Wine with Jimmy: South African White Wine Varieties

Overview

• Host: Jimmy Smith
• Channel: Wine with Jimmy
• Focus: WSET Level 3 syllabus on South African white grape varieties
• Topics covered: Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay

Chenin Blanc

• Principal white grape variety in South Africa
  • Production: 20% of white wine production
  • Origin: Originally from France (Loire Valley), brought by Dutch settlers and French Huguenots
• Characteristics
  • Thin skins, susceptible to noble rot
  • High acidity (less than Loire Valley)
  • Flavor profile: Apples, lemons, pineapple, peach, apricot, honeyed notes
  • Can undergo oak maturation, lees contact, or malolactic fermentation
• Comparison with Chardonnay
  • Higher acidity and honeyed notes

Key Regions for Chenin Blanc

• Svartland
  • Historical zone, old vine, dry-farmed Chenin
  • Influenced by Benguela Current and mountain ranges
  • Produces complex, premium wines
• Pahl
  • Robust, high alcohol, oak-influenced styles
• Worcester
  • Mass-produced, often blended with Colombard and Chardonnay

Sauvignon Blanc

• Production: 80% of total production
• Characteristics
  • High acidity, aromatic (gooseberry, asparagus, passion fruit, lime)
  • Pyrazines: Grass, nettle, green pepper notes
• History: Fraud incident in early 2000s

Key Regions for Sauvignon Blanc

• Stellenbosch
  • Coastal, influenced by False Bay
• Constantia
  • Cool climate, often blended with Semillon
• Durbanville
  • Atlantic influence, fresh style
• Walker Bay, Elgin, Elim
  • Light, elegant style, similar to Loire Valley

Chardonnay

• Styles: Range from light and elegant to rich and robust
• Characteristics
  • Peach, red apple, pineapple
  • Oak, creamy, vanilla notes

Key Regions for Chardonnay

• Robertson
  • Often used for Method Cap Classique
• Stellenbosch
  • Diverse influences, complex wines
• Pahl
  • Robust styles
• Walker Bay, Hemel Ernaade, Elgin
  • Elegant, Burgundian style

Important Considerations for Examination

• Regions and styles: Focus on identifying regions and their characteristics
• Climatic influences: Coastal effects, cooling breezes (Benguela Current, Cape Doctor)
• Wine style diversity: Understand the variety in styles across regions

Additional Resources

• Part of series: 2nd of 3 videos on South African wines
• Next topic: Black grape varieties of South Africa (members only)

Conclusion

• Contact: Social media - Wine with Jimmy, West London Wine, South London Wine
• Engagement: Encourage comments and questions
• Invitation: Visit the wine schools and bar in London