METHODE ANCESTRALE CHENIN BLANC
Legend has it that this naturally classic approach to creating sparkling wine is famed to have been developed by French monks in the 1500’s to produce celebratory wine for their monasteries. Cherishing tradition, the Dreyer family of Leeuwenkuil Family Vineyards keep the romance alive by crafting their own Méthode Ancestrale just as the monks did.
LEEUWENKUIL MÉTHODE ANCESTRALE CHENIN BLANC 2023
Méthode Ancestrale production is the oldest way of making sparkling wine, where a second fermentation is not facilitated by sugar & yeast dosage as in MCC. This ensures a fine bubble for naturally elegant drinking.
The most natural way of making sparkling wine, no sugar or yeast is added for fermentation in the bottle. The wine is simply bottled with the natural grape sugar (at the optimal level) and wild fermented in bottle; then left on the lees under crown cap before being riddled & disgorged.
Like a Pet Nat in the very natural way it is made but different in that we’ve disgorged and refined this sparkling for more elegant enjoyment.
Our 2023 vintage Chenin Blanc is made from wild-fermented, dry-land-farmed, bush-vine Chenin Blanc. It was left on the lees for 7months, a little less than previous vintages as we wanted to preserve the purity and vibrancy of Swartland fruit, while building complexity, depth and a very fine mousse.
This is our 9th vintage of limited release traditional sparkling wine that is made for family and friends of the extended Leeuwenkuil family.