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Warm up with big red wines this winter

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in the news » Warm up with big red wines this winter
published on: 02 July 2012      source: Carla van der Merwe
 
The cold Cape winter is now upon us, with the weather dictating weekends spent in front of a fireplace or snugly wrapped in a warm coat. I quite enjoy the cold as it gives me the opportunity to sip on a big juicy red wine while I warm up.
This month we aptly chose eight big red wines to get you through the rest of winter. The wines we decided on come from a range of regions and terroirs from as far afield as Hermanus, Robertson and Paarl to Durbanville, Stellenbosch and Somerset West.

Most the wines for this month are produced from Shiraz grapes with the exceptions being a well aged Pinotage from Stellenbosch and a Shiraz based blend from Somerset West. I must say that Shiraz is definitely one of the more favourable cultivars for winter as the peppery and spicy characters pair well with most stews and soups.

Slaley is situated on the R44 towards Paarl and is well worth the drive. The recently renovated tasting centre and new purpose driven branding is phenomenal. The decor portrays the nautical nature of the farm and winemaker Marius Malan's wines are all well made. The Slaley Pinotage 2006 stood to me with its welcome earthy notes and aromas of cigar box and leather. The six years of bottle ageing has certainly helped to improve this wine as the tannins are elegant and well integrated.

Zandvliet can be found in the heart of Robertson just off the R60. This family owned farm is run by proud custodians (and fourth generation farmers) Paul and Dan De Wet. The vineyards are grown on mostly gravel and clay limestone soils with Shiraz being the flagship cultivar. The Zandvliet Kalkveld Estate Shiraz 2007 was the tenth year that this Shiraz was produced from the site specific Kalkveld site. This wine's spice and flavour means that it is a wine worth enjoying with a hot meal.

Plaisir de Merle is situated in Paarl and boasts with 974 hectares of farmland (one of the largest farms in the Cape). Plaisir de Merle has a variety of soil types on the farm and winemaker Niel Bester believes in producing wines that reflect their specific terroir. With 19 vintages at Plaisir de Merle under his belt, it is no wonder that Niel is known for producing top quality wines. The Plaisir de Merle Grand Plaisir 2007 was recently awarded a Silver Medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2012.

Waterford can be found in the Blaauwklippen Valley in Stellenbosch. The buildings and aesthetic are reminiscent of a classic French Bordeaux chateau. The centre piece of courtyard, a magnificent fountain, is breathtaking. Best known for their flagship Jem, the Waterford Kevin Arnold Shiraz 2008 is certainly up there in terms of quality. The delicious black pepper and spice aromas are heavenly and the use of older oak barrels has provided layers tannins. The Kevin Arnold Shiraz 2008 was also recently awarded a Silver medal at the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2012.

Durbanville Hills is one of the iconic and not to be missed stops when visiting the area. The breathtaking glass tasting room allows panoramic views of the valley (and even Table Mountain). Once you've visited the farm you'll be sold on the quality of their vineyards and wines. The reserve Rhinofields range is named after the area's indigenous Renosterveld. The Durbanville Hills Rhinofields Shiraz 2009 is a fruit forward wine that has concentrated dark fruit, red and black berries and black pepper aromas. This full bodied wine finishes with a spicy taste and requires another sip.

Raka is situated 17 kilometres from Stanford. The farm currently has 68ha under vine and is growing by a few hectares each year. The farm's close proximity to the ocean ensures that the grapes are kept cool by afternoon sea breezes. Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot were the first cultivars planted in 1999 and have proven their worth. The Raka Biography Shiraz 2009 carries a 4½ star Platter rating and is produced from hand picked grapes. The balance between white pepper spice and plum fruit makes this a lovely drinking wine that can be enjoyed now or be left to improve with age.

KWV wines are made from grapes sourced from a variety of vineyards. This allows the KWV winemaking team the opportunity to create wines that embody the brand. These wines are of great quality and also easy on the pocket. The KWV Classic Collection Shiraz 2009 is perfect for winter as it pairs well with a variety of red meat or pasta dishes. This medium bodied wine is a berry compote of flavours and the lingering aftertaste will have you sipping till the bottle is finished.

The scenic Lourensford Estate can be found in Somerset West at the foot of the Helderberg Mountain. This busy winery boasts (amongst others), a restaurant, a sawmill, a coffee beanery, horses and more. It'll take you a day to experience all that Lourensford has to offer. The wines will also leave you lingering for longer as their Lourensford SMV 2010 is simply delightful. This Rhone style blend of Shiraz, Mourvèdre and Viognier shows characteristics of cloves, plums and summer blooms.

Remember to have a look at our Big Red video's for more information on the farms and the wines. AND don't forget to enter our Big Reds competition where you can win a case of wine.
 
 
Comments comments < hide 2 comments > COMMENTS add a comment
   BEST IN THE WORLD!  - ANNA H LEMMER - 2012/07/03 09:04:04 AM
South African winemakers produce the best wines in the world! Wines that embodies the brand and complements every occasion! Simply delightful!...
  Hear hear  - Barry Voges - 2012/07/03 09:50:57 AM
With you on this one Anna!!
I also love SA reds, and we have so many to choose from too.

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