Cape blends-I had the opportunity a couple of weeks ago to taste an extensive range of Cape Blends. To demistify the subject, it needs to have a component of Pinotage in the blend (15%) to be called a Cape Blend but all else is up to the Winemaker, although most winemakers keep to a Bordeaux Blend with Pinotgae. My personal favourite has a dash of Shiraz which lends a touch of toffee to the taste which is LOVELY. My favourites of the evening, Meinert Synchroncity from Stellenbosch (strangely enough they were ALL from Stellenbosch) and the Nikela from Grangehurst the 2000 was fabulous. Both expensive wines, in SA RAND R140 for the Synchronicity and around R115 for the Nikela.

This is a very good way to try Pinotage for the first time as to my mind it is not always very good on it's own, except in premium brands like Diemersfontein, Kanonkop etc. Do give it a try, I will give you a couple of names, Simonsig Tiara, Clos Malverne Auret, Meinert Syncronicity, Grangehurts Nikela, Beyerskloof Synergy, Flagstone Strata but there is around 20 available so do explore.

Happy drinking.