Brrr – it’s cold! There is snow on the mountains in the Winelands and my stack of wood is getting smaller everyday. But I don’t care, because this is the perfect time to drink lots and lots of red wine. If you need good winter food, then here are two of my current faves – Chicken with tomatoes, anchovies and olives and English Pot roast with root vegetables – yum!
And if you need good wine, well, here are my tips for this weekend’s best tipples. All wines from Pick n Pay, prices correct as of 28th May 2010. Not all wines will be available at every store.
Spier Signature Shiraz 2008 R51.95
This bottle has a sign on it saying ‘Voluptuous, spicy and romantic’ which I thought was kind of them to say! So I bought it and think I shall drink it tonight with my husband – I’ll let you know if it works! On the serious side, Frans Smit makes some lovely wines and this is a good price for a very well-made smooth and spicy drink.
Edgebaston ‘The Pepper Pot’ 2009 R59.99
David Finlayson is making some very good wines with clever names and nice packaging and this is one of them. Mainly Shiraz with some Mourvedre and – unusually – some Tannat, this is spicy and tangy with a smoky finish.
McGregor Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2009 R42.99
This comes from a very friendly co-op out near Robertson, making mainly white wines. The wine is a cheery little number with no-nonsense black fruit flavours, plenty of character and a nice herbal whiff to it. Definitely a two-bottle-a-night wine.
Cloof ‘The Dark Side 2007 R45.99
I love Cloof wines, not just because their names make me laugh but also because they really are extremely well-priced for the quality. Oh and they are nearly all screwcaps too – the last thing you want when you’re lying provocatively on the rug is to have to get up and find a corkscrew. Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz in a peppery blend with tight black fruits and a chocolate finish.
Muratie Melck’s Red 2009 R47.99
A favourite of ours from our Nose days, this is Shiraz, Cab Sauv, Cab Franc and Merlot. Earthy, chunky, rustic and fruity – it’s a bit of a Russell Crowe of a wine. Which suits me everytime!
Raka Spliced 2008 R52.99
Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec are ‘spliced’ together in this robust blend from Walker Bay’s Raka. Dark, chewy, chocolatey fruit with lots of smoky oak and a soft vanilla finish.
Graham Beck Railroad Red 2007 R41.99
Some years ago, Graham Beck treated my father-in-law to a day out in their box at Newlands – and they have been repaid many times over as this is now his quaffer of choice back in the UK. It’s a friendly blend of Cabernet and Shiraz with spice, interest and a juicy twist at the end.
KWV Roodeberg 2007 R59.99
Happy birthday to Roodeberg – currently sporting a pretty gold sticker announcing it as 60 years young. Cabernet, Shiraz and ‘the winemaker’s secret’ varietals makes for a really pleasant glass of good-drinking red. Hate the label, love the contents.
Kanonkop Kadette 2008 R59.95
Somebody tried to include this in my Under R50 selection recently – doh! But it definitely deserves to fit into this selection as this is class in a glass. Mainly Pinotage (and who does this better than Kanonkop?) with two kinds of Cab and Merlot this is ripe and succulent with spicy oak.
Meerendal Pinotage 2006 R72.99
Well, I never said that I couldn’t break the rules! I’ve put this one in because I tasted a 35 year old Meerendal Pinotage yesterday and to be honest, it was pretty darned good. I love cool-climate Pinotage and this is plummy and rounded with nice tannins. Try it with food.
Keep warm peeps, and if you can think of any other wines to light your fires, tell us below!