Sauvignon Blanc
75cl * Vegan * 0.5% ABV * Darling, South Africa
Darling Cellars have created a range of de-alcoholised wines where the focus is on fruit-driven, varietal-true, and value for money wines. The grapes are harvested from dry-farmed vineyards in Darling, where the bush-vine vineyards are strategically planted on South-West facing slopes to capture cool breezes from the Atlantic Ocean and cold Benguela current. Deep soils of decomposed granite and clay-rich provide excellent drainage.
After the grapes are picked, fermentation takes place for 14 days at 15°C. The juice is kept away from oxygen to lock in fruitiness and complexity is added by maturing the wine on its lees for 2 months before it is de-alcoholised. This is done under vacuum and at low temperature to ensure that the product retains its distinctive wine body, colour and flavour by way of a gently spun cone technology.
A light yellow with a hint of green in colour; flavours of ripe tropical fruit, yellow peaches and gooseberries are complemented by a fresh acidity and lingering finish.
This winery suggest the wine will pair well with most seafood, particularly fresh mussels or oysters.
IWSC: Silver 90 pts