South African gems to tipple

I’M going to have to enquire about a retainer from the South African wine board if such a thing exists. They may well be up for offering me a small stipend for my meagre contribution to sales across NI. Though two bottles in a row may not be enough to swing it.

I could not resist, however, when I was in Marks with a pack of equally irresistable hotcross buns in my basket swooping in to the wine aisle and making a quick purchase.

The power of the nice label worked again as my eye was drawn to a Swartland number which didn’t give much away on the front.

I’m generally impressed with M&S wines and a terribly adventurous chap so just went for it.

Turns out the Kopraas SMV was £9 well spent. The SMV stands for Shiraz, Mourvedre, Viognier – a blend of Languedoc and Rhone classics.

If ever you come into money seek out some of the northern Rhone reds that use a splash of Viognier (a fragrant white grape) to soften and give a little floral touch to their lean, muscular reds. This Shiraz, though, was more sunshine southern Rhone with moreish, brambly dark fruit that was very easy to drink. The

Mourvedre likely adds a touch of weight and some savoury notes. Look out for the same grape from Spain where they call it Monastrell, if you like a little heft in you reds.

The grape also goes by the name Mataro in Australia and California. Whichever M is being used it’s the M you often see not in SMV but in GSM, or Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre – a blend so common now it often uses the letters instead.

Anyway, I’m not sure how much of the two lesser partners there in this blend but it seems to be mainly Shiraz.

My notes showed my age when I referenced Cherry Cola. Can you still get Cherry Cola? There’s a bightness from a nice zip of acidity and hints of cocoa on the front palate, I thought. A nice easy drinker with hints of boiled sweets, I added. This is a juicy Shiraz that tastes like a warm climate wine, though it’s not big and bold.

Perfect for a slightky milder evening if you dared to step outside for a minute or two to tend to the barbecue. Try it or one of these South African gems.