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Holism Palomino 2021 is Rudiger Gretschel’s dry white wine from the sherry grape, Palomino which tastes of apples, pears with almond and citrus notes. This wine was a Decanter magazine’s Editor’s Pick in June 2024; they said “An original: snap it up before I do.”
In stock
In stock
| Wine Style | White Wine, Crisp Light White |
|---|---|
| Grape Variety | Palomino |
| Country | South Africa |
| ABV | 12.3% |
| Oaked | Yes |
| Cork | Yes |
| Lifestyle | Vegan, Vegetarian, Certified Organic, Holistically Farmed |
| Volume | 75cl |
| Drink By | 2028 |
Holism Palomino 2021 is a beautiful South African white wine produced by Swartberg Wingerde, a wine project founded by renowned winemaker Rudiger Gretschel. Rudiger has worked with some of South Africa’s top wineries like Krone, Boekenhoutskloof and Reyneke Wines but having searched the remote region of Piekenierskloof for several years, he found the perfect location at the foot of the Swartberg Mountain for his own project with long-forgotten old vine Palomino vineyards.
I was blown away when I first tasted Holism Palomino 2021 in February 2024. Someone tasting it at the same time described it as “one for the geeks”; I prefer to think of it as one for the discerning wine drinker! The Palomino grape variety is most frequently seen in the Jerez region of Spain and most usually in the fortified wine, sherry. Increasingly still wines are being produced from the Palomino grape, though mainly in Spain. You might think that this wine would contain the nutty, dried fruit flavours of sherry but, in fact, this dry white wine, is fruit-forward and tastes of apples, pears, light peach with a very subtle hint of pineapple cubes and almonds. Whilst it has a whiff of refreshing salinity which is characteristic of Palomino still wines, it doesn’t have a hint of the intensely nutty, sherry flavours. It is medium to full-bodied yet light and refreshing. It reminds me a little of chenin blanc but it is much crisper. As well as the apples, conference pears and hint of white peach on the nose and palate there is a hint of almonds, spices, toffee and citrus mixed in with that salinity. It is an amazing wine. Plus it’s produced organically without irrigation or added yeasts and with minimal SO2 added before bottling to keep the wine fresh.
The Palomino grape can make fairly neutral wines and so it needs to reflect its terroir to give the wine some character – Swartberg Wingerde’s vineyards were planted in 1964 in Piekenierskloof’s rugged landscape; officially they are old vines as described in my old vine wine blog and this, together with the harsh environment, contributes to the wine’s complexity. The vines grow on their own roots; they have not been grafted onto rootstock which is rare post-phylloxera.
This wine is ideal for accompanying fish dishes but also try it with tofu, artichokes or cheese.
Serve at: 10 – 12°C
“The wine has delicate floral aromas, with a silky textured palate that is fresh and delightfully dry with a characteristic subtle salinity on the finish.”
One of the Editor’s Picks – Decanter – June 2024
“Winemaker Rudiger Gretschel is production director at South African giant Vinimark, the country’s biggest independent wine wholesaler, and also cellar master at top names Reyneke and Krone. But when we met in London recently, it was his personal project Swartberg Wingerde that grabbed my attention. Vines are planted at the foot of Swartberg mountain in rugged Piekerneerskloof in the Western Cape, an area better known for its citrus and rooibos tea farms. Gretschel joyfully explained that the estate, a place of untamed natural beauty, is off-grid, with no mains electricity. The wines reflect this unique place… But it was the Holism range, made with Spanish grapes, that knocked my socks off… the Holism Palomino 2021 (£26 Wines with Attitude), made from dry-farmed vines planted in 1964, is distinctively delicious with its mix of floral, herbal, citrus, mineral and salty notes. An original: snap it up before I do.”
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