International Grenache Day, aka #GrenacheDay, is taking place on Friday 16th September – a special day to celebrate this complex, versatile and intriguing grape varietal that beguiles wine lovers across the globe with its luscious red fruit flavours.
GRENACHE: Originating in Northern Spain, Grenache spread to the south of France, specifically the Rhône Valley, and around the world, thriving in hot, dry vineyards in six of the seven continents. An important grape for the production of red wines, it also makes excellent rosés and fortified wines. Largely tucked away in Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvèdre red blends (the New World take on the Rhône) and in Châteauneuf du Pape (with a cocktail of other varieties), more and more highly acclaimed single-vineyard bottlings are coming on stream. The grape’s very diverse flavours range from raspberry, cherry and cranberry in its early stages to a more cinnamon, leather and tobacco flavour as the wine ages. Grenache-based wines are among the most versatile wines for pairing with food.
WELGEGUND HERITAGE WINES GRENACHE NOIR 2019: Welgegund Heritage Wines invite you to join the ‘Grenachistas’ and celebrate #GrenacheDay, exploring the many delights of their 2019 Grenache Noir, a distinctively packaged highly rated limited release from low-yielding dryland vines.
Winemaker’s Notes: The grapes come from a high-altitude dryland bush vine vineyard. The grapes were 100% whole-bunch fermented with stalks in an open stainless-steel tank. 50% of the wine was aged unoaked to retain fresh fruity aromas and the balance was aged in in 2nd fill 500L French barrels for 14 months. The wine was not fined and only lightly filtered before bottling.
Tasting Notes: Bright and exuberant in colour with light violet hues, the nose shows an abundance of fresh cranberries and raspberries with a touch of floral and fennel notes. The palate is soft and refined, revealing sour cherries, salty dark chocolate, and game biltong with subtle hints of tobacco leaves, fresh green pepper and cinnamon. Smooth well-integrated tannins lead to a beautifully round and lingering finish.
Serving Suggestions: Serve a touch cooler than your usual red wine and enjoy it with a charcuterie board, salmon, game carpaccio or a smoked mussel pot. As a dessert try a salty dark chocolate fondant with a red berry coulis.
Limited release: Only 2620 individually numbered bottles have been produced.
Awards: Top Ten award at the Prescient Minority Report (Niche Red Varietals) convened by Winemag.co.za
91 points in Tim Atkin’s SA Report
Silver Medal (91 points) at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge
Distinctive packaging: The stature of the Welgegund Cinsault is creatively reflected in the elegant yet compelling packaging – bold numbered imported bottles, with simple wrap-round labels, crowned with a gorgeous vivid violet wax seal.
Purchase: Welgegund Heritage Wines Grenache Noir 2019 is only available from the estate and Welgegund’s online shop for R375 per bottle (VAT inclusive).
To shop go to https://welgegund.co.za/wines/
A VISIT TO WELGEGUND HERITAGE WINES
Welgegund, meaning ‘well-bestowed’, is the perfect title for this heritage estate nestled at the foot of the magnificent Hawequa mountains at the end of an oak-lined cul-de-sac in Wellington. With quality the bedrock, the focus is on growing cultivars uniquely suited to the farm, namely Rhône-style varieties. Wine and olive tastings showcasing the intense deliciousness of this estate’s produce can be enjoyed by appointment only. Take the time and make an appointment. It’s well worth it!
Welgegund Wine Farm, 119 Berg Street, Wellington, South Africa
Tel: 021 873 2123 · Email: emathews@welgegund.co.za
Website: https://www.welgegund.co.za/ · Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/welgegundwines/
Twitter: @WelgegundWines · Instagram: @Welgegund_wines · #WelgegundWines
