People seem daunted by the choice of wine in supermarkets and it doesn’t make it easier that we as Capetonians are also surrounded by a magnitude of impressive wine farms. Where do you start?
A friend once said, “it is uncivilised to eat without consuming wine”. If that is true, wine as a dinner accompaniment preceded the era of skyscrapers, intersections, modern machinery, fast cars, advanced medicine, computers, cell phones, even fancy stemware, and all those glitzy things we believe makes the world go round.
Not only was wine a symbol of civilisation – it also symbolises the enjoyment of life, togetherness and companionship. And as simple as it seem next to all these inventions, it never stops evolving. We look to wine journalists, winemakers and connoisseurs to guide us on this vinous road of discovery where in fact we are all fully capable to arm ourselves with a basic sound understanding of different wines by trying out different combinations.
Yes, there are people who have dedicated a life to the vine: the propagation thereof, its development and growth, its purpose of sustaining a profitable business, and those who advocates its inclusion to enhance our enjoyment of life.
To appreciate it as a cultural elixir, there are also those who chose to study its finest properties to distinguish taste, quality and its compatibility with different foods, elevating its humble origin to something we cannot imagine life without.
There is no need to be snobbish about it. The best wine is the wine in your glass, indicative of where you are on your own wine journey. A better wine than that is yet to be discovered with your next experience.
Sadly the wine will often be to blame when the combination doesn’t work or if the wine doesn’t tick the presumed boxes, while the real culprit could be our own ignorance.
Before turning to heavyweight books and bloggers, learn to discover the following aspects that make wine unique to become conversant in any wine circle.
– What are the unique characteristics (aroma and taste) of the specific wine grapes or cultivars like Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay?- How does each of them differ in style?
– How does die region affect the above?
– How do I understand the price difference between two wines made from the same cultivar?
– And lastly, how does it pair with certain foods?
Have fun with reds this winter and be sure to share your experience and discovering.
Samarie is currently the Brand and Business Manager for Benguela Cove.
Follow Samarie on Instagram @samarie.smith or feel free to email her for any wine enquiries [email protected]
