As we embrace the beauty of autumn here at Ataraxia Wines in the Hemel-En-Aarde Valley, we are excited to share our continued adventures in winemaking with you. In our latest newsletter, Winemaker Kevin Grant dives into the world of skin contact white wines, specifically our Limited Release Skin Contact Chardonnay.
Autumn is a time of transition in the vineyard, as we focus on replenishing the vines with nutrients before they enter their winter dormancy. This sets the stage for the next harvest, which is never as far away as it seems. This season, we are venturing into the bold territory of skin-fermented white wines, a category that dates back over 8000 years to the Caucasus Mountains of Georgia.
Skin contact white wines, often referred to as "orange wines," are made by leaving the white grape juice in contact with the skins and sometimes the stems for a period of time. This process extracts more colour, aromatics, phenolics (such as tannin), and texture from the grape, resulting in a wine with unique characteristics not typically found in white wines.
Kevin shares his insights into the making of skin contact white wines and why he decided to explore this technique with our Chardonnay. With the modern renaissance of this winemaking style, skin contact white wines are gaining popularity in international markets and becoming a staple on wine lists and retail shelves.
While Chenin Blanc is the grape variety of choice for skin contact white wines in South Africa, we have chosen to focus on Chardonnay for our Limited Release. This decision reflects our commitment to innovation and the pursuit of new winemaking techniques.
Join us as we embrace the mysticism of skin contact white wines and experience the evolution and complexity that these wines offer. Stay tuned for Kevin's thoughts on our Limited Release Skin Contact Chardonnay and the exciting harvest report for 2024. Cheers to the beauty of autumn and the endless possibilities of winemaking at Ataraxia Wines.