Something a little off the beaten track…. Meet the rest of the Beaumont’s magical grapes
We are proudly producing the best Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Syrah and Mourvèdre that we can, which make up the mainstay of our most popular wine varietals, but as a typical South African farm we are always experimenting with some different cultivars. We make a small portion as single varietals each year and we use the rest for our blends, such as the New Baby and the Vitruvian. Here are some of my other children on the farm:
Semillon
This was originally planted for our Goutte D’Or but is now used as a waxy textural component in New Baby. It is one of the Cape's true heritage white varietals, often described as a chameleon, because of its ability to assume many different tasting profiles.
Colombar
My father Raoul was told by the Co Op to plant Colombar in the 1980’s. It’s a brilliant grape to use in blends and occasionally as a single bottling for the “Kin”. Colombar is known for its searing acidity at full ripeness, this makes it a magical blending component for adding freshness to our New Baby blend.
Sauvignon Blanc
Yes, you read it right, we still have a small old block planted in 1983. I try to pick it when the grapes show the most intense green fig flavours, this allows it to be more textured and rounded than the traditional searing grassy style commonly found. This is the second most important portion in New Baby after Chenin Blanc.
Chardonnay
This is such a strong grape on its own, it really doesn’t need help from any friends, but I feel it adds a lovely creamy texture to a blend that many other varietals can’t really offer. It is therefore a small but essential component to New Baby and can still be found on its own in Jayne’s Electrique Chardonnay (1 barrel produced).
In terms of our red varietals, I have been singing the praise of Mourvèdre recently, but I am also very fortunate to have a few other cultivars that go into the Vitruvian to complete the complexity of the blend.
Cabernet Franc
I still dream about my first vintage as our official winemaker in 2004, this was my first and most spectacular Cab Franc. I blended it all into Ariane and I regret that to this day. Since then, I have bottled 2 vintages for the Kin and use it as a key aromatic component in Vitruvian. 2021 has produce its first crop off the new vineyard we planted in 2018. Watch this space!
Petit Verdot
This grape is the ink in any blend. With its incredible colour and fresh acidity, it makes for an essential blending varietal. A few sneaky bottlings of this have also come out of the cellar.
Malbec
I had an Argentine/South African winemaker come and buy some of my Malbec grapes this year. I love the fruit forwardness of the grape. It always makes a rich but fascinating wine. Sometimes a good component for Vitruvian but not always as it can over power the blend.
Grenache
This is our most recent addition! Planted in 2017 as a new bush vine vineyard on some deep sandy soils on the farm. I have made only 2 vintages of this so far and they have produced interesting wine. It is also a naturally fruit forward wine with its boiled sweet character. I hope to use it as a new addition to the Vitruvian.
Tinta Barrocca
Last but not least we have the final vintage of 2019 in the cellar, which is just about to go in to bottle. This will be the final chance to blend this earthy, spicy varietal into the Vitruvian. It will make up a small component of the blend in 2019.
Grapes are like people. They all have a distinct personality and carry some real personal quirks! They add another level of complexity to my farming, but they also keep me stimulated and continuously fascinated by the wonders of the winemaking.
If you would like to try some of these delicious single varietals, then I would encourage you to join our Kin Wine Club.
