THEAFRICABAZAAR
We take our work seriously, which is why we played guinea pig and vetted several wines in a complicated process commonly known as “getting drunk” to pick the vintages we thought our readers would enjoy and invest in. After all, not every day does one gets to simultaneously enjoy alcohol and work.
Not all wines are created equal. In fact, much like stocks, no two are arguably alike, and one can only hope to get good yields when it comes time to harvest. To clarify and determine the differences in South African premiums, we happily bid our individual desks goodbyes one afternoon at the office to convene in our conference room for wine tasting. It would have been great if we had gourmet cheeses or some other fancy foods to complement the wines, but since we’re on a limited budget, we made do with what we have and just chill for those few hours, enjoying the view from our office in New York’s famed Financial District. After all, not every day does one gets to simultaneously enjoy alcohol and work. We take our work seriously, which is why we played guinea pig and vetted several wines in a complicated process commonly known as “getting drunk” to pick the vintages we thought our readers would enjoy and invest in. If you’re one of those buy-and-hold types, chances are that waiting few years for some of these brands might yield high tastes as they aged. Of course, you’ll have to resist temptations and have the patience of a redwood tree. However, if the instant gratifications of Fifth Avenue sketch your style, these wines can be enjoy now or later. These were the winners –or at least they were the names scrawled on the sticky notes by our staff.
A) Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon – From one of South Africa’s finest wineries, this wine is dry, yet boasts lovely sweet flavors of blackcurrant and coffee on the palate.
B) Thelema Shiraz – A full bodied wine with a toasty finish, black fruit and spice in a rich robust, making this a show charmer.
C) Bouchard Finlayson Glapin Peak Pinot Noir – This boutique wine maker, located near Cape Town in Walker Bay is known for its Pinot Noir, and doesn’t disappoint with its latest. Fully dry, but soft and gentle with a touch of crispness. Harmonious flavors of cherry, blackberry and violets with an earthy spiciness. It has an appealing fresh fruit structure and elegance on the palate.
D) Laroche L’Avenir Pinotage – Cultivated with the goblet method, this South African signature variety- a cross between pinot, cinsault grape, spicy, and dry- is full, rich, intense and balanced. A flirt between fruits and chocolate, a complex oak flavor on the palate and a long lingering finish make this a must drink.
E) Vergelegan White – Intensely focused flavors showing fruits. The taste is long and elegant with excellent fruit-wood integration.
F) Eikendal Chardonnay – This wine boasts a medley of fruit flavors- green apple, citrus, white peach, melon and pineapples- but has a rich mid palate and a home winning finish.
G) Rijk’s Semillon – This full bodied, balanced, elegant and juicy white. Spicy, yet dominated by honeycomb aroma. Produced by a private wine cellar located in Tulbagh.
*This article was previously published in our spring issue in 2009.*
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