Virtual Wine Tasting - South Africa

Join us for three evenings as our popular “Wine Wednesday” virtual wine tastings continue into March.  Our theme is South Africa; the familiar and the not so familiar.  Alongside staples of Chenin Blanc and Pinotage we sample some less well-known South African wine styles, Cinsault and Merlot in the red corner, a Viognier/Chenin and Grenache Blanc and finally a Riesling from the cooler Elgin region.

As ever, our virtual tastings are great fun, and there is no need for a dedicated driver.

Wednesday 16^th March

The Wolftrap White, Boekenhoutskloof, Swartland, South Africa 2019

A blend of Viognier 38%, Chenin Blanc 32% and Grenache Blanc 30% with a touch of oak

This aromatic dry white wine is fantastic value. A bold nose entices with its abundance of nectarine, peach melba and stewed apple aromas with delicate whiffs of lemon meringue. The white peach character of the nose follows through onto the mid palate with flavours of lemon verbena, quince and chives. The palate is soft, smooth and medium bodied yet with vibrant, integrated acidity. The wine has a slight spicy finish with hints of nettles, flint and preserved lemons.

Retail Price: £9.99

Kaapzicht Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2019

100% Pinotage with 18 months in oak (33% new). Winemaker Danie Steytler.

This full bodied dry red wine has a nose full of wild fruits and prunes with notes of toasted cedar, vanilla and gun smoke. The palate starts out racy, with a red-fruited bright core and firm tannins, developing further complexity of sour cherry, cola, green olives and smoke. A distinctive expression of the variety.

Kaapzicht Pinotage comes from 20-year-old bush vines planted in weathered granite soil. The vineyards are all dry land, unirrigated.

Retail Price: £19.99

Wednesday 23^rd March

Darling Cellars Old Bush Vine Chenin Blanc, Darling, South Africa, 2019

100% Chenin Blanc with 10 months in oak

From specific old bush vines which are selected for their typicity in reflecting their soils and location. This dry Chenin Blanc displays a medium light straw hue in the glass. This is made in a ripe style; elegant, serious and bold. Tropical flavours of ripe yellow peaches, white pear, a touch of vanilla blossoms, toast, butterscotch, orange skin and pineapple.

Retail Price: £17.49

Darling Cellars Old Bush Vine Cinsaut 2018, Darling, South Africa 

100% Cinsaut with 22 months in oak

A well-balanced red wine, with a bright ruby red colour and sour cherries, red cherries and candy floss on the nose. The fruity palate displays earthiness and flavours of white pepper followed by a fresh acidity and good length. Coming from 38-year-old vineyards, the wine carries South Africa`s `certified heritage vineyards` seal.

Retail Price: £17.49

Wednesday 30^th March

Paul Cluver Estate Riesling, Elgin, South Africa, 2020  

100% Riesling.

A new off-dry blend from Paul Cluver, sitting between the Dry and Close Encounters which are no longer produced.

The colour is pale, with a green apple tint. The nose is expressive with fresh green apple and citrus blossom notes, while the palate is delicate with elegantly clean and zesty lime notes. There is a great interplay between the naturally retained residual sugar and acidity. The mineral core, which is linked to the shale rich soils in which the vines grow, gives the wine structure and a lingering aftertaste.

Retail Price: £16.49

Meerlust Merlot, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2017  

87.5% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 4.5% Petit Verdot, hand picked from 27 year old vines, matured in 54% new Nevers French oak, 46% second fill Nevers for 17 months before bottling.

The dark fruit and opulence of the wine is immediately apparent. We have been refining the viticulture to produce more balanced, flavourful fruit. Intense dark brambly fruit on the nose, mulberry, liquorice and damson plum with hints of dark chocolate and spice, tempered by a stony minerality. The medium-full bodied palate offers generous, ripe, pure Merlot fruit with refreshing acidity, structured yet silky tannins and pronounced length and minerality. There is a core of juiciness, opulence and richness typical of the variety, while the Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot lend greater complexity to the wine.

Retail Price: £25.49

We do not sell wine; the wines are available from Frazier’s of Solihull for the delivered price of £90.  Click here to order the wines.