Fresh, fruity and flroal - Our summer wine guide

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Cape Wine Master Allan Mullins shows you how to break out of your comfort zone with three out-of-the-ordinary white varietals that’ll put you on, well, cloud wine.

VIOGNIER
[pronounced VEE-ohn-yay]
Viognier is a Rhône grape that was all but extinct in the mid-1960s, but is now on the rise. It’s an aromatic variety so the grapes must be harvested at the right time. Too early and there’s zero flavour; too ripe and they’re oily and blowsy (wine speak for wine that might have a pleasant initial flavour, but doesn’t taste great after the first glass).

ROUSSANNE
[pronounced roo-SAHN]
Honeysuckle, pear and nuts – if you aren’t seduced by Roussanne’s floral perfume, you’re a strong person indeed. Perhaps the beautiful golden yellow colour and ripe tropical citrus flavours of mandarin and orange will work their magic.

GRENACHE BLANC
[pronounced GREH-nash-blahnc]
Grenache Blanc is a mutation of the red Grenache grape and is widely grown in the Rhône Valley and northern Spain. Its ripeness can add character, structure and softness to a blend. Grenache Blanc can have flavours of green apple, stone fruit and citrus, as well as tropical fruit and nutty spiciness. 

  • WOOLWORTHS KEN FORRESTER VIOGNIER

    The nose has floral notes, attractive stone fruit and a tangerine twist. Its lightly oaked palate is dry with a soft, satisfying mouth feel and a zesty finish. 

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  • WOOLWORTHS DMZ CONCERTO WHITE (DE MORGENZON)

    A blend of Viognier, Roussanne and Chenin Blanc with a dash each of Chardonnay and Grenache Blanc. The nose is a complex array of white peach, ripe pear and tropical fruit and the palate repeats these with a twist of spice and honey. 

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  • WOOLWORTHS FABLE MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS JACKAL BIRD

    Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Viognier and Chardonnay are the components of this exciting blend. Interestingly, around 30% of the wine is matured in concrete eggs instead of oak barrels. This imparts no oak influence and means that the pure aromatics of the wine are retained. 

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