Archive for December, 2010

New Year’s for many of us means champagne. Whether you are planning a quiet, private affair with a special person or a party with your 50 closest friends, champagne or another good sparkling wine will add zest to the festivities.

Champagne is the main sparkling wine of France, as Cava is of Spain, Spumanti of Italy and Sekt of Germany. The rest of the wine world refers to their bubbles as “sparkling wine.” Champagne, and all of the best sparkling wines, are made by a process called “methode champenoise.” The South African equivalent of this wine style is called Methode Cap Classique (MCC) .

This means that the bubbles are produced by a secondary fermentation in the bottle. The grapes are pressed and fermented, just like any other wine. Then the wine is bottled, sugar and yeast are added, and the bottle is capped. The carbon dioxide gas produced by the second fermentation has nowhere to go and dissolves into the wine.

A few tips: First get the sweetness of the wine you and your guests want. About 90 percent of sparklers are labeled as “Brut” this means dry. For a sweeter taste look for “Extra Dry.” I know that isn’t logical, but that’s the way it is. For a dessert style, try “Demi-Sec.”

Next, the proper serving temperature is about 45 degrees. Much as we associate the “pop” of the cork with sparkling wine, it is a mistake. You lose the bubbles that you have paid for. Open the bottle by loosening the cage (six turns) and place a cloth napkin over the top with the cage in place.

Hold the bottle with one hand around the napkin and cork and the other hand around the bottom of the bottle. Twist the bottom of the bottle and allow the pressure inside to slowly eject the cork.

Finally, pour the wine into flutes, straight down the middle. Don’t tilt the glass or you will lose the bubbles. When the mousse (foam) subsides, top off each glass. Hold the stem, look your friend in the eye, and say, “May your only pain be champagne!”

The Kumkani Infiniti is the ideal New Year’s bubbly. This wine is one of South Africa’s best MCC sparkling wines and recently won the best vintage prize at this year’s Wine Magazine and Amorim Cap Classique Challenge.

Source: azstarnet.com

Good Fellas is a hassle free alternative to drinking and driving and it is the preferred choice of thousands of responsible South Africans.

They started in 2004 in Port Elizabeth and have expanded to all the mayor South African cities. With the festive season in full swing, there are plenty of opportunities to use a service like this.
This service is available in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth and East London.

For more info visit www.gfellas.co.za or
Contact the National Call Centre on (0) 861 433 552 .

We support this initiative and urge consumers to make use of this service.

Picking out the right wine for someone during the holidays could prove as challenging as buying a present for the in-laws who have everything.

Which varietal? How much to spend? Go bold – or delicate? Is a bottle of Sherry the ultimate insult?

These questions become particularly difficult when you don’t know the recipient’s wine taste. Steer clear of giving wine to anyone who you’re not certain drinks alcohol.It could become awkward if the person is a recovering alcoholic or for religious reasons doesn’t drink.

But if they do, the trick is in the pairing. Experts have a lot of tips, everything from matching personalities to wine to finding clues in the foods and beverages they drink.

Tim Hanni, a Master of Wine, has his own theories about people’s likes and dislikes based on how many taste buds they have on their tongue. While it might be a little presumptuous, and definitely strange, to ask your boss if you could get a look inside his or her mouth, Hanni says there are other hints to follow.

Coffee clues

“How they drink their coffee could be a telltale sign,” says the wine master. “If they prefer their coffee black and strong, their wine preference will more than likely lean toward intense wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, old-vine Zinfandels and many Meritage wines (usually a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes).”
Hanni says cream-and-sugar coffee drinkers are more likely to show a preference for moderately sweet wines, such as Muscat and Riesling. Sparkling wines are also an option. He says to look for labels that have 2 to 6 percent residual sugar levels.

People who salt their food heavily are also likely to go for the sweeter wines, according to Hanni. Same goes for folks who gravitate to sweet cocktails such as mojitos and pina coladas. He says Manhattan, martini and classic margarita drinkers would probably appreciate Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, Viognier, Merlot and Chardonnay. For the whisky, Cognac, Tequila and Scotch crowd, try big, bold reds and oaky, expensive Chardonnays.

