Vino pH - Bukettraube PhD Ancestrale Sparkling - Swartland 2022 750ml (12.5% ABV)

This is the second release from the pH ladies.  Pauline had worked alongside Adi Badenhorst for a few years and had a good knowledge of this little parcel of 40+ year old vine Bukettraube from the adjacent farm to Adi’s Kalmoesfontein.  Pauline and Hanneke enlisted the help of Adi (D in the PhD) Badenhorst for cellar space, a little winemaking assistance, and of course a drinking buddy during the painful disgorgement times. What is Bukettraube? It was established in the late 19th century in Franken, Germany as a cross between Silvaner and Schiava (Trollinger).  It is no longer grown in Germany due to its susceptibility to powdery mildew. South Africa has more of this grape planted than any other country (217 acres) with the vast majority being in Malmesbury and the Paardeberg.  It makes for a genius pét-nat!

Bukettraube: 43 year old vines from a single vineyard/farm: Lemoenfontein in Siebretskloof (Paardeberg). Soil is decomposed granite. 

An old favorite returns! We love this complex and savory sparkler from South Africa. Beautiful flavors featuring apricots, pears, white flower blossoms balanced with elegant minerality. Dry with a beautiful soft mouse.

2.4 g/L of RS, ph: 3.54, TA 6.01

region: Swartland, South Africa

varietal: 50% Bukkettraube, 25% Chenin Blanc, 25% Sauvignon Blanc

style: sparkling orange (methode cap classique)

farming/cellar: certified sustainable, dry farmed, hand harvested, destemmed, ambient yeast, 5 days maceration, fermentation starts in huge concrete tanks and then continues in steel (5 days) and is finished in bottle on the lees for 5 months, hand riddled and disgorged like champagne, low so2

pairing: complete on it's own