The wine Pinotage from the Alvi’s Drift winery
This Pinotage is part of the Signature Range. This range offers superb quality and incredible value. The wine gets its name from the bridge over the Breede River. Albertus Viljoen, “Oupa Alvi,” built it in 1930. His son Bertie started wine production. Now his grandson Alvi produces award-winning wines. The winery is a true South African gem, appreciated worldwide.
Alvi’s Drift vineyards are optimally positioned. They have an ideal Mediterranean microclimate. They also boast abundant soil diversity. Water comes from the Breede River. All these conditions create remarkable wines. They possess unique character and complexity. The vineyards are sustainably fertilized. Natural compost produced on the farm is used. Meticulous management ensures optimal quality and flavor. Grapes are hand-harvested at cool dawn.
The Winemaking
In the cellar, the fruit is preserved. Pinotage grapes are hand-harvested. Once at the cellar, they’re destemmed and crushed. They’re then transferred to fermentation tanks. Here, they ferment for about seven days.
The juice is separated from the skins. This is done to enhance color and flavor intensity. Fermentation begins in stainless steel tanks. Subsequently, the wine matures in American and French oak barrels. This aging lasts for about two months. The extended aging serves to enhance the wine’s complexity.
Tasting the wine
This Pinotage has a youthful purple color. It bursts with lively red fruit aromas. You’ll smell ripe cherry and raspberry. There’s also a hint of cranberry. It finishes with light floral whispers. On the palate, it mirrors the nose. It has a juicy, fruit-forward character. It’s balanced by bright acidity. The tannins are soft and silky. The finish is clean and refreshing. It highlights the wine’s vibrant personality. It’s an approachable yet distinctive example. It represents South Africa’s signature variety. You can enjoy it now. Or it can mature for another 3-5 years.
Food Pairings
This versatile wine pairs magnificently. It goes wonderfully with cured meats and medium-aged cheeses. It’s also ideal with sushi.
THE AWARDS
The Pinotage from the Signature Range has earned significant recognition. In 2024, it received the Grand Gold Certificate of Excellence from the South African Wine Index. It also won Gold at the LUMO Awards. Furthermore, it secured a Double Gold at the Ultra Value Wine Challenge. These awards confirm the exceptional quality of this wine.
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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