Everyday Drinkers (2)

This is the second in the series of posts about wine for drinking every day, or at least occasionally during the week, in exchange for relatively little money.

This Zalze 2010 from Kleine Zalze winery in Stellenbosch, South Africa is available at £4.99 (although discounted from £6.69) and represents very good value at this price.

The blend of grape varieties (Shiraz, Mourvèdre and Viognier) featuring strongly on the label is not one which one would normally expect to find, and so intrigued was I that could not resist placing a bottle in the trolley.

The initial impression of alcohol is not unsurprising, given an ABV of 14.5%, but after a short time in the glass it is resolved nicely and the wine appears rounded and ample. There is dark fruit in abundance with some vanilla notes and good balancing acidity (not excessive as in some New World wines), as well as more leathery notes (probably the Mourvèdre showing) and perhaps a tinge of 'burnt rubber' or coffee.

We enjoyed it with a mature Camembert.

To my taste an interesting and impressive wine showcasing the good value wines now coming out of South Africa.

Imported by Stevens Garnier, Oxford
http://www.kleinezalze.com/Our_Wines.htm