Bruce Jack is one of the most passionate, innovative and contagiously enthusiastic winemakers you’ll ever meet. No wonder his wines are always so thrilling to taste. He was awarded South Africa’s ‘Winemaker of the Year’ in 2009 and his cellar, Flagstone, based in a former dynamite factory just 400 metres from the sea in Somerset West, scooped ‘Winery of the Year’ in 2008. Bruce believes in handcrafted wines that capture the essence of the vineyard, that don’t ‘stress to impress’ – which is why he loves Pinotage, a uniquely South African variety that delivers a full whack of fruity depth supported by gentle tannins.Velvety and weighty, this red requires hearty fare as accompaniment – roast beef or lamb, game sausages or moussaka perhaps.
Fairview The Back Road Carignan 2010
Carignan has a long history in the Cape but has been replaced by more ‘fashionable’ varieties in recent years. With potential for wines this juicy and delicious though, that trend must surely be reversed. Better known in southern France, Carignan slipped out of favour even there until winemakers realised that by limiting yields from old vines “you can suddenly revel in a red wine that combines density and succulence with an austere yet compelling beauty” (Andrew Jefford). Charles Back came across a small patch of old vines along a back road in Swartland and got to work. His full-bodied Carignan sure has that density and succulence and is packed with cherry and plum flavours. Perfect for barbecues or a lamb chop or sausage and mash supper.
The Chocolatier Shiraz 2012
Shiraz is best known as Australia’s flagship grape, but, not surprisingly, it also thrives in South Africa, which is similarly blessed with plentiful sunshine. Jancis Robinson MW notes, “Shiraz is by far the most fashionable vine variety in South Africa today.” This tasty red is named after Von Dant, a chocolatier famous not only for his love of wine and decadent chocolate creations but also for his great and meticulously groomed moustache. In his own words, “given enough wine and chocolate I could rule the world”.Perfectly ripe, juicy, concentrated Shiraz grapes have been hand selected from some of South Africa’s premium wine regions to produce the perfect accompaniment to apricot lamb, chicken curry or, of course, chocolate fondant!
Drakenskloof Chenin Blanc 2012
Chenin Blanc was first brought to the Cape from the Loire by Huguenots fleeing France in the 17th century. Before long it had become the country’s predominant variety, because its natural acidity ensures that its wines retain a lively freshness even in South Africa’s warm climate.Drakenskloof is from Spier, one of South Africa’s finest wine estates. As well as a rich heritage (including some of the oldest winery buildings in the country), Spier has its own hotel, restaurant and even a cheetah reserve. The local climate is ideal for vine growing, thanks to cooling breezes that draw out the ripening process and increase fruit intensity.This white is well suited to aromatic stir-fries, crab and chilli pasta, or carrot and coriander soup.
The Huguenot Chenin Blanc 2012
Franschhoek is the culinary capital of South Africa – perhaps because of the influence of the French Huguenots who settled there in the 17th century. This white is from a top cellar in the region, and was created to honour the contribution of these immigrants to the country’s wine industry.Young winemaker Richard Duckitt began his career in Stellenbosch, and quickly showed a flair for his craft during his first year at the Muratie Wine Estate – going on to gain valuable experience at the world renowned Stags’ Leap cellars in Napa Valley. He crafted this fine Chenin Blanc using a special yeast to slow fermentation and matured it on its fine lees for a nutty complexity. A fine partner to foil baked white fish or spicy Thai dishes.
