November 2023

Winery: Plaisir De Merle

Wine Maker: Fred Fismer

Winery Location: Simondium

Varietal(s): 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir

Vivino Score: 3.9/5.00

Retail Price: R225.00

Notes in the wine:

• The fine persistent mousse displays aromas of pear, Granny Smith apples, citrus and light yeasty notes.
•  The Chardonnay imparts citrus, stone fruit and tropical nuances whilst the Pinot Noir provides notes of sweet glazed red cherries. It has a long, lingering, crisp, fresh finish

Food pairing: Indulge yourself… oysters, freshly shucked.

Winery: Domaine Des Dieux

Winemaker: Megan Mullis

Winery Location: Hemel en Aarde Valley

Varietal(s): 58% Pinot Noir,  42% Chardonnay

Vivino Score: 4.00/5.00

Retail Price: R270.00

•  Strawberry, black cherry and raspberry notes jump out of the glass with a hint of rose water in the background. The mousse is fine, and soft, with a rich, generous attack developing beautifully in the mouth into a clean, dry finish. 
• When making this Brut Rosé the saignée method was used to achieve it’s colour.
• The tantalizing balance and generosity of fruit makes this a great apéritif and food wine.

Food pairing: wild mushrooms and parmesan on fried bread.

Winery: Delaire Graaf

Winemaker: Morné Vrey

Winery Location: Stellenbosch  

Varietal(s): 100% Cabernet Franc

Vivino Score: 4.0/5.00

Retail Price: R180.00

• This exceptional rosé displays flavours of freshly crushed berries and candy floss with a slightly minty nose.
• With a richly textured palate and crisp, balanced acidity, it presents a full dry finish.
• Grapes were handpicked in the cool early hours of the South African morning from selected vineyards across Stellenbosch, with the majority grown on the magnificent Simonsberg and Helderberg mountain ranges

Food pairing: An ideal wine to drink with a salade Niçoise

Winery: Ken Forrester

Winemaker: Ken Forrester

Winery Location: Stellenbosch

Varietal(s): 100% Grenache

Vivino Score: 3.80/5.00

Retail Price: R225.00

Notes on the wine: T

•  With a soft pink hue and red fruit flavours such as, strawberry, pomegranate and red berry fruit, for the last few years Ken Forrester has been experimenting with the single vineyard rosé from Grenache.
•  The intent was a delightful, softly pink, elegant fruit focused wine but it had to have structure and body and a long finish on the palate – all of this almost contrary to the fact that you press the grape gently and drain off just the freshest “free-run juice” with little or no chance of getting tannins or structure from the skins!

Food pairing: Seafood and chorizo paella

Winery: Stony Brook

Winemaker: Craig McNaught

Winery Location: Franschhoek

Varietal(s): 56% Chardonnay, 38% Viognier and 6% Semillon.

Vivino Score: 3.90/ 5.00

Retail Price: R140.00

• The Chardonnay and Semillon components were barrel fermented, adding richness and depth, while the Viognier was fermented and matured in stainless steel, preserving the grape’s natural, wild aromatics.
•  Lime and stone fruit abound on the nose, with supremely concentrated and rich, almost pithy density in the mouth. 
•  Each variety plays a key role in producing a wine that is both complex and vibrant.

Food pairing: Hearty vegetarian fare of haloumi, harissa roast veg, and chickpeas served on couscous.

Winery: Catherin Marshall

Winery Location: Elgin

Winemaker: Catherine Marshall

Varietal(s): 100% Pinot Noir

Vivino Score: 3.90/5.00

Retail Price: R270.00

Notes on Wine:

• Fresh pomegranate jewels, cranberry and red cherry top notes with underlying ferrous savoury aromatics. Mouth filling red fruit supported by dry, suedey tannins for texture and complexity.
•  Emphasis is on maximizing layered flavor spectrums balanced with seamless tannin extraction.

Food pairing: Wild mushroom risotto