# Rall Grenache Blanc (2023)

- **Producer:** Rall Wines
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Grenache Blanc
- **Region:** Western Cape, South Africa
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €30
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** pear, quince, peach, blossom, lemon, grapefruit, smoke

## About this wine

Donovan Rall is a key figure in South Africa's 'New Wave' wine movement, launching his boutique label in 2008 after training under Eben Sadie. The 2023 Grenache Blanc is a unique expression, blending fruit from high-altitude, dry-farmed bush vines in Piekenierskloof with schist-grown fruit from Swartland. Because of this cross-regional blend, it carries the broader Western Cape appellation. Rall focuses on capturing the potential of younger bush vines, coaxing remarkable depth and complexity from them.

## Interesting facts

- Only 5,652 bottles of this highly allocated 2023 vintage were produced by winemaker Donovan Rall.
- To avoid oxidation without using oak, Rall ages this wine in concrete eggs and clay amphorae.
- 15% of the grapes undergo skin contact, giving this white wine a subtle, textured phenolic grip.

## Food pairing

This textured Grenache Blanc pairs beautifully with dishes that match its medium-plus body and vibrant acidity. The subtle phenolic grip from partial skin contact cuts through richer textures like pork belly or grilled halloumi, while the wine's bright acidity and citrus notes complement seafood and goat's cheese perfectly.

## Wine making process

The winemaking is low-intervention and natural. Grapes are hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressed directly into fermentation vessels without settling. Spontaneous fermentation is carried out by wild yeasts. To build structure, 15% of the fruit undergoes skin fermentation. The wine is aged for 8 months on its primary lees in concrete eggs and a small portion of clay amphorae, with 0% oak influence. The concrete eggs facilitate natural lees suspension, protecting the wine from oxidation and imparting a subtle, flinty reduction.