The 2018 Leopard’s Leap Classic Chenin Blanc has been awarded with the Chenin Blanc Trophy in the 2018 Michelangelo International Wine & Spirit Awards. Hot on the heels of the exceptional Top Ten performance of its 2016 Culinaria Chenin Blanc in the Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Challenge, this award reaffirms the Leopard’s Leap winemaking team’s knack for this variety.

“I am again impressed by the versatility of Chenin Blanc”, says Leopard’s Leap CEO, Hein Koegelenberg. “Whether made in a more complex style with oak maturation or as an easy-drinking, fresher style of wine, Chenin Blanc is a great choice.”

The 2018 Leopard’s Leap Chenin Blanc offers a lively combination of ripe summer fruit and subtle fynbos undertones, sustained by a firm acidity and a dry, lingering finish. A refreshing glass on its own, this classic Chenin Blanc makes for a versatile partner with seafood, salads and even semi-firm cheeses such as brie and herb-crushed goat’s cheese. It should also be the go-to choice with those often challenging Asian flavours.

Grapes for the 2018 vintage are from the Perdeberg in the Agter-Paarl region, acclaimed for exceptional Chenin Blanc. Harvested at optimum ripeness, the grapes were destemmed and crushed. The free-run juice was fermented separately from the press component. After fermentation, a small portion of the press juice was added to the blend to contribute some additional body and flavour.

The 2018 Leopard’s Leap Chenin Blanc is available from leading retailers, wine shops and Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards in Franschhoek.