Badenhorst Secateurs Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc was made famous in the Loire Valley of France in the sub regions of Vouvray and Savennières. The grape is ridiculously versatile – it can be made into beautiful dry, sweet or sparkling wines. The varietal is also called Pineau de la Loire and Pineau d’Anjou. Chenin Blanc is an expressive white French varietal that makes beautiful dry, sweet and sparkling wines. What’s amazing is Chenin Blanc’s ability to age due to the grape’s naturally high acidity. South Africa’s plantings are 50% of total viineyard plantings and is the most planted white varietal. It is also known as Steen in South Africa and is sometimes blended with Semillon, Viognier, and Marsanne to make a richer-styled wine similar to an oaked Chardonnay.The wines from South Africa will be full bodied, creamy texture, high acidity and dominant flavors of guava, melon and passion fruit. AA Badenhorst Family Wines are grown, made and matured on Kalmoesfontein farm in the Swartland, South Africa. Swartland is a large wine-producing area 65 kilometers (40 miles) north of Cape Town in the Western Cape region of South Africa. The goal of cousins Hein and Adi Badenhorst is to make natural wines in the traditional manner. The bush vines are grown on granite soils in the Paardeberg Mountains. The grapes were whole bunch pressed. Interestingly, the grapes were harvested over the course of 12 days and adding each day’s fruit to the already-fermenting musts. The wine has spent 7 months on the lees in concrete tanks and old casks, which gives incredible texture and plate weight to the wine. Badenhorst has 2 lines of wines – those bottled under AA Badenhorst and a single vineyard range. The wine is a lovely medium yellow color. The aromas are flinty with guava, honey, orange blossom, wet stone and peach. It is dry with deep and rich flavors yellow apple, guava, mango,honey, orange blossom and tangerine. It’s high acidity lingers one the palate as do the flavors. Pairs beautifully with Cheddar, Gruyère, roast chicken with tarragon, pulled pork tacos, pork chops with roasted apples, smoked salmon, Southeast Asian Cusine,
Kanonkop Pinotage
If you have never tried the incredible wines this country produces, stop what you are doing and go buy some. Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Pinot Noir, the list goes on for quality wines. Pinotage is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. It is South Africa’s signature varietal and has made it’s on the map. Kanonkop Estate, located in Stellenbosch, South Africa, was founded is 1973. The name Kanonkop is derived from a hillock (kop) on the Simonsberg mountain above the estate from where, during the 17th and 18th centuries, a cannon (kanon) was fired to announce the arrival of sailing ships entering Table Bay. The estate is currently being run by the 4th generation of the Krige family. The grapes were grown at the foothills of Simonsberg mountain. The area does not get a lot of rain so False Bay breezes provide cooling and moderating factors to slow down ripening and maximizes quality. Pinotage is the estate benchmark wine. They also produce high quality Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The wines are elegant and reflect Stellenbosch terroir. 60 year old bush vines are hand harvested with smaller yields resulting in high quality, concentrated flavors. The soils broken down granite rover time, clay and sand. Kanonkop Pinotage 2017 is a deep ruby color. The nose is pronounced intensity with aromas of prunes, blackberry, forest floor, cocoa, bramble and spice. The palate is dry, full bodied and soft silky tannins. The flavors are pronounced-dark cherry mocha earth blackberry, tea, licorice, oak, green pepper with a long finish. This wine could easily age 5 years or more. Pinotage is a heavy hitter and it begs to be enjoyed with grilled meat. #wineducator#winelearning #winestagram#girlswineclub @girlswineclub#instawine #vintagewine#winelover
