Nestled between the Breede River and the Langeberg Mountains, Bon Courage is the showpiece estate of Robertson. Its stately Cape Dutch homestead dates back to 1818 but grape growing only started there in 1921. Three generations later, the Bruwer family wins armfuls of awards every vintage. Bon Courage was Robertson’s best performing winery at the South African Young Wines Show 2009, with nine Champion Wines and 19 Gold medals. Shortly afterwards the 2009 Gooseberry Bush beat 200 wines to win the ‘Best White Blend’ Trophy. It’s an uplifting glassful of grassy, kiwi fruit Colombard with a dash of lemony Sauvignon. Zesty and appetising, this wine is best served chilled solo, as a party wine, or with avocado and prawn salad or grilled chicken.
The Huguenot Sauvignon 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, quickly showing a flair for his craft at the Muratie Wine Estate and going on to gain valuable experience at the world renowned Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars in the Napa Valley. He crafted this fine Sauvignon Blanc using a special yeast to slow fermentation and help bring out its delicate herby aromas. We recommend partnering it with salt crusted cod and olive tapenade, or with shellfish.
Stumble Vineyards Verdelho 2012
Bruce Jack is one of the most passionate, innovative and enthusiastic winemakers you’ll ever meet – plus he knows the technical side of the trade inside out. He was named South Africa’s ‘Winemaker of the Year’ in 2009 and his cellar, based just 400 metres from the sea, scooped ‘Winery of the Year’ in 2008.The grapes for this zingy, aromatic white come from a group of vineyards that Bruce spotted at the bottom of an isolated valley whilst out hiking in the hills. He determined to find the owner and has since produced an award winning range of wines from the grapes, which produce wonderfully crisp, elegant fruit thanks to the cooling sea breezes. The latest addition, this Verdelho, is perfect with seafood starters or grilled white fish.
Chardonnay Showcase
Ignore the ABC brigade (Anything But Chardonnay); this noble grape is one of Bacchus’s great gifts to the wine world. Taste for yourself for just £6.99 a pop. First up a pair of mineral-edged French gems which haven’t seen a splinter of oak. Next, two vibrant stars from Chile where the high-altitude vineyards and crystal-clear sunshine bring out wonderful flavours of crisp green apple. Bruce Jack’s Whispering Jack shows why in-the-know white lovers are turning to South Africa in their droves and we close your case with customer favourite Albastrele, from Moldova’s historic vineyards.
Stumble Vineyards Cape Blend 2012
Bruce Jack is one of the most contagiously enthusiastic winemakers you’ll ever meet. He was declared South Africa’s ‘Winemaker of the Year 2009’ and his cellar, based in a former dynamite factory outside Cape Town and just 400 metres from the sea, scooped ‘Winery of the Year’ in 2008. Rules don’t sit happily with Bruce, so no surprise here that he’s blending a whole ménage of grapes – Bordeaux varieties with the Rhône’s Syrah and South Africa’s very own Pinotage – to make this unique, big flavour statement wine! Thanks to Bruce’s 100% gravity fed winery, the wine has a wonderfully silky texture.This red is best with food, so crack open a bottle with a large steak, a hearty stew, tomato and garlic sauced pasta, or a moussaka style dish.