Fairview La Beryl Blanc Paarl Chenin Blanc Muscat 2024

Fairview La Beryl Blanc Paarl Chenin Blanc Muscat

Region: Coastal Region, South Africa

Vintage: 2024

Bottle size: 50cl

Grape: Chenin Blanc Muscat

ABV: 12%

Gold in hue with aromas of ripe peach, apricot, honeysuckle, and sweet white sultanas. On the palate, a rounded mouth-feel with citrus and stone fruit.

Fairview 'La Beryl Blanc' is a traditional straw-dried sweet wine named after Charles Back's mother. The wine is produced using Chenin Blanc and Muscat grapes from the Fairview vineyard planted on decomposed granite soils on the southern slopes of the Paarl Mountain.

Hand harvesting occurred over three days in cool temperatures, packed into small lug boxes, and laid out on straw-lined drying racks. It took three to four weeks for the grapes to dry out to the ideal state, with a moisture loss of 75%. The grapes are then pressed, with extended skin contact, and fermented in stainless steel tanks.

The Fairview estate is one of the oldest properties in South Africa, with vines planted as early as 1699. It is situated approximately 50 kilometres from Cape Town, on the lower slopes of Paarl Mountain. The property was bought by Charles Back’s grandfather in 1937 and was subsequently run by his father, Cyril, before Charles took charge. Under his guidance, Fairview have been driven by an ethical philosophy based on social commitment, sustainability, and conservation. The estate has a committee comprised of elected farm workers which ensures equal opportunities and invests in education and training for the workers. In addition, it funds a company which allows the farm workers to make their own wine, lending them the use of Fairview’s winemaking facilities. While all its production is now certified as Fairtrade, Charles doesn’t use the certification as he wants to sell his wines on their quality. The excitement engendered by Fairview was recognised in 2014 when Charles was given the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ by the International Wine Challenge.