Boschendal Estates Chardonnay
For those fans out there of buttery oakey California Chardonnays, how about exploring a new wine region? South Africa has similar climate and growing conditions to California. They make very flavorful, full-bodied, oak (depending on the producer), tropical fruit wines. This producer Boschendal Estates was founded in 1685. This Boschendal Chardonnay 2018 is dry, full bodied, medium acid, flavors of butter, caramel, Golden Apple, vanilla, pineapple, banana, cloves and ripe pear. Served chilled with grilled chicken, roasted pork loin or potatoes with fresh herbs. It’s economical and delicious
Mulderbosch Stellenbosch Sauvignon Blanc
Stellenbosch is located in the Wester Cape wine region of South Africa. The Western Cape is has the majority of wineries in this region. The two most well known regions are Stellenbosch and Paarl. Stellenbosch is 25 miles east of Cape Town. The region is very mountainous creating shelter for the hilly vineyard areas as well as many microclimates. The region is hot and dry but has a cooling influence from the surrounding oceans and bays. The soils are mainly granite and sandstone combined with a high clay content means that while they are free draining they have excellent water-retention properties. The above all create an ideal grape growing environment. Mulderbosch is located in Stellenbosch, in the Coastal Region, Western Cape of South Africa. Mulderbosch Vineyards was founded in 1989 by Larry Jacobs. He had a vision to turn the “dirty little farm” as local called it into an award winning winery. He succeeded tenfold because since it’s inception it has been winning awards ever since. As an innovator, Mulderbosch was the first producer in the country to successfully create a barrel-fermented style of Chenin Blanc. They focus on producing quality wines that respect and preserve age-old winemaking traditions while balancing modernization in the winery. They produce a dry and off-dry Sauvignon Blanc, a barrel-fermented Chenin Blanc, a Rosé Cabernet Franc, Faithful Hound Bordeaux Blend, Chardonnay as well as both a rosé and white sparkling wines. The wine is a lovely pale yellow color. The aromas have medium intensity of bright lemon, lime, asparagus, straw, peach, saline, flint, gooseberry, guava and pepper. The palate is dry, medium body, medium+ intensity and finish. The flavors of guava, pineapple, green fig, pepper, straw, bright lemon, lime, asparagus, straw, peach, saline, flint, gooseberry have such a crisp yet creamy mouthfeel. Pair with goat cheese, feta cheese and fig salad, oysters or a grilled chicken and spinach salad.
Columbia Crest H3 Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Crest Vineyards is located in Columbia Valley, Washington State. The winery was established in 1983. The winery is dedicated to creating high quality wines that are a true reflection of the varietal, terroir while making them approachable and food friendly. Columbia Crest’s 2,500 acres of estate vineyards are some of the best in Washington. With only six to eight inches of annual rainfall, water is supplied by drip irrigation. The grapes are fermented for 6 to 10 days on skins. The wines are aged as follows – 90% for 12 months in new and older French and American oak barrels and the remaining 10% aged in stainless steel tanks. This wine is a blend of 85% Cabernet, 14 % Merlot and 1% Other Red Varietals. The wine is a deep ruby color with aromas of black cherry, blackberries, currants, vanilla, mint and cocoa. The wine is full bodied with medium acidity and tannins. It has flavors black cherry, blackberries, currants, vanilla, earth, cedar, bramble, mint, cocoa, minerals, thyme, barnyard and cloves. Perfect with Rib eye steak, beef stew, grilled swordfish, pasta with béarnaise sauce, bison burger, chocolate truffles.