Don’t have a clue about what kind of cocktails the person you’re buying for likes or how he or she takes coffee? Hanni suggests going with personality traits. A man with a strong personality who is good at math would probably prefer a wine that’s received a high rating from Robert Parker. If he’s more artistic and a little disorganised, go with Pinot Noir, dry Riesling and wines you would describe to your merchant as delicate and expressive.

For a strong woman, Hanni suggests Shiraz, Pinot Blanc, Viognier and Chardonnay. For an artistic woman, go for something sweet, like a fruit wine, he says. “Of course these are all generalisations,” says Hanni. “But in my experience, they tend to work.”
If you don’t know someone well enough to judge their wine taste, get something festive that they can share with other people. Good choices are Champagne, sparkling wine, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc – it goes great with food.

Recommended wine: The multi award-winning Kumkani Cradle Hill Cabernet Sauvignon is the perfect gift for any wine lover. 

Source: sfgate.com

For a great way to enjoy the festive season before making your New Year’s resolutions about getting into shape and losing the Christmas kilos, try some of these delicious puddings made with wine. These delicious recipes will ensure an unforgettable traditional Christmas meal as it’s all about indulgent decadence

It’s important to remember that not only is wine the key ingredient in these recipes, but you also have to pair your puddings with the right wine. A good rule of thumb is to ensure that the wine is sweeter than the dessert it will be accompanying. If you have a tart pudding, try an acidic wine to bring out the flavour.

It isn’t an easy task matching wine and desserts as the desserts have a diverse variety of flavours. Here’s a simple guide:

• Custard – pair with a sparkling wine or MCC
• Fruity – pair with a Sauvignon Blanc
• Cream based tart or pie – pair with a spicy red like a Pinotage

Tip: Balance is key
Acidity and sugar levels must be balanced in both the food and wine. If not balanced, the very sweet dessert will make the wine seem more tannic, less sweet and more acidic. Work with the aromas and flavours of the wine to get a good match for pairing desserts.

If you aren’t into pairing puddings and wines, here are some recipes that have wine in them so the job is done for you!

Fruit and wine: Fresh fruit simmered in wine

Ingredients:

• Fresh fruit (pitted cherries, sliced strawberries, blueberries etc)
• Red wine – try: Kumkani Pinotage
• cinnamon sticks and cloves in cheesecloth sack
• sugar to taste

Method:
In a large pot, cover the fruit with the wine. Bring to the boil, the reduce heat to low simmer. Add the spices. Continues to simmer until fruit becomes slightly tender. Remove spices and serve warm or refrigerate overnight, then remove spices and serve cold. Sprinkle sugar on top to sweeten and taste for something decorative add sugar syrup to the plate and serve with wafer biscuit.

Blanched Almonds

Ingredients:

• Finely ground almonds
• powdered ginger spice
• sugar
• salt to taste
• pastry dough
• oil
• honey
• a slightly sweet white wine – try: Arniston Bay Reserve Chenin Blanc

Method:
Mix almonds with sugar, ginger, and a little salt – this should be a sweet, slightly spicy blend. Roll out the pastry dough. cut out circles of dough, placing filling in the middle, and folding into a half-circle make sure the edges of the pastries are securely sealed.

Fry the pastries in hot oil until lightly browned; remove from oil and let drain.

In a pot, bring the honey to a soft boil, and then reduce heat. Skim off the residue as it rises. Add just enough wine to make a thick sauce. Thoroughly coat the pastries in the wine sauce, and then place on a baking sheet. Bake in a hot oven for several minutes. The pastries may be basted with additional sauce during baking or immediately afterward.

Serve with a dollop of cream.

Wine bread pudding (update on the classic bread pudding)

Ingredients:

• Macaroons
• sponge cake
• 500ml white wine – try: Welmoed Heydens Courage White
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 3 egg yolks
• 3 teaspoons of sugar
• 3 egg whites
• ½ cup of chopped walnuts

Method:
Place sponge cake into an ovenproof dish (½ full). Add a few macaroons; heat the wine in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Mix the cornstarch and sugar together and slowly add the wine. Beat the yolks of eggs and add to wine mixture. Cook for about 2 minutes. Pour over the cake and let cool. When its cool cover with the stiffly beaten egg whites and sprinkle with chopped nuts. Bake at 180ºC for 5 minutes until golden brown. Serve cold.

