The Taste Case Winter favourites from Woolies senior wine buyers Rob Gower and Rebecca Constable
Want to expand your cellar this season? Or make some daring pairings? We asked Woolies’ experts Rebecca Constable and Rob Gower to use their insider knowledge and recommend some winter gems
1 Diemersdal Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc
The Louw family has been making wine at Diemersdal for six generations and I think most Sauvignon Blanc lovers have a bottle of Diemersdal in their fridge – it’s a staple! There’s a lot to love about this exclusive sparkling addition. Crisp, zesty and refreshing, it’s the perfect apéritif for a cosy Sunday lunch. R109.99
2 Woolworths De Wetshof Signature Chardonnay
Woolies has partnered with the best in the business to make the Signature wine range.
This wine by the pioneer of South African Chardonnay, Danie de Wet, is the ultimate expression of wooded Robertson Chardonnay, without the big price tag. Its lime and citrus notes, and big backbone and structure, make it perfect with cream- or butter-based recipes such as butter-fried scallops. R169.99
3 Woolworths Nitida Bush Baby Sauvignon Blanc Semillon
Sauvignon Blanc is the most popular white varietal in South Africa but the secret to this hidden gem from Nitida is the addition of Semillon. It has a similar profile to Sauvignon Blanc but shows more grassy and fig fruit flavours, and has a fuller mouthfeel. This wine is delicious on its own, but the roundness and layering from the Semillon make it a good companion for rich white meats such as roast chicken. R99.99
4 Hartenberg Merlot
Hartenberg Estate is best known for Shiraz but the
Merlot produced there is simply stunning. This wine is blended specially for Woolies with a little less wood to let the brighter fruit shine through.
It’s a great match for lamb stew, as the gentler tannins and plummy flavours synonymous with the grape complement the slight wildness that lamb offers. R109.99
5 Ken Forrester SGM
This is one of my favourites on Woolies’ shelves, offering moreish flavours at an unbelievably affordable price. SGM stands for Shiraz Grenache Mourvèdre, which is a blend traditionally made in the Rhône valley in France but works surprisingly well in South Africa, as all the grapes are fairly drought resistant. White pepper, dry, powdery tannins and red berry fruit are the hallmarks of this blend. Drink it on its own or with braaied meats to match the smokiness of the wine. R79.99
6 Delheim Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
Delheim is a family-owned Stellenbosch farm renowned around the world for producing high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon. It has produced wines for Woolworths for the past 25 years, and for this one we’ve added Merlot to soften the bold structure and make the wine more approachable. It’s a robust wine that can handle strong flavours such as steak with pepper sauce. R92.99