Spittoon: We Spit So You Can Swallow
The Distell brands will be familiar – Obikwa, Two Oceans, Fleur du Cap, Nederburg and many more. Can’t say many of these will get the wine lover excited however. We plowed through the various ranges dimly aware of the passage of time… I even started doodling as our host tried to inspire interest over a particularily unexciting Chardonnay… but wait that last one was rather good…
Under the Nederburg label two blends in swanky bottles – and you know what; our host didn’t really push these, or seem to want to discuss them. I’ll put it down to our groups obvious inertia and post-picnic lunch slump; sorry chap I did try and stiffle that yawn…
Wine Tasting Note: Nederburg Ingenuity White, 2008, South Africa.Stockist: SAWinesOnline Price: £15.99 [More: Adegga / Snooth]
Apparently features more varietals than any wine in South Africa (Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Chenin Blanc, Semillon, Rhine Riesling, Verdelho and Nouvelle)
It is led by Sauvignon Blanc (40%) sourced from Groenekloof & Durbanville, offering herbaceous aromas and crisp, minerally green flavours. The next biggest components are Chardonnay (20%) and Viognier (15%) both from Durbanville and super ripe bush vine Chenin Blanc (10%) from Darling. The balance is made up by Semillon (6%), Nouvelle (3%) and Rhine Riesling (3%) & Verdelho.
Eight varieties for eight wine makers. Alcohol 14%.
A marvellous combination of green floral notes, a creamy texture and clean cut acidity. Oak edges and spice. Superb.
Andrew BarrowScribblings Rating – 94/100 [ out of 5]
Wine Tasting Note: Nederburg Ingenuity Red, 2006, South AfricaStockist: SAWinesOnline Price: £17.99 [More on Adegga / Snooth]
Italian varietals here – 45.5% Sangiovese, 45.5% Barbera, 9% Nebbiolo aged in Romanian oak barrels. Rather dry and savoury on the finish; food needed. Quite intense on the palate with plenty of complexity.
The Sangiovese was grown in dryland vineyards in Groenekloof, Darling, the source of some of the country’s leading quality grapes, while the Barbera came from the cool-climate area of Durbanville, and the Nebbiolo from the high slopes of Simondium. All the fruit was hand-harvested and hand-sorted at the cellar.
Andrew BarrowScribblings Rating – 90/100 [ out of 5]
There I go again – raving about blended wine!
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The Bordelais seem to think that blends work pretty well so why tamper with a winning formula? You may have tapped into the way forward for S. Africa wines as the single varietals still don’t seem to do it for me.
Is it common to have that many varietals combined into a single blend? The number seems high, but I suppose as long as the effect is in line with the desired outcome.