Saskia White

This wine is a perfect accompaniment to Lobster Bisque, Seafood Paella, Sushi, or any mildly spicy dish.

The grapes for the Chenin blanc are sourced from two old bush vine vineyards planted in granite soils in the Swartland on the North-Eastern side of the Paardeberg. The two Chenin blanc vineyards are picked at different times, one slightly earlier in the season to preserve the mineral freshness and texture inherent in the grapes. The other vineyard is picked slightly riper as it expresses the beautiful bright yellow fruit typical of Chenin blanc from the Swartland. The Clairette Blanche is picked at a very low sugar (19.5 Brix) to preserve the acidity that is inherently low in this variety and add texture to the final blend. The Viognier is sourced from a vineyard on the southern slopes of the Paardeberg in Paarl planted on decomposed and colluvium granite soils. The grapes are harvested at around 23 Brix. The Verdehlo is from a similar site to the Viognier vineyard. This is harvest at around 22.5 Brix and is responsible for the intense grilled pineapple characters and vibrant acidity in the wine.

The fermentation is allowed to start naturally and once completed the wine is topped and matured sur-lie for 10 months with regular lees stirring in French Oak, 14% being new.

The grapes are picked into small crates and put into a cold store overnight. The following morning the grapes are gently whole bunch pressed and the juice is settled overnight after which it is then run to 400-litre French oak barrels for fermentation.

Miles Mossop Wines burst onto the scene in 2004 when the first wines were made: Max 2004 and Saskia 2004. Max is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Petit Verdot and more recently Malbec and Saskia a blend of Chenin blanc Viognier and more recently Clairette blanche. Later in 2009 a third wine was introduced the Kika 2009 a botrytised wine made in the Noble Late Harvest style from 100% Chenin blanc.