Luddite Chenin Blanc is a delightful South African wine that boasts of a complex balance of citrusy, herbal, and mineral notes. Its aromas of lemon zest, green apple, dried herbs, and flint are perfectly complemented by its crisp acidity and a well-structured body. This wine is made by a family-run winery in Bot River, South Africa, using traditional and sustainable winemaking practices. The name Luddite was inspired by the early 19th century English textile workers who protested against the industrial revolution and the machines that replaced them. This wine is a tribute to the laborers who cherished the power of human hands and artisanal craftsmanship.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Rich, golden straw hue. Nose: Spicy, greengage, savoury and nutty. After a while nose opens up to give hints of white fruit; pears and peaches. Palate: Grippy textured entry. Amazing palate weight and mouth feel for the low alcohol. Finishes with white fruit, spice and a salty minerality.

About the Winery

For a wine company to become successful and well-reputed in its country, it should have passionate winemakers as founders. That’s exactly why Luddite is one of the well-loved South African wine company today. It was founded in the 1990s by Niels and Penny Verburg. Both of them were friends even before they attended college together. After they finished college, they moved to Europe, which was when Niels travelled to different countries and picked up the tricks of the trade.

When they moved back to South Africa in the 1990s, they decided to set up their own label by buying a small piece of land in the Bot River region in 1999. Located towards the east of Houw Hoek Mountains, this estate now covers an area of 16 hectares, out of which 8.5 hectares are under vine.

The popular Luddite wines that are loved by people in South Africa and across the world are:

Luddite Shiraz – This wine is made from 100% Shiraz grapes grown in the Young Block and Old Block vineyards. The fruits used for this wine are naturally acidic and have an excellent aroma. French oak and Hungarian oak barrels are used for fermenting these wines.

Luddite Chenin – This is a dry wine made from Chenin Blanc grapes grown in the Bot River region. Here, the grapes are fermented with their skins on, and the process is kept as natural as possible to retain the acidity and natural freshness of the fruits.

Saboteur Red – This is made from a blend containing a majority of Shiraz and minor quantities of Cabernet Sauvignon & Mourvedre varietals. These fruits are grown mostly in Walker Bay and Bot River regions.

Saboteur White – This refreshing white wine is made using a blend of a majority of Chenin Blanc and small quantities of Viognier and Blanc Fume grown in the Bot River region.

https://luddite.co.za

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