Cape Town is renowned for its scenic beauty, diverse culture, and of course, its exceptional wines. Among the myriad of wineries dotting the landscape, HER Wine Collection stands out for its commitment to crafting exquisite South African white wine that captures the essence of the region. In this blog, we embark on a delightful journey through HER Wine Collection’s white wines, delving into the unique characteristics of each grape variety, exploring tasting notes, suggesting pairings, and uncovering how some of this best white wine can elevate your culinary adventures.
Who is HER Wines?
HER Wines proudly stands as a pioneering force in the South African wine industry, as the premier enterprise entirely owned and operated by black women. Every aspect of our extraordinary journey, from nurturing the vineyards to creating extraordinary bottles, and overseeing marketing, production and distribution, is driven by the passion and dedication of black women. We value the exchange of ideas, mutual inspiration, and the cultivation of deeper connections within South Africa’s wonderfully diverse communities.
Best White Wine: HER Wines White Wine Selection
At HER Wines we offer two exceptional expressions of white wine: Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc.
Best White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc
The name “Sauvignon Blanc” is derived from the French term ‘Sauvage’, which translates to ‘wild’, giving it the meaning of ‘wild white (vine)’. This grape variety originated in France’s Loire Valley before being introduced to South Africa. The history of Sauvignon Blanc runs deep in South Africa, with records indicating its cultivation as early as 1880 in Constantia. The oldest recognised vine block is located in the Swartland area and was planted around 1965.
The flavour profile of Sauvignon Blanc undergoes significant transformation based on the climate, which makes it one of the best white wines. Cooler climates yield “greener” notes, such as bell peppers, grass, and citrus, while warmer regions produce intense stone and tropical fruit flavours. These wines are distinguished by their minerality, often presenting a flinty or chalky undertone that contributes complexity and depth to the flavour profile. This mineral quality can also impart a subtly bitter finish, complementing the wine’s fruit-forward nature perfectly.
Best White Wine Tasting Notes
The HER Wines 2023 Sauvignon Blanc exudes notes of freshly cut grass, green apple, and luscious grapefruit and granadilla flavours, offering a refreshing and lively taste profile.
Best White Wine Food Pairing
The Sauvignon Blanc from the HER Wine Collection is a refreshing and vibrant choice that delights the palate. Best enjoyed chilled, it pairs perfectly with a refreshing green salad or succulent grilled chicken, transforming an ordinary day into a remarkable experience.
Best White Wine: Chenin Blanc
Beyond France, South Africa stands as a significant advocate for Chenin Blanc and with over 19,000 hectares dedicated to its cultivation, the country outstrips the grape’s native land in vineyard acreage. Introduced in 1655 by the Dutch East India Company, Chenin Blanc, also known locally as “Steen,” has evolved from a staple grape to a focal point of fine winemaking in South Africa, especially among producers nurturing old bush vines.
The grape’s inherent high acidity plays a pivotal role in the remarkable diversity of wine styles derived from Chenin Blanc. This intense acidity contributes structural integrity and vibrancy to both still and sparkling wines, complementing the grape’s waxy and honeyed notes.
Best White Wine Tasting Notes
This is a daring yet invigorating Chenin Blanc wine with a pronounced tropical and stone fruit fragrance, giving way to creamy apple and lingering green melon notes on the finish.
Best White Wine Food Pairing
The HER Wines Chenin Blanc is delightful when paired with fresh salads, pasta salads, cheese boards and even light curries.
Cooking with HER Wines
Wines are not only delicious to drink but can also add that little bit of extra to your meals when it is used in cooking. Discover the art of cooking with some of the best white wine to enhance your culinary creations: from rich Chenin Blancs for creamy sauces to citrusy Sauvignon Blancs for seafood, the diverse flavour profiles of the wines and different cooking techniques can enhance a wide range of dishes. Let us uncover the perfect pairing and cooking methods to bring out the best in your meals:
Cooking with Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc, renowned for its fruity, herbal, and floral notes, introduces a wonderful dimension when used in vegetable-based cooking. It’s notably one of the most versatile wines for culinary use, and you can simply incorporate a splash of the wine to deglaze the sauté pan.
For an exceptional culinary experience, consider pairing this wine with artichokes, eggplant, swiss chard, Mediterranean-style tomato dishes, bell peppers, mushrooms and garlic. You can consider enhancing the flavours with a touch of lemon and butter for added richness and perfectly balanced acidity.
Cooking with Chenin Blanc
When preparing cream sauces, gravy, and chicken dishes, opt for thicker and intensely flavoured dry white wines such as Chenin Blanc. Chenin, known for its richness and availability, is a popular choice for these kinds of culinary applications. Cooking with wine in cream sauces or gravies can be challenging due to the need to balance acidity, and it is important to monitor the wine reduction. In order to navigate this successfully, it’s best to reduce the wine before incorporating the cream.
General Tips for Cooking with White Wine:
- Keep in mind that the longer the wine is cooked, the less alcohol will remain in the dish. It may take up to 2.5 hours of simmering to completely remove the alcohol.
- When preparing cream sauces, cook the wine separately and reduce it by half before adding the cream. Most recipes recommend using 1/2 to 3/4 cup of wine.
- When cooking shellfish, incorporate wine into the broth for steaming or poaching (e.g., mussels, clams, oysters).
- Opened, refrigerated white wine remains drinkable for up to a week and is suitable for cooking for two weeks.
- Add a few tablespoons of wine to marinades to tenderise the meat and enhance caramelisation during cooking.
- After sautéing vegetables, deglaze the pan by adding a few tablespoons of one of the best of white wine.
HER Bursary
Within the HER Wine Collection, our exceptional team of women understands the challenges encountered on the path to professional success and we know the hurdles faced by young people striving to carve their own way in the world. This fuels our dedicated commitment to providing assistance, and so we have pledged 2% of our profits to a bursary fund aimed at supporting the dreams and goals of aspiring young minds and helping them to transform their aspirations into tangible reality.
Selected recipients will not only receive financial aid for their education but also critical mentorship, guiding them through the complexities of tertiary studies and supporting their pursuit of a fulfilling career. By working together, we can create a brighter, better future.
Purchase HER Wines
Indulging in our exceptional wines, which are some of the best white wine in South Africa, is easily accessible and available to buy at various retailers nationwide, including Woolworths stores or online. Stay updated with the latest news from the HER Wine Collection by connecting with us on Instagram and Facebook. For more details or inquiries regarding our delightful wines, to stay up to date with our wine specials or to make a purchase, please contact us via email at info@herwinecollection.co.za or call us at 021 873 3170.