Established in 1692, Spier is one of South Africa’s oldest and most celebrated family-owned working wine farms. Across all its areas of its involvement, from land to community, and art to entrepreneurship, the business employs a long-term, intentional, regenerative model. This connected, collaborative and systemic approach is part of Spier’s DNA.
The Spier label has become a symbol for top terroir-driven wines, and the winery produces multiple ranges of award-winning wines. Spier has twice been named South African Producer of the Year by the International Wine and Spirit Competition.
Cellarmaster Johan Jordaan has harnessed more than three centuries of winemaking history to transform Spier from a small cellar into a major, award-winning Stellenbosch wine farm. Johan and his team are passionate about crafting wines with minimal interference that are truly expressive of their South African terroir.
Spier’s Seaward range is inspired by the Cape’s unique coastal terroir. Spier Seaward Chardonnay 2023 is made with grapes handpicked in the Tygerberg hills. The vineyard is close to the Atlantic Ocean, benefitting from the cool winds cooling down the area. While this ocean is better known for the fierce winter weather that gives the Cape of Storms its name, at the height of summer it plays a critical role in the making of this wine.
The Atlantic’s cooling breezes allow the vines to thrive in optimal conditions for gradual ripening. Coupled with dryland irrigation – which intensifies flavours – the result is a Chardonnay with great concentration, balance and finesse, all underpinned by an elegant, saline minerality.
That means a wine to enjoy no matter the season or the weather: a wine for fireside reading, lazy sunlit afternoons, or exciting dinner parties.
Being lightly-wooded, the Seaward Chardonnay 2023’s citrus-dominated flavours are rounded out by creamy vanilla; the oak offers structure without being overbearing.
The lemon yellow-coloured wine has aromas of tangerine, lemon rind, peach and citrus blossom with undertones of raw almonds on the nose. The creamy palate offers fresh citrus, nectarine and well-integrated vanilla.
Enjoy with pork chops, roast chicken, or creamy chicken or mushroom pasta.
Pairing recipe: Creamy smoked chicken and chive pasta
This is a very quick and easy pasta recipe, packed with flavour. Perfect for a midweek dinner or a casual dinner party. Adjust the quantities to your liking to serve more people.
Ingredients
(Serves 2)
- 15 ml olive oil
- A small bunch of spring onions, finely sliced (reserve some for serving)
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 2 medium size smoked chicken breasts, sliced
- 250 ml fresh cream
- 10 ml wholegrain mustard
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- A generous handful French chives, chopped (reserve some for serving)
- About 200 g pasta of your choice, freshly boiled & drained
Method
- In a wide pan, heat the oil and fry the spring onions and garlic over medium heat until it is soft and fragrant.
- Add the chicken and fry for a few minutes until lightly golden.
- Then, add the cream and mustard.
- Stir and bring to a simmer.
- Cook for 2 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper and stir in half the chives.
- Add the pasta and toss to coat, then remove from the heat at once.
- Serve hot, scattered with more spring onions and chives.
Seaward Chardonnay 2023 is available for purchase via our online shop, tastewine.co.za.
This article originally appeared on Cape Tourism, as part of a collaboration with wine.co.za.