Essence Chardonnay

This Chardonnay pairs well with a variety of dishes, including seafood such as prawns and scallops, creamy pasta dishes, and grilled chicken. Its balanced acidity and fresh flavor profile make it a good match for salads and soft cheeses, such as brie and camembert​.

The grapes for this wine are sourced from select vineyards in the Western Cape, which are influenced by cool coastal breezes that help maintain the grapes' natural acidity. The diverse soil types in the region contribute to the wine's complexity and depth of flavor. Sustainable farming practices are employed to ensure the health of the vines and the quality of the fruit.

The Fleur du Cap Essence du Cap Chardonnay 2019 is aged in both stainless steel and oak barrels for several months. This aging process imparts a subtle oak character, adding notes of vanilla and butter, without overwhelming the fresh fruit flavors. Lees contact during aging enhances the wine's texture and depth .

After harvesting, the grapes are gently pressed, and fermentation takes place in a combination of stainless steel tanks and oak barrels. This method allows the wine to retain its fresh fruit character while gaining complexity from the oak. The wine does not undergo full malolactic fermentation, which helps to preserve its natural acidity and bright flavor profile​.

Fleur du Cap (French for “Flower of the Cape”) is greatly inspired by the Cape Floral Kingdom – a wildflower region famed for its natural beauty and rich biodiversity – with each species blossoming in the specific soil and climate best suited to their needs. It is this Cape Floral Kingdom that has greatly inspired our wines to not be defined by a single place or vineyard. Our philosophy is based around the freedom to explore – to find our grapes where they grow best, rather than be constrained by district, farm, climate or even vineyard. Our winemakers have access to the widest geography of vineyards in South Africa. This unrestricted journey across the Cape Winelands is what allows them to craft highly-lauded wines which exemplify regional excellence.