S W E I V E R E WIN J.C. Le Roux Brut Invigorating and Refreshing Composed of predominantly Pinot Noir with a small component of Chardonnay, J.C. Le Roux Brut is a non-vintage Cap Classique with superbly integrated flavours of berry fruit, youthfulness and the great complexity of a bottle of fermented sparkling wine that lingers long on the finish. “This addition to our Cap Classique family was crafted especially for people who enjoy the elegance of a Cap Classique with a youthful character. Both refreshing and palate pleasing, our Brut has rich yeasty tones melded with fruity Pinot noir flavours,” says cellar master Elunda Basson. The House of J.C. Le Roux has a wide range of Cap Classiques to suit all palates, from award winning vintage classics to more accessible offdry favourites, all crafted in the time-honoured French method of secondary bottle fermentation to create the lively bubbles and rich mousse synonymous with a fine Méthode Cap Classique. “I love drinking J.C. Le Roux Brut with fish, seafood, pasta and chicken dishes, and don’t forget the sushi,” adds Basson.
South Africa’s Oldest Red Blend Originally conceived as an elegant Cabernet Sauvignon-based, wood-matured blend, Chateau Libertas is still made with the same objectives. However, these days it has more of a ripe berry fruit profile to suit contemporary tastes.
Those who have been involved in making the blend will attest that there has never been a fixed recipe. “The overriding criterion has always been to remain loyal to the original intention of the wine, which is to please with an approachable, well-balanced and layered combination of fruit, wood and the structure to age,” says brand marketing spokesperson Jackie Olivier. The current blend still features Cabernet Sauvignon but also Shiraz, Merlot, Ruby Cabernet and even Petit Verdot. Olivier says, “Everybody loves its open-hearted burst of juicy ripe fruit backed by a touch of wood. Smooth and delicious, it makes a great match with so many foods. Try it with smoked meats, hearty pastas, pizza, grills, roasts, casseroles and stews.” Chateau Libertas is believed to be South Africa’s oldest red blend and celebrates its 80th birthday this year. The wine is sold nationally and retails for around R34 a bottle.
‘Soon to be Extinct a ç ra G D E S LO -C K R CO Graça, South Africa’s first Mediterranean-style white wine that is light, fresh and youthful in style, has blown its top, exchanging its traditional cork closure for a screw-cap The new screw-capped bottles come with a cork key ring displaying the quirky message, “soon to be extinct”. These limited-edition packs are intended to draw attention in a humorous way to the need to protect cork trees but also the advantages of screw-caps. “Research shows that screw-caps generally make for taintfree wines that maintain flavour and freshness,” says brand spokesperson, Vanessa Kok. Both the white and rosé will come closed under screw-caps. The white is a zesty, refreshing blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Colombard and Semillon. The tangy rosé is made from Sauvignon Blanc, Semillion, Colombard and Pinotage. It fits so well into the local lifestyle that in nearly 30 years it has never once changed its appealing positioning. The brand has built up a loyal following of consumers based on its compatibility with virtually any food, especially seafood. Graça and Graça Rosé sell for around R28 a bottle.
WINE
Wine Reviews
2012 Two Oceans Pinot Grigio The newly released 2012 Two Oceans Pinot Grigio is light, aromatic and very food-friendly. “The wine makes a great partner to Asian and Mediterranean foods and its unusually silky texture is very appealing,” says the Two Oceans spokesperson Ebith Jurgens. The 2012 Two Oceans Pinot Grigio is brilliantly clear with flashes of green and has a subtly floral nose with hints of dried peach, apricot and litchi. “Its refreshingly fruity palate just begs for a dish with a bit of a bite,” Jurgens explains. The Two Oceans Pinot Grigio can be paired well with salt and pepper calamari with sweet chilli sauce or with grilled chicken or fish. The 2012 vintage retails nationally for about R30.
Nederburg Baronne Strikes Out on Its Own Nederburg Baronne, one of South Africa’s top-selling red blends, is now a part of the Paarl winery’s popular Winemaster’s Reserve Collection that has been repackaged as a wine in its own right from the 2011 vintage. The Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz blend, launched in 1973, is such a fixture of South African wine that for some, the name has come to signify red wine itself. “For many people, Baronne is synonymous with wine, so we thought the time had come to give this ubiquitous satisfyingly smooth red blend a Nederburg pedestal of its own,” says cellar master, Razvan Macici. Its classical, almost universal appeal of succulent red fruit flavours, matched by slight peppery, smoky characters, makes it a very versatile wine that goes extremely well with burgers, ribs, hearty pastas and even Sunday roasts,” Macici adds. Baronne, closed in the traditional way, under cork can be found in most bottle stores, on supermarket shelves and is listed widely on restaurant menus from steakhouses to family bistros in the city, outlying towns and at game lodges. Nederburg Baronne retails for around R45 a 750 ml bottle.
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