Neethlingshof Maria Sweet Wine 2020
Type: Sweet
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Grape Variety: 100% Weisser Riesling
Climate: The locality of Neethlingshof enables cool sea breezes from both the Indian and Atlantic oceans to penetrate the vineyards and cool down the grapes during hot summer days
Terroir: The Maria’s grapes come from Neethlingshof’s Weisser Riesling Vineyards on the Hill, exposed to the cooling mists of False Bay, which help to create the appropriate set of conditions under which botrytis cinerea (noble rot) can flourish to produce grapes of concentrated intensity. The grapes were picked from south-facing dryland vines planted in 1991 and 1992 in deep, red soils and situated 140 to 170 metres above sea level
Winemaking: The grapes were hand-picked at 40° – 44º Balling in April. The juice was fermented at 13º to 14ºC over 18 days. One-third portion of the wine has been aged in a 500L new French oak barrel for 6 months. No malolactic fermentation was allowed
Color: Golden yellow
Nose: Fruit cake, dried apricot, honey and peach aromas
Palate: Concentrated fruit cake with honey and marmalade
About the Winery:
In the heart of the Cape wine region, you will find Neethlingshof Estate, one of the oldest wine estates in South Africa. Wines have been produced here since 1692. Originally founded by a German immigrant named Willem Barend Lubbe, it now produces high-quality wines from the Western Cape. Since 2003, they have also been pursuing an active biodiversity strategy to limit the monoculture of wine.
The estate grows many different grape varieties, including well-known ones such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay or Chenin Blanc, but also the Pinotage, Gewürztraminer or Riesling typical of South Africa.
With their south and southwest exposure, the plants soak up plenty of sun during the day, while being cooled by cold sea air at night. The growth process is thus rather slow, which gives the grapes a ripe aroma.
