Durbanville Hills (http://www.durbanvillehills.co.za/) is ‘n stukkie paradys sommer so om die draai. Ek het die restaurant leer ken voor ek nog hulle wyne geproe het, so kom ons begin by die restaurant.
Skoonma ken die tannie wat die plek bestuur, of kook sy nou daar? Kan nie meer so lekker onthou nie, maar dit was met Ouma Joey se verjaarsdag dat ek die eerste keer daar was. Daar is ‘n paar juwele verskuil in die menu(verskoon as dit nie meer daar is nie, maar sedert ons Prinses se opwagting het ek en Mev Rendier nie by die restaurant uitgekom nie): Biltongsop, Biltong kappok aartappel(mash), Skenkels, my mond water. Die restaurant is bo die proelokaal geleë met ‘n besonderse uitsig. Die stoele is nie die gemaklikste nie, maar ek verneem dat dit intussen verander is. Pryse neig na die duur kant, maar waarde vir geld is dit beslis.
Die wyne:
Daar is 3 reekse beskikbaar by Durbanville Hills: The Hills, Rhinofields en Single Vineyard. Ek sonder graag die Durbanville Hills Chardonnay uit. Ek hou van ‘n Chardonnay met ‘n sterk, dog nie oorheersende hout karakter. Hier is ‘n uittreksel vanaf hul webwerf:
“A soft entry, easy drinking wine with a crisp acidity”
Background
Seven leading vineyard owners in the Durbanville Hills district joined together to create Durbanville Hills together with Distell to promote the regional individuality of this prime wine growing area, punctuated by hills. In close proximity to the cold Atlantic Ocean, it boasts a temperate climate with Atlantic sea breezes cooling the vines during the summer months. Grapes for this brand, which has already attracted widespread positive attention both in South Africa and abroad, are sourced only from these growers, all of whom fall under the limited appellation of Durbanville. All member vineyards subscribe to IPW (Integrated Production of Wine) growing practices, designed to sustain natural resources. Meticulous crop control applied to these vineyards further limits yields and promotes concentration of varietal flavour, encouraging a process of natural selection.
Winemaker Martin Moore uses highly advanced cellar technology to ensure optimal extraction of colour and flavour.
The vineyards (viticulturist: Johan Pienaar)
The grapes for this wine came from vineyards mostly located in the lower Durbanville foothills on the southern slopes, some 250 metres above sea level and grown in dark red soils. The vineyards, yielding around 9 tons per hectare, were harvested from the mid to late February between 24° and 26° Balling, when the grapes were showing ripe, yellow colours.
The winemaking (winemaker: Martin Moore)
The grapes from each vineyard were individually vinified. The major portion was fermented in steel tanks at 13°C and left on the lees for eight months. The lees was stirred every week. Some 10% of what constituted the final blend underwent malolactic fermentation. Seventy-five percent of the wine was unwooded. The balance was matured in new French 300 litre oak barrels.
Winemaker
Martin Moore
Colour
Golden yellow with green specs.
Nose
Dried peaches, apricot, citrus and vanilla notes.
Taste
A soft entry, easy drinking wine with a crisp acidity
Food pairing
Enjoy this wine with curries,light meat dishes, pastas and pizzas.
Alcohol 13.23 %
Residual sugar 2,6g/l
Total acidity 5.55g/l
pH 3.41
Extract 21.4 g/l
Nog ‘n oulikte bemarkingsfoefie, is dat elke bottel ‘n verwyderbare strokie met al die wyn se besonderhede op het, bv. Durbanville Hills Chardonnay 2007. Uitstekende plan. Ek wens meer produsente wil die voorbeeld volg.
Prysgewys kyk jy na so R40 ‘n bottel.
Gaan maak gerus ‘n draai by Durbanville Hills of waneer jy jou weer by n restaurant bevind, met vis of hoender as jou hoofgereg, moenie huiwer om ‘n bottel Chardonnay aan te vra nie.
