HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST PICNIC WINES
Wondering how to choose the ideal picnic wines? Wine and picnics go hand in hand. On warm summer days, there is nothing like heading out into the fresh air to enjoy a relaxed meal with friends and family. With a good bottle of wine, good food and good company, you will have everything you need for a good day out. Keep reading to get our tips on how to choose picnic wines the easy way.
IDEAL PICNIC WINES
The general rule of thumb with food and wine pairing is to pair white wines with lighter dishes and reds with heartier dishes. While this is easy at lunch or dinner, it’s not always as straightforward at a picnic. Picnic food is usually finger food. Sandwiches, cold meats, salads, snacks, and other food isn’t always as easy to pair as a sit-down meal. To help you know which picnic wines to choose, we’ve put together a list of things to consider.
WHITES
You can never go wrong with a versatile white served chilled. Although they are especially good with most seafood and poultry dishes, salads and snacks, they can be enjoyed with other dishes, too. Versatile whites to go for include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc. For cheeses, pair these wines with fresh cheeses such as goats cheese, feta, ricotta and mozzarella, or soft, pungent cheese such as camembert. Make sure you pack your cooler bag to keep the wine nice and crisp.
Recommended white wines: Rietvallei JMB Chardonnay 2020, Rietvallei Classic Chardonnay 2021, Burger Family Vineyards Chardonnay 2021, Rietvallei Sauvignon Blanc 2021 or John B Sauvignon Blanc 2021 and Rietvallei Chenin Blanc 2020.
REDS
Red wines go well with cold meats, braai meats, boerie rolls, richer pasta salads, and other flavoursome dishes. For picnics, a more versatile red is ideal. Pair red wines with aged cheddar, gruyere and other hard cheeses or bolder aged cheeses that bring out the complex flavours of red wines. Berries, chocolate, cake and richer sweet treats will be perfect with most reds.
Recommended red wines: Rietvallei Dark Cin (Cinsaut) 2020, Rietvallei Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Rietvallei Shiraz 2018, John B Cabernet Sauvignon, Tinta Barocca 2021 and Burger Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2019.
SPARKLING
What about sparkling wines? A light Brut varietal can be surprisingly versatile, whatever food you are including in your picnic. This wine is a good choice if you are at a picnic that includes dishes contributed by various people. If you are not sure what will be served, this type of wine will be versatile enough for most dishes.
Recommended sparkling wines: John B Brut Rosé 2021 or John B Brut Chardonnay 2021.
In the Rietvallei online wine shop, you will find a wide selection of wines to suit every taste. Browse our collections and find the perfect picnic wines.
FEATURED WINE – RIETVALLEI CABERNET SAUVIGNON
The Rietvallei Cabernet Sauvignon forms part of our Classic Collection.
Cabernet Sauvignon originates from the Bordeaux region in France. It is one of the world’s most distinctive varietals, born from a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in the seventeenth century. Now a widely cultivated grape varietal in South Africa, the wine is known for its complex flavours and healthy tannins.
As a full-bodied wine with a deep, nearly black colour, the Rietvallei Cabernet Sauvignon is rich in complex flavours and tannins. Keep reading to find out more about this wine.
RIETVALLEI CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018
As a single varietal, the Rietvallei Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 offers an indulgent red wine that is made to be savoured.
TASTING NOTES
Rietvallei Cabernet Sauvignon is a dry, full-bodied red wine. It has a good concentration of soft, juicy tannins that balance the flavours of black current and chocolate on the palate. These flavours are further enhanced by a hint of vanilla and toastiness to finish. On the nose, red and black fruits, cherry, cassis and hints of coffee round off the complexity of the wine. It has an acidity of 6.4g per litre and a 13% alcohol percentage.
FOOD PAIRING
The rich, complex flavours and tannin concentration of this wine pair well with red meats, hearty pasta dishes, peppery sauces, portobello mushrooms, and other flavoursome dishes. Hard cheese such as aged cheddar, gorgonzola and or gouda pair well with this wine. For dessert or treats, try pairing this wine with very dark chocolate or cherry-infused dark chocolate. To get the full benefit of this wine, enjoy it at room temperature (18ºC).
You will find the Rietvallei Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 in