YOUR WINE QUESTIONS

TIP: Try a tall drink made with a shot of Agava and a generous glug of sparkling lemon. I LIKE TO END A BUSY DAY BY WINDING DOWN WITH A GLASS OF RED WINE as I watch the sunset over the mountains. During the recent Coronavirus alcohol ban, I was searching my drinks cupboard for something to drink as a casual sundowner. I had run out of everyday qua ng wines and had only a few bottles of very expensive ones le . I did, however, nd an intriguing bottle of “Gold Agava” at the back of the cupboard. Apparently, it’s made in Graa Reinet in the Karoo. What is it and how should it be served?

Agava is a tequila distilled from the juice of the agave aloe and is o en used as a basis for a margarita cocktail, mixed with lemon juice. e booze ban caused many regular wine and beer drinkers to experiment with novel and inventive cocktails and also helped clear out some of the booze stocks that might not usually have been used.

YOUR WINE QUESTIONS ANSWERED

What is “Gold Agava” and how should it be served? What is the best wine to serve with pork or ham? When entertaining, is it necessary to go through the whole tasting process before serving the wine?

I LIKE TO FOLLOW THE OLD RULE OF WHITE WINE WITH WHITE MEAT and red wine with red meat, but what is the best wine to serve with pork or ham? It’s safe to keep to the same set of rules and serve a rosé with pork. Pink wine with pink meat. Rosés have recently grown in popularity and there are many elegantly dry ones on the market.

WHEN ENTERTAINING FRIENDS TO DINNER is it considered necessary to go through the whole tasting process before serving the wine? at depends on the friends and the occasion. If they’re regular pals it might be seen as unnecessarily pretentious to swirl, sni and roll your eyes before pouring. Just open the bottle and pour. If, however, it’s a special bottle of rare wine you’ve been saving for a special occasion by all means add a little ceremony to the occasion. It also sends a subtle message to your guests that they are about to taste something special. If it’s a wine that has been brought by one of your guests it might be a nice gesture to ask the donor to taste it before pouring. Whatever you decide, just remember that wine should never add stress to an occasion. It’s there for enjoyment.