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The unique charm
of La Motte’s wines can be attributed to particular soil
types, a moderate climate as well as a team of dedicated
experts who keep abreast of international viticultural and
vinicultural practices.
Viticulturist Pietie le Roux,
who majored in viticulture, viniculture and pomology at South
Africa’s leading agricultural training institution, has been
in charge of La Motte’s vineyards since 1986, assisted by a
highly motivated workforce.
“Fine grapes make fine
wines”, says Pietie, “therefore we constantly try to improve
our harvest results and apply findings obtained from ongoing
research and developments in viticulture”.
The most
modern practices are employed in the selection of vineyard
sites, rootstock and clones, grape varieties planted, vineyard
facings and vine spacing. Through extra high trellis poles, a
bigger canopy of leaves is created, allowing more leaves to
absorb the sunshine, enhancing early ripening and the
formation of prominent aromas. The bigger canopy also protects
the grapes against direct sunshine. Vine growth is restricted,
to limit grape size and promote a high-quality extract, ideal
for the production of elegant, complex wines.
These
practices are further refined by the precision of science. The
latest technology is applied, including GIS (Geographical
Information Systems), by which the farm is scanned by
satellite, monitoring and controlling the effects of slopes,
radiation, micro and macro climates and soil classification.
Through infrared scanning, vine conditions such as stress
and irrigation demands can be pinpointed by vineyard block in
order to be addressed accurately. In specified vineyards on
the La Motte Nabot farm in the Walker Bay region – from where
grapes for La Motte wines are obtained – SGS-certified organic
farming is practised, totally eliminating the use of chemicals
and insecticides, thus promoting health benefits.
Furthermore, La Motte is equipped with a weather station and
temperature monitoring system – loggers in vineyards determine
humidity, moist conditions and temperatures in zones where
grape bunches are formed.
Conscious of the effects of
agriculture on the natural habitat, La Motte is accredited to
the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative (BWI), a partnership
between the South African wine industry and the conservation
sector. The objective is to help keep biodiversity intact so
that species and ecosystems are able to adapt to changes in
the environment and to recover more readily from disturbances
in their natural growth system.
Grapes are sourced from the Elgin (34%), Franschhoek (20%),
Walker Bay (20%), Nieuwoudtville (9%), Darling and West Coast
(8%), Durbanville (5%) and Elim (4%).
Grapes from
Franschhoek and Walker Bay are organically grown.
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High Quality Label
Bottle Shot
shelf talker /
case card
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2011 La Motte,
Sauvignon Blanc
UPC code: 7 84585 01390 6
#SA1EE271004SBS
Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc.
Wine Style: Unoaked, fresh
style.
Vinification: Cold fermentation at 10-13 degrees
Celcius.
After fermentation, the wine was left on the lees
for 3 months to enhance complexity.
Alcohol percentage: 13.67 %
Total Acidity: 6.1 g/L
pH:
3.41
Residual Sugar: 2.6 g/L
This is a lively, zesty Sauvignon Blanc
bursting with apple, melon and cut grass characters which are
quickly followed by gooseberry and green pepper. The palate is
dry but full with lime, minerality and a racy acidity which
makes this a good wine to drink with salads, sea-foods, sea-food
pasta and spicy foods such as Chinese and Thai dishes
National
Retail Price: $18.99 /
bottle
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High Quality Label
Bottle Shot
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2011 La Motte,
Pierneef, Sauvignon Blanc, Organically Grown
UPC code: 7 84585 01447 7
#SA1EE271005SBS
Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc.
Wine Style: unoaked
Vinification:
Cold fermentation at 12 degrees Celcius during 30 days in
stainless Steel tanks.
After fermentation, the wine was left on the lees
for 5 months to enhance complexity.
Alcohol percentage: 12.55 %
Total Acidity: 6.6 g/L
pH:
3.31
Residual Sugar: 1.7 g/L
Due to dry conditions, the grapes
were picked early, resulting in a low alcohol content. The
nose shows characteristic gooseberry and green apple, as well
as tropical fruit with hints of tomato bush. The palate is
crispy dry with a firm acid and fresh finish.
"The organically grown Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc is one of the
finest
Sauvignon Blancs we've tasted from South Africa, or
anywhere in the New
World for that matter. It's perfectly
balanced, just the right amount of
acidity, nicely pefumed
and vibrant on the palate. there's superb
concentration of
passion fruit, citrus peel, and minerals, with a
persistent
intense finish. Beautiful."
- I-Wine
Review (February 2012), 93 pts
National
Retail Price: $ /
bottle
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