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Bergsig Estate Chenin Blanc

SORRY THIS WINE IS NOW SOLD OUT

Once used predominantly in the Cape for distillation into brandy, Chenin Blanc is finally getting the credit it deserves. In the right hands, it makes some of South Africa’s freshest and most appetising whites.

The grape originates from the Loire Valley, where it dominates in Anjou-Saumur and is particularly known for its Vouvray wines. It helpfully can make a whole range of styles – from still to fully sparkling and from bone-dry to honey-sweet – all sharing Chenin’s innate brisk acidity.

This crisp, fruity Chenin is from the well-established Bergsig estate, which has been in the same family for the last 150 years. It lies in the Breede River Valley in Worcester, just over the Du Toitskloof mountains from Paarl and Stellenbosch, and has an excellent microclimate for viticulture.

The current generation of the family to run the estate is De Wet Lategan who has been honoured with the ‘Young South African Winemaker of the Year’ award. To maintain maximum freshness, he picked the grapes in the cool of the night and fermented in stainless steel at a low temperature.

This Chenin is from an excellent vintage that the official Cape wine body, WOSA, wrote up as: ”Prospects are very high for the 2007 vintage … in particular Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon will be exceptional”.

Colour – Light greenish gold.
Aroma – Lemon, lime and green apple aromas with hints of lightly tropical fruits.
Taste – Fresh and citrussy with more tropical notes of guava and kiwi.

Serving suggestions
A refreshing white perfect on its own. Equally enjoyable with seafood, crab and chilli pasta, a fennel and orange salad or a lightly creamy carrot and coriander soup. Drink by end 2009.

Type:Still White Wine Country:South Africa Appellation:Breede River Valley WO
Grape Type:Chenin Blanc Drink Before:End of 2009 Style:Dry
Alcohol:12.5% Bottle Size:75cl Bottle Bottle Code:26531
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Fleur du Cap Merlot

A cool south-westerly wind tempers the effect of the summer sun and ensures an extended ripening season. This gradual ripening of grapes allows for optimum development of the sought-after flavour components.

Ripe black cherries, raspberries and mocha with hints of vanilla and cumin spices on the nose. Attractive berry and delicate oak flavours fill the mouth and are beautifully rounded.Velvety tannins provide excellent balance to a wine that finishes with a lingering fruit sensation.
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Wolvehoek Merlot Cabernet

Wolvehoek is a unique wine farm nestled in a valley leading towards the summit of the Groeneberg mountain near Wellington. It takes its name from the many mountain wolves that roam the area. Owner of the estate is Doctor Lourens, a radiologist, who spends half the year working in England, and the other half tending his vines and wines in the Cape. The property dates back to 1784 and, just recently, Doctor Lourens has made considerable investment in the vineyards. The vines of the estate lie on steep slopes at a relatively high altitude. Both of these factors contribute to the wine’s quality. Firstly the incline ensures the vines are kept well-drained and thirsty, so the grapes are concentrated, whereas high altitude brings with it a wide divergence between day and night-time temperatures. This slows down the ripening of the fruit and produces greater depth and aroma in the wine. The grapes from this property are all taken to the Bovlei cellar next door, for the talented Frank Meaker to vinify. Frank is the grandson of South Africa’s most famous wine man and political activist Paul Sauer (of Kanonkop). As a young boy, Frank used to help his grandfather on the Kanonkop estate and always vowed that one day he would make great wines Frank has crafted this luscious, ripe red from the classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet and Merlot – richly fruity it has a velvet-smooth texture, balanced by seriously savoury tobacco notes.