Your Living City was invited to a special wine tasting with the main representatives of South African wines in Sweden. We had the chance to try out the novelties, the established wines and some other South African specialities.
The wine market in Sweden has been in favor of traditional wines from well-known terrains such as France and Italy, but now we can see a trend of supporting wines from independent vineyards who are also going for ecological and sustainable wine production, including some as distant as South African vineyards. South Africa’s wine production has grown in stature as the country has gained confidence, knowledge and maturity.
We have put together a list of wine recommendations, including the most representative flavours of the South African wines, and also considering the highest quality, as well as good price and availability. Thereby we encourage you to give it a go and indulge yourself in the balanced tastes of South Africa, whether you decide to try them at home or during a night out at your favorite restaurant in town!
One of our surprises were the delicious sparkling wines, so refined and elegant like champagne. So why don’t we start our list of recommendations with the bubbly selection. Also, pay attention to our South African dessert wine recommendation.
Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs Brut
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Systembolaget number: 6505
Tasting Notes: This delicious and versatile bubbly combines rich creamy aromas with hints of fresh lime fruit on the nose. On the palate you can expect an exciting fine mousse with an explosion of tangerines. Great brioche and yeast complexity broadens the palate leading to a long elegant finish.
Recommended food: As an aperitif, or with dishes of seafood.
Price: 159SEK
Graham Beck Brut
Grape: 47% Pinot Noir & 53% Chardonnay
Systembolaget number: 7639
Tasting Notes: A good-value alternative to Champagne. As its name implies, this bubbly is guaranteed to instill feelings of unadulterated bliss in all of those fortunate enough to taste this fabulous fizz. A deeply satisfying experience from the first sublime sip to the last tantalizing tingle.
Recommended food: As an aperitif, with fish or seafood, or just on its own.
Price: 129SEK
Bosman
Grape: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Systembolaget number: 92413
Tasting Notes: A delicious flowery and fruity bouquet on the nose. Gentle taste of vegetables, toasted nuts, tobacco and fruits. A recommendation before serving this wine is to decant it so that the aromas and tastes settle perfectly.
Recommended food: Served at about 18 ° C for dishes of dark meat.
Price: 199SEK
Mount Abora
Grape: 100% Chenin Blanc
Systembolaget number: 75275
Tasting Notes: It possesses a core of primary fruit but also plenty of secondary character, translating to layers and layers of flavour including peach and apricot, spice, a vaguely malty quality. The acidity presents as a sour tang and there’s also a slight phenolic sensation to be had. The finish is satisfyingly long and saline.
Recommended food: Seafood pasta.
Price: 165SEK
Allersveloren Fine Old Vintage
Grape: 50% Tinta Barocca, 30% Touriga Nacional, 20% Souzao
Systembolaget number: 12109
Tasting Notes: Scrumptious aromas of dark fruity, cherry & nutty notes with smokey hints on the nose. Whilst displaying succulent juicy red & black berry & spicy characters on the palate, with a super long lingering delicious almond/hazelnut aftertaste.
An incredibly well made Port style fortified wine, with excellent ageing potential.
Recommended food: Served at about 18 ° C for desserts, preferably containing nuts or chocolate. But also creamy gorgonzola soup, Black Forrest Gateau, mince pies and traditional Stilton or any other strong blue vein cheese.
Price: 159SEK
Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc Steen op Hout
Grape: 100% Chenin Blanc
Systembolaget number: 2701
Tasting Notes: With a delicate green golden appearance, the 2016 vintage promises a fresh array of wonderful fruit aromas. Papaya, melon and limes jostle for attention aside freshly sliced Granny Smith apples and touches of oak spice. Sourced as it was from an array of mature vineyards across the Western Cape, the wine is richly layered with golden ripe fruit and finely balanced texture. The well poised finish and persistent length are the hallmarks of this great grape.
Recommended food: Shellfish, spicy food, lean fish and mild and soft cheese.
Price: 89SEK
De Wetshof Estate ‘The Site’
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Systembolaget number: 90338
Tasting Notes: This is a multi-dimensional wine distinguished by a remarkable complexity of flavours derived from the fine quality of grapes and good wood. The vineyards were established in 1986 and have produced Chardonnay grapes of exceptional quality year after year due to their perfect location. Matured in French oak barrels for one year, this elegant wine exudes fine aromas of lime and vanilla rounded off with a clear roasted fat character, but also pineapple, mineral, coconut, butter, spices, chocolate, nuts and orange flavours.
Recommended food: Ideally served at 8-10 ° C with gourmet fare, for example hard cheese, lamb, white fish or sea food.
Price: 220SEK
Kevin Arnold
Grape: 92% Shiraz, 6% Mourvèdre, 2% Grenache Noir
Systembolaget number: 6506
Tasting Notes: A very elegant, almost spicy wine, with soft and serious tastes. Fruity, nuanced flavour with roasted fat character, elements of blackberries, plum, coffee, raspberries and dark chocolate.
Recommended food: Served at about 18 ° C to tasteful, preferrably grilled dishes of dark meat.
Price: 215SEK
Spier Signature
Grape: 100% Sauvignon Blanc Semillón
Systembolaget number: 2234
Tasting Notes: Now this is what we call fresh, think of Swedish summer in a bottle. This wine is very easy to drink, very enjoyable, with fruity and slightly aromatic flavour with barrels, currants, galia melon, passion fruit, beeswax and citrus.
Recommended food: Served at 8-10 ° C for dishes of fish or shellfish.
Price: 70SEK
Simonsig Redhill
Grape: 100% Pinotage
Systembolaget number: 92167
Tasting Notes: An absolutely delicious wine, it’s deep colour is owed to the fact of the grapes’ thick skin, pressed and reserved to extract the deep colour, but carefully enough so the flavour does not override. It feels velvety in the mouth with sufficient sweetness and fruitiness. Freshly-flavored, very fruity taste with roasted fat character, plums, vanilla, blackberries, chocolate, herbs and currants.
Recommended food: Served at about 18 ° C for dishes of dark meat.
Price: 199SEK
Eikendal Charisma
Grape: 62% Shiraz, 27% Petit Verdot, 12% Sangiovese
Systembolaget number: 79347
Tasting Notes: Charisma 2015 is a vision born through Cellar Master Nico Grobler’s travel experiences over the world. Shiraz (Rhône Valley) contributes a lean, fresh structure with spicy undertones. Petit Verdot (Bordeaux) ads the richness of blueberries while the Sangiovese component adds a light character with clean fruity flavours on the palate, creating a boldly seductive and elegant wine, making it almost creamy, warm and soothing.
Recommended food: Pair with red meat, roasted vegetables, or mushroom risotto
Price: 158SEK
