Spier Chardonnay Pinot Noir Signature Collection Rosé 2020, Stellenbosch, South Africa 13.5% abv. $15.99 750 ml.
Going since 1692, Spier is one of South Africa’s oldest wine farms, with a fascinating history and a legacy that the owners never take for granted. Spier is one of 29 WWF Conservation Champions, is organically certified and follows the Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) criteria. In 2011, Condé Nast Traveler World Saver Award recognised Spier as the top international destination ‘Doing it All’. The farm has been recognised by other external organisations including Fair Trade in Tourism (FTT) and the Wine Industry Ethical Trade Association (WIETA). The cellar is FSSC 22000 certified and is Fair Trade accredited. After more than three centuries, Spier is still family run. It’s owned and managed by the Enthoven family who bought the farm in 1993. Spier has a passion for the environment and for supporting the community, buying from and supporting local producers. The owners live on the farm and work hands-on with the farming and leisure operations, together with CEO Andrew Milne, who directs the business.
Much like every chef has a signature dish, Spier has wines that are the hallmark of their winemaking style. The Spier Signature Collection offers single varietal wines that are always consistent in their character expression of each grape variety.
Blend Information: 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir.
Winemaker`s Notes: Light salmon pink. Aromas of strawberries and yellow apple, with a crisp fruit finish.
Ogier Heritages Rosé Cotes Du Rhone 2018, Cotes Du Rhone, France, 13.5% abv. $21.99 750 ml
Few Rhône Valley producers can compare to the history and pedigree of Ogier. The family name dates to 800 A.D. when “Ogier the Dane” came to fight with Charlemagne’s soldiers in the Basque country, and on his way back home, settled in southeastern France’s Massif Central region. Antoine Ogier, a distant descendant of Ogier the Dane, entered the wine business in 1859, purchasing a cooperage and establishing “OGIER” as a wine producer in the nearby Rhône Valley, rooting the Ogier family in Ampuis for seven generations. Current owner and winemaker Stéphane knew he wanted to follow in his winemaker father’s footsteps. In 1997, after completing his oenological studies in Beaune, Stéphane formally joined the family estate. He has been called the face of the Northern Rhône’s new generation by Vigneron Magazine, without doubt one of the most brilliant winemakers in the Côte-Rôtie appellation, displaying a masterly touch with the Syrah grape. Today, Ogier makes a range of wines from around the southern Rhône. Blend information: Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah. Tasting Notes (courtesy of the folks at blackmarket.co, New Zealand): Pale pink colour in the glass. Intense nose of red berries, citrus and rose. Freshness and vivacity are fresent from start to finish, supported by hints of grapefruit. Mid-palate marked by roundness and red fruits.