A World of Wine: an extraordinary wine

Thursday, 5 June 2008

an extraordinary wine

Wine review of the Month
We 've spent some time in Tuscany in May and will feature more wines from the region in coming weeks. But today I want to talk about a Chardonnay. Yes, I know Chardonnay got a bad name because it became common, just like Chenin blanc is now and Sauvignon blanc will be in the future. Every now and then, I'm lucky enough to find an affordable wine so superb that it almost defies discription. Today this wine is KWV Chardonnay 2005 from the award-winning, famed golden triangle Stellenbosch in the Cape South Africa.
Now there's a story here, because living as I do in Italy where these wines are completely unavailable, and where indeed you will struggle to find anything non-Italian, I delight in some variety. So it was I found myself in a rather ordinary small supermarket in Ticino Switzerland just across the border from where I live, and found a case of this, which I snatched up.
The first bottle could not have been opened on a finer setting. We had set out early in the morning for a trip to the alps and stopped along the way at a waterfall to have our picnic. The wine which had been cooling on ice in a wine-cooler, was uncorked in the empty peaceful countryside with the snow covered mountains towering above a dirt road winding by, with us perched on a rock with our picnic to the soundtrack of the splashing leaping white water.
The wine - lightly-straw-coloured with good lees when swirled, on the nose is citrusy, gooseberry and rain on soil.
Then the fruit comes though in layers on the tongue with hints of pear, nut, vanilla and a long minerally finish. This wine is buttery.
This wine combines well with seafood, trout, chicken curry, cold platters, salads, mild cheeses, and really, any summer fare.
Then of course I do my home work, and find out that yes, there's a string of awards for this Chardonnay and the other label it produces under Cathedral Cellar which has a string of awards thoughout Europe, France and USA, with the label Golden Kaan.

KWV -->Kwv Chardonnay Cathedral Cellar 750ml 2004
2006 Veritas Awards2005 KWV Reserve - KWV Reserve Chardonnay Silver Medal
2006 Michelangelo Awards, SA 2005 KWV Reserve - KWV Reserve Chardonnay Silver Medal
2006 International Wine&Spirits Competition2004 Cathedral Cellar - Cathedral Cellar Chardonnay Silver Medal
2006 Veritas Awards2006 Laborie - Laborie Chardonnay Bronze Medal
2006 Decanter World Wine Awards 2003 Golden Kaan - Golden Kaan Winemaker's Reserve Chardonnay Bronze Medal
2006 Monde Selection, BelgiumGolden Kaan - Golden Kaan Winemaker's Reserve Chardonnay Silver Medal
2006 Chardonnay du Monde, France Golden Kaan - Golden Kaan Winemaker's Reserve Chardonnay Gold Medal
2006 Premium Select Wine Challenge, German Wine magazine “Selection” Golden Kaan - Golden Kaan Winemaker's Reserve Chardonnay Silver Medal
2006 South African Airways First Class, South Africa Golden Kaan - Golden Kaan Winemaker's Reserve Chardonnay Served on board
2006 AWC Vienna Wine Challenge Golden Kaan - Golden Kaan Winemaker's Reserve Chardonnay 84,1 Points
2006 International Wine&Spirits CompetitionGolden Kaan - Golden Kaan Winemaker's Reserve Chardonnay Silver
2006 Wine Enthusiast Magazine, USA 2005 Golden Kaan - Golden Kaan Classic Chardonnay Rated with 84 points in the Buying Guide

2005 Decanter World Wine Awards2003 Cathedral Cellar - Cathedral Cellar Chardonnay 2004 Chardonnay-du-Monde competition, France2003 KWV Reserve - KWV Reserve Chardonnay Gold Medal
2003 Wine Spectator Awards, USA2002 KWV Lifestyle - KWV Chardonnay Score 84

So I get possesive and decide its unlikely I'll share those bottles with anyone but those who can appreciate its specialness. I rarely drink European chardonnay, and have yet to find a Chardonnay that shines in Italy with the exception of those produced in Sicily, which even the Italians will tell you, is more Africa than Europe. There in southern Sicily, the wonderful Duca Castelmonte Chardonnay blended with a little Grillo grape is always fine, among others.

Heres a price guide for KWV and you won't find better chardonnay in this price bracket I assure you

Country: SOUTH AFRICARegion: COASTAL REGIONSub-Region: PAARLGrape Varietal: CHARDONNAY Type: Still wine

Reg. 18.89 On Sale $13.79

31% discount on 12 bottles for $155.88
http://www.winechateau.com/vsku1325044.html
Your local wine merchant can get this for you.
Happy summer !

1 comments:

AmyEmiliaJun 18, 2008 11:00 AM
I am not much of a wine drinker, and neither is my husband (surprising for an Italian, eh?). But your description of the wine at the waterfall is delightful. I have been near Ticino but never actually visited. Someday!
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Do you know your vintages? The good and bad years when buying.

Here on Wine world we take the mystery out of ordering a wine. What vintage to buy and which wine goes best with what. You can order wines right here on the site from the vineyards or suppliers by clicking on the picture links.

Italy vintages
1996 Vintage
This was a good year for wine producers across most of Italy, especially from Tuscany and Piedmonte which experienced good conditions for maturation. Piemonte enjoyed a late hot summer so look out for the 1996 vintage in Piemonte.
1997 Vintage
A fabulous vintage, especially for Tuscan wines and those from Piedmonte. For Tuscany this was once in fifty year vintage. So a Chianti Classico 1997 is worth what you will pay for it. Everywhere else was, ok and 1997 was still a good vintage.
1998 Vintage
A very good year for Piemonte, so choose Barolo, or Barbera from the Piedmont, these are fabulous now and will only improve in the cellar. In 1998 Some Tuscan producers were ok others not so, and avoid the Southern regions of Campagnia and Basilicata on the heel.
1999 Vintage
A mixed year in Italy, with rain for much of the country, resulting in average wines. But, as is often the case, ok wines from Piedmont. The two exceptions were Tuscany and Campania on the southwest coast which had a good growing season leading to excellent vintages.
2000 Vintage
2000 was the year of Barolo, if you can find one, snap it up. - The season was much too hot for much of Italy including Chianti, but the more-northern Piemonte was alright. The wines produced across Piemonte are exceptional, and will lay down well.
2001 Vintage
a successful vintage for Italy's wine makers on the whole, with the best wines coming from Camania & Basilicata . Many Tuscan wines were affected though because of irregular weather conditions. Amarone & the Veneto region experienced dry weather and wines from 2001 are good to excellent.
2002 Vintage
2002 could go down as the 'worst in 50 years'. Italy had heavy rains and Piedmont had hailstorms which wrecked most Barolo vineyards. Rains in Tuscany in September and October which affected the vintage so overall try to avoid this vintage,and if you see it offered cheap you know why.
2003 Vintage
Summer In Europe in 2003 was one of the hottest on record and this caused problems for growers in Tuscany and Piedmont. To be safe try and avoid this vintage in general, however the wines from Montepulciano are worth getting, and Amarone wines are drinking well now, but will get better with a few more years in the cellar.
2004 Vintage
Wines from 2004 from Tuscany and Piedmont and the Veneto should definately be on your list. With good growing conditions throughout. Sun-filled days, followed by cooler nights and a late harvest. Avoid Campania & Basilicata however, which had bad weather in September and October. 2005 Vintage
Europe's wine producers called 2005 one of the best years in recent times. Italy was the exception though - with heavy rains. Tuscany and Piedmont and the deep South were alright, and you can still find good wines in this vintage from the top vineyards.