South African wine tasting
A clever pairing of information on cuts of meat and sampling of them cooked with South African wines got us out on a windy night. Organiser and wine educator Jean Smullen brought us through her choice of wines for the night and did them proud. Barry of Douglas was the location. Good choices included:
1. Pongracz, a sparking wine made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (as Champagne often is) had enough fruit and dryness to whet the appetite, and at €23.99 in shops fairly priced. Could be good all through Christmas dinner for those who like to keep it light. The name is Hungarian. This wine received awards over the years at the Veritas wine competition in South Africa, where as a judge I have been impressed with the system of scoring. Score 75
2.2011 Nederburg Winemasters Reserve Chardonnay €10.95
Plenty of bang for your buck here with this satisfying mouthful, while lightly oaked, certainly not overdone, and with a nice, fresh finish which lingers nicely. Good with fish, but also chicken and turkey. Score 75
3. Drostdy-Hof Merlot €11.99
Easy drinking red good for parties, lovely with beef stew. Score 72
4. Fleur du Cap Shiraz 2009
Smooth and silky, not a huge amount of fruit. Good with beef Wellington €15. Score 70
5. Nederburg 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon €10.99
Good fruit, well balanced, good length, elegant. Good value. Score 75
6.Fleur du Cap Pinotage €15.00
Good fruit, fair length, good example of this South African grape. Try with roast pork and game.
Score 75
Durbanville Hills 2010 Pinotage €12.99
A lovely, elegant wine with good fruit. a nice read for Christmas dinner, pork dishes, lamb stew, roast lamb (but too rich for young lamb)
Score 78
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Roz Crowley 
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