pinotage
Groot Constantia 2002
11/152006 /
The scoop: It’s made with 100 percent Pinotage grapes, but I believe the winemakers at Groot Constantia are giving 110 percent. This wine spent 12 months in French & American oak barrels, and was not stabilized or filtered in an effort to add complexity. It worked!
The taste: Think berries – strawberries, raspberries, dingleberries … nevermind, don’t think dingleberries.
Quite a pair: Two words – ostrich steak.
Say this and sound smart: “Geert Groote was a 14th Century Dutch preacher and founder of the Brethren of the Common Life. However, he had nothing to do with the production of this wine.”
The damáge: $12
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Tumara Pinotage 2004
11/152006 /
The scoop: The Pinotage
grape, which is unique to South Africa, was first
planted on the Bellevue Estate, home to Tumara wines.
The taste: The finish is longer than the ending of the “The Return of the King.” The flavor – coconut, plums and oak – will stay with you a while.
Quite a pair: Try it with a grilled cheese sandwich, but be sure to hold the tomato.
Say this and sound smart: “The Tumara estate is named after a prized Arabian mare. And actress Mare Winningham is named after her mother.”
The damáge: If I told you it was only $15 a bottle, would you be interested in something like that?
The taste: The finish is longer than the ending of the “The Return of the King.” The flavor – coconut, plums and oak – will stay with you a while.
Quite a pair: Try it with a grilled cheese sandwich, but be sure to hold the tomato.
Say this and sound smart: “The Tumara estate is named after a prized Arabian mare. And actress Mare Winningham is named after her mother.”
The damáge: If I told you it was only $15 a bottle, would you be interested in something like that?
Clos Malverne Pinotage Reserve 2002
10/312006 /
The taste: Berry flavor is in full effect, accented by a hint sweet vanilla. Some dirt, too – the good kind. The WINE kind.
Quite a pair: Serve it with barbecued ribs, Portobello mushrooms, Ben & Jerry’s NY Superfudge Chunk ice cream, back episodes of “Lost,”
Say this and sound smart: “What a fantastic example of the benefits of spontaneous malolactic fermentation. Oh, and would you please pass the Ben & Jerry’s?”
The damáge: About the cost of two movie tickets
