Food & Drink. Travel. Est. 2005
This was a surprise. And I’m afraid I’m back in Swartland and drinking chenin blanc. Again. This Rall Ava arrived instead of or as a replacement for something I ordered online. In it went to my poorly documented cellar. And then one day it came out. And what a pleasant surprise it was. Swartland Chenin Blanc. Again. I didn’t know that Donovan Rall was a former Young Gun winemaker and one of the most respected vignerons in Swartland. He makes […]
Vermouth is having its moment. In my home of the previous 20 years, Australia, there are plenty of local versions such as Maidenii, Causes & Cures and Regal Rogue in addition to imported Vermouths such as the excellent Casa Mariol from Spain. Vermut Visit Spain and for a few Euros a sweetened vermut on ice is a terrific alternative to sherry or a beer. Vermouth is a fortified sweetened wine, red, white and sometimes pink. What is common is that […]
It’s difficult to escape Swartland. Though not the prettiest of the Cape’s wine regions, the wines are so bloody good. I’m talking about those made with minimal intervention. City on a Hill The City on a Hill 2016 is one that knocked me off my perch. Bold, textured, savoury, spicy and with none too much acid, it’s also comparatively low alcohol at 12.5%. The viognier brings that dirty edginess of tropical fruits that balances out the acid of the chenin […]
The Kloof Street old vine chenin blanc from Mullineux Family Wines is terrific value costing about R90.