AYAMA VERMENTINO MCC – THE FIRST IN AFRICA
On Friday 6 June, the official presentation of the AYAMA Vermentino Méthode Cap Classique (MCC), the first in Africa, took place at AYAMA Farm, located on the slopes of the Paardeberg Mountain, near Paarl.
After an initial tour of the Cellar, the group of journalists went to the Manor House where the presentation was held.
The Italian Winemaker Chiara Fabietti introduced the history of the Farm, dated back 1707, which extends over 250 hectares in the area known as W.O. (Wine of Origin) Voor Paardeberg.
AYAMA is a “Xhosa” word which means “someone to lean on”, the synthesis of friendship that unites the Italian owners, more precisely from Friuli region, who since 2005 have decided to start a new adventure investing in the rainbow nation.
The first Vermentino vineyard (two hectares) was planted in South Africa at AYAMA on the scenic slopes of the Paardeberg Mountain (Paarl) in the 2014, after two years of quarantine of the vine shoots.
The Vermentino is a grape variety that originates from Sardinia and has found an ideal environment in the particular climate of Voor Paardeberg.
The first official harvest of Vermentino was in 2017 while in 2016 a small quantity was vinified as an experiment.
The choice to grow Vermentino in Voor Paardeberg is due to the analogy of this environment with the Sardinian elements in terms of rocky soil, sea influence, sun, wind and a dry climate. For these reasons we decided to plant Vermentino on the slopes of the Paardeberg facing Table Mountain and the Ocean.
The wine tasting focused especially on the versatility of the Vermentino grape variety.
The tasting began with the AYAMA Vermentino stainless steel version (2024 vintage) and the AYAMA Vermentino Premium – wooded (2022 vintage). Minerality and aroma characterize the pure expression of Vermentino unwooded, while the barrel-aged expression (9 months) takes on a complexity and softness that characterize the wine with absolute elegance.
After this sensory analysis of the two expressions of the grape variety, we then moved on to tasting of two AYAMA Vermentino MCC, the first 12 months on the lees and the second 18 months.
Being a first experiment of Vermentino MCC produced in Africa, the Winemaker Chiara Fabietti decided to divide this first vintage into two batches.
After the second fermentation in bottle, half then matured on the lees for 12 months, the other half for 18 months, to evaluate the expression of two different versions of this variety, sparkling on southern hemisphere soil.
During the disgorging a liqueur d’expedition was added to the 12 months on lees version, to reach 3 gr/lt of total sugar.
While the 18 months on lees version is a pas dose.
The perlage obtained from both is very fine and elegant, long in the glass and in the mouth.
The 12 months on lees version has kept intact the typical aroma of Vermentino, citrus notes, white flowers, thyme and a light fruity background. In the mouth it is mineral and fresh, with a soft and enveloping final note of yeast.
The 18 months on lees version combines the evolution of hazelnut notes with aromatic freshness, giving a rounded complexity to the nose and in the mouth. A savoury taste blends with warm notes of bread crust.
Unanimously, the expression of Vermentino MCC – 18 months on the lees, was decreed the best, in terms of persistence of the perlage and complexity. Certainly, an important starting point for the next decisions on the future evolution of the next Vermentino MCC.
We are very proud of this presentation and of the results achieved so far, for an unusual grape variety, which is giving great satisfaction, and which is finding space and continuous appreciation in South African viticulture.
The day of the launch of the first Vermentino MCC ended with a pleasant buffet lunch prepared by Ayama Farm Kitchen’s Chef Nazerine Gertz, with homemade ingredients and grown on the Farm.
AYAMA Farm is open every day including weekends and public holidays from 10 to 16 – for lunch and wine tasting.
Ayama -Wine, Olive oil & artichokes farm
Slent Farms Pty LTD
Paardeberg Road, Windmeul – Paarl
DIRECTIONS – (CLICK HERE)
