Did anyone else think that Summer had officially ended and that we were headed into colder weather? I had Rosie in woolie onesies and was breaking out the rich red wine and then BAM, 32 degree heat hit Cape Town again and I’m now sporting a really great amount of upper lip sweat.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the sun, but the rain needs to come and I really want to bring out Rosie’s winter wardrobe because it’s adorable. However, I’m going to relish the last remaining days of heat and celebrate the supposed winding down of summer …and I thought that I should do that with my favorite end-of-summer wine picks. Get yourself a bottle and join me.
Seven Springs Pinot Noir
Sometimes you just need something juicy, something full of strawberries, cherries and with a lovely crisp finish. And I recommend you pick up a bottle of the Seven Springs Pinot Noir. It’s a wine that isn’t overtly oaked, with that often strange dusty quality that some Pinots have, instead, it’s brimming with freshness which is so needed in this heat. Simply put, this is a belter. It goes down far too easily.
Priced around R150
Mullineux Family Wines Kloof Street Chenin Blanc
The Mullineux’s have a reputation for being a powerhouse, excelling in winemaking and raking in the awards. Though I might not be able to afford their top-tier range, their Kloof Street range is right up my alley – their Chenin, being full of pear and racy acidity, is so drinkable. Dangerously so. One bottle is never enough and it is sunshine in a glass.
Priced around R90
Restless River Ava Marie Chardonnay 2014
I first met Restless River a few years back at Constantia Fresh and they made a big impression, offering wines that were brimming with life and personality. They only make a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Chardonnay so every vintage flows with direction and the intensity that comes from a winemaker who isn’t thinly stretched over too many cultivars.
Enjoying a glass of their newest vintage of Chardonnay, the 2014, I was once again reminded of the focus and grace behind their winemaking. Yes, it’s the most expensive wine on this list, but for something special, for something that speaks oceans, this is a must.
Priced around R320
Spier Creative Block Two
Sometimes you just need to run through a meadow, roll in some freshly mowed grass and bask in the sunshine…and this wine kind of does just that. It’s a steely mashup of white peach, melon and green peas. It’s the perfect wine choice for a picnic and is crying out for some goats cheese on freshly baked ciabatta.
Priced around R95
Krone Borealis Brut
And no list would be complete without some bubbles. Krone make beautiful MCCs (honestly, the labeling alone are stunning) and this brut has a lovely mix of biscuit flavors, creamy elegant yeastiness and a touch of pear – it’s grand. If you’re ever in Tulbagh, you must make a stop at by them and taste the entire range.
Priced around R120
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