# Duwweltjie (2021)

- **Producer:** Thistle & Weed Pty Ltd
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chenin Blanc
- **Region:** Western Cape, South Africa
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €27
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 8–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** peach, grapefruit, lemon, apricot, biscuit, vanilla, cloves, pastry, honey, dried apricot, almond

## About this wine

The Thistle & Weed Duwweltjie 2021 is a 100% Chenin Blanc from the WO Paarl in South Africa's Coastal Region. The wine is named 'Duwweltjie' after the devil's thorn plant, symbolizing resilience, and its label features this indigenous species. The producer, Thistle & Weed, is a partnership formed in 2015 by viticulturist Etienne Terblanche and winemaker Stephanie Wiid, who focus on authentic, site-specific wines with minimal intervention. The grapes are grown on a certified heritage vineyard planted in 1961 on the windswept koffeklip slopes of Joostenberg, characterized by granite and ferricrete soils. The 2021 vintage benefited from a cool, dry growing season, allowing for unhurried harvesting.

## Interesting facts

- Named after the devil's thorn plant found in the vineyard.
- Label artwork features the indigenous Duwweltjie species.
- The Duwweltjie label was the duo's very first design.
- Vineyard is a certified Heritage vineyard, planted in 1961.

## Food pairing

The wine's medium-plus body and creamy texture complement rich, savory dishes. Its lively acidity cuts through the richness of creamy sauces and fatty proteins, while its nuanced fruit and mineral notes can harmonize with a variety of herbs and savory ingredients.

## Wine making process

The Thistle & Weed Duwweltjie 2021 is produced using 100% Chenin Blanc grapes. The winemaking process begins with whole bunch pressing, utilizing only the free-run juice. Fermentation is carried out using native yeasts in old French oak barrels, with bâtonnage (lees stirring) performed for the first month. The wine then undergoes aging for 10 months on its lees in these barrels. It is bottled unfined and unfiltered. Sustainable farming practices are employed in the vineyard.