June 2017 food & wine pairing

This wine, for that dish

So much wine, so little time. Here are some standout wines to try this June, paired with delicious recipes from our magazine.

Terracura 2015, R375

From the brand that brought you the groundbreaking Smiley & Silwervis, comes the latest wine to join this natural winemaking stable from the Swartland. ‘Terracura’ means to care for the earth, and the label is an understated departure from its contemporaries. This syrah is a blend of three vineyards from the Paardeberg, Kasteelburg and Malmesbury. It’s an elegant, pure example of a syrah, with some white pepper, plenty of cherries and red currant—and there’s an intriguing edge of grapefruit too.

Pair with: Pappardelle with slow-roasted lamb ragù, blackened vine tomatoes, Parmesan and basil

WIN: Experience Ryan Mostert’s singular winemaking style by winning a three-pack containing: Terracura 2015 (R375) Silwervis Cinsault 2015 (R375), Smiley Red NV (R150). This hamper is valued at R900. Click here to enter.

The Grande Provence Zinfandel 2015, R150

Something unusual to try: known as ‘primitivo’ in Italy the grape’s place of origin, the cultivar gained massive popularity in California, where it’s been coined zinfandel. The grapes for this wine (the second vintage from the Franschhoek cellar) come from the slopes of Groenberg in Wellington. It’s a punchy wine with aromas of ripe, juicy strawberries mingling with Christmas spice. The juicy fruit continues on the palate with a fresh mouthfeel and supple tannins.

Pair with: Coq au vin with truffled mash

The Vine Post Pinotage 2014, R185

The Vine Post Pinotage from Stellenzicht’s Speciality Range comes from a vineyard where the stok-by-paaltjie or ‘1 vine, 1 stake’ method is used—this is done for the result of low yields, which are said to give more concentrated fruit. And indeed it does. It’s not what you’d normally expect from a pinotage. There’s a delicacy of touch here with red and black fruits as well as a floral perfume and spice on the nose, this follows on to black cherries on the palate and elegant fine tannins of an almost dusty quality, all wrapped up in a fresh acidity that has you going back to the glass for more.

Pair with: Roasted beef with relish-and-herb butter and sweet roasted baby carrots

Isabeau 2014, R110

Hailing from Allée Bleue Wine Estate in Franschhoek, there’s nothing shy about this wine. The estate’s flagship white is a blend of chardonnay, sémillon and viognier. Fermented and matured for nine months in French oak (30% new) there’s ample citrus, apricot, peach and some cinnamon spice on the nose, which leads to a buttery oaky palate overlaid with more citrus and textural spice.

Pair with: Avo mousse with Cajun prawns

Baleia Wines Erhard Pinot Noir 2014, R180

From the Cape South Coast, Baleia Wines & Olive Oil has just released their flagship, the 2014 Erhard Pinot Noir. The wine is named for Erhard, son of owners, Jan-Hendrik and Lindi Joubert.  Expect sweet summer strawberries combined with a velvety palate, and fine barely-there tannins.

Pair with: Pumpkin gnocchi with crushed baby tomatoes

Written by Malu Lambert, wine writer.