“Seriously underrated are our sweet wines” as Yoda would have it.
I agree, and they are usually so cheap too.
Two South African Classics are a Muscadel and a Jerepigo. I am often asked what the difference is. Essentially the way the wine is made is the same, but Muscadel is made from Muscat grapes and Jerepigo can be made from any number of grapes.
The Swartland Red Jerepigo is made from Pinotage grapes from the Swartland. Mainly from unirrigated bushvine vineyards. His means there is a huge concentration of flavour and colour in the grapes. Harvested extra ripe, they go through a process called thermo-vinification, The grapes are removed from the stalks, the mash is heated gently and pressed. Once the juice is cool is it placed in a stainless steel tank and grape spirit is added. A rest of six months is required for the juice and the alcohol to ‘marry’. You end up with a rich ruby red wine with upfront grapey and blackcurrant fruit on the nose and lovely full sweet raisins in the mouth with the grape spirit filling out the palate. You can pour this over ice cream or drink it chilled with dark chocolate.
The Danie de Wet Cape Muscadel is made from Muscat de Frontignan grapes – perhaps better known as Hanepoot. Again the clearest juice is pressed from the grapes and blended with pure grape spirit. A period of rest is required and the wine s bottled and ready for the market. Gorgeous waves of grapiness on the nose and a delicious sweet muscat unctuousness in the flavour with an enchanting lime squirt in the aftertaste. A true Cape experience.
Note about the grape spirit. I had note appreciated how important the grape spirit is until I met David Guimaraens in Oporto who makes the fabulous Ports for Taylors and Crofts. A sixth generation winemaker he was forced in his early years to use a spirit which he could only buy from the Portuguese Government. Once freed from this stricture, he started looking around and found a French distiller who produced an ideal spirit. David offered us a taste of the two diluted with mineral water to the same dilution as it would be in Port. The difference was quite amazing. A rough country wine compared to a smooth and sophisticated country gent.