Wine prices:
Welmoed Heydens Courage White – R38.99 per bottle
Arniston Bay Reserve Chenin Blanc – R46.99 per bottle
Kumkani Pinotage – R66.99 per bottle
All wines available at Checkers.

The Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG) has announced its new management committee for 2011, with Louis Strydom of Ernie Els Wines taking over the chairmanship from Simonsig’s Johan Malan.

Renowned for his excellent winemaking principles and enduring dedication to the creation of world-class, quality wines, Strydom is tasked with managing the Guild’s affairs for the next two years.

Kumkani’s winemaker Nicky Versfeld , who is also a member of the CWG, congratulates Louis Strydom and wishes him all of the best for the next two years as chairman. 

Source: wine.co.za

Picking out the right wine for someone during the holidays could prove as challenging as buying a present for the in-laws who have everything.

Which varietal? How much to spend? Go bold – or delicate? Is a bottle of Sherry the ultimate insult?

These questions become particularly difficult when you don’t know the recipient’s wine taste. Steer clear of giving wine to anyone who you’re not certain drinks alcohol.It could become awkward if the person is a recovering alcoholic or for religious reasons doesn’t drink.

But if they do, the trick is in the pairing. Experts have a lot of tips, everything from matching personalities to wine to finding clues in the foods and beverages they drink.

Tim Hanni, a master of wine, has his own theories about people’s likes and dislikes based on how many taste buds they have on their tongue. While it might be a little presumptuous, and definitely strange, to ask your boss if you could get a look inside his or her mouth, Hanni says there are other hints to follow.

Coffee clues

“How they drink their coffee could be a telltale sign,” says the wine master. “If they prefer their coffee black and strong, their wine preference will more than likely lean toward intense wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, old-vine Zinfandels and many Meritage wines (usually a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes).”
Hanni says cream-and-sugar coffee drinkers are more likely to show a preference for moderately sweet wines, such as Muscat and Riesling. Sparkling wines are also an option. He says to look for labels that have 2 to 6 percent residual sugar levels.

People who salt their food heavily are also likely to go for the sweeter wines, according to Hanni. Same goes for folks who gravitate to sweet cocktails such as mojitos and pina coladas. He says Manhattan, martini and classic margarita drinkers would probably appreciate Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, Viognier, Merlot and Chardonnay. For the whisky, Cognac, Tequila and Scotch crowd, try big, bold reds and oaky, expensive Chardonnays.

Don’t have a clue about what kind of cocktails the person you’re buying for likes or how he or she takes coffee? Hanni suggests going with personality traits. A man with a strong personality who is good at math would probably prefer a wine that’s received a high rating from Robert Parker. If he’s more artistic and a little disorganised, go with Pinot Noir, dry Riesling and wines you would describe to your merchant as delicate and expressive.

For a strong woman, Hanni suggests Shiraz, Pinot Blanc, Viognier and Chardonnay. For an artistic woman, go for something sweet, like a fruit wine, he says. “Of course these are all generalisations,” says Hanni. “But in my experience, they tend to work.”
If you don’t know someone well enough to judge their wine taste, get something festive that they can share with other people. Good choices are Champagne, sparkling wine, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc – it goes great with food.

Recommended wine: The multi award winning Kumkani Cradle Hill Cabernet Sauvignon is the perfect gift for any wine lover.  

Source: sfgate.com

Some people perceive Viognier grapes to be relatively new to the South African wine market. Viognier became popular in South Africa in the 1990s as the reputation of this Rhône Valley grape grew for both for blending purposes and for making single varietal wines.

Viognier wines are well-known for their floral aromas, due to terpenes, which are also found in Muscat and Riesling wines.

The colour and the aroma of the wine suggest a sweet wine but Viognier wines are predominantly dry, although sweet late-harvest dessert wines have been made. It is a grape with low acidity; it is sometimes used to soften red wines. In addition to its softening qualities, the grape also adds a stabilising agent and enhanced perfume to the red wine.

 The distinctive aromas of peaches and apricots make it one of the easiest varieties to identify in blends.

South Africa has a few great single varietal and blended Viognier wines and the Kumkani Viognier is one such an example. This excellent wine has a rich, elegant style with aromas of lime and apricot. It is supported by a complex but well-balanced palate dominated by  peach honeysuckle and vanilla.

Source: food24.com