Wines we love

28 September 2012

FAIRLADY's senior sub-editor, Robyn gives her pick of the best spring-appropriate wines.

By Robyn MacLarty

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Spring has finally arrived in South Africa - though that can mean one thing to Gautengers (sunshine applenty, braais and flipflops), and something vastly different to Capetonians, who are still grumbling their way through the last, soggy dregs of winter.

Still, even if you're in Cape Town (where it's coooold, people), green things are sprouting and many of us find ourselves shying away from warming, chewy reds, and yearning for a tipple that's lighter and more summery.

This week I tried two lovely spring-appropriate wines:

Cheap & cheerful

Leopard's Leap Lookout Pinotage Rosé 2012, R33

This crisp, dry rosé is great served chilled and quaffed with abandon around a Saturday braai (only if you're not driving, mind).

It's a juicy wine with a lovely tart, clean finish and pleasant fruity flavours.

Click here to try it with FAIRLADY's sticky pork ribs recipe.

One to linger over

Bosman Vinyards Adama White 2010, R95

This is the kind of wine I get quite sentimental about, which causes much eye-rolling from my husband, who loves to drink and read about wine, but isn't so hot on discussing the flavours.

Me:"There's definitely some guava in there. Oh, and granadilla? And some underlying vanilla, and peats."
Husband: "Who's Pete?"
Me: "Hmph."

Anyhow, it's a glorious blend of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Viognier and Sémillon that 'displays exotic, juicy flavours of pineapple, passion fruit and quince'. Divine, if a little pricey.

Try it with a lovely seafood dish, such as delicious trout wrapped in newspaper. Click here to get the recipe.