Cape Town - Vinous salutes to spring call for wines whose appeal includes new-season aromas and flavours, where freshness is paramount and alcohol levels moderate.
After sampling a selection promising these criteria, I found somethat could claim to be serenades to spring.
* News from Villiera is usually exciting (if it’s a new wine) or pleasing (when they expand sustainable, eco-friendly production).
Catering to demand for a light, off-dry floral blend, Jasmine (R50) evokes images of spring, emphasised by its prominent bouquet. Muscat, Gewürztraminer and Riesling combine to produce this ode to a blooming season, with low-alcohol levels of 11.6 percent and off-dry spicy flavours. Try it with Persian and Cape Malay fare and Indian desserts.
* Chardonnays from Glenelly, a Stellenbosch estate with a distinctly Gallic touch, are always a treat – elegance and complexity in delicious combination. The Glenelly Glass Collection 2013 (R65) proved to be most apt for a spring celebration; aromas of citrus and melon, followed by minerality and fruit on the palate. Big sister Glenelly Grand Vin Chardonnay 2013 (R140) is more opulent; impressive complexity balanced by citrussy freshness, along with classic flavours of vanilla and caramel, tropical fruit and cream.
Poultry and seafood given lavish treatment would be good subjects with which to pair this aristocrat. Madame De Lencquesaing, just short of her 90th birthday and a member of one of Bordeaux’s venerable wine families, still visits her Cape acquisition regularly.
* To Elgin, where Oneiric, a cellar new to me, but which has been making wine for five years, introduced their 2010 sauvignon blanc, which has proved to be one of the best sampled in months.
Bottle maturation of three years has added depth and complexity, yet it remains pure and fresh, Elgin minerality allied to restrained fruit in a sauvignon free of heartburn-inducing acidity. Tasting is by appointment. Contact Shan Pascall on [email protected].
* Fleur du Cap wines – white, red and dessert – are synonymous with freshness. The 2014 sauvignon blanc (R55) follows in the same mould, crisp and quality that is easily hunted down from wineshops countrywide.
* Still bubbly is an upward trend and Gorgeous (R60), a product of the Graham Beck cellar, is a just-launched glamorous example. Its visual qualities – pale coppery pink – speak to the feminine sex, who also like its low alcohol content. Just over half pinot noir made up with chardonnay, its classic ingredients have been melded into easy-drinking lifestyle enjoyment, floral aromas preceding mouthfuls of citrus, berry and melon.
Uncorked fest makes visit a must-do
Early blossoms in roadside orchards may have been blown off by month end, but the vineyards are showing off new livery in that wonderful limey-green, and the meadows are verdant and lush.
A spring weekend in Franschhoek is temptation in itself – factor in the annual Uncorked Festival – from September 27 to 28 – and it becomes a must-do.
Twenty-one valley wineries will showcase their best, present new vintages and discount some wines.
Some farms will offer entertainment, and nearly all will serve delectable fare, from pancakes to paninas, pizzas to tapas, spit-roast lamb and Latin-American braais.
A weekend pass costs R120 from www.webtickets.co.za, and includes glass and tastings. For more details, see www.franschhoekuncorked. co.za or contact the wine valley office at 021 876 2861.
Sauvignons to star in Wine Concepts fest
Sauvignons, both white and red, will star in the 12th festival hosted by Wine Concepts and held at the Vineyard hotel, in Newlands, on Friday, September 26.
New releases of sauvignon blancs, current vintages of cabs, and a few older vintages will be on show from 50 of South Africa’s top producers. Prices will be discounted during the event, which will take place from 5 to 8pm.
Delectable finger snacks will be served. Early bird tickets, which include glass, tastings and snacks, cost R160 from www.webtickets.co.za or from Wine Concepts. Tickets will cost R170 at the door. E-mail: [email protected] or call 021 671 9030 for more information.
Weekend Argus