The Empire Strikes Back – An all-STELLENBOSCH white blend of Verdelho, Roussanne, 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 2018 – An all-STELLENBOSCH white blend of Verdelho, 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

Cultivar: Chenin Blanc (47%), Verdelho (27%), Rousanne (13%), Chardonnay (13%)

Vintage: 2023Region: Stellenbosch

Amount of Bottles Produced: 1038

Vineyard

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

Winemaking

The grapes were picked at optimal ripeness and cooled overnight to 4 degrees celsius. The next morning the grapes were pressed as whole bunches. The juice underwent spontaneous fermentation in concrete egg shaped tanks, amphora and older French oak barrels. Deep winter the wine received one sulfur addition. 10 months on the leese, blended and bottled.

Alcoholic Strenght: 13 % vol

Acidity: 5.67 g/l

PH: 3.44

Reducing Sugar: 1.82 g/l

Free SO2: 26mg/l

Total SO2: 134mg/l

Volatile Acidity: 0.61 g/l

Closure: DIAM

Vegan: Yes