MICHAEL FRIDJHON: Unexpected discoveries of a wine show amble
A chance to catch up, make comparisons and stumble across wines you would otherwise never find
Wandering around a wine show with no real agenda brings unexpected benefits and many surprises. You stumble across wines you might otherwise never find and sample gems in often neglected categories. For example, why would you buy a moscato-chenin blend, especially when there’s no obvious drinking occasion? However, once you’ve tasted the Grande Provence you start thinking of dishes that would pair perfectly with its fabulously perfumed aromatics and its still quite dry palate.
Exactly the same thought struck me as I stopped at the Whalehaven stand. I knew that the Hemel-en-Aarde winery had seen considerable investment in the past few years but I hadn’t yet had a chance to sample the latest releases. Here is where a wine show gives you the chance to catch up, and also to make comparisons: the older style chardonnay — which is perfectly palatable — is offered under the Whalehaven Sandstone Strata label. It’s easy and accessible. The newer releases are in the Reserve range. Here ...
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