Eduard Rosenstrauch works as a media liaison for SuperSport. He loves all sports and spending time with his family. He likes the smaller wine farms, not the impersonal tasting rooms of the big guys. Whilst he doesn't have a favourite cultivar or wine, he rather focuses on the characteristics of each wine, not caring whether it's red, white, pink or bubbly.
more acidic and jammy than expected, but I do like the persistent bubbles. Guest Taster Grethe says: By far the one with the most prominent nose of all: one of butter, popcorn, salt and all its greasy goodness. I would’ve liked to see the palate as something sweet and somewhat tart, but unfortunately, as with the De Grendel Brut, the fizziness made all its promises dissipate virtually instantly.
Durbanville Hills Blanc de Blanc 2012 RRP: R135S www.Durbanvillehills.co.za
Daisy says: This sparkling wine evoked warm memories from the moment it was poured and I took the glass in my hand. It looked like sunlight, as though the rays were beaming through the glass and across my face. I found a myriad of flavours on this: red berries, yellow apple, dried pineapple and the softest hint of a sherry cask. It was instantly smooth on the palate, perfectly harmonised, with the fruit, yeast and acidity all lining up meticulously to take
18 WINE EXTRA APRIL 2016
a bow before the curtain falls and the bubbly wine disappears down your throat. Charlotte says: We all loved to hate
“As you pour it in the glass it is flamboyant, full of energy, fizzing all around in the glass.” the teacher’s pet back in school. They knew every damn answer to every question and always looked perfectly put together. Yet despite our well voiced disdain, I bet we all secretly wanted to be in their well polished shoes and had, like with this bubbly, a secret love/ hate relationship I will admit surprise when the label was revealed, as this was pretty much a textbook style MCC, made with careful care rather than the mass produced style I would've expected. Just the right balance of buttered toast, tart citrus and sweet fruit to make me swallow my pride, and more than one glass of this delicious bubbles. Eduard says: As you pour it in the glass it is flamboyant, full of energy, fizzing all around in the glass. The bubbles team up to form perfect strings of pearls that swirl and play, drawing circles in the glass. The acidity complements the dry crispiness with a hint of tannins and vanilla to keep the senses occupied. The fruitiness of the grapes unfold into full aromas of citrus on the nose that will pair up great with some seafood delights on the table. Maybe even try it with a thick mussel soup as part of the special for the day.
TasteTeam Maru says: Ooh, with the Blanc de Blancs, Durbanville Hills finally make their MCC debut. It sure paid off as this was one of the favourites of the evening. They went and made a rich, buttery drink filled with cheerful bubbly and a well-rounded, dry end that makes your mouth water for more. Well done DH! You did good. Guest Taster Grethe says: My favourite of the bunch with its nose of litchi and grapes that unexpectedly develops into one of rich, melted dark chocolate. Contrarily, the taste is light and fruity and it’s a bubbly for salmon and all seasons. It was a tad bit on the bitter side, but I do believe that it will shine with the right food pairing.
Altydgedacht Blanc de Blanc MCC 2008 RRP: R100; www.altydgedacht.co.za
Daisy says: I fall in love with the name of this winery time and again - it oozes