Wine-spiration - A Global Wine Tour

Most of us love to explore our adventurous side. For wine lovers, trying a unique bottle of wine is akin to venturing out into the world in search of new experiences. Yusuf Farouk from Jacques Scott gives us his take on a few wines for those wanting to journey into the world of wine.

Words by Yusuf Farouk.

CIN CIN!

<< One of Italy’s most stunning wines is Donnafugatta's ‘Mille e Una Notte’ or ‘One Thousand and One Nights.’ An exotic and robust red from the Mediterranean island of Sicily, the base of this powerful blend is a grape that’s seldom seen outside of Italy, Nero D'Avola, which gives the wine deep and brooding notes of bramble fruit, chocolate, almonds and balsamic spices.

>> Sure you've heard of Champagne – but what about Franciacorta? This sparkling wine made near Milan – the fashion capital of Italy – uses similar grapes to those used in Champagne. Ca Del Bosco, makes an immaculate bubbly, the Cuvee Annamaria Clementi, with flavours of golden apples, apricots along with delicious pastry tones. Very fashionable indeed!

GESONDHEID!

<< Stellenbosch is a South African paradise, not just for its rustic scenery but also for its excellent wine. A sterling example from the region is Rust En Vrede’s Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Incredible quality exists in this delicious red, which displays notes of blackberry, cassis, bell peppers, liquorice and pipe tobacco.

>> Not far from Stellenbosch, the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley is a pristine wilderness that is home to several fantastic wineries, including the award-winning Hamilton Russell Vineyards, creators of the indomitable French-oaked Chardonnay beaming with pear, lime, pineapple and tightly-wound mineral flavours.

¡SALUD Y AMOR Y TIEMPO PARA DISFRUTARLO!

<< The arid, alpine region of Mendoza in Argentina is a fascinating destination with towering mountain ranges and unique olive gardens. It’s well known for its reds, primarily the Malbec. Achaval Ferrer’s Finca Altamira may be the ultimate expression of Malbec wine in the region; hand harvested in extremely low quantities, the deeply expressive flavours in this wine are as boundless as the mountain skies.

>> Grown on the steepest and most daring slopes of the intrepid Apalta winemaking region is Montes’ Folly Syrah. Often called the ‘best Syrah in Chile,’ it’s true adventurer’s wine: savoury and spicy, raw and supple, grandiose and complex – all at the same time. It would be a ‘folly’ to miss out on this one.

À VOTRE SANTÉ

<< If you’ve never been to Provence in France, I invite you to journey there. Here many producers grow Rosé wine – and few are as delicious as Domaines Ott Clos Mireille. Made from Grenache and Cinsault, it has gentle raspberry, strawberry and lemon tones, and when chilled well it can feel almost ethereal. The perfect wine for hot weather!

>> Vouvray in the Loire Valley is a captivating place with its picture-perfect 17th century chateaux and rolling green hills. Sweet wines are made there, like the Huet Le Haut Liu Premiere Trie, a luscious but not overly-sweet dessert wine with hints of marmalade, caramel, hazelnut, citrus and salt.

¡SALUD!

<< Rias Baixas on the western coast of Galicia, Spain is brimming with gorgeous seascapes, pine trees and seafood restaurants. A wine that pairs particularly well with shellfish is the Pazo Senorans Albariño, which delivers bright flavours of peach, apricot, apple and mango with crisp citrus tones.

>> On a massive plateau in northwest Spain is the region of Castilla y Leon. Here, along the romantic Douro river are several amazing wineries. Old vines are cultivated to make powerful oak-aged reds, like Ramiro’s Wine Cellars, who makes an incredible Tempranillo brimming with flavours of macerated fruit, cocoa, vanilla cream and earth. Wines like Ramiro’s are the reason some people travel at all.

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Enjoy responsibly • Must be of legal age to purchase