Weekend Wine Box

Big features of our weekends away are, of course, plenty of delicious things to eat and drink. Here are my suggestions of the perfect weekend box of wine from recent samples sent to my door. Twelve bottles of deliciousness for all eventualities and occasions. Pack yours today!

A ‘Chink Chink Cheers’ x 1 bottle
You never know what a weekend might throw at you – could be an unexpected anniversary, little Johnny came top of his class, the go-ahead on an exciting project – all sorts, so it’s best to be prepared. I’d go with a bottle of Kumkani Infiniti 2007 (R70) – owner Alison Adams-Witbooi saved my life with a big glass of it at the Gugulethu Wine Festival – it’s rich and yeasty with lots of toasty, lemony bubbles.

A ‘Drinking Red’ x 4 bottles
You know what I mean – something that everyone likes, that goes with all the food and that doesn’t break the bank. I’d go with the Kleine Zalze Cellar Selection Merlot 2010 (R50) as my choice here – plenty of sweet black fruit offset by restrained tannins and a long length. Juicy, fruity, ‘pass the bottle please’ stuff.

A ‘Drinking White’ x 4 bottles
Again the same criteria apply – this wine must put itself out there and get around a bit, as it were, and the Zevenwacht Chenin Blanc 2011 (R48) would do that fantastically. It’s partly barrel-fermented and then aged on the lees, but this doesn’t mean it’s an oaky wine. Rather the reverse – packed with yellow fruit, zippy acidity and a rich mid-palate to make it the perfect winter white.

A ‘Good White’ x 1 bottle
Look – you’re on holiday, splash out a bit. This Elgin Vintners ‘The Century’ Sauvignon Blanc/ Semillon 2011 (R130) is a fabulous new release which will make any evening feel special. Made from 65% Sauvignon and 35% Semillon, it’s completely unwooded to allow all the pure fruit flavours to shine through, but there is still enough richness and weight to make this a good partner for a wintery mussel soup.

A ‘Good Red’ x 1 bottle
Boy oh boy, if ever a wine REEKED winter, it’s the Clos Malverne Auret 2010 (R168). This is the farm’s flagship red and it’s a Cape Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Merlot and Shiraz. If you are planning on cooking a fabulous fillet or perfect potjie this weekend, then this is your wine – dark, brooding, black fruits with a creamy chocolate vanilla finish.

A Sweetie Darling x 1 bottle
Winter time is fireside time and with any luck, your holiday house will have the log basket stacked sky-high. And what better wine to toast it with than Boplaas Muscadel 2012 (R41). I tasted the white Muscadel which is fragrant and aromatic with flavours of raisins, caramelized peaches and cream, but if you want to really warm the cockles of your heart, try the red version – both offer amazing value and amazing holiday drinking this weekend.