Wildeberg Terroirs Chenin Blanc, Paarl 2024

Old-vine South African Chenin Blanc done properly – ripe stone fruit, apricot and citrus with serious texture, savoury complexity and a brilliant mineral finish.

Wildeberg is a small farm in Franschhoek producing some seriously good wines, and their Terroirs range is all about seeking out exceptional individual vineyard sites across South Africa's Coastal Region.

For this Chenin Blanc, they've headed to Paarl, sourcing fruit from old, dry-farmed bush vines planted on granite-rich soils. These vines are over 45 years old and produce naturally low yields of concentrated, characterful fruit.

The grapes are picked by hand and naturally fermented back at Wildeberg before the wine is matured in French oak. The winemaking is deliberately hands-off – the idea is to let the old vines and vineyard do the talking rather than covering everything up with oak.

Why We Like It

This is a world away from simple, inexpensive South African Chenin Blanc.

There's plenty of ripe fruit – apricot, green plum, grapefruit and stone fruit – but it's the texture and savoury side that make this really interesting. You'll find notes of straw, saffron and baked earth alongside a lovely mineral streak running through the wine.

Despite all that richness, there's cracking acidity keeping everything fresh. It's medium to full-bodied, textured and complex, but never feels heavy.

If you normally drink white Burgundy, richer Chardonnay, white Rhône or serious Loire Chenin Blanc, we'd definitely put a bottle of this in your basket.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Ripe stone fruit and citrus with straw, saffron and subtle baked-earth notes.

Palate: Generous and textured with apricot, green plum and grapefruit. Rich fruit is balanced by tangy acidity and a lovely mineral character.

Finish: Long, focused and fresh with citrus, stone fruit and a taut mineral edge.

Food Pairing

This is a proper food wine. Brilliant with grilled fish, roast chicken, pork, creamy seafood dishes and asparagus.

We'd particularly like it with good Scottish seafood – grilled monkfish, scallops or a rich piece of roast salmon would all work brilliantly.

Product Details

• Producer: Wildeberg
• Wine: Wildeberg Terroirs Chenin Blanc
• Vintage: 2024
• Country: South Africa
• Region: Paarl
• Appellation: WO Paarl
• Grape: 100% Chenin Blanc
• Vine Age: 45+ years
• Vineyard: Old dry-farmed bush vines
• ABV: 13.5%
• Bottle Size: 75cl
• Closure: Cork
• Winemaker: JD Rossouw
• Suitable For: Vegans & Vegetarians
• Farming: Sustainable
• Style: Medium to Full Bodied White

Buy Wildeberg Chenin Blanc Online

Buy Wildeberg Terroirs Chenin Blanc 2024 online from The Strong Water Co., independent wine merchants based in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire.

We deliver wine throughout the UK, including Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Whether you're ordering wine for delivery to Inverness, the Highlands, Skye, Orkney, Shetland or elsewhere across Scotland, you can order online for delivery direct to your door.

Local customers can also shop our wine range at The Strong Water Co. in Banchory and Ballater, in the heart of Royal Deeside.

ABV STRENGTH 13.5

BOTTLE SIZE 75cl

COUNTRY South Africa

GRAPE Chenin Blanc

REGION Paarl

STYLE Medium-bodied

VINTAGE 2024