New stripes for Perdeberg

Perdeberg has long been known as a bulk wine producer or simply as “the winery with the zebra”. Its 150 000-case output year on year consists of Perdeberg wines, SAAM (an export label), a wine range for MAN Vintners and the bulk is sold off to the likes of Spier, Graham Beck, Bellingham, Leopard’s Leap, the company of wine people and Boschendal.

 

So why, amid these massive production levels, now introduce a niche variety like Weisser Riesling – and just 1 200 bottles, only available at the cellar?

It’s all part of the Voor-Paardeberg winery’s efforts to establish itself among premium producers, building a reputation for quality as well as quantity, and changing perceptions among consumers, says CEO Gerhard van der Walt.

The winery’s award-winning Rex Equus 2008 (R180), which received top honours in the 2011 Wine magazine Chenin Blanc Challenge, was the culmination of years of hard work by winemaker Riaan Moller and cellarmaster Albertus Louw to place the brand in a new premium, category. The Riesling is another step in the right direction.

Grapes for the wine were sourced from vineyards in Durbanville. With a residual sugar of 148.8g/l and just 10.5% alcohol, the Natural Sweet Weisser Riesling was matured for four months in third-fill French oak barrels. An intense nose reveals perfumed, floral aromas, along with honeycomb and a touch of lime. The palate is overtly sweet (some may find that additional acidity is required to add further balance) and will pair beautifully with a curry or bobotie.

Also fairly new to the Perdeberg range is a MCC, of which 2 500 bottles have been released. Launched at the end of 2010, the MCC made from Chardonnay grapes, is available exclusively from the cellar.

Perdeberg Weisser Riesling 2010 retails for R80 per bottle from the estate. www.perdeberg.co.za