2018 Testalonga El Bandito Cortez Chenin Blanc
Craig Hawkins, along with his one-time mentor Eben Sadie, is among the most influential winemakers in South Africa. Not that most South Africans would feel the same way. Most consider his wines to be too out there. It’s a very conservative region after all. His wines are often banned from being exported. They don’t fit in the box. They’re way too good for that.
The Cortez is made from hand harvested, organic Chenin blanc fermented separately in both barrel and stainless steel. The wine marries the more savoury, Burgundian character the grape can show, with the more dusty, dirty, Savanierres-like side of Chenin. Great stuff from a true master of the varietal.
FAQ
What is natural wine?
The philosophy of natural wine is one of minimal-intervention, from vineyard to cellar. Natural wines are made using quality grapes, generally grown using organic and biodynamic practices, however vineyards may not always be certified as such due to the restrictive nature of these certification systems. Natural wines in most cases won't be filtered or fined, processes which generally involve the use of animal products.
Are your wines vegan friendly?
In almost all cases yes! Generally if you see "unfiltered and unfined" this will be an assurance that no animal products have been used in the process. The fining process is where conventional winemakers will often use egg and fish products (yep pretty gross) to remove sediment from wines. The sediment is natural, healthy and adds flavour so natural wine makers almost always leave some of it in.
Are your wines chemical free?
In most cases yes, natural wines generally use grapes grown using biodynamic or organic farming methods and will have none of the over 200 additives that can be found in conventional wines, with the occasional exception of a tiny amount of sulphur. Some natural winemakers choose to add a small amount of sulphur (SO2) to ensure their wines are less volatile, while a lot of natural winemakers believe strongly against this.
Shipping
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As with everything, there are always more questions. If you've got anything you'd like to ask, please reach out via live chat or email drink@lanewayliquor.com