Durban - A dash of cold weather coupled with a week’s holiday in the Berg proved the ideal opportunity for tasting a host of new wines, the first of which was the latest offering from Allesverloren, Swartland’s oldest wine estate.
Already known for its superlative red and port-style wines, the winery has created the Trés Vermelhos 2012 (recommended retail price: R150), Red Muscadel 2013 (R107) and Tinta Barocca Rosé 2013 (R43).
Fifth-generation winemaker Danie Malan says the Trés Vermelhos (Portuguese for three reds) and Red Muscadel represent new territory with the former being the first blend in the Allesverloren range of cultivars – souzao, tinta barocca and touriga naçional – originally from the Douro region in Portugal.
While the estate has farmed muscat grapes for customers and used the varietal in its blends for the past 10 years, last year was the inaugural vintage of the fortified Red Muscadel. Yet, it has immediately garnered attention by winning the SA Champion Muscadel title at the South African Young Wine Show.
Another one warming the soul before the fire was the Muratie Ben Prins Cape Vintage 2009 (R170), a port-style wine paying homage to the estate’s legendary bare-foot winemaker between 1957 and 1987. The wine is produced from a vineyard planted in 1965 using the traditional Portuguese varietals tinta barocca, tinta roritz, tinta francesca and souzao, and matured in old 225-litre French oak barrels for two years before bottling.
The result is a seamlessly integrated port that marries the alcohol, fruit and acidity – think Christmas cake and spices.
The last, while waiting in vain for the snow, was the Badsberg Cellar Red Muscadel 2013 (R55), a wine named Best Muscadel in South Africa at this year’s Muskadel SA Awards. The winery received top honours as the only platinum laureate from the 25 entries.
This muscadel is wholly made from muscat d’fortignan and has an attractive ruby colour bursting with classical floral muscadel and raisin perfume – a perfect remedy for the cold winter nights.
According to Badsberg cellarmaster Willie Burger, the red muscadel has been hugely successful since the winery began its production in 2003 – and has garnered awards from Muskadel SA, Veritas and Michelangelo. However, this was the first time it had received a platinum recognition for the flagship product.
Diary notes:
This year’s Mercury Wine Week, being held at the Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World from August 27 to 29, promises to revolutionise the wine tasting experience. Tickets go on sale with Computicket from the end of the month and are R100 a night or R150 for a combination ticket for the Wednesday and Thursday nights. Diarise now.
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The Mercury