Weekend White Wines – what’s in the fridge today?
August 11, 2010 in Uncategorized
Busy, busy days! Lots of drinking, far too much eating, not enough exercise so – before I head out to the gym (yes, honestly, I really am. Although admittedly it’s just to have a shower and a Kauai muffin….) here’s a few suggestions of good whites which I’ve enjoyed over the last couple of weeks. All freebies, I will happily confess, but nonetheless, well worth paying for in my opinion.
Knorhoek Two Cubs White Blend 2010 R33.95 from most major retailers nationwide.
This is my favourite blend for everyday drinking – almost half and half Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a great combo of fruit, acidity, dash and verve, unwooded, zesty and easy-drinking and generally comes in at a really good price. This one has lots of tropical fruit – pineapples and guavas – and a richer mouthfeel than many others. Nice glugger, good value.
Ernst Gouws & Co Chenin Blanc 2009 R39 from selected specialist retailers.
A particularly pleasant Chenin from this appealing family operation in Stellenbosch. Ernst Gouws and daughter Ezanne are making some very solid wines as well as a few interesting bits and pieces (more later!) and this is in the former category. Older vines, no oak, lemony, fresh, crisp and dry. I had it with a simple but delicious roast chicken and it was perfect – what more can I say?
Nederburg Winemaker’s Reserve Chenin Blanc 2008 R46 from selected specialist retailers.
Great to be able to recommend two Chenins in a row! Welcome to the Winemaker’s Reserve range – in this case the winemaker in question is Tariro Masayiti – and this wine is a delightful example of how good this grape variety can be. Made from bushvines and lightly oaked (only 20%), this has a deliciously-low alcohol (12%) but bags of character and citrussy fruit with enough richness and flavour to carry off the huge sushi platter I enjoyed it with.
Nitida Sauvignon Blanc 2010 R75 from specialist wine shops
Normally I don’t recommend this class of Sauvignon so young – to my mind, SB’s this good need at least a year if not more to settle into their stride. But 2010 is shaping up to be as good, if not possibly better than 2009 and really, this wine was so delicious, I think you should drink some now and just buy more for later. Crisp, green and racy with a taut limey edge to it, this is at the same time much richer than you’d expect at this stage in its life – I strongly suspect some Semillon is in here too! Classy wine from a great area made by a top producer – all comes together perfectly.
