Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc: Why These Two Grapes Work So Well Together
Some white wines are made from a single grape variety. Others bring two or more together, using the characteristics of each to create something different.
Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc are a particularly good example. Both are well established in South Africa, but they contribute different qualities to a wine. Chenin Blanc can bring generous fruit and texture, while Sauvignon Blanc contributes freshness and acidity.
At Boland Cellar, we bring the two together in our Sixty-40 White, a South African white wine blend made from approximately 60% Chenin Blanc and 40% Sauvignon Blanc.
The result is a fresh, fruit-driven wine with peach, lime and litchi notes. But there is more to this blend than its name suggests.
Why Blend Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc?
Chenin Blanc is one of South Africa's most widely planted wine varieties. It is remarkably versatile, producing everything from light, fresh whites to richer, oak-matured wines.
Sauvignon Blanc has a different character. It is generally known for its lively acidity, citrus notes and, depending on where it is grown, tropical or herbaceous characteristics.
Combining the two gives a winemaker more options.
Chenin Blanc can provide the fruit concentration and body, while Sauvignon Blanc brings freshness and structure. The proportions matter because they influence which characteristics become more noticeable in the finished wine.
In Sixty-40 White, Chenin Blanc takes the lead at approximately 60%, supported by 40% Sauvignon Blanc.
Two Wine Regions, One White Blend
The grapes used for Boland Cellar's Sixty-40 White come from vineyards in the Paardeberg and Coastal regions of the Western Cape.
These areas have different growing conditions, which influence how the grapes develop.
In Paardeberg, vineyards planted in shale soils produce grapes with pronounced fruit character. The growing conditions allow the grapes to develop the concentration needed for the blend.
The coastal vineyards are situated approximately 10 kilometres from the ocean. These vineyards contribute grapes with naturally higher acidity and herbaceous characteristics.
Bringing fruit from these different areas together gives our winemaking team more options when assembling the final blend.
It is one of the advantages of working with vineyards across the Boland and surrounding regions.
How Is Sixty-40 White Made?
The grapes are harvested during February when the balance between ripeness and acidity is right for the intended wine style.
Once the grapes reach the cellar, the focus is on retaining their fresh fruit characteristics.
Specific yeast strains are selected to encourage the tropical fruit notes of both Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. Fermentation takes place at cool temperatures over approximately three weeks.
The two wines are made separately before being stabilised and blended.
This allows the winemaking team to assess each component and bring them together in the proportions that give Sixty-40 White its character.
The finished wine is made for freshness, with no need for extended oak maturation.
What Does Sixty-40 White Taste Like?
The 2026 Sixty-40 White is a fruit-driven white wine with notes of peach, lime and tropical litchi.
Chenin Blanc contributes much of the generous fruit character, while Sauvignon Blanc provides a fresh finish.
The wine has an alcohol content of 12.64%, with 7.3 g/L residual sugar and 5.9 g/L total acidity.
That combination gives the wine a touch of softness alongside its refreshing acidity.
For someone who enjoys fruity white wines but still wants freshness, this is a useful combination.
What Food Goes With a Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc Blend?
One of the advantages of this style is that it works with a range of everyday meals.
Chicken dishes
Roast chicken, grilled chicken and lightly spiced chicken dishes work well with the fruit character of Chenin Blanc. The Sauvignon Blanc component adds acidity that helps balance richer sauces.
Fish and seafood
Grilled fish, hake and prawns are natural choices. The wine's citrus character and acidity work particularly well with dishes served with lemon or fresh herbs.
Salads and lighter meals
A chicken salad, fresh green salad or vegetable-based lunch is another good option, particularly when the dressing has a little acidity.
Sixty-40 White also works well served on its own, especially when properly chilled.
Is Sixty-40 White a Dry Wine?
Sixty-40 White has 7.3 g/L of residual sugar.
Residual sugar refers to the sugar remaining in a wine after fermentation. However, the amount of sugar alone does not determine how sweet a wine tastes.
Acidity plays an important role.
With 5.9 g/L total acidity, Sixty-40 White has enough freshness to balance its fruit character and modest residual sugar.
The result is a wine that tastes fruity and fresh, rather than noticeably sweet.
A South African White Wine Under R100
At R80 per bottle, Sixty-40 White is one of the more affordable wines in the Boland Cellar range.
Its price makes it accessible for everyday occasions, while the combination of two grape varieties and fruit from different growing regions gives it plenty of character.
For anyone looking for an affordable South African white wine, particularly a Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc blend, Sixty-40 White is worth getting to know.
The 2026 vintage is available directly from Boland Cellar.
