Klawer Wine Cellars' wine of the week: Villa Esposto Straw Wine

Klawer Wine Cellars was established in 1956 as a corporative cellar as a means to recover from some financial losses caused by a drop in the raisin market.

Back in the day farmers sold their raisins and, as a side hustle, many had sheep to help them get by when they had a slow season. The market for raisins dropped tremendously and these farmers had to work together as they could not be subsidised for their losses, they took the alternative route which was to make spirits from the grapes. One of the first wines they produced was Hanepoot, also known as Muscat D’Alexandrie.

Today, Klawer Wine Cellars boasts with 6 different dessert wines one of which they are very popular for, Villa Esposto Straw wine. Klawer produces exceptional quality, carefully crafted wines from specially selected vineyards located in Graafwater on a farm called Aarbeidseind.

Klawer Wine Cellars is proud to be producing wine from certified heritage vineyards. The Villa Esposto straw wine comes from a vineyard planted in 1969.

The Villa Esposto Straw Wine has been winning Terroir Awards annually. The Terroir Award honours the wines which truly portray South Africa’s different wine growing areas. This competition crowns the best wines brought forth by different soil and climatic factors in the different areas. Only products certified as Wine of Origin (WO) from a Single Vineyard, Estate, Ward or District (the latter not including more than one Ward) are eligible for entry. It is one of the world’s most exclusive wine competitions because of the Wine of Origin rules that apply.

Muscat D’Alexandrie grapes grow particularly well in warmer climates as in the Olifants River region. The process of making straw wine is extremely unique. The grapes are handpicked early in the morning. Typically, these grapes will be picked when the sugar level is at 28 balling. These grapes are then transported in wooden crates to the drying area. Bunches of grapes are then hung out on a drying rack in the sun for two to three weeks making for a highly concentrated wine. After the drying process the grapes reach a sugar level of around 43 balling, whereafter they are pressed and then fermented. Straw wine stops fermenting on its own due to the high amount of residual sugar it contains.

The Villa Esposto straw wine bursts with flavours of raisin, honey and ripe orange. It has a beautiful golden colour. Its mouthfeel is smooth and somewhat sticky. What makes this wine so unique is that no extra alcohol or sugar is added. This wine only contains the sugar and alcohol that developed naturally throughout its fermentation process.

Straw wine goes exceptionally well with cheese more specially with blue cheese. It also proves to be a lovely companion for dessert such as Malva pudding.

This dessert wine is available in our online shop. Click HERE to shop now.