown in a Mediterranean microclimate with diverse soils, undergo cold fermentation and aging on the lees for several months. This process helps to maintain the fruity expression of the grapes without the use of oak, creating a fresh and aromatic wine.
Tasting the wine
Alvi’s Drift Chenin Blanc presents itself with a pale straw yellow color and a slight greenish hue. On the nose, it releases aromas of fresh peach and gorse, enriched by a hint of jasmine. On the palate, the wine is characterized by vibrant freshness, with crisp acidity and fruity flavors that linger into a lemony and refreshing finish. It is recommended to enjoy it young, but it can evolve beautifully for at least 3-5 years.
Food Pairings
This Chenin Blanc pairs beautifully with fresh salads, fish dishes, and delicate cheeses. Its acidity also makes it ideal with richer dishes that feature a slight creaminess. To best enhance its characteristics, it is advisable to serve it at a temperature between 10 and 12 °C.
THE AWARDS
The wine has received numerous accolades, including the Grand Gold Certificate of Excellence at the South African Wine Index and several gold medals at prestigious awards like the Lumo Awards and the Veritas Awards in 2024.
THE WINERY
The distinctive character and complexity of Alvi’s Drift wines are the result of an exceptional combination of climate, soil, and topography, complemented by an abundance of water supplied by the Breede River. The wines elegantly express the extraordinary terroir of the vineyards. Each bottle infuses an authentic sense of place and the passion of those who contributed to their creation.
The winery processes over 5.6 million liters of wine each harvest, making large-scale production possible without compromising quality. Chief winemaker Alvi van der Merwe and his team live their passion for the art of winemaking, creating award-winning and internationally acclaimed white, red, rosé, Cap Classique, and sparkling wines.
Each wine from Alvi’s Drift embarks on a unique journey within the winery. Different winemaking techniques are employed to ferment and mature the varietals in the blends of red wines. Each wine is vinified separately, highlighting the distinctive character of each grape variety. This approach allows the winery to offer wines that not only satisfy but also tell a story of passion, dedication, and respect for the land.
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