Our Top Five Bubblies for 2013!

Its February 2013, where is this year going - I am sure a question on everyone’s mind.

The festive season is upon us, and therefore its time for some Champagne, Sparkling wine, Méthode Champenoise, Méthode Cap Classique or simply put Bubbly.
Over the last year if have tasted some fabulous sparkles both local and international.
So here are my top 5 best bubbles for the year  - as always wine is an individual preference, and we all have a unique palate profile.


Lanson Brut Gold Label 1999
Intense fruit character on the nose, with a very sweet and polished style, citrus but in a rather solid almost honeyed style, nuances which do indeed evolve over a few minutes into richer notes faintly suggestive of caramel and sweet melon. The palate is remarkably relaxed, the sweetness and ripeness of the fruit covering the acidity very nicely at first, although it does show through later in the palate.


Morena Cuvée Catherine
Morena MCC is a boutique cellar situated on the Franschhoek Pass, producing Méthode Cap Classique in the traditional style. The family-run farm overlooking the beautiful Franschhoek Valley focuses on quality wines that are sold directly to the consumer. This MCC is 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 2 years on the lees with all the characteristics of citrus and tropical fruit.


Du Preez Estate ‘Hendrik Lodewyk’ Cap Classique
Du Preez Estate is situated at the foot of the Du Toitskloof Mountains in the Breede River Valley, approximately 75km from Cape Town. The region’s cold winters and dry, sunny summers contribute to the character of the wines produced here. Modern viticulture methods are applied throughout the 350 hectares under production. 100% Chardonnay with gentle lime fruit flavours, grilled nuts and biscuit tones.


Villiera Brut - Special Dosage NV
Villiera is a family run winery in the Stellenbosch region of South Africa. We are a pioneering quality wine company committed to preserving the environment and have been rewarded with membership to the Biodiversity of Wine Initiative. 50% Chardonnay; 35% Pinot Noir; 15% Pinotage


Pannier Brut Champagne Non Vintage
Louis Eugene Pannier founded Champagne PANNIER in 1899, in Dizy, next to Epernay. In 1937, his son purchased medieval cellars in Château-Thierry, in the Marne Valley and there transferred his thriving champagne house. A group of wine growers purchased Champagne PANNIER and the cellars in 1974. Champagne PANNIER has developed a personal style that it affirms with regularity using the grape varieties: Chardonnay for finesse, Pinot Noir for structure and Pinot Meunier for its delicate fruit.


We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our subscribers, followers and friends a fabulous festive season.

Heaps of Swirls!

100 Women - 100 Wines

What do thirty wine women get up to on Woman’s day? 

Why we drink wine of course!

A group of us were invited to a pre selection-judging day for Clare McKeon of spill.co.za  - 100 women – 100 wines competition.

What a fantastic opportunity to discover some interesting wines. The format for the day was six groups of five women tasting five flights of five wines per flight. We were required to score each individual wine and de-select a wine that was not suitable for presentation for the competition.

As there were so many trained palates in one room, the challenge was to taste from an untrained point of view.  In the end we did well, considering all the wines tasted blind.

These are my personal favourites of the day:-

AA Badenhorst ‘Secateurs’ Chenin Blanc


Flat Roof Manor Merlot

Villiera Brut Tradition N/V

Warwick ‘The First Lady’

Moreson ‘Miss Molly’ Cabernet/ Merlot

Some of the following twitter users were present so follow them  @NikkiDumas (that’s me), @mackspill, @teamlamouette, @skyegrove, @blackdelilah, @foodandthefab, @sampugh1, @twy1, @wine_a_little, @spitorswallow …

There were some wines in the flight that was just not great in my opinion, will not be listed here, because wine is only as good as the taster is on the day!

Overall, I have to commend Clare on the organising of this gathering and of the competition. The winners of the competition will be judging the wines on the August 27, 2011.

Posted:  winestyle.biz

Spoilt! Ten plus one of the best wines!

