ALVI'S DRIFT
221 CHENIN BLANC 2023
HERITAGE
In 1928, the All Blacks rugby team, known as “The Invincibles” was unassailable. They arrived on South African shores after completing an undefeated tour of France and the British colonies, expecting to continue their winning streak. The rugby world was rocked when a young unknown, 19-year old Albertus Viljoen van der Merwe, “Alvi” to his friends, scored the first try in history against the All Blacks on African soil.
Our charismatic founder gripped the rugby world’s imagination by scoring this historic try, going on to be selected as the 221st player to play for the Springboks – South Africa’s national rugby team. With Alvi in their ranks, the Springboks turned the tide on “The Invincibles”, going on to tour the UK and Europe undefeated.
Alvi’s farm in Worcester, South Africa, has continued this winning legacy, remaining family owned – and home to three generations of the Van der Merwe family – to this day. Today, the family farm is home to the Alvi’s Drift winery, known for producing internationally acclaimed, worldclass wines of exceptional quality and value. With our 221 range, we pay tribute to our patriarch, Oupa Alvi, and our winning South African Springbok rugby team.
WINE OF ORIGIN
Scherpenheuwel, Western Cape, South Africa.
ON THE VINES
With an ideal Mediterranean microclimate, an abundance of soil diversity and water from the life-giving Breede River, the Alvi’s Drift vineyards are ideally positioned for producing remarkable wines of unique character and complexity.
Our vineyards are sustainably fertilised with natural compost produced on our farm. Come harvest time, our grapes are carefully hand harvested from selected Chenin Blanc vineyards in the cool, early morning hours to ensure optimal quality and flavour.
IN THE CELLAR
Only the best-quality, free-run juice was used to produce this unique Chenin Blanc – a truly one-of-a-kind wine unlike any other produced in our cellar. A blend of barrel-matured and fresh, crisp tank-fermented Chenin Blanc, approximately 30% of this wine was wild yeast-fermented, then aged in predominantly older French oak barrels, but, more recently, also a few French Acacia barrels to add complexity and depth. The remainder of the wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks, highlighting the wonderful, primary fruit character of this vintage.
TASTING NOTES
This pale straw-coloured wine presents an inviting, fruit-driven nose of ripe peach, lemon, and hints of honeysuckle. The palate is richly textured, marked by electrifying acidity, beautifully balanced with gentle tannins, culminating in a beautiful lingering finish. Enjoy this vibrant wine now, or allow it to mature further over the next three years.
PAIRING SUGGESTION
Enjoy this wine with white fish or chicken, a chicken korma curry or butternut quiche.
CULTIVAR INFORMATION
100% Chenin Blanc
ANALYSIS
Alcohol: 13.6%
Residual Sugar: 4.7 g/l
Acidity: 6.5 g/l
pH: 3.1
NOT KOSHER