Gold medal from Concours Mondial du Sauvignon
Du Toitskloof Old Vine Sauvignon Blanc 2022 was recently awarded a Gold Medal at the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon competition. This elite, international Sauvignon Blanc competition is designed to promote good quality Sauvignon varietal wines, boost production and sensible drinking of Sauvignon wines and introduce the public to this multi-faceted, versatile grape variety.
Our Old Vine Sauvignon Blanc was among only 23 Gold awarded Sauvignons from South Africa, so we decided to do a quick Q&A with Du Toitskloof Old Vine Sauvignon Blanc 2022 winemaker, Shawn Thomson so get some more “juice”.
DTK: This is your third Old Vine Sauvignon Blanc vintage, was the 2022 harvest significantly different to the previous two years?
ST: The 2022 harvest was unique in the sense that we were blessed with beautiful weather throughout the intake period. Moderate day temperatures and cool nights delivered top quality grapes that produced balanced analysis and flavour-loaded juice, resulting in very beautiful wines.
DTK: You started making the Old Vine Sauvignon Blanc in 2020 by using first fill French oak barrels and allowing the juice to ferment on the lees for six months, did you use the same winemaking techniques with your 2022 vintage?
ST: We began by purchasing six new 500L French barrels every year for the Old Vine Sauvignon Blanc. Now we’re in a cycle, so we use six second fill barrels and six new barrels for every vintage.
DTK: What do you think are the main differences between Blanc Fumé from the Breedekloof versus Blanc Fumé from the Loire valley?
ST: I would say the Breedekloof Sauvignon Blanc used for our Old Vine Sauvignon Blanc tends to be more herbaceous than the Loire Sauvignon Blanc. The acidity is typically lower than the wines from the Loire, with complex notes of tropical fruits and citrus.
DTK: Is there a personal connection with this wine for you?
ST: Absolutely, I feel connected to every step in the process; from the special single vineyard, the off-loading, destemming, settling and fermentation in barrel, it is all handled with meticulous care to produce something close to my heart. Furthermore it is really special that this is the first Old Vine – Single Vineyard – Blanc Fumé from the breathtaking Breedekloof Valley.
DTK: What does it take to make a Concours Mondial du Sauvignon Gold awarded wine?
ST: Dedication and passion. I am really blessed to work with a wonderful team from the vineyard, through winemaking all the way to bottling, marketing and sales.
DTK: What are your aspirations for the Du Toitskloof Old Vine Sauvignon Blanc?
ST: I would like to see this wine grow into a favourite for many of our loyal Du Toitskloof customers. It is our mission to keep our customers and clients happy and showcase the many beautiful wines we produce from our stunning valley.
DTK: How often do you drink this wine?
ST: At least once a week… perhaps even more.
DTK: What would your personal tasting note sound like?
ST: This wine exhibits a cacophony of flavours like pineapple, apricot, peach, mango and litchi. The fermentation and maturation in barrel brings an integrated creaminess and produces a wine with great longevity.
DTK: What would you pair with this wine?
ST: My favourite part… I’d say crayfish, seafood paella, rotisserie chicken, slow roasted pork belly and pan roasted duck breast.
DTK: What can we expect from the 2023 vintage?
ST: Let’s wait and see.
