This year's Decanter World Wine Awards Regional Trophy for South African White Blend under £15 went to Constantia Glen, Two, Constantia 2013 (13.5%)
Tasted against:
- No other Golds in this category
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The birth of Constantia Glen came out of something of a disaster for its owners, who had owned the property since 1956. For 40 years it had been a recreational farm then, in 1996, a small cattle stud was set up, although this only lasted three years before a fire razed the hillside.
It was out of this tragedy that the germ of an idea took root, for the fire had exposed the contours of the land, and the possibility of growing a vineyard became apparent. Soil tests were carried out and the following year, a decade ago, the first vines went in.
This is only the second vintage of Two and just 5,500 bottles were produced of this Trophy-winner. The 71% Sauvignon Blanc and 29% Semillon blend is the ultimate partnership, believes winemaker Justin van Wyk. ‘Our aim is to express the site and typical Constantia terroir in all Constantia Glen wines, but with Two we also want to show how the Sauvignon Blanc – which we see as the king of white grapes – and Semillon can complement each other, especially when fermented in large oak barrels. Sauvignon Blanc gives the freshness and minerality, while the Semillon provides richness, so the blend of the two, with judicious oaking, results in a well-rounded and balanced wine that will hopefully continue to age and develop admirably in the bottle.’
Written by Decanter
