On this page we like to tell you something more about the grapes that Erik planted at Mooi Bly

Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc (or often simply Chenin)  originates in the Loire region in France. In South Africa also known as Steen is it the most planted variety. Chenin Blanc is a very versatile grape; white wines from sweet to bone dry, still and sparkling are made from it. The famous mineral flavors of the French examples and in South Africa quite often tropical fruits like guavas. This grape grows fairly easy and bares well under a lot of different climatologically circumstances. The only farming problem that might appear is rot at the final ripening stadium.  A high acidity keeps this wines fresh and crisp.

Chardonnay

The roots of the Chardonnay grape lies in the village of Chardonnay in the Heart of Burgundy, France. Worldwide planted even most planted variety in Australia, it has many faces. Despite of the great white wines from Burgundy it is the biggest role-player in the Chablis and a major component in the Champagne. Varying from very mineral and bone dry, as in the Chablis it goes to very bold, vanilla and wood in some of the new world ones, Chardonnay has any faces. Farming wise this variety loves a little winter coldness but can stand the heat of the South African sun. Don't expect big crops and the bunches are rather compact and hidden away in the canopy.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Although orriginaly from the Northern Rhone area in France, the grape is named after the town Shiraz in Persia. Over the last years Shiraz got quite a well known variety thanks to the Australian wine industry. Depending on viticulture practices, climate and soil types Shiraz has many different faces and tastes. Sometimes fruit driven; black currant and berries it changes to spices: coffee, chocolate and black pepper. On the farm it grows very vigorous and needs to be tamed, picked full ripe, close to raisins it shows it from it's best side in the cellar.