November 2017 food & wine pairing

This wine, for that dish

So much wine, so little time. Here are some standout wines to try this November, paired with delicious recipes from our magazine.

Valdo Rosé Floral Brut, R265

Flowers and bubbly in one neat package, take this along for your host at your next summer dinner party as an inventive thank you gift. This prosecco-style sparkling wine is produced in Northern Italy’s Veneto (the ancestral home of prosecco). The whimsical bottle was designed especially for Milan Fashion Week, and the contents are a blend of glera (the classic prosecco variety) and nerello grapes. Think aromas of ripe strawberries and crushed raspberries, with a slightly off-dry finish.

Pair with: Crispy sushi-rice cubes

WIN: One lucky reader can throw their very own Prosecco Party courtesy of Valdo with a mixed three-pack to the value of R790. Enjoy this sparkling trinity, which includes Valdo Rosé Floral Brut (R265), Valdo Fondatore Brut (R350): produced from both glera and chardonnay grapes, the chardonnay was aged in French barrels to bring a subtle oak-driven character to the primary fruit of the bottle-aged glera; and the Valdo Prosecco DOC Extra Dry (R175), a classic prosecco that sings with apples and pears. To enter, simply complete the entry form below. Terms and conditions apply. Competition ends 30 November 2017.

Van Wyk Family Wines Olivia Grace 2016, R220

Justin van Wyk of Constantia Glen has just released his own label in collaboration with the estate. The four Van Wyk Family Wines are made with grapes from specially selected vineyards across the Western Cape. “These wines are very special to me as they bear my family name. The blends are crafted to showcase the diversity of the Cape, and these are particularly dear to me as they are named after my two daughters, Rebecca May and Olivia Grace,” says Van Wyk. The Olivia Grace is an interesting take on a Cape white blend, comprised of chenin blanc, chardonnay, riesling and viognier. The floral nose—white blossom, jasmine, lavender, scrub—leads to a textured palate, with lemony acidity.

Pair with: Roasted zucchini with labneh, za’atar and pine nuts

Delaire Graff Banghoek Reserve 2016, R200

Elegance topped with a cork. White peaches and lemon-lime citrus lace the upfront aromas, leading to a subtly oaked palate where the peaches continue, now with notes of vanilla and hints of honeycomb.  A pithy acidity keeps things grounded.

Pair with: Grande Brie with lemon, olives and chorizo

Mellasat Tempranillo 2015, R200

This wine will surprise you with its utter juiciness. It’s fairly rare to find a single varietal of this cultivar (most tempranillo is blended into ports or red blends) and this Paarl producer is doing it justice. The wine was matured in a combination of American and French oak barrels for 18 months—the American side of things gives the wine some whiffs of cigar box. The punchy palate offers juicy cherries and blackberries, barely tannins make going in for another sip easy.

Pair with: Savoury roasted tomato and feta fingers

Sophie te’Blanche Sauvignon Blanc 2017, R85

Leaning towards the tropical side of sauvignon blanc, there’s some grapefruit and lime there too, which gives it an edge. The tropical fruit continues on the palate with richness and texture. A lovely sauvignon at an agreeable price.

P.s Sophie te’Blanche is a nickname given by people working on Iona Vineyards who couldn’t at first pronounce ‘sauvignon blanc’.

Pair with: Spanakopita

Written by Malu Lambert, food & wine writer

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