Diemersdal Estate, situated in Durbanville, has demonstrated its commitment to enhancing the complexity of its Sauvignon Blanc selection by securing a prestigious Platinum Award at the esteemed Decanter World Wine Awards held in London. The coveted Platinum recognition was bestowed upon Diemersdal The Journal Sauvignon Blanc 2022, a wine conceived by winemaker-owner Thys Louw’s admiration for Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre, France.
Regarded as one of the most significant and expansive wine competitions globally, the Decanter World Wine Awards evaluated a staggering 18,250 wines from 57 countries this year, under the discerning scrutiny of 236 prominent international critics.
The Platinum-honored The Journal Sauvignon Blanc stands as the pinnacle offering within Diemersdal’s extensive array of wines derived from this variety, ideally suited to Diemersdal’s cool-climate Durbanville terroir. It’s a grape variety that has perpetually inspired Louw’s pursuit of excellence in Sauvignon Blanc.
“The Journal, a wooded Sauvignon Blanc sourced from specific Diemersdal vineyard parcels, was born from my visits to Sancerre, a region I consider the ancestral home of this variety,” explains Louw. “We employ both new and used 600-liter French oak barrels for the 11-month fermentation and aging process. Much like the wines of Sancerre, the judicious use of oak in the right barrels elevates the vibrant expression of Sauvignon Blanc grown in soil pockets exposed to an optimal climate. And, as evidenced, this is precisely what we achieve at Diemersdal.”
Similar to Sancerre, The Journal Sauvignon Blanc matures at a cool temperature of 10°C to 12°C in barrel. This careful approach ensures that the influence of wood adds structural depth and nuanced flavors to the wine, enhancing it without overwhelming it with overly pronounced oaky characteristics. Louw asserts that when oak is employed adeptly, Sauvignon Blanc can yield some of the world’s most refined and sophisticated white wines. He believes that this trajectory holds immense promise for South African Sauvignon Blanc.
“Over the past two decades, the commercial triumph of primarily unoaked Sauvignon Blanc, recognized as South Africa’s top-selling white varietal, has led to a dominant perception of the grape as crisp, fresh, and easily quaffable,” notes Louw. “This accessibility became the defining trait of Sauvignon Blanc, and winemakers responded by crafting an appealing, uncomplicated style to meet the evident consumer demand.”
Louw contends that the potential for Sauvignon Blanc to create world-class white wines, as demonstrated by Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé in France, as well as in regions like Austria, Italy, the United States, and notably New Zealand, is now gaining recognition among South African Sauvignon Blanc producers.
“An increasing number of local Sauvignon Blanc winemakers are exploring skin fermentation, lees contact, and varied oak regimes, all of which are earning well-deserved acknowledgment. Diemersdal is proud to be a part of this movement.”
Louw believes that this patient and artisanal approach to winemaking brings forth unique nuances that set it apart from unoaked Sauvignon Blanc. This method emphasizes palate weight, minerality, and captivating tertiary characteristics.
The Platinum Award bestowed upon Diemersdal’s The Journal at the Decanter World Wine Awards, coupled with the growing presence of wooded Cape Sauvignon, signals a promising future for this distinguished category in South African wine.
“I genuinely believe that South Africa is entering a new era for Sauvignon Blanc,” asserts Louw. “The variety’s commercial success among consumers, coupled with the critical acclaim it has garnered over the past two decades, provides a robust foundation for what lies ahead. The Cape has unveiled numerous regions with terroirs that are ideal for producing a diverse spectrum of quality Sauvignon Blanc grapes. The country has garnered significant international recognition – not just from critics but from the market as well. When New Zealand experienced a poor crop in 2021, international buyers eagerly turned to South African Sauvignon Blanc to fulfill their orders.”
The forthcoming phase in the evolution of Cape Sauvignon Blanc will prioritize the exploration of stylistic complexity.
“Geographical expression offers a thrilling platform for our country’s Sauvignon Blanc to ascend to new heights,” envisions Louw. “Through enhanced collaboration among producers and a collective drive to craft an expanded array of sophisticated, intricate, and stylistically daring Sauvignon Blancs, I envision that South Africa’s future offerings from this renowned and iconic variety will embrace greater diversity and distinctiveness, departing from the current norm.”
