WINE PICKS
TEXT
WENDY WATTA
In Kenya, one doesn’t even need an excuse to eat Nyama Choma. What
you need for those rich cuts of red meat, however, is just the right glass
of red wine; especially something bold and high in tannins like Cabernet
Sauvignon or Petite Sirah. Here are some great pairing suggestions:
LIKE RED WINE AND RED MEAT
FETZER CRIMSON
One of California’s better known
wineries, Fetzer has been at it
since 1968. This particular blend
is smooth with raspberry and plum
notes, sociable, well-blended and
slightly non-traditional. With a
jam-like fruit flavour that flirts with
sweetness, it would be appealing to
even red wine beginners. It balances
the best of Syrah, Zinfandel,
Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah
into a pronounced oak profile with
toasty aromatic components. Serve
with grilled beef or lamb. Available
from Viva Global (www.viva.global)
FETZER VALLEY OAKS CABERNET
SAUVIGNON
On the nose, you will find enticing
aromas of black cherry, blackberry,
cassis and vanilla with evident spice
from the oak, and a hint of herbs.
Tasting delivers a multi-layered wine
with the texture of ripe blackberry,
mocha, toffee and vanilla. Medium
tannin and acidity levels provide
balance to this medium bodied
Cabernet. It is quite the hearty
companion to steak, chops and ribs.
Available at viva global
(www.viva.global)
ORTAS CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE
In its vinification, this french wine
appellation is aged in a foudre for
12-14 months to about a third of
the volume while the other part is
stored in vats. The resulting wine
has notes of red fruits, liquorice
and spices. It also shows silky and
elegant tannins and is gutsy enough
to stand up to steak and game.
Available from Le Decanter
(www.facebook.com/LeDecanter)
DARLING CELLARS RESERVE BLACK
GRANITE SHIRAZ
This wine has a deep almost opaque
garnet colour with a bouquet of
spice, dark plums and bramble
berries. These flavours follow on
the palate and combined with a fine
tannin profile and integrated oaking,
give the wine great length. In fact,
it has enough depth and grip to the
oak framing the bramble berries
such that it doesn’t fall into the
trap of being flabby or confected.
Available from MIA Wines
(www.miainternational.co.ke)
THE WOLFTRAP SYRAH MOURVEDRE
VIOGNIER
The name is a tribute to the
pioneers who in the early days of
the Cape, erected a wolf trap at
Boekenhoutskloof. No evidence of
wolves was ever foun