The Grenache Blanc by Chris Williams of The Foundry has become one of the must-have white wines in South Africa. It is a multiple Platter’s 5 Star award winner, and was crowned White Wine of the Year in the 2018 guide.
We are pleased to be able to offer the new 2020 vintage.
Chris Williams, formerly cellarmaster at Meerlust, is now concentrating full time on The Foundry, a label he established in 2001. He has been busy renovating the cellar next to the Grenache Blanc vineyard used for this wine in the Voor Paardeberg. 2021 will be the first full vintage in the new cellar. Exciting times.
The grape
Grenache Blanc is the white mutation of the Grenache variety – also known by its Spanish name, Garnacha. The other two are Grenache Noir and Grenache Gris – all three show the same DNA profile.
According to SAWIS (South Africa Wine Information Systems), Grenache Blanc was the 7th most planted white variety in South Africa during 2019, with 11 hectares planted (or 1% of total area) during that year.
In total, there are 138 Ha planted to Grenache Blanc in South Africa, making it the 15th most planted white variety here.
Researchers are unclear on the origins of Grenache (aka Garnacha), with both Spain and Italy having plausible claims according to Wine Grapes (Robinson, Harding & Vouillamoz). However, they go on to quote the Russian agronomist Vavilov: “the area of greatest diversity is usually the centre of origin…which is why on balance we consider Spain to be the homeland of Garnacha“.
Grenache Blanc’s reputation, as a local variety, has been on the rise for the last few years. Once seen as simply a good blending component (see Sadie Family Palladius, and AA Badenhorst Family White for two prominent examples), more and more producers are starting to bottle single varietal releases.
The Foundry Grenache Blanc 2020
Winemag.co.za: “The Grenache Blanc 2020 as made by Chris Williams of The Foundry is a smart vintage of what is usually a smart wine. In some years, it can embellished with a little sweetness – due to partial natural ferment – but this time around, residual sugar is a mere 1.55 g/l. The wine is, however, not short of weight and texture, 30% of the wine being vinified in 1000-litre dolium (terracotta vessel). The nose shows floral perfume, pear and peach plus a little spice while the palate is medium bodied with bright acidity and savoury finish. There’s a lovely succulence about it and while very tempting now, it should be drinking even better in 12 months’ time.
Released: The Foundry Grenache Blanc 2020
The Grenache Blanc by Chris Williams of The Foundry has become one of the must-have white wines in South Africa. It is a multiple Platter’s 5 Star award winner, and was crowned White Wine of the Year in the 2018 guide.
We are pleased to be able to offer the new 2020 vintage.
Chris Williams, formerly cellarmaster at Meerlust, is now concentrating full time on The Foundry, a label he established in 2001. He has been busy renovating the cellar next to the Grenache Blanc vineyard used for this wine in the Voor Paardeberg. 2021 will be the first full vintage in the new cellar. Exciting times.
The grape
Grenache Blanc is the white mutation of the Grenache variety – also known by its Spanish name, Garnacha. The other two are Grenache Noir and Grenache Gris – all three show the same DNA profile.
According to SAWIS (South Africa Wine Information Systems), Grenache Blanc was the 7th most planted white variety in South Africa during 2019, with 11 hectares planted (or 1% of total area) during that year.
In total, there are 138 Ha planted to Grenache Blanc in South Africa, making it the 15th most planted white variety here.
SAWIS does some great work – view their SA WINE INDUSTRY 2019 STATISTICS report.
Researchers are unclear on the origins of Grenache (aka Garnacha), with both Spain and Italy having plausible claims according to Wine Grapes (Robinson, Harding & Vouillamoz). However, they go on to quote the Russian agronomist Vavilov: “the area of greatest diversity is usually the centre of origin…which is why on balance we consider Spain to be the homeland of Garnacha“.
Grenache Blanc’s reputation, as a local variety, has been on the rise for the last few years. Once seen as simply a good blending component (see Sadie Family Palladius, and AA Badenhorst Family White for two prominent examples), more and more producers are starting to bottle single varietal releases.
The Foundry Grenache Blanc 2020
Winemag.co.za: “The Grenache Blanc 2020 as made by Chris Williams of The Foundry is a smart vintage of what is usually a smart wine. In some years, it can embellished with a little sweetness – due to partial natural ferment – but this time around, residual sugar is a mere 1.55 g/l. The wine is, however, not short of weight and texture, 30% of the wine being vinified in 1000-litre dolium (terracotta vessel). The nose shows floral perfume, pear and peach plus a little spice while the palate is medium bodied with bright acidity and savoury finish. There’s a lovely succulence about it and while very tempting now, it should be drinking even better in 12 months’ time.
Christian Eede’s rating: 95/100.”
Please contact david@exanimo.co.za if you have any queries.