FOOD AND WINE
Writer: Reneé Fortune
The country’s finest: SA’s award-winning wines
S
outh Africa has made a name for itself as one of the finest wine-producing countries in the world, with an industry that dates back to 1659. Spoil yourself with something truly exceptional with this list of awardwinning wines, each of them handpicked for their homegrown perfection.
Red blend: Ernie Els
nuances of fig jam, cigar
wine-producing regions
that sparkle, clink your
Wines Signature 2015
box and meat spice. On
in the country.
glasses to the delight
In the world of reds, the
the palate, you will expe-
that is the Lords 2012
Ernie Els Signature 2015
rience ultra-fine, layered
MCC Brut. This wine
is royalty. This sumptu-
tannins surrounded by a
won double gold in the
ous wine is one of the
halo of mixed red berry
prestigious 2021 South
five-star winners in the
fruits. A salty, mineral
African Sparkling Wine
category of Red Blends:
tail provides the perfect
Championships.
finish. Pairing idea: garlic and rosemary grilled lamb chops. Chardonnay: Cap Maritime Chardonnay 2020 (Boekenhoutskloof)
The Cape Maritime Char-
As one of the top-rated
donnay is overtly mineral
chardonnays in the coun-
and stony, melting into a
try, this white wine holds
melody of yellow citrus,
its own against some of
grape jelly and green
Cape Bordeaux in the
the world’s biggest hit-
melon preserve. Its tex-
Platter’s by Diners Club
ters.
ture has been described
Wine Guide – South
The grape for this vari-
The judging panel for
as “harmonious, from
these celebrated awards
Africa’s best-selling wine
ant is cultivated on the
start to finish.” Pairing
featured the likes of
guide.
slopes of the Hemel-en-
idea: baked salmon with
Praisy Dlamini, an ac-
Aarde Valley. This particu-
garlic and Dijon.
complished winemaker
With its five-star rating, this wine is ranked a “Su-
lar region, situated just
perlative South African
outside the seaside town
Sparkling wine:
a pioneer in her field. Ex-
classic”.
of Hermanus, is lauded
Lords 2012 MCC Brut
pect a full-bodied experi-
for being one of the best
For lovers of all things
ence punctuated by hints
Expect to be met with
32
from KwaZulu-Natal and
Public Sector Manager • March 2022
