2010 Pierneef Shiraz Viognier Released

The traditional home of the Shiraz (or Syrah as it is known in France) and Viognier blend is in the northern region of the Rhône Valley, called Côte-Rôtie.  This blend can however also be found in other areas and in new world wine countries, such as Australia, the USA and South Africa.

The birth of this blend was quite natural. Viognier (a white wine grape) and Shiraz grow alongside each other in Côte-Rôtie and winemakers there historically fermented the grapes together. Certain white wine grapes when fermented together with red wine grapes ensure better colour stability. This together with the aromatic dimension that Viognier adds to wine made it a popular blending partner with Shiraz, wider than the Rhône valley.

At La Motte, the duo of CEO Hein Koegelenberg and Cellar Master Edmund Terblanche (who is also the chairman of the SA Shiraz Association) is passionate about Shiraz with a dedicated focus towards growing, blending and maturing this varietal.

Since introducing its Pierneef Collection in 2003, the estate’s premium range, limited in supply and made from grapes obtained from site-specific vineyards, included a Shiraz Viognier blend. The Pierneef Shiraz Viognier has become a very successful wine for La Motte, winning numerous international awards and accolades since the very first vintage.


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