SA CONNOISSEUR’S TOP WINE

THE ART OF WINEMAKING

"Rascallion Wines’ IMPRESS ROUGEIMPRESS ROUGE label was inspired by the complex label was inspired by the complex artistry that goes into creating blends. artistry that goes into creating blends. Components are selected and Components are selected and tasted, and then blended together tasted, and then blended together until the fi nished wine emerges. until the fi nished wine emerges.

The Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon The Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage components fl ow and Pinotage components fl ow into one another, creating a into one another, creating a fi ne expression of the artistry of the winemaker’s craft," says

Managing Director Ross Sleet.

THE MYSTERIES OF NATURE

LAMMERSHOEK’S MYSTERIES label is a refl ection on the mysterious creatures and plants that can be found on Lammershoek wine farm in the Aprilskloof Valley in the Swartland. “The creatures that feature on our labels are all well respected and each have their own unique impact on our old vineyards––which contribute to the style and uniqueness of our wines. In essence, the labels depict how we are ‘living close to nature’,” says, Lammershoek’s Winemaker Jorrie Du Plessis.

Howdy Stranger

 e Withington ROAN RANGER is a Rhône-style wine. However, like the word Champagne, the French restricted the use of place names to indicate style.  is meant some surgery on the word was required, and so they created a phonetic solution. Owner Charles Withington says, “ ere’s always been a strong family association with horses, in fact, great cousin Fred Withington still holds the record of saddling  rst and second past the post in the 1908 Grand National. So anything horsey had a sentimental pull, which led us to the beautiful and  tting Roan Ranger label design.”

Formally Feathered Friends

Now covered with vineyards, Lucerne farm was originally a duck farm, run by Granny Kay Smuts.  e wine’s name Lozärn is the Swiss-German pronunciation of the beautiful city Lucerne in Switzerland. A young Kay and her family  ed to Lucerne when they escaped Germany on a troop train during WW1. When it came to Lozärn Carménère’s label design, “We wanted to pay homage to our dearly label design, “We wanted to pay homage to our dearly departed feathered friends by using a striking departed feathered friends by using a striking graphic image of a duck skeleton, creating an graphic image of a duck skeleton, creating an eye-catching, albeit slightly macabre look.” eye-catching, albeit slightly macabre look.”

AT EASE SOLDIERS

To ensure that all travellers could pass safely in an ever-expanding colony, safely in an ever-expanding colony, the Dutch deployed their Piekeniers the Dutch deployed their Piekeniers soldiers along the rocky Kloof range soldiers along the rocky Kloof range of the Piekenierskloof Pass. “In light of the Piekenierskloof Pass. “In light of a new era for South Africa, the of a new era for South Africa, the Piekeniers soldiers didn’t need to Piekeniers soldiers didn’t need to be guarded anymore, and so we be guarded anymore, and so we decided to disarm their eight military decided to disarm their eight military poses, placing their efforts into poses, placing their efforts into more fruitful actions. So, we created more fruitful actions. So, we created eight different wine labels, including eight different wine labels, including

PIEKENIERSKLOOF GRENACHE PIEKENIERSKLOOF GRENACHE

2016, telling our story,” says, owners , telling our story,” says, owners Potgieter and Oubaas van Zyl. Potgieter and Oubaas van Zyl.

THE POWERFUL STEED

 e label of WARLORD RED BLEND showcases Cavalli's brand icon and logo.  e horse, etched in gold against a stark black background, celebrates the beauty and power of the equestrian form.  e artwork was inspired by the bronze equestrian statue, Physical Energy, an iconic landmark in Cape Town, but this time it is without the rider, and therefore in its purest form.

To order any these wines go to WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTH.CO.ZA

OUR DAILY BREAD Which bread is best for the gut, and overall health?

What’s better than a slice of toast covered with creamed avocado, and topped with a little salt and a crack of black pepper? A healthy, wholesome breakfast, isn’t it? Yes, we know, bread has received a bit of a bad rap lately, thanks to a certain Dr Noakes and also a worldwide swing away from complex carbs.

But all breads aren’t created equal. Some types of bread are more nutritious than others (we’re shaming you, bagels and brioche) and, in fact, can be much more gentle on our guts. ey can be made in dierent, healthier ways than the usual bleached store-bought white bread. ey are what we should be buying or, better yet, baking ourselves. Generally speaking, when it comes to our health, wholegrains with just water, yeast, and salt are best. Fermented bread seems to reduce blood sugar spikes and negative abdominal symptoms too. So here are ve of the healthiest types of bread, and what it is that makes them good for us.

1. SPROUTED WHOLEGRAIN

e one that comes up tops, unfortunately, isn’t widely available. But if you make bread at home do give it a try. Sprouted bread is made from wholegrains that have started (you guessed it) to sprout. ey sprout due

to exposure to heat and moisture. is process makes more nutrients available and also releases antioxidants in the grain. Sprouting is also said to break down some of the starch and decrease the bread’s carb content, which means sprouted wholegrains don’t increase blood sugar as much as other grains.

And, being higher in bre and protein, they are also more lling than rened bread.

2. SOURDOUGH

Now here’s our favourite. Made through a fermentation process, sourdough bread relies on naturally occurring yeast and bacteria to rise. is fermentation process is benecial because it helps reduce the number of phytates (antioxidant compounds) that bind to minerals and stop our bodies from absorbing them. Sourdough bread is also much easier to digest, which is great if you have gut issues or suer from irritable bowel syndrome. e reason