Offshoot Modra Frankinja
Slovenia winemaking dates back to before Roman times, before vines were planted in Western Europe (France, Spain and Germany) by the Celts and Illyrian tribes. This particular wine is from the Štajerska, Podravska region located in the northern most part of Slovenia, eastern borders of Croatia and Hungary. There are 3 main wine regions in Slovenia: Podravska, Posavska and Primorska. Podravska is the largest of the 3 regions and is known for high quality, elegant wines. This region produces approximately 97% dry white wines. It is also known for producing world class ice wines and sparkling wines. This region is broken down into 2 subregions, Prekmurje and Štajerska which are then further broken down into 7 smaller districts. The Podravska varietals have a strong German influence, predominantly growing Riesling (a.k.a. aški rizling and Renski rizling), Traminec (Gewurztraminer), Sauvignon and Šipon. The region is very steep and hilly (manual hand harvesting a necessity) and opoka soil create a rich minerality in the wines. Over the last few decades wineries and winemakers have been investing in modernization of winemaking facilities, renovated tasting facilities and traded quantity for high quality wines. Heaps Good Wine Company is all about respecting the land, sustainability and making lower yields that reflect the varietal, to create beautifully crafted, quality wines. HGW Company makes Pinot Noir (Modra Pinot), Blaufränkisch (Modra Frankinja), Chardonnay, Pinot Gris (Sivi Pinot), This particular wine, Offshoot Modra Frankinja is a Pétillant Naturel, made in the Méthode Ancestrale, which is an unfiltered, natural sparkling wine. The grape Blaufränkisch is a cross of Gouais Blanc and Blue Zimmertraube. This wine has aromas of blackberry, black cherry, bread dough and yeast. The palate is dry, medium acid and alcohol, low tannins and flavors of blackberry, black cherry, currant, bramble, allspice, yeast, bread dough, and pepper. This wine pairs beautifully with grilled lamb chops, grilled sausages, potato dumplings, beef goulash with buttered noodles and chicken paprika. My video review is available on Instagram: Offshoot Modra Frankinja Image Courtesy of Think Slovenia
Kopke 20 Year Old Tawny Port
What better way to cap off a stellar meal – Kopke 20 year old Tawny Port. What is Port exactly? It is a fortified red wine ( most common, there are also white and rosé Port) made in Porto, Portugal. It can only be called Porto if it is made in Porto DO – similar to the law Champagne can only be called Champagne if it is made in Champagne AOC, France. Port is made from Portuguese indigenous grapes, mainly Touriga National, Touriga Franca, Tina Roriz, Tinta Barroca and Tina Cao and a host of other local varieties. Port can be made in different styles, such as red, white, rosé or tawny. This article will focus on the red and tawny ports. Red or Ruby Port is a basic red port with sweet, berry flavors, chocolate and spice, best drunk young. LBV or Late Bottle Vintage is a read to drink single vintage Port. Tawny colored Port is a barrel aged Port that gets better with age, ranging from 10, 20 or 30 years. Flavors range caramel, nut, graphite, butterscotch, graham cracker. Vintage Port is a single Vintage Port that is only declared in the best years. Aromas of toffee, chocolate, caramel, roasted walnuts, prunes, raisins, dried figs, orange peel, vanilla. On the palate pronounced flavors of toffee, chocolate, caramel, roasted walnuts, prunes, butterscotch, raisins, dried figs, orange peel, lemon peel, vanilla, anise – silky smooth. I could go on and on about this port, just like the length of this outstanding wine. Paired with a wedge of blue cheese, such as Stilton and walnuts; also great with Gorgonzola, chocolate and caramel desserts, smoked and salty nuts. Serve Port at room temperature, about 60F.
Happy Grenache Day
Santa Barbara County, California is the longest valley that runs East to West (not North to South). It is located in between 2 large mountain ranges – Santa Ynez Mountain range and San Rafael range with elevations ranging from 200-3,400feet. This creates microclimates, soil types and hilly terrains which are ideal conditions for world-class cool climate wines such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay). Soil types range from calcareous limestone (maintains acidity), diatomaceous earth (concentrated wines), sandy (fruity styles), and clay loam (retains moisture). Cool winds and fog blow in from the western Pacific Ocean providing cooling effects to extend the growing season. This creates elegant, lighter style wines than typical California styles. The region has 6 AVAs (see below map) – Santa Ynez Valley is an overlying AVA which is broken down into four sub-AVAs (West to East): Sta. Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon, Los Olivos District, and Happy Canyon. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and Pinot Gris. Lumen Santa Barbara County Grenache 2014 is 100% Grenache from Northern Santa Barbara County, Martin Vineyard and Camp 4 Vineyard. Lumen Wines was established by Will Henry and Lane Tanner in 2012 through a desire to create cool climate wines. Their hands on approach as well quality winemaking creates world class, balanced, lively wines. The grapes were fermented in an open top tank, hand pushed down with extended cold soaking, aged in neutral French and Hungarian oak. The wine has aromas of intense cranberry, blueberry, cinnamon and earth. The palate is dry, medium bodied, acidity and tannins; flavors of cranberry, blueberry, cherry, raspberry, cinnamon, rose petals, chalky, allspice, vanilla and brown sugar. It has a lively energy to it, smooth and elegant. At 14.15%abv you wouldn’t know it, ergo it is incredibly balanced. Pairs well with roast pork with coriander garlic rub, grilled Moroccan spiced steak tips, pan seared chicken cutlets, mushroom crostini, lentil vegetable stew. My video review of this wine is available on Instagram: Lumen Grenache 2014 Image courtesy of Santa Barbara Wine Country
Gérard Bertrand Cote Des Roses
Beach + Gerard Bertrand Cote des Roses + Friends at social distance of course = good times For those who aren’t aware, Gérard Bertrand is known as the “King of Languedoc” wines. He not only grew up amongst the vineyards of Languedoc, he creates wines that have their own unique identity to each vineyard. His motto is for each wine to be a true representation of the terroir, grape and vineyard. This particular wine is grown different regions of Languedoc. The area is hot and sunny in the summer, with close proximity to the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyranees mountains, which is ideal for grape ripening and acidity retention. This wine is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault. The grapes are mechanically harvested at different times in order to reach optimal maturity for each variety. They undergo short maceration on the skins (15-30 days), protected from oxidation, to create this lovely light pink color full of red fruit aromas and flavors. The bottle is original with its base in the shape of a rose, created by a young designer from the Ecole Boulle. The wine has aromas of red berries, minerals and freshness. It has a lively medium high acidity, flavors of strawberry, ripe cherry, grapefruit, cassis, grapefruit, lemon peel, white blossom, minerals and pepper. Perfect quaffer on a hot evening. Perfect with goat cheese, melon & prosciutto, grilling chicken with garlic/basil aioli, lobster BLT’s on toasted brioche buns, red curry of shrimp with fluffy jasmine rice.
Historical Sella & Mosca Cannonau Di Sardegna
Cannonau di Sardegna DOC is red wine made on the island of Sardinia. The DOC region covers the entire island of Sardenia. The island is located off of the west coast of Italy and is the 2nd largest Mediterranean island. The island has belonged to many different empires over time which is evident in their architecture, languages and grape varieties. The climate is hot, dry, coastal influences and mountainous terrain of granite, schist, sandstone and limestone soils all make it a hidden gem in terms of winemaking. Cannonau is the Italian term for Grenache or Garnacha. It is the most planted red varietal, Vermentino (Rolle) being the most planted white varietal. Similar to Tuscany, it has both plantings of indigenous and international varietals except instead of planting Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Barbera, Trebbian) it has Grenache/Cannonau, Carignan/Carinena and Vermentino/Rolle, and Cabernet Sauvignon. In terms of industry winemaking is rather small percentage in Sardinia. Therefore there are a handful of producers are creating high-quality wines, which are gaining popularity & momentum globally. The majority of Sardinian DOC vineyards are located on the western side of the island. In order to be classified as Cannonau di Sardegna DOC Riserva, the wine must be a minimum of 13% abv, aged for at least two years before release to the market, which includes 6 months of oak (or chestnut) barrel aging. Sella&Mosca formed the winery over a century ago with a mutal love of the region. The estate is run by the 5th generation. They make premium wines are made exclusively indigenous varieties such as Vermentino, Torbato, and Cannonau as well as Cabernet Sauvignon. The average age of the vines for this wine is 18 years. The grapes are harvested in late autumn and undergo fermentation on the skins in stainless steel vats a controlled temperature between 64-82°F. This wine, Sella & Mosca Cannonau di Sardegna 2017 vibrant wine, smooth tannins, full of tart cherry, raspberry, smoke, tobacco, violets, tomato leaf and pepper. Pair with smoked pancetta & tomato pappardelle, grilled vegetables, pork rib ragu or sheep’s milk cheese. Oh so heavenly!