This week I purchased the Blanc de Mer
and Sauvignon Blanc from Bouchard Finlayson. Given the cold weather, one may be
more inclined to purchase reds at this time of the year, but I can guarantee
you that these whites are all-season wines! I am normally a fan of their
well-known award winning Pinot Noir, however was intrigued to try the Blanc de
Mer that features the Riesling cultivar.
I could not resist their special that is
currently running which offers 20% off both the Blanc de Mer 2018 and Sauvignon blanc 2019.
I ordered the wine directly from the online shop (https://shop.bouchardfinlayson.co.za/) and was so pleased with the efficient and
professional service. For those of you who prefer, you can also email info@bouchardfinlayson.co.za or phone 028 312 3515 to place
your order.
I love being outdoors
and hiking in the Cape, and Bouchard Finlayson is one of the most idyllic settings
to do this. The farm is conveniently located adjacent to the beautiful seaside
town of Hermanus. You can go on guided nature walks in the estate, which has
hectares of preserved fynbos (only about 20 percent of the farm is planted with
vineyards). Fynbos makes up 80 percent of the Cape Floral Kingdom, of which
two-thirds can only be found in the Cape. Bouchard Finlayson holds World Wide
Fund for Nature (WWF) Conservation Champion status and their commitment to responsible
and sustainable farming is evidenced in the preservation of the diverse
biological environment.
Beyond the farm, you
can also find pockets of beautiful Fynbos along the Cliff Path and outer areas
of Hermanus. The scenery is breath-taking, and you literally feel as if you are
in the clouds as the name of the farm suggests. In addition to their world-class
wines, the estate also produces its own honey and delicious olive oil.
BLANC DE MER 2018
The Blanc De
Mer translates to “white of the sea” and is inspired by the estate’s close proximity to coast
where the Southern Right whales can be seen calving in late winter towards the
end of spring. The Riesling in this wine makes it an unusual blend and the
result is absolutely amazing! Riesling is one of the oldest grapes in the world
(dating back to 1435), with current theories pointing to Rheingau in Germany as
its origin. Riesling grapes are ideally suited for cooler climates as they bud
late avoiding spring frosts and they have naturally thicker bark than other grapevines.
As you take your first
sip of this wine, you will be met with a fountain of rich flowery aromas, with tastes
of almond and apricot with an almost creamy middle to the wine. I paired it
with a cheese platter for my partner and I and the complex, robust flavours of
the cheeses complemented the wine perfectly.
WALKER BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019
For those of
you who are Sauvignon Blanc fans, you will love this refreshing wine. Sauvignon
Blanc is one of South Africa’s ‘Big 6’ varietal grapes, amongst Cabernet
Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinotage, Shiraz and Chardonnay. It is crisp and tangy, with
identifiable detailed layers of flavours and hints of grapefruit in the glass. The
wine is more tropical than grassy, with a delicate palate that is not
overpowering.
On a personal
note, the one thing I love about Sauvignon Blanc is that it is so easy to pair
with food, as it literally goes with anything! Cool climate white wines such as
this one from the Walker Bay area are always my go-to for fish, sushi and Poke
Bowls.
Treat yourself and try these elegant,
crisp and refreshing whites from Bouchard Finlayson, you will not be
disappointed!
TC
xoxo
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