Beat the Heat with The Together Store
It was a scorching October in Zambia (no surprises there) and predictably the trend has shifted from red wine, heavy beer and hearty food to lighter, more acidic fair that quenches with ice cold efficiency. If you’re looking for a selection of beverages some European sommelier says should be served at 12°C, then look elsewhere dear reader. We’ve put together a list of wines you stick in your cool box, and only remove hastily to refill your glass before plunging back into the icy depths that all wines belong in for the next few months.
These are wines that our good friend Ken Forrester describes as “having the ageing potential of approximately 45mins - with the cap off - before reaching for another bottle!” Wines for al fresco dining, juicy poolside sipping, and more importantly, friendship shared around the braai.
So, just what constitutes a good summer sipper? Here's a couple of suggestions:
Whites | We’ve chosen wines with straightforward - we wino types use the word linear - flavour profiles, that ooze tropical fruit brightness with vibrant, crunchy acidity. Wines with restrained/no oaking that won’t have their feelings hurt when you throw them in the freezer in desperation once you get to your friend’s house. Wines that will *tolerate* a block or two of ice, should the need arise (shh, don’t tell the winemakers!).
New wines to look out for:
Terra del Capo Pinot Grigio | Tangy light peach and golden apple aromas with a waft of stone fruit and light floral hints. The palate is equally light with nectarine and peach flavour. A brush of honeysuckle richness vies with the vibrancy of freshly grated lime zest. Lovely balance of acidity and rounded honey richness which lingers long.
Stark-Condé The Field Blend | That old saying, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” is the inspiration when blending this wine. The idea is to find the perfect balance between the richness and texture of the Roussanne and Viognier and to balance that with the bright fruit and acidity of the Chenin and Verdelho. An incredible treat of peach, brioche, citrus and floral notes – near perfection.
Beaumont Chenin Blanc | This vintage is a beautiful expression of the grape capturing the full flavour and potential that their terroirs have to offer with bursting pineapple and quince notes as well as subtle stone fruit. It is a delicious example of cooler climate Chenin Blanc fermented in concrete and stainless-steel tanks. Dry, fresh & delicious!
Essay Wines Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne | This wine shows typical Chenin Blanc aromas of pineapple, litchi, and guava. A few months of lees contact enhances the texture of this wine, while still maintaining a fruity palate and fresh finish. The addition of Viognier and Roussanne adds complexity with each component contributing its distinctive characteristics to the blend, bringing out hints of pear, melon, and granadilla.
Rosé | I mean, do we need to say more? Rosé all day! Vibrant, fruity, young, acidic, and fantastic when thoroughly chilled. Our selection of rosé is locked, loaded, and ready for being placed on the deck-railing of your Lower Zambezi camp’s veranda for the perfect Instagram shot. We have everything from the affordable, to the dreamy.
Wines to look out for:
Almenkerk Lace Dry Rosé | Lace by Almenkerk Dry Rose is a wine that is truly made in the vineyard. We apply individual canopy management and pick early in order to get the vibrant red fruit flavour. This translates into a dry, more serious rosé. Aromas of ripe raspberry and watermelon are complemented on the palate by a savoury and spicy character. Great with salads, seafood, pork and slightly spicy dishes.
Painted Wolf The Den Rosé | This is a wonderfully dry, fruity rosé with delicate pomegranate and cranberry aromas complimented by subtle hints of rose petal. On the palate these are joined by savoury, almost biscuity flavours underlined by crisp acidity. This 2020 vintage is, clearly, their best rosé yet!
Foothills Vineyards Dry Rosé | An original blend, designed to offer something different: Shiraz for the colour and berry flavour, Semillon for the mouthfeel and Viognier for the aromatic perfume and tropical notes. The effect is complex, with interwoven layers of fresh strawberries, greengage, a touch of winter melon and fynbos, and Viognier’s floral top note. It’s expressive yet elegant and sophisticated. And bone dry, which means food pairing is no problem, yet also good enough to drink on its own.
Reds | What makes a good warm weather red wine? A few things certainly help! We’ve chosen wines that respond to being slightly chilled, wines of exceptional fruitiness and wines of restraint in presentation of tannins. We’re all about softer, fruitier reds for this time of year, and they really need to have retained a little bit of lovely acidity to make sure you’re salivating by the time the boerie has been drenched in fresh lemon juice and passed around as snacks… what, you don’t squeeze half a lemon on your boerie before serving? Well you need to change that. Like, now.
New wines to look out for and remember SERVE CHILLED and thank us later:
Darling Cellars The Capeman SMG | An easy drinking red blend that displays a wide range of flavours including red plums, cherries, candy-floss and fresh crushed black pepper. The entry on the palate is smooth and juicy with a lingering finish. A well-balanced wine with great drinkability. Serve, with oven roasted lamb or smoked duck. 40% Shiraz, 21% Mourvèdre, 21% Grenache, 18% Pinotage
De Toren Délicate | De Toren Délicate reveals an exemplarily sensory pleasure of fresh, luscious red strawberries with deep, elegant flavours and a mystical aroma of cinnamon. This silky-smooth Malbec dominated blend is a superbly fresh, light styled red blend that reveals its exquisite nature when served slightly chilled. The gentle balance of acidity gives this wine its unique character of being fresh, youthful and light. Perfect on its own as an aperitif or with a lunchtime salad, a tantalizing Spanish tapas or cheese platter, including a beautiful array of preserves, homemade jams, matured cheese and cured meats… This wine has very versatile food pairing possibilities. Malbec 49%, Merlot 20%, Cabernet Franc 16%, Cabernet Sauvignon 15%
Catherine Marshall Pinot Noir on Sandstone Soils | We are genuinely jealous every time we pour ‘Cathy’ for someone knowing it’s their first time. There really is no going back. Once the first cherry, pomegranate top notes titillate your nose and follow onto your palate, and you’re guided through with silky smooth tannins you’ll find it really hard to choose something else for the hot weather. It was our recent choice when we headed to South Luangwa, and it definitely should be your choice for the future!