Sunshiny Chenin Blanc
You might know Chenin Blanc best as a refreshing summer sipper, but there is much more to this variety! Not only does South Africa produce exceptional Chenin Blancs, we offer it in a variety of styles - fit for any occasion. From a summertime favourite to being an exceptional partner on the dinner table when made with complexity and oak maturation - and you'll even find beautiful Chenin Blanc sparkling wines made in the traditional French way!
Chenin Blanc is believed to be amongst the first vine cuttings that arrived in South Africa in 1655 during the time of Governor Jan van Riebeeck.
Under the watchful eye of Jan van Riebeeck, on 2 February, 1659 the first grapes from three young vines were pressed, and produced fourteen and a half litres of wine. The grape varieties were named as steendruif, now known to be Chenin Blanc, and hanepoot, or Muscat d’Alexandrie then called Spaanse druiven, or Spanish grapes.
By 1988, Chenin accounted for 33.2% of the national vineyard in terms of the area covered and probably higher than that in terms of volume of wine produced. High yields and overproduction led to it being declared the workhorse of the SA wine industry, used at the base wine in the distillation of brandy. Since then Chenin has become the most widely uprooted variety each year, with the area under Chenin now at a stable 18% of South African plantings. It remains the most widely planted variety in South Africa.
South Africa is considered to have pioneered a new generation of original and versatile styles, inspiring others across the world to find their own unique expressions.
As part of Chenin SA's #CheninSafari leading up to #DrinkChenin Day on 8 June, Leopard's Leap will be hosting guests to its Franschhoek Valley home with complimentary Chenin Blanc tastings as well as a 10% discount on any 6 bottles of Leopard's Leap Chenin Blanc. (Available from Leopard's Leap Family Vineyards from 27 April to 8 June.)
Taste and select!
2023 Leopard's Leap Chenin Blanc - a refreshing wine with herbaceous notes, ideal for sunshiny weather and extended lunch hours. Beautiful layers of sweet fresh melon and guava play on the nose, with subtle whiffs of jasmine and peach blossoms. Lovely on its own, with fresh salads, Friday night pizza and Sunday chicken!
2023 Culinaria Chenin Blanc - based on the Chenin Blancs from France's Loire region, the 2023 Culinaria has well-defined ripe fruit character with aromas of tropical fruit and yellow peach, beautifully balanced with refreshing white fruit such as pear. A remarkably versatile partner to food. Enjoy with Asian dishes, Cape Malay chicken curry, salads with tomato, sharp vinaigrettes or tangy mayonnaise or a variety of seafood and creamy dishes.
Culinaria Méthode Cap Classique - made from 100% Chenin Blanc, this South African interpretation of France’s famous Champagne wines offer notes of green pear, Granny Smith apples, lime and grapefruit. The palate is crisp with beautiful fine bubbles due to the secondary fermentation in the bottle. This celebratory wine charms with a fresh minerality and lingers on the palate with a biscuity finish.
Because Chenin Blanc is such a great fit to South African terroir, our lifestyle and our food, it makes out an important part of the Leopard's Leap TASTE SA! Experience. Read more.
You might know Chenin Blanc best as a refreshing summer sipper, but there is much more to this variety! Not only does South Africa produce exceptional Chenin Blancs, we offer it in a variety of styles - fit for any occasion. From a summertime favourite to being an exceptional partner on the dinner table when made with complexity and oak maturation - and you'll even find beautiful Chenin Blanc sparkling wines made in the traditional French way!
Chenin Blanc is believed to be amongst the first vine cuttings that arrived in South Africa in 1655 during the time of Governor Jan van Riebeeck.
Under the watchful eye of Jan van Riebeeck, on 2 February, 1659 the first grapes from three young vines were pressed, and produced fourteen and a half litres of wine. The grape varieties were named as steendruif, now known to be Chenin Blanc, and hanepoot, or Muscat d’Alexandrie then called Spaanse druiven, or Spanish grapes.
By 1988, Chenin accounted for 33.2% of the national vineyard in terms of the area covered and probably higher than that in terms of volume of wine produced. High yields and overproduction led to it being declared the workhorse of the SA wine industry, used at the base wine in the distillation of brandy. Since then Chenin has become the most widely uprooted variety each year, with the area under Chenin now at a stable 18% of South African plantings. It remains the most widely planted variety in South Africa.
South Africa is considered to have pioneered a new generation of original and versatile styles, inspiring others across the world to find their own unique expressions.
As part of Chenin SA's #CheninSafari leading up to #DrinkChenin Day on 8 June, Leopard's Leap will be hosting guests to its Franschhoek Valley home with complimentary Chenin Blanc tastings as well as a 10% discount on any 6 bottles of Leopard's Leap Chenin Blanc. (Available from Leopard's Leap Family Vineyards from 27 April to 8 June.)
Taste and select!
2023 Leopard's Leap Chenin Blanc - a refreshing wine with herbaceous notes, ideal for sunshiny weather and extended lunch hours. Beautiful layers of sweet fresh melon and guava play on the nose, with subtle whiffs of jasmine and peach blossoms. Lovely on its own, with fresh salads, Friday night pizza and Sunday chicken!
2023 Culinaria Chenin Blanc - based on the Chenin Blancs from France's Loire region, the 2023 Culinaria has well-defined ripe fruit character with aromas of tropical fruit and yellow peach, beautifully balanced with refreshing white fruit such as pear. A remarkably versatile partner to food. Enjoy with Asian dishes, Cape Malay chicken curry, salads with tomato, sharp vinaigrettes or tangy mayonnaise or a variety of seafood and creamy dishes.
Culinaria Méthode Cap Classique - made from 100% Chenin Blanc, this South African interpretation of France’s famous Champagne wines offer notes of green pear, Granny Smith apples, lime and grapefruit. The palate is crisp with beautiful fine bubbles due to the secondary fermentation in the bottle. This celebratory wine charms with a fresh minerality and lingers on the palate with a biscuity finish.
Because Chenin Blanc is such a great fit to South African terroir, our lifestyle and our food, it makes out an important part of the Leopard's Leap TASTE SA! Experience. Read more.
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