THERE WAS little fanfare associated with Winemag’s 2020 Cape White Blend Report. Perhaps in part this had to do with the uphill battle to establish a new category which Winemag reasons should hinge on the most widely planted grape vine in South Africa, Chenin Blanc. Some of the country’s finest wines are single-varietal Chenins, and the best-value blend as reviewed in the report revolving around combinations comprising at least 15% (and no more than 85%) of the variety is a wine with a rather catchy name.

On first seeing the label, your thoughts might well jump to a piece of writing, a composition or short story maybe. But according to M·A·N Family Wines, based at Lievland Vineyards on the slopes of the Simonsberg in Stellenbosch (tasting room pictured below), their ‘Essay’ is a play on words – ‘SA’ being a popular way of saying ‘South Africa’ in SA. The 2019 vintage of their white blend (there’s also a red) is composed of Chenin Blanc with Viognier and Roussanne in supporting roles. Easy-drinking and/but with some complexity, texture. “A real crowd-pleaser.”

ESSAY CHENIN BLANC VIOGNIER ROUSSANNE 2019
WO Coastal Region: Chenin (78%) and Viognier (13%) grapes sourced from unirrigated bush vines in Agter-Paarl, with Roussanne (9%) from Stellenbosch. Hand-harvested. Free-run juice fermented in stainless-steel tanks involving a few months of contact with the lees (spent yeast). Unwooded. Fined and filtered before bottling.
Alc 13.5 | RS 5 | TA 6.5 | pH 3.5
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: medium bodied; shows typical Chenin Blanc aromas of pineapple, litchi and guava; lees contact enhances the texture while maintaining a fruity palate and fresh finish; the Viognier and Roussanne contribute distinctive characteristics, bringing out hints of pear, melon and granadilla.
Pairing Suggestions: sushi, oysters, Asian curries, sweet-and-sour dishes, summer salads.
Cellar-door price of R85pb from Lievland Vineyards.