Festive wine with Woolworths
Woolworths and Food24 are holding a sparkling affair – The Ultimate Christmas lunch. You could come too if you enter the competition.
It will be an exclusive showcase of Woolworths food and wine.
The wines, which have been hand-picked by Allan Mullins are superb. Cathy Marston comments on them and adds her suggestions for food pairings.
Allan Mullins ‘My Song’ White 2012
A Woolworths icon blend to celebrate Allan Mullins and his 20+ years of blending Woolworths wines. Rich, creamy, luscious and fresh. 50%: wooded Sauvignon Blanc from Reyneke wines; 25% wooded Semillion, 25% unwooded Semillon-both from Cape Point Vineyards.
What Cathy says: This is an exciting and unique wine – possibly the only one on the market which is blended between 2 such prestigious wineries. Fresh and fruity with intense depth of flavour and an endless finish, it could as easily be drunk now as laid down for another 3-5 years. Should prove a refreshing partner for any salmon dish and will have enough guts to handle the main courses which will carry spice and fruit.
Italian Pinot Grigio 2011
Lighter style white from the north of Italy. Has lemongrass, pear, apple on the nose and an elegant palate with lively fruit.
What Cathy says: I’ve been using this in my wine courses recently because it is such a lovely example of this grape. Crisp, fresh and zesty, it is one of the best winematching varieties in the world and should go down a treat with the salmon starters and will probably hold its own with the quail or turducken as well.
French Rosé 2011 – Domaine Grier
The Grier family of Villiera Wines in Stellenbosch recently bought a farm in the South West of France. From this comes a delightful dry rosé with flavours of summer berries and a herbal twist on the finish.
What Cathy says: Rosé and food – the ultimate food match for summer. This wine has wonderful flavours of the Mediterranean and should definitely be enjoyed with light, fresh, appetising food. Think garlic, olives, rosemary, thyme and then take a sip of this appealing, fresh mouthful of strawberries and herbs. Mmmmm.
DMZ Pinot Noir 2011
From the beautiful Stellenbosch farm, De Morgenzon, this Pinot Noir is a winner. It has all the ripe red berry fruit and cherry flavours of good Pinot Noir and is a luscious mouthful at a remarkably low price.
What Cathy says: I don’t know how Allan Mullins manages to get a wine as good as this at a price like this. Pinot is generally an expensive grape variety but this wine packs all the flavours you would expect from a good example into one very affordable package. If this isn’t the perfect partner to that baked gammon – I’ll eat my Christmas cracker hat!!
Allan Mullins ‘My Song’ Red
A full-bodied and complex red wine that Allan Mullins has blended from Spier winemaker Frans Smit’s finest barrels. It is a classic Bordeaux blend with 50% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc.
What Cathy says: Ah – Christmas. A time to sit back, relax and contemplate. And when you do, this is the wine to do it with. A serious-styled wine with elegance, breadth and charm, Allan recommends keeping it for a few years if you can, but I’d say ‘no chance’. It’s going to be polished off with all those lovely, meaty main courses – guaranteed.
French Tradition – Domaine Grier , France
With the Grier family’s experience of making champagne-styled wines locally it is no surprise that this is a superb bubbly. It is fresh with flavours of brioche and has a sprightly bubble.
What Cathy says: Ooh – so glam – French bubbly nogal! I feel a spot of sabraging coming our way next Friday! Jeff Grier makes wonderful wines wherever he is and this one from the South of France is no exception. I might try this with dessert. Or I might try it with the salmon starter. Or I just might drink it all before we even get to the food!
Ladybird Brut Rose – Laibach
The only organic Method Cap Classique made from Pinotage in the world. It is a lovely salmon pink colour and has a nose of strawberry and rose petal. The palate is crisp and fresh with a persistent mousse.
What Cathy says: Pink fizz and pud is going to be the finale of the meal I think! A sparkling Pinotage generally gives a lovely mouthful of berries and cherries and this is no exception. I also think it should handle the chocolate-y bits of dessert as well since there is often a chocolate note in a Pinotage and the fresh clean acidity will be a fabulous end to the meal.
If you’d like the chance to win a seat for you and a partner to this amazing lunch with these stunning wines, hop over to the competition.