South African winemaker crowned Global Chenin Blanc Master Winemaker

Johan Jordaan, Cellar Master at Spier wine farm, was recently named Global Chenin Blanc Master Winemaker at the Master Winemaker 100 awards held in Paris.

Johan’s international honour follows outstanding performances by two Spier Chenin Blancs in The Global Wine Masters competition, where the Spier Good Natured Chenin Blanc 2023 and Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2022 both earned Master gold medals – the highest accolade awarded.

Drink Chenin Day is celebrated on Saturday June 14, and The #DrinkChenin movement celebrates this grape varietal as true royalty on this day and rightly so.

"Chenin is a wine built in layers. From vineyard to bottle, it takes many hands, and a deep respect for the land," said Mr Jordaan.

"While it's a winemaker's dream to work with, it also demands a hands-on approach and deep understanding of the vineyards."

First planted in local soils in the 17th century, with the earliest records dating back to 1655, Chenin Blanc has become the most widely planted grape variety in South Africa, accounting for 18.4% of the country's vineyards.

This vigorous grower with high yields used to be popular for large-production wines, as a component in blends or as a base for brandy distillation. It was known to be a hard-working and trustworthy varietal to work with, but went largely unheralded in the past.

"Good wine starts with good soil," said Mr Jordaan.

"Our approach to Chenin Blanc, like everything we do at Spier, begins with caring for the land. This recognition belongs to our entire team - from the people nurturing our soils to those crafting these wines in our cellar."

The grapes for the Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2022 are hand-picked from old vine vineyards situated in the hills of the Tygerberg near Cape Town, where the cold Atlantic Ocean breezes temper the heat for optimal ripening.

The wine is richly layered with ripe, juicy peach, pear, litchi and melon fruit aromas are balanced with citrus rind and white coriander spice. The palate is youthful but wonderfully luscious, refreshed by lingering acidity and a dense fruit core finish that provides complexity and texture. A delicate balance of freshness and complexity makes this wine both generous and age-worthy.

The grapes for the Spier Good Natured Chenin Blanc 2023 are sourced from organic vineyards free of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers. Bees, bugs and birds act as welcome pest control, and in the winter, oat, mustard and clover seeds are planted for cover crops to germinate and add nutrition to the soil.

The wine is a delicate gold colour, with delicious aromas of quince, citrus and stone fruit on the nose. The palate is juicy with exotic fruit like litchi and pineapple, leading to a refreshing and zesty finish.

The Master Winemaker 100, now in its 12th year, stands as one of the wine industry's most rigorous and prestigious recognitions. Unlike traditional wine competitions, the Global Wine Masters series takes a unique approach, with wines judged blind by an elite panel of Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers, and senior buyers.

The competition evaluates wines purely on style and merit, without preconceptions of region or reputation. To earn a place in the Master Winemaker 100, producers must first secure Master medals in these demanding competitions, making the recognition a true testament to consistent excellence at the highest level.