What to drink? What to drink? It’s the last thing you want to have to think about when you’re already stressed with food, family, presents, holidays etc etc over Christmas. So here are a couple of ideas to take the strain away from one area of shopping. These were some of the best wines at the best prices which I saw today in my local Pick n Pay. Shove ‘em in your trolley and chill out! (And if you’re feeling a bit more flush, then check out my Top Ten Finer Wines here). All prices correct as of 14/12/2011
Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut MCC or Brut Rosé 2010 R79.95
It’s the end of Kaapse Vonkel’s 40th birthday year and you should help them go out with a bang in my opinion! This is a fantastic price for fantastic fizz – both the white and the pink versions offer lots of lovely yeasty flavours with lemon curd on the white and strawberries on the pink. Stock up now for NYE.
Versus Crisp & Fruity White 2011 R19.99
Look, we all need a couple of bankers in the fridge for unexpected guests and this comes at such an attractive price, you’d be a fool not to at least consider it. ‘Crisp and fruity’ pretty much says it all – it’s got a touch of residual sugar to round it out, chuck in an ice block or two and you’ve got a great summer-sipper.
Alexanderfontein Sauvignon Blanc 2011 R32.99
This farm is the powerhouse of Sauvignon Blanc in Darling – they probably supply grapes to most of the top farms around the country, which makes this wine, at this price, the bargain of the century. I’ve always loved their wines – they are correct, flavoursome, inexpensive and always a pleasure to drink.
La Capra Viognier 2010 R44.99
This is Fairview’s ‘second label’ although I think they’d rather call it a separate brand these days. Either way, Charles Back was the pioneer of this variety in SA and no-one does it better, especially not at this price. Lots of apricots and ginger – a winner with anything spicy on Christmas Day!
Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2010 R109.99
Value comes at all price levels, so believe me when I say this is amazing value for this quality of wine. Made by Diners Club Winemaker of the Year, Johan Jordaan and team, it epitomises everything I love about the variety – balance, length, acidity, creamy fruit, subtle spicy oak – a snip at this price.
Du Toitskloof Pinotage 2011 R39.99
When it comes to good value, this cellar can do no wrong. And this wine is the perfect example. Not my fave variety by any means, but I loved this wine! Lots of berries and cherries, soft tannins and satisfying finish. A winner.
Café Culture Pinotage 2009 R49.99
What?! I hear you cry. Another Pinotage?! Actually, I’m putting this in for my husband who loved it so much, I was hard-pressed to wrest a mouthful away from him in order to taste it. If this is the kind of thing you like, you’ll like this one – lots of coffee/choccie/berry/smoky flavours, this is a crowd-pleaser of note to go with a Christmas braai.
Delheim Family Blend 2009 R59.95
Some wines just make me happy. They please me in all the ways I need pleasing (fnarr, fnarr!) – my tastebuds, my wallet, the kind of food I cook – the whole nine yards. Goes with everything and always taste great, especially with some good quality steak. Just fabulous.
Edgebaston The Berry Box 2010 R59.99
If you ask me, David Finlayson is on the brink of being bigger than Springfield with his snazzy names and uber-friendly and tasty wines – and all this within only a couple of years of going solo! This says everything you’re going to taste, but don’t worry about it being too fruity – it’s got enough elegance and class to more than hold its own.
Klein Constantia KC Cabernet Franc Rosé 2011 R45.99
Lots of good buttons being pushed for me here – love Cab Franc, love dry rosé, love Adam Mason’s wines and I guess this is his last one before he heads off to Mulderbosch. A good rosé is the best food partner in the world – great with salads, meats, fish, snacks – you name it, pink goes with it. Well worth paying slightly more than the other pinks to get this quality of wine.