Arendsig 1987 Colombard

Arendsig 1987 Colombard from Robertson, South Africa. Nice nose with aromas of zesty lime, green apple and citrus with a hint of honey. The taste is fresh and lively with a lingering refreshing finish. Spontaneous fermentation and maturation sur Lie in concrete tanks. Delicious with mussels, mild curries and slow-cooked pork belly.

Colombard, rich-bearing white grape variety of reasonable quality. The grape is a cross between gouais and chenin blanc, originating from the Charente region north of Bordeaux. In the past, the Colombard (along with Ugni Blanc and Folle Blanche) was considered the distillation grape par excellence. The Colombard is the fruitiest of the three and contributes relatively less to the distillate because there is a strong preference for neutral base wines. Wines from the Colombard are never top-level wines. The youthful freshness is their only, albeit meritorious, positive characteristic. In California, the grape is called French Colombard and in South Africa Colombar.