A Celebration of Light, Zest, and Whimsy

Ah, autumn. That golden time in South Africa when the air turns crisper, the sunsets smugly linger, and the idea of a second glass of white wine feels less like indulgence and more like excellent seasonal judgment. Welcome to the May 2025 White Edition —a box of sunshine in six bottles, handpicked for leaf-kicking, soul-searching, cheese-scoffing moments.

From flinty Chenins to voluptuous Viogniers and a Sauvignon Blanc that practically hums with coastal breeze, this collection is made to lift spirits and raise glasses.

1. Constitution Road Chardonnay

The Velvet Diplomat

• Nose: Toasted brioche, ripe peach, and a whisper of butterscotch—like brunch at a luxury lodge with someone who knows about oak and national constitutions.

• Palate: Creamy yet precise, with layers of lemon curd, pear, and a touch of hazelnut. It walks the oak tightrope with the elegance of a gymnast in pearls.

• Ageing Potential: 5–7 years, or until your in-laws develop taste.

• Food Pairing: Roast chicken, creamy pasta, or anything that comes with a beurre blanc and a knowing wink.

• Autumn Moment Pairing: Sunday lunch with the full production—slow roast, good napkins, three generations of opinion, and a dog hoping for scraps.

2. Stellenzicht Thunderstone Chardonnay

The Friendly Storm

• Nose: Fresh citrus peel, white blossoms, and just a zap of flinty minerality—like rain on warm slate.

• Palate: Bright and zesty with a textured core—lemon cream, green apple, and a tiny lick of salinity. It’s the Chardonnay equivalent of a sharp suit with sneakers.

• Ageing Potential: 4–6 years—though it’s strutting confidently now.

• Food Pairing: Seared trout, sushi, or an Ottolenghi salad you overachieved on.

• Autumn Moment Pairing: An impromptu midweek dinner party with mismatched plates, laughter, and zero regrets.

3. Wellington La Cave Chenin Blanc 2020

The Old Soul

• Nose: Golden apples, beeswax, and subtle spice—like rummaging through your gran’s pantry in the best possible way.

• Palate: Textured and honeyed, with notes of quince, dried apricot, and a smoky almond whisper. There’s a calm wisdom to this wine; it’s seen things.

• Ageing Potential: 8–10 years. But let’s be honest—you won’t wait that long.

• Food Pairing: Pork belly, baked brie, or a butternut soup that took three hours and three YouTube tutorials.

• Autumn Moment Pairing: A quiet night of introspection by the fire with a wool blanket, your thoughts, and something obscure playing on vinyl.

4. City on a Hill White 2020 (Chenin Blanc, Viognier)

The Thoughtful Bohemian

• Nose: Jasmine, honeysuckle, stone fruit and just the faintest aroma of dry herbs after rain.

• Palate: Plush yet balanced—ripe peach and nectarine meet chalky minerality and a delicate hint of ginger spice. Complex, creative, and maybe a little mysterious.

• Ageing Potential: 6–8 years. But if you’re opening it tonight, you’ve already won.

• Food Pairing: Moroccan tagine, herby roast vegetables, or anything that comes from a market basket and a wild idea.

• Autumn Moment Pairing: Date night under fairy lights—possibly in the kitchen, possibly in a yurt.

5. Buitenverwachting Sauvignon Blanc

The Crisp Classic

• Nose: Lime zest, green fig, freshly cut grass, and sea spray—basically, a seaside morning in Constantia in liquid form.

• Palate: Snappy acidity and laser focus with gooseberry, lemon, and a clean mineral finish. It’s Sauvignon with serious zip and zero fluff.

• Ageing Potential: 2–4 years. But frankly, it’s already got its party shoes on.

• Food Pairing: Oysters, goat’s cheese, or anything from a picnic basket you packed while pretending to be French.

• Autumn Moment Pairing: A breezy garden brunch with sun-dappled conversation and three types of hummus.

6. Creation Viognier

The Sensualist

• Nose: Orange blossom, ripe apricot, and a flirtatious hint of Turkish delight—this wine wears perfume and means it.

• Palate: Silky and generous, with lush fruit and a whisper of spice—like a fruit salad at a spa retreat. It caresses more than it conquers.

• Ageing Potential: 4–6 years. If you can resist the charm, you’re stronger than most.

• Food Pairing: Mild curries, aromatic Asian cuisine, or grilled peaches with goat cheese.

• Autumn Moment Pairing: A slow evening with a new book, warm socks, and the kind of bath that involves candles and zero interruptions.

The May 2025 White Edition is your golden-hour companion, designed for real life—with its burnt-toast breakfasts, its poetic sunsets, and its “what’s-for-dinner” existentialism. Pour generously, sip slowly, and toast to the small pleasures of crisp days, cosy nights, and wines that know how to whisper cheers in six different dialects.