The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2019 - Issue 26

bite drinks I t is said that South Africa’s Western Cape could be called both the oldest wine region of the New World and the newest wine region of the Old World. By combining these two facets, they embody the unparalleled quality that comes from old, gnarled vines planted in some of the oldest soils in the world. It also represents the young energy of a new generation of winemakers determined to make world-class wines with state-of-the-art techniques. Capensis, meaning 'from the Cape’, is a leader in bringing South Africa to the forefront as a world-class Chardonnay producer. The commitment to the green- skinned grape variety comes from the belief that the truly great vineyard sites around the world are revealed by only a few noble grape varieties. The grapes in the 2013 Capensis 100% Chardonnay, for example, comes from the ancient soils, dramatic landscapes, and historic vineyards of Stellenbosch, Overberg, and Robertson. This wine has the aromatics of white peach, red apple, Bosc pear, limestone, and granite dust while the palate consists of tree fruits, firm acidity, with hints of vanilla, spice, and supple minerality. Fifty-five percent of the blend is aged in 100% new French oak for 12 months. Fijnbosch vineyard in the region of Stel- lenbosch contributes to 60% of the final blend; Kaaimansgat vineyard in the re- gion of Overberg and E. Bruwer vineyard in the region of Robertson both contrib- ute to 20% each of the final blend. www.capensiswines.com Images courtesy of Jackson Family Wines L ocated in Oregon, USA, Penner-Ash Wine Cellars was founded by husband-and-wife team Ron and Lynn Pen- ner-Ash in 1998. It embodies the spirit and passion of the boutique producer which specialises in Pinot Noir, Syrah (Shiraz), and Riesling from the northern Willamette Valley. The winery has a portfolio spanning the seven major AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) of the Willamette Valley and sources their grapes from some of the region’s most dis- tinguished vineyards. These include the Shea Vineyard in Yamhill-Carlton, the Bramble Hill Vineyard in Ribbon Ridge, and the Zena Crown Vineyard in Eola-Amity. Lynn Penner-Ash is the first woman winemaker of note in Oregon, beginning her career in the Willamette Valley with Rex Hill Vineyards. Described as a master blender, she skil- fully works with each lot to bring forth the truest expression of a given vineyard site. In the winery, Lynn and her team focus on small-lot indigenous yeast fermentation with an extended cold soak to extract rich, fruit-focused wines with a textured mouthfeel. The 2016 Oregon Viognier is a wine that is characterised by notes of bright honeysuckle and orange blossom with hints of jasmine, apple, and citrus zest. The lively entry leads to a mid-palate weight and a lengthy finish, making this wine per- fect to have with food or on its own. Its grapes are taken from Crater View, Roxy Ann, and Power Block vineyards; Oregon Viognier is aged in 100% stainless steel. www.pennerash.com Images courtesy of Jackson Family Wines Penner-Ash - Willamette & Yam- hill-Carlton, Oregon, USA Capensis - Western Cape, South Africa