The Naked Truth - page 2

25-06-2008 14:47

What is the best way to serve red wine?
Red wine should be served at between 14 to 18 degrees. Room temperature is usually higher than this, so red wine often benefits from slight cooling in the fridge - about 20 minutes should do the trick. Most young wines will benefit from decanting and breathing for 15 minutes or so. Mature wines can also taste better after being decanted to ‘open up’, but some rapidly oxidise and deteriorate, making it wiser to pour them straight from the bottle into the glass.

What is the best way to sample wine?
Sample your wine in natural light using a tulip-shaped tasting glass. Try and taste wine in an odourless environment, away from heavily scented perfumes and cooking smells, to fully appreciate its qualities. If you’re tasting a number of wines, regularly rinse your palate with water and dry crackers. Light white wines should be tasted before full-bodied reds with sweet wines and port tasted last.

Why do you think South African wines are such good value for money?
There is a huge diversity of terroir and styles to choose from in South Africa, with wine growing regions benefiting from soaring mountains, the influence of the Atlantic, and some of the oldest soils in the world. South Africa combines the best of both New World and Old World techniques.

What are particularly good grape varieties from South Africa and why?
I am very fond of Chenin Blanc, which is probably the most versatile varietal we have, and it can be made in a young, early drinking style that easily rivals Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc. It can also be made into rich, opulent wines that stand shoulder to shoulder with great Chardonnays. It blends beautifully with most white varietals and has great maturation potential.

Shiraz is another terrific varietal and South Africa has various different styles from big robust Shiraz from the Swartland region, to more refined and spicy Shiraz from the Stellenbosch Region.

What makes Cape Grace wines special?
Cape Grace brings all the factors of diversity, terroir, style and value together in its wines, which are renowned for their affordable quality.

Why are you known as ‘The Naked Winemaker’?
It started out as a bit of a joke. I was on a photo shoot at Cape Grace and steeled my nerves with a glass or two of wine. The shoot took rather longer than planned, by which time I had lost my inhibitions completely and ‘The Naked Winemaker’ was born! It is also rather more figurative than literal. I enjoy stripping wine down to what it really is and making it accessible to everybody.

So you don’t make your wine in the nude then?
No – I never have and never will! Cellars are cold and not the kind of place where you want to leave anything dangling…

About Cape Grace wines
Using the finest quality grapes from the vineyards in the Western Cape of South Africa, the Cape Grace range includes Pinotage Merlot, a soft, velvety wine combining the taste of plums and mulberries, Cape Grace Semillon Chenin Blanc with clean, fruity aromas of peach, melon and passion fruit. Cape Grace wine is available from ASDA, Sainsbury’s, Somerfield and Waitrose, with prices starting from £4.49.