Goats Do Roam White
£13.99
£18.65 per litre · incl. 20% VAT
In Stock — 6 bottles available
A clever Cape take on the classic Rhône white blend, with Viognier leading the charge alongside Grenache Blanc, Marsanne and Roussanne. Expect lifted citrus, white peach and a whisper of spring blossom, all balanced by a crisp, mineral finish. Easy-drinking, food-friendly and quietly sophisticated, this is the kind of bottle that disappears faster than you planned.
Not for sale to persons under 18. Adult signature required on delivery.
UK wide delivery
Expert curated
Our Verdict
Honest opinion: this punches well above its price tag. We've tasted plenty of Cape white blends in this bracket, and Goats Do Roam White is the one we keep recommending to customers nervous about trying something beyond Sauvignon Blanc. The Viognier gives it instant appeal, but it's the Grenache Blanc and Marsanne that earn the second glass. A consistent customer favourite since we first listed it, and the perfect bottle for a midweek dinner that deserves a little more thought. If you enjoy this, the Goats Do Roam Red is a natural next stop.
Tasting Notes
A Rhône-style white that wears its sunshine lightly. The nose lifts with lemon zest, white peach and apricot, threaded with honeysuckle and a whisper of spring blossom. The palate is fresh and crisp, with juicy stone fruit and pear giving way to a chalky mineral streak that keeps things lively. Viognier brings the perfume, Grenache Blanc the texture, Marsanne and Roussanne the gentle weight. The finish is long, clean and gently mouth-watering, with bright acidity that begs another sip.
About This Wine
Charles Back's Goats Do Roam wines started life as a cheeky nod to the southern Rhône, and the white version might just be the most charming of the family. Viognier takes the lead, bringing perfumed peach and apricot, while Grenache Blanc, Marsanne and Roussanne fill in the texture, the spice, and that lovely savoury thread that keeps the wine grown-up rather than sweet. In the glass, it's pale and bright. On the nose, lifted citrus blossom, ripe stone fruit and a touch of honeysuckle. The palate is where it really sings: white peach and crisp pear, a flash of grapefruit pith, and a chalky, mineral line running right through to a fresh, lingering finish. Light to medium in body, but with real presence. This is a brilliantly versatile bottle. Pour it with herb-roasted chicken, a bowl of seafood linguine, or a mushroom risotto rich with parmesan. It's equally happy on its own as an aperitif, chilled down on a warm evening when something more interesting than Pinot Grigio is called for. We ship Goats Do Roam White across the UK, usually within a couple of days. It also makes a thoughtful gift for anyone who loves Rhône whites but hasn't yet discovered what the Cape can do with these grapes; expect a pleasantly surprised phone call.
Food Pairing
Pull the cork for almost anything off the lighter end of the table. It shines alongside a tray of garlicky prawns, a roast chicken with lemon and thyme, or a creamy mushroom risotto where the Marsanne's weight matches the dish. Try it with grilled sea bass, soft goat's cheese on toast, or a Thai green curry where the floral notes meet the spice halfway.
- —Roast chicken with lemon, garlic and thyme
- —Pan-fried sea bass with crushed new potatoes
- —Wild mushroom and tarragon risotto
- —Garlic prawns with chilli and parsley
- —Thai green chicken curry
How to Serve
Decanting
No decanting needed. If you want to coax out more of the Viognier perfume, pour a glass twenty minutes before drinking and let the rest warm gently in the bottle.
Ageing & Cellaring
Built for early drinking. Enjoy over the next year or two while the aromatics are at their brightest and the acidity is singing. Rhône-style whites like this can soften nicely with a little time, but there's nothing to be gained by holding it back.
The Winemaking
A Rhône-inspired white blend built around Viognier, with Grenache Blanc, Marsanne and Roussanne filling out the frame. Viognier brings the perfumed lift (those spring-blossom and stone-fruit notes), Grenache Blanc keeps the palate fresh and mineral, while Marsanne and Roussanne add weight and texture across the middle. The fermentation stays focused on freshness, preserving natural acidity rather than burying it in oak. The result is a wine that drinks easily but has real layers to explore.
About the Producer
Fairview
Fairview is one of those Cape estates that refuses to sit still. Run by Charles Back, whose family has farmed this corner of Paarl for generations, it's built a reputation on curiosity rather than tradition for tradition's sake, planting Mediterranean varieties when nobody else would, making goat's cheese alongside the wine, and launching the cheeky Goats do Roam range that ruffled feathers in Châteauneuf and won hearts everywhere else. The wines reflect the man: serious about quality, allergic to pretension. Whether it's a benchmark Pinotage or a fortified curiosity like this one, you get the sense that someone genuinely enjoyed making it.