GlenWood Chardonnay Vigneron’s Selection awarded for terroir authenticity

The dust has settled on the annual Novare Terroir Wine Awards, and DP Burger of GlenWood Vineyards couldn’t be more pleased. His flagship Chardonnay Vigneron’s Selection 2008 topped two categories, reflecting the view of the panel that the wine is a true expression of its Franschhoek Valley terroir.

DP Burger has always aimed to create a regional wine – one that clearly reflects the soil and climate from which it derives. True-to-cultivar characteristics are also brought to the fore, and minimal intervention is the mantra to which DP subscribes.

“Of all of the GlenWood wines, the Chardonnay is the one that I aim to make most naturally,” DP says. “Its starts with the way we handle the grapes from point of harvest on. I only ever use wild yeast. The natural leesy character is a hallmark of the wine, and a product of its careful handling.

“I’m lucky in the sense that we have fantastic terroir. If the wine can be terroir-reflective, then most of the work is done.”

To come into contention at the Terroir Wine Awards, true reflection of origin is an absolute must. The awards are unique in this regard, according to Dave Hughes, one of the five expert judges attendant at this year’s awards. The wines, Dave says, are judged according to quality, but must show a profile that clearly reflects the soil and the climes.

The GlenWood Chardonnay Vigneron’s Selection 2008 won Top Chardonnay and Top White Wine in the Franschhoek Valley category. Awards won by previous vintages include gold at the Trophy Wine Show, the Veritas Awards and Mundus Vini in Germany, and four stars in WINE magazine, amongst other awards.

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