On 13 March, wine enthusiasts worldwide come together to celebrate Riesling Day. For this reason, we chose a proudly South African Riesling as the wine of the week: Jordan Timepiece Riesling 2022.
International Riesling Day is celebrated on 13 March each year as this date is recognised as the birthday of Riesling. 13 March 1435 is the date of an invoice, which is the oldest documented date referring to Riesling or Riesslingen as it was called in Germany – the heart of Riesling – at that time. This means that Riesling turns 589 this year!
Gunter Brözel, a past cellarmaster of Nederburg, was one of the first to introduce Riesling to South Africa. In 1969, he released Edelkeur, a noble late harvest-style Riesling wine. Today, over 20 South African wineries produce Riesling. One of the notable Riesling producers is Jordan Wine Estate.
Jordan Wine Estate, situated in Stellenbosch, the heart of the Cape Winelands, has been transformed to become one of the leading estates in South Africa. It features a wine-tasting centre, luxury accommodation, a delicatessen-style bakery, private picnic pods, and a world-class restaurant where visitors can relax and enjoy fine Cape wines and local Cape fare. Jordan Wine Estate boasts spectacular panoramic views of Table Mountain, False Bay and the Stellenbosch Mountains.
The vineyards at Jordan are planted at altitudes between 160 and 410 metres above sea level. The Mediterranean climate has a maritime influence because of the proximity to both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and benefits the vineyards with coastal fog and sea breezes.
Timepiece is an innovative wine collection that captures a part of Jordan’s heritage. The collection includes single-vineyard wines from their estate vineyards older than 35 years. The bottles each carry the stamp of the estate founder, Ted Jordan.
An Old Vine Riesling, the grapes used to make the Jordan Timepiece Riesling come from a 36-year-old grapevine on the estate, making it a Certified Heritage Vineyard. (The Certified Heritage Vineyard seal was launched by the Old Vine Project in 2018 to officially certify vineyards older than 35 years of age.)
After being harvested, the grapes were pressed in a pneumatic press with the free-run juice being separated from the press fraction. After 2 days of settling in tank, the clear juice was racked off its lees. Cold fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks until the perfect balance between the residual sugar and acidity was reached.
As for the taste profile of Jordan Timepiece Riesling 2022, crisp green apple and succulent white peach dominate the forefront, offering a delightful melody of fruitiness. A hint of citrus zest follows closely, with an aromatic profile. The palate is an elegant balance of sweetness and acidity. The wine’s natural acidity is evident, providing a refreshing zing that balances the sweetness and imparts a lively, energetic quality to the wine.
Wine estate name: Jordan Wine Estate
Location: Vlottenburg, Stellenbosch, Western Cape
In Collaboration with: wine.co.za