WINE OF THE WEEK: New Dawn White 2025, Western Cape, South Africa

£10, Majestic

New Dawn is the creation of multi-award-winning Cape winemaker Rüdger Van Wyk, who made his name making stellar Cabernet Sauvignons at Stark Condé and since 2024 has been shaping wines exactly as he wants them under the New Dawn label. 

His vision is to make affordable wines that you can open without any faff or ceremony – wines that don’t need fancy food matches, but which don’t compromise an iota of quality for the sake of accessibility and price point. 

Easier said than done, but if anything shows that Rüdker is doing it, it’s New Dawn White 2025 and the equally good New Dawn Red 2024 (Majestic at the same price)

The water-white New Dawn White smells of orchard fruit and spring blossom, has lime zestiness, succulent, pebble-smooth texture, gentle minerality, a vivacious citrus finish and is dry without being bracingly dry. 

It's a blend of just over half Chenin Blanc with Roussanne and a smidge of Verdelho and the wines are made with as little intervention in the cellar as possible so that the fruit does the talking. The creamy texture of the white comes from fermenting with native yeasts found in the vineyards and cellar and then ageing the wine for three months on lees. 

The grapes come from sustainable, IPW-certified vineyards in Breedekloof and Stellenbosch – Breedekloof fruit for its cooler, mountain-influenced natural acidity and purity and Stellenbosch for its structure, texture and layers.

What does New Dawn White pair with? The idea is that you don’t need to overthink it. The bright fruit, acidity and touch of residual sugar send the wine happily in the direction of Southeast Asian spices, as well as sweet, sharp and crunchy vegetables and salads, and savoury dishes with an element of fruit. The creaminess could also take you to a comforting creamy pasta. And scallops, a roast chicken or a sandwich thick with ham and a smear of Dijon mustard wouldn’t go amiss either. 13.5%. Empty bottle weight: 447g.

New Dawn White 2025, Western Cape, South Africa 

£10 in any 6-bottle mix, £15 singly, Majestic