2008 Limited Edition Wines

If you've enjoyed the Limited Edition wines in the past you know how great they taste - and what a good value they are. Don't forgot to pre-order if you want to make any of the 2008 series.

FEBRUARY - preorder by jan 10

South African cabernet sauvignon

The region:

North of Cape Town, Swartland is one of the newest growing regions in South Africa. Swartland wines are dry-farmed and trained as bush vines. Without irrigation the grapes pick up all their character from local conditions, strongly focusing the effects of regional terroir. Bush vine training reduces vigour and moderates the intense heat of the South African sun, giving  the grapes time to mature slowly and fully.

The wine:

Cabernet from this region is dense, heavy and concentrated with deep blackberry notes, pepper spiciness, delicate mint and herbal aromas, along with abundant tannins that blend wonderfully with many different cuisines. 

The food:

Grilled steaks, roasts and other hearty meat-based dishes which can balance the robust character - but try it with dark chocolate for an astonishing taste sensation!

Ageing:

The bold, densely layered tannins will dominate for the first six months, overshadowing the blackcurrant and blackberry aromas. After this the herbal/mint character will begin to emerge and will evolve into a deeply complex red wine, with dark cherry and cedar notes. With a year (or more) of ageing, the peppery character of the grapes will emerge - and will continue to improve for up to three years.

Sweetness Code: 0 (dry)

MARCH - preorder by Feb 7

Alsatian Riesling

The region:

Nestled between Switzerland, France and Germany, Alsace has a complex history, but can always count on being rooted in excellent food and wine. It has a semi-continental climate with cold and dry winters and hot summers. With little rain because of the shadow of the Vosges mountains in the west, this climate makes for some of the most impressive and powerful white wines in the world.

The wine:

Alsatian Riesling has a finesse and a bracing vividness that most wines can't match. Medium bodied, crisp and steely, it has aromas of white fruits, juicy apple and the perfume of spring blossoms. It shows an amazing depth of flavour with minerals, acidity and structure.

The food:

This wine can hold its own with food pairing like no other white wine, especially with savoury dishes or with fruit - roast pork loin, stuffed with apricots or classic Duck a l'Orange.  Shellfish like crab, shrimp and lobster are echoed and enhanced by the balanced sweetness. It also pairs well with salty, smoky foods like salmon or smoked, grilled quail.

Sweetness Code: 0 (dry)

 

APRIL  - preorder by mar 7

Italian dolcetto d'Alba

The region:

Piedmont is the most outstanding and distinctive wine region in Italy. Situated in the northwest corner of Italy, next to Switzerland and France, distinctive chalky soils show the best growing areas on the hillside running down from the Alps. The climate produces enough summer heat to ripen Italy's most delightful grape, Dolcetto.

The wine:

Our Dolcetto has black cherry and liquorice flavours with some prunes and a characteristic hint of bitter almond. the dense, inky purple hue belies its easy drinking character, smooth tannins and completely dry finish. It has been called 'the Italian Beaujolais Nouveau' and is often served chilled.

The food:

Dolcetto is a light and easy to drink wine that pairs wonderfully with dishes like pasta, pizza, grilled Portobello mushrooms and goes particularly well with a tomato and mozzarella salad.

Sweetness Code: 0 (dry)

 

JANUARY

New Zealand Gewurztraminer

The region:

When the first Marlborough vines were planted in 1973 few people predicted that the region would become New Zealand’s largest and best known winegrowing areas in little more than 20 years. Abundant sunshine, cool nights and a long growing season helps to build and maintain the vibrant fruit flavours for which Marlborough is now famous.

New Zealand Merlot

The region:

Gisborne boasts the world's most easterly vineyards and the first vines to see the sun each day. The region receives high sunshine hours on coastal plains, sheltered from the west by a range of mountains. Well-drained alluvial loams over sandy or volcanic subsoil help to produce grapes of intense character and aroma.