If you are looking for some great wines for the festive season look no further. These wines are perfect for all your festive and summer requirements – from balmy afternoons on the beach or next to the pool, to the perfect set Christmas table. These South African wines won’t disappoint.
The Albarino from Springfield Estate
Imagine apricot, nectarine, and floral aromas all balanced by a zesty acidity and a delightful salinity. The newly released vintage of Springfield’s Albarino is the perfect wine for any December feast, but I am thinking it will be especially good with a fish or seafood dish. Find the wine: https://springfieldestate.com/
Piekfyn Rosé from NUY
Nuy Winery recently (as little as two months ago) released their first still rosé wine called ‘Piekfyn’. The Piekfyn Rosé is a dry rosé with a deep salmon colour, aromas of blackberries and strawberries, as well as hints of Pink Lady apple. According to Christo Pienaar, the winemaker, this rosé is fruity with an acid balance that leaves a lingering aftertaste. He recommends pairing it with fresh salads and seafood dishes. Being a sucker for labels I just love this wine’s unusual label. The beautiful rose artwork by local artist Luzanne de Villiers can be seen through the bottle, and as the bottle empties, more of the label and flowers become visible. It truly is magical. The wine comes in a three-bottle carton with the same artwork as the label. It’s like receiving a bunch of roses as a gift. Find the wine: https://nuywinery.co.za/
The festive season is not festive without bubbly
Another beaut from Nuy has made it onto my festive wine list – their MCC Celine. This Chardonnay Pinot Noir Brut sparkling wine is really something special. The Celine is made in the traditional method where secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle. The wine spends 54 months on the lees before disgorgement. It is named after Elsaline (Celine) Cloete who actively farmed in the farming community Nuy calls home. Find the wine: https://nuywinery.co.za/
Bonnievale’s Sauvignon Blanc
Bonnievale’s The River Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2022 was recently named one of the top 10 best Sauvignon Blancs at the prestigious 2022 FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 competition. Its beautiful fruit salad flavours make it perfect for hot summer days. I can also recommend their Chenin Blanc for this festive season. Find the wine: https://bonnievalewines.co.za/
Fat Barrel Quiet Resolve 2020 “Project 827 – Cuvee Jean-Louis”
If you are looking for something a little different, you’ll love this beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon and Cinsault blend by Rianie Strydom from Strydom Family Vineyards. This wine shows a delicate balance between the pure Cabernet fruitiness and the Cinsault’s acidity. It is bright and fresh at its young age and can be enjoyed right away but will also age well. Find the wine: https://www.frogitt.co.za/
Durbanville Sauvignon Blanc 2022
This Sauvignon blanc wine is the product of a collaboration of 13 wineries. Simply named Durbanville Sauvignon Blanc, is made from grapes from Altydgedacht,Bloemendal, Canto, D’Aria, De Grendel, Diemersdal, Durbanville Hills, Groot Phesantekraal, Klein Roosboom, Maastricht, Meerendal, Nitida and Signal Gun. Its final production was entrusted to veteran winemaker Charles Hopkins and Morgan Steyn of De Grendel.
The cool climate of the Durbanville Wine Valley is ideal for the slow and flavourful development of wine grapes, particularly Sauvignon blanc. It is for this reason that Durbanville is consistently taking top international honours for Sauvignon blanc in particular. Find the wine: https://store.durbanvillehills.co.za/
Have a wonderful festive season.
Cheers!
xxxx
