Tasting Notes: Deliciously crisp apple, zingy citrus flavours and streaks of minerality are balanced by a soft creaminess from malo-lactic fermentation.
Region: Swartland, South Africa
Varieties: 100% Chenin Blanc
ABV: 12%
Closure: Cork
Vegan. Organic. Biodynamic. Natural
Pairing: Fish, seafood, salty cheeses or risotto
More Info: The grapes are harvested by hand and pressed as whole bunches. The harvest from the two vineyards are co-fermented in 5000-litre concrete tanks for 6 months, before being racked off the gross lees and returned to tank. The ferment, as always, is natural, with native yeasts and without inoculation (malo-lactic fermentation occurs naturally) or temperature control or additions – with just a small amount of sulphites added before bottling (the total being around 20 ppm). A light clarifying filtration is done, but no fining.
'Mielie' means corncob in Afrikaans, a staple food in South Africa. It’s so common that people actually think that it originated in Africa as opposed to South America. You would do well to convince a South African otherwise!
Carla and Craig’s daughter’s name is Camilla, which quickly became “Milly” and soon after that “Mielie”. They wanted to commemorate this nickname by naming one of their wines after her – hence Mielie Green. This wine is meant to give pleasure, bring a smile to your face as you enjoy it with a “mielie” on the “braai,” and it is a simple exhortation to enjoy life and the little blessings it brings.