Every person has a unique taste and the wines listed below are a personal list of some of the great wines, these are in my private cellar. Although they may not be available on the market anymore and with a little searching, I have no doubt that you will find the latest current vintage, for a little less rands!

Vergelegen V 2001

Maximising the synergies between the vineyards, the winery, the vitality of the people who toil in both and the talents of a dedicated and passionate winemaker. Luxurious Cassis and black plum laced with wood. Densely layered wine with the fruit unfolding in your glass. Single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, blended with Merlot and a tiny seasoning of Cabernet Franc. R1,031.00

Anthonij Rupert Cabernet Franc 2005

The Cabernet Franc shows flavours of raspberries and blackcurrant, white pepper, warm spices and violets. This well structured wine has a good density and long finish. The vineyards selected for the Anthonij Rupert wines are chosen from vineyards planted on very specific sites and soil types. R448.00

Constantia Uitsig MCC 2005

This MCC displays pale green hay like hues with a stream of tiny strong bubbles prominent in the centre of the glass. The nose portrays biscuit characteristics with hints of golden delicious apple. Apple and biscuit flavours follow through to the palate with a gentle tingling sensation in the mouth. R232.00

Zonnebloem Cabernet Sauvignon 1980

An old-world style wine. This wine has stood the test of time and although this wine is thirty years old, there is such an elegance about it. There are still rich cassis flavours and aromas, a true classic! This wine was purchase on auction and was well worth the bidding! R2,500.00

Guardian Peak SMG 2001

The Syrah and Mourvedre matured separately in 100% new French and American oak for 18 months. The Grenache is unoaked to preserve its natural fruit character. A bright, ruby red in colour with dominant aromas of jasmine. Opulent richness with hints of spice and oak characters. This wine shows great structure with a long lingering finish. R350.00

Rust en Vrede Estate 1997

"There is an old saying that adversity reminds one of religion. Let this wine remind us that adversity is of a passing nature, a good wine if an enriching experience, and religion the basis of it all." A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot with a deep purple-red colour, rich aromas with an array of ripe cherry and blackberry, spice and vanilla. The palate is packed with these flavours - deeply concentrated. R630.00

De Wetshof Bateleur 1998

The Bateleur emblem signifies the freedom of choice the cellar master allows himself in the composition of this wine, which is selected from different barrels to suit his personal taste. This premium quality uniquely complex Chardonnay is barrel selected by Danie de Wet personally from grapes grown on specific terroir and only in exceptional vintages. Danie de Wet adjusts his methods of winemaking from year to year, according to weather conditions and grape quality, in the belief that wine is made in the vineyard and not in the cellar. R476.00

De Toren Fusion V 2001 (Magnum)

The wine has a deep purple colour with a bright red edge. On the nose rich blackcurrant fruit, ripe plum, cherry and sweet spice aromas with floral notes of violet and dark rose fill in at the back with vanilla and cinnamon. Big, full mouth loaded with ripe berry fruits and sweet spice all in fine order with good acidity and soft, supple tannins. Beautifully balanced with great elegance. R1,500.00

Villiera Special Dosage MCC N/V

One of the most accessible sparkling available on the supermarket shelves. This is an everyday, even all day kind of wine. Its an off-dry fruit driven sparkling with a beautiful combination of apple and citrus and is a great accompaniment with food. It is very versatile in terms of food pairing and occasions. R69.99

Cederberg CWG 'Teen die Hoog' Shiraz 2005

Power with elegance, this new world wine has delicious intense Shiraz fruit. The low-yielding red slate vineyards result in lovely roasted coffee, ripe plum with dark chocolate and spicy fynbos flavours. Velvety textures with supple, well-balanced tannins and an impressive length. R485.00

High Constantia Cabernet Franc 2001

Dark, rich plum in colour with characteristics of spice and a youngberry fragrance with prominent herbal notes leafiness and hints over cedar. The wine is elegant, stylish and in complete harmony. R252.00

Heaps of Swirls!