Warwick First Lady Chardonnay

Warwick The First Lady Chardonnay

Awards and Recognition

2020 VT:
Wine Spectator 2021: 87 points
Robert Parker 2021: 87 points

Product Features

A casual range. The "First Lady" series is named in honor of Norma Ratcliffe, the founder of Warwick and one of South Africa's first female winemakers. The hope is that those who purchase this wine will give it as a gift to their own First Lady, or share it with that special woman. It is made to appeal even to those who don't particularly like Chardonnay.

Manufacturer's comment

Aromas of apple, pear, lime, and pineapple. Fresh and gentle acidity, with a pleasantly crisp and smooth texture. A subtle creaminess from the oak blends well with the fresh fruit flavors, creating a balanced harmony. The refreshing and lively fruitiness lingers to the finish. Fresh, fruity, and elegant. This Chardonnay can be enjoyed even by those who don't usually like Chardonnay or dislike oak flavors. Rather than aging, we recommend enjoying this wine in its youthful, fruity state.

Food pairing

Prosciutto, raw oysters, grilled white fish, marinated seafood and carpaccio, charcuterie such as sausages, pâté, tempura with salt, fried chicken with lemon, oil-based pasta, etc.

Country of origin/region of origin

Stellenbosch, South Africa

Vintage

2020

*Depending on stock availability, the vintage of the wine shipped may differ from the one stated. If you have a preference regarding the vintage, please contact us before ordering.

type

white dry

Main varieties

Chardonnay

Alcohol content

13.5%

capacity

750ml

Producer Information

Warwick is one of South Africa's leading boutique wineries, located in the Stellenbosch region. It is a farm with a long history, dating back to 1771.
Later, in 1964, the previous owners, Stan and Norma Ratcliffe, purchased Warwick, which had been a fruit farm. They started cultivating grapes in 1981, focusing on classic Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon).
Norma Ratcliffe dedicated herself to winemaking and became one of the first female winemakers in the Cape. Warwick's "First Lady" series celebrates her achievements.
The first release of Warwick's label was in 1984. Since then, it has won numerous awards both domestically and internationally, growing and establishing itself as one of South Africa's leading brands.
The winery is located in the hilly region of the Simonsberg Mountains, known as the Stellenbosch red wine zone, at an altitude of 240-360 meters. At this high elevation, cool breezes from the southeast blow across the vineyards in spring and summer.
Warwick boasts a diverse range of slopes and varying clay-rich soil types, resulting in a unique terroir and complex, distinctive wines. The main soil types are granite-based Oakleaf and Tucle. Vineyards are situated on cool east-facing, southeast-facing, and south-facing slopes, as well as slightly warmer west-facing slopes. One of South Africa's top Cabernet Francs is produced here in Warwick, with vineyards located on south-facing and southwest-facing slopes.
One of the things we pay attention to in cultivation is minimizing irrigation in order to express the unique terroir of this farm.
Furthermore, for over a decade, we have recognized the importance of biodiversity and have strived to maintain a balance between nature and winemaking.
Our soil has a high clay content, so the need for irrigation is very low, and in some fields, irrigation is not needed at all.
Cover crops such as legumes and radishes planted in winter improve soil health, organic matter, and microbial activity, reducing the need for herbicides. As a result, the soil becomes home to many earthworms.
Furthermore, we utilize natural predators for pest control. All our cultivation management practices prioritize biodiversity. As a result, we have successfully eliminated problems with snails, weevils, and other harmful insects.
Warwick's philosophy is uncompromising when it comes to quality. We strive to provide the highest level of service in every aspect of our business. And the wine we aim for is elegance, expressed through a slightly understated, classic style.

overview

●Cap: Screw cap ●Cultivation: Grapes are harvested in the cool early morning hours to preserve their freshness and aroma. ●Production: After destemming and crushing, the grapes are pressed without skin contact. Most of the wine is fermented in stainless steel tucks, with only 8% fermented and aged in oak barrels to give it complexity and depth. The wine is aged for approximately 100 days with the lees still on the surface (sur lie method) before being blended and bottled.
●Aging potential: Vintage + 3-4 years

#South African wine