Erika Obermeyer, Graham Beck Wines - winemaker
With spring here and the heady delights of summer already beckoning, thoughts turn to long lazy al fresco meals, accompanied (of course) by wines that make your soul sing and your spirit soar! For me the quintessential warm weather wine, ideal for South African ‘stoep kuier’ sessions, is undoubtedly Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a versatile, multi-faceted crowd pleaser, equally delicious as a casual quaffer or as the perfect match for a wide range of delectable dishes.
One of the many delights of living and working in the Franschhoek Valley is the sheer bliss of being surrounded by so many estates, restaurants and assorted foodie havens where the blessed union that is good food and wine is celebrated enthusiastically and incessantly. As both a winemaker and consumer it’s a rare privilege to constantly be at the forefront of innovation and inspiration when it comes to delivering a world class gourmet experience.
This is what makes my enduring love affair with Sauvignon Blanc all the more exciting. This elegant all rounder has a contemporary flair, ideally suited to the modern lifestyle. Tangy, crisp, refreshing, zesty, grassy, peppery, tropical – the most enticing (and endlessly challenging) aspect of this variety is its wide range of expressions and flavour profiles. From rich and ripe to green and grassy – there is a style to seduce even the pickiest of palates.
At Graham Beck Wines in Franschhoek we’ve experienced tremendous success with this varietal, proving that our efforts in the vineyard and cellar are paying off, not just in terms of quality, but also consistency and wide spread appeal. I relish the challenge that this gorgeous grape offers. There is absolutely no room for error at any stage in the making of a great Sauvignon Blanc!
In the vineyard we aim to get all the basics right from day one and ensure that optimal viticultural practices are in place. However, terroir remains paramount. Sauvignon Blanc is a very site specific varietal. Cool climate winegrowing with the influence of the cold Atlantic Ocean breezes prove very effective in the optimal ripening of the Sauvignon Blanc fruit.
We also pay considerable attention to following the most advantageous harvesting practices, picking only when the berries deliver their fullest flavor intensity, thus allowing us to capture the different fruit components of the vineyard in the final wine. Harvesting takes place only in the cool early morning hours, followed by reductive treatment in the cellar, a period of skin contact with two-day settling and cold fermentation. Extended time on the gross lees before the final blending contributes further complexity.
I am sure my fellow ardent Sauvignon Blanc fans will second my devotion to the “varietal with vooma” for its fresh, vibrant and pure aromas. I simply can’t help it, but every sip of a great example of Sauvignon Blanc results in a ‘goose bump’ moment, and that feeling is exactly what I experience when sampling the Graham Beck Pheasants’ Run grapes in the vineyards on the final day before harvesting. For me it’s the purest example of a wine that shows authenticity of fruit, minerality, elegance and consummate finesse. So, viva la dolce vita, viva Sauvignon and cheers to living it up in the Valley of Deliciousness!
With spring here and the heady delights of summer already beckoning, thoughts turn to long lazy al fresco meals, accompanied (of course) by wines that make your soul sing and your spirit soar! For me the quintessential warm weather wine, ideal for South African ‘stoep kuier’ sessions, is undoubtedly Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a versatile, multi-faceted crowd pleaser, equally delicious as a casual quaffer or as the perfect match for a wide range of delectable dishes.
One of the many delights of living and working in the Franschhoek Valley is the sheer bliss of being surrounded by so many estates, restaurants and assorted foodie havens where the blessed union that is good food and wine is celebrated enthusiastically and incessantly. As both a winemaker and consumer it’s a rare privilege to constantly be at the forefront of innovation and inspiration when it comes to delivering a world class gourmet experience.
This is what makes my enduring love affair with Sauvignon Blanc all the more exciting. This elegant all rounder has a contemporary flair, ideally suited to the modern lifestyle. Tangy, crisp, refreshing, zesty, grassy, peppery, tropical – the most enticing (and endlessly challenging) aspect of this variety is its wide range of expressions and flavour profiles. From rich and ripe to green and grassy – there is a style to seduce even the pickiest of palates.
At Graham Beck Wines in Franschhoek we’ve experienced tremendous success with this varietal, proving that our efforts in the vineyard and cellar are paying off, not just in terms of quality, but also consistency and wide spread appeal. I relish the challenge that this gorgeous grape offers. There is absolutely no room for error at any stage in the making of a great Sauvignon Blanc!
In the vineyard we aim to get all the basics right from day one and ensure that optimal viticultural practices are in place. However, terroir remains paramount. Sauvignon Blanc is a very site specific varietal. Cool climate winegrowing with the influence of the cold Atlantic Ocean breezes prove very effective in the optimal ripening of the Sauvignon Blanc fruit.
We also pay considerable attention to following the most advantageous harvesting practices, picking only when the berries deliver their fullest flavor intensity, thus allowing us to capture the different fruit components of the vineyard in the final wine. Harvesting takes place only in the cool early morning hours, followed by reductive treatment in the cellar, a period of skin contact with two-day settling and cold fermentation. Extended time on the gross lees before the final blending contributes further complexity.
I am sure my fellow ardent Sauvignon Blanc fans will second my devotion to the “varietal with vooma” for its fresh, vibrant and pure aromas. I simply can’t help it, but every sip of a great example of Sauvignon Blanc results in a ‘goose bump’ moment, and that feeling is exactly what I experience when sampling the Graham Beck Pheasants’ Run grapes in the vineyards on the final day before harvesting. For me it’s the purest example of a wine that shows authenticity of fruit, minerality, elegance and consummate finesse. So, viva la dolce vita, viva Sauvignon and cheers to living it up in the Valley of Deliciousness!
[Article originally published in the October edition of the Franschhoek Tatler]
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