I saw an article last week conducting a poll as to what would be people’s first drink on Christmas Day.
The options ranged from “saving myself for lunch” to “a sherry or cocktail mid-morning” and “a champagne breakfast” but the suggestion which garnered the most votes (almost 70 percent of the respondents) was “a glass of port immediately after Midnight Mass”.
What a great idea. And so, with that in mind, here are my suggestions for Christmas Day drinking, from start to finish.
12.01am - De Krans Cape Tawny NV port (R95). Winemaker Boets Nel often laments that by the time he has kept it in barrels for up to nine years, it’s hardly economic for him to sell it. Be glad he does, though, because with its rich aromas and flavours of toasted almonds, hints of toffee and tangy finish, it’s a five-star way to welcome in Christmas Day.
Breakfast - Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Rosé 2008 (R95) is a great way to start your day. Unusually, this is made from mainly pinotage with only about a third of it being the classic champagne varieties of pinot noir and pinot meunier. A deliciously dry mouthful of berries and cherries with frothy mousse and a clean, fresh finish.
Mid-morning - Solms-Delta Gemoedsrus (R188) is perfect for keeping your strength up as you make sure all is going to plan with the food, set the table, welcome Auntie Dot, fall over the dog and rush around like a mad thing. This is a real one-off wine made from shiraz which has been desiccated on the vine. Rich and spicy with a get-up-and-go tweak of zesty orange peel.
Canapés - Steenberg “The Rattlesnake” Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (R80) is a tingling, wake-up call of a wine, guaranteed to whet the appetite, cleanse the palate and go well with all kinds of nibbles. Thirty percent of the wine was briefly barrel-fermented, which adds an extra dimension and richness to the crisp citrus fruit.
Starter - Kleine Zalze Barrel-fermented Chenin Blanc 2010 (R60) is a fabulous food wine and will go wonderfully well with anything fishy, cheesy, salady, chickeny etc. Winemaker Johan Joubert has had a cracking year, culminating in being invited to join the prestigious Cape Winemaker’s Guild - thoroughly well-deserved too.
Main Course - Nitida Calligraphy 2009 (R115) is the latest vintage of one of my favourite reds. It won winemaker RJ Botha Young Winemaker of the Year last month - again thoroughly well-deserved - and is a soft ripe mouthful of blackberries, herbaceous notes and a creamy vanilla finish. Will go great with whatever meat you’re roasting or braaiing.
(And, of course, if you’re having carpaccio for starters and fish for mains, feel free to swop these last two wines around.)
Dessert - Fleur du Cap Noble Late Harvest 2009 (R110) has been the stand-out South African dessert wine for the last few years and is White Wine of the Year in the Platter Guide.
Made from mainly chenin with a touch of semillon and riesling, this is richly unctuous apricot fruit, lifted and balanced by lively, fresh acidity. Pretty much as good as it gets and a great wine with a cheese platter.
All-day sippers - Rawbones Wishbone Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (R45) and Rawbones Butcher’s Block Red 2008 (R55) are good value, well-made wines which should fill any thirsty gaps in your day. They are the second label of stellar sauvignon-makers Oak Valley and if they have the same effect on you as they did on wine writers at the launch at Mzoli’s Place last week, you’re going to have a jol.
Midnight Nightcap - LadiSmith 8-year-old Potstill Brandy (R320) should round the day off perfectly. This is the first brandy from the LadiSmith cellars, made in a light, fruity style. Kick off your shoes and congratulate yourself on making it through yet another Christmas Day. - Top of the Times