Chardonnay has been a relative late-comer to the South African vineyard landscape.
The planting of this great white grape of Burgundy only really began to take root in the 1980s after a period of trial, error and experimentation with the finding of plant material best-suited to South African conditions.
By 1990 Chardonnay only comprised 1.5% of all of South Africa's vineyards, with De Wetshof, Backsberg and Simonsig generally regarded as this varieties pioneers in the country.
Read moreThe Chardonnay grape is the most planted white wine grape worldwide.
There are at least 34 varieties of Chardonnay grape used for making wine in different regions.
The grape originated in a small village of Chardonnay in France. The name originally meant 'place of thistles”.
Chardonnay started trending as a baby name in the UK around 2002 because of a character in 'Footballer's Wives.”
Unveiling the crowning glory that is Boschendal Appellation Series Elgin Chardonnay 2022, a Gold medal winner at the IWC 2024.
It graces the skies in a unique rocking motion, the eyes on its scarlet facial mask seeking its prey in the valleys, mountains and veld of Southern Africa.
The Family Reserve wine range from Kleine Zalze Wines has been bolstered with the addition of a Chardonnay to join their top-tier offering.