WeeklySA_AdminRANGE: Estate renowned for deeply textured styles
From the estate renowned for its ravishing Chardonnays comes newly released wooded blend comprising a trio of grape varieties – the Collection White Blend 2020 – for its upper-crust range.
It is the first-vintage of this white blend, following on the steps of its award-winning Red Blend counterpart. And, of course, Chardonnay (30%) is very much in the mix, along with Sauvignon Blanc(36%) and Semillon (34%), to make what cellarmaster Johnnie Calitz describes the wine as seamless, “bold and exciting, commanding, yet subtle”.
He says Sauvignon Blanc enriches the blend with gooseberry aromas and strong mineral core; Chardonnay adding texture and density, and Semillon provocative floral, white pear and citrus blossom notes.
“The smooth-textured core combines racy acidity and generous fruit flavours, enriched by fermentation and ageing in wood. Served slightly chilled, the creamy oak vanillins come to the fore, revealing spice and floral characteristics. The abundant layering of flavours and refined structure renders it the ideal food pairing wine,” says Calitz. Available online and directly from the estate, the wine is costs R310 a bottle.
Glen Carlou Vineyards, situated minutes away from the university town of Stellenbosch and less than 35 minutes’ drive from Cape Town, has a presence in 45 countries across the world. It launched its first releases in 1988, and is renowned for its award-winning Chardonnays, a flagship for the estate.
WINE EVENTS
• Unwined Lowveld Wine & Food Show takes place at the Nelspruit/Mbombela Golf Club on October 30.
The show, which starts at 12noon and finishes at 6pm, will feature wines from 25 wineries, including Ataraxia, Delaire Graff, Ken Forrester, Middelvlei, Leopard’s Leap, Guardian Peak, Tokara and Van Loveren. Tickets cost R180 a person.
• A glut of wines from 23 wine farms will be up for tasting at the Wine Fair at Culture Club in Hazelwood, Pretoria on October 13.
Among the wineries participating in the show are Jordan, Thelema, Spier, De Grendel, Saronsberg, Glen Carlou, Haute Cabriere and Chamonix. The event starts at 4pm and ends at 8pm. Tickets cost R100 a person.
• Stellenbosch’s L’Avenir wine estate hosts a “Ladies Fashion Launch” on October 16.
The event consists of a wine tasting session and pop-up fashion shop feature women wear in a carnival atmosphere. The event starts at 11am, and the entry fee is R200 a person.
