BLANKbottle, Empire Strikes Back 2021

BLANKbottle, Empire Strikes Back 2021

BLANKbottle, Empire Strikes Back 2021

18 in stock

BLANKbottle, Empire Strikes Back 2021

32,53 

18 in stock

92

Tim Atkin

Tim Atkin is a UK-based Master of Wine (MW) and wine journalist with an international following.

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750
SKU WC111368-2021 Category

The Empire Strikes Back – An all-STELLENBOSCH white blend of Verdelho from 2 different sites, Roussanne, Marsanne, Chardonnay and Chenin blanc.

The Story

Today I’m standing up to defend the EMPIRE – STELLENBOSCH. Silently, she’s been re-aligning her troops and now strikes back at the Swartland to establish herself yet again as a formidable force. The Empire Strikes Back – An all-STELLENBOSCH white blend of Verdelho from 2 different sites, Roussanne, Marsanne, Chardonnay, and Chenin blanc. Just for the record – I am a huge fan of Swartland white blends. The image of South African wines has changed dramatically over the past 10 years and the Swartland played a huge part in this. Their wines, especially the Rhône-style white blends are top notch. They are fun, young, energetic and unique and started to gain international fame. Stellenbosch, however (where I studied winemaking), is the original EMPIRE of South African wine. Like most of us, I like to support the underdog, and in the case of white blends, the Empire became exactly that. So I created a white blend based on similar varieties – a combination that could give some of the Swartland white blends a go. The empire is therefore now striking back at the Swartland. The label consists of two sections. On the left part of the label you will see a half star, which was the logo for the “Swartland Revolution”. And on the right – stripes that represent a traditional and conservative EMPIRE.

Technical Information

Vineyard: This is a blend from a selection of vineyards – Chenin blanc from the granite Firgrove hills, Chardonnay from the Helderberg’s deep rich soils, 2 blocks of Verdelho from the Helderberg foothills and Rousanne and Marsanne from the Blaauwklippen road.

Alcoholic Strenght: 13 % / vol

Acidity: 5.71 g/l

PH: 3.45

Residual Sugar: 1.9 g/l

Free SO2: 35 ppm

Total SO2: 92 ppm

Volatile Acidity: 0.62 g/l

Vegan: Yes

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