- Details
- Published: 22 October 2012 22 October 2012
I have to admit to being partly seduced by the 'Rhine' in the label of this wine and was confusedly clicking my lips when I realised it was made in S Africa. The Rhine conjures images from my teens when I was jackbooted out of the house, put on a plane and sent to Switzerland to stay with Muller family. I am not sure what wrongs they committed to be charged with my care for a few weeks for several summers but even so, the memories of the times spent touring up and down the Rhineland left a lasting impression. I particularly recall the vastness of river up North of Baden-Baden and, on one occasion swimming across a large reservoir in the hot afternoon sun post picnic lunch. It was an idyllic setting which would have been sublime if only the reservoir wasn't quite so large and I didn't have shooting cramp in both lower legs. My lack of German and not-wanting-to-make-a-scene character meant I swam the other half distance extra to the opposite side and turned with the others and gently swam back exclaiming "das good!" to my hosts.
Anyway, as I said, only the grapes in this wine are from the Rhine. The rest is from vines grown in the Thelema Mountains in South Africa. Dipping my rounded proboscis into the glass I loved the aromas of kerosene, clear and pungent. It is especially there on first opening when it is also dry and steely. Love that! To taste it is dry with a fine acidity, hints of lime (as the back label says!) and butterscotch. It is sweet but not saccharine sweet, more fruity sweet, which is a nicer taste altogether. A good quality wine.
I had this with roasted vegetables and it was perfect. Considering I like a healthy amount of olive oil in with the potatoes and parsnips etc. this wine cut through the oily residue like the bare front of Excalibre. A very good Monday evening wine. Could also serve as a light aperitif or mezzo style chatting wine.
I bought this from the www.thegoodwineshop.co.uk - good value at £13.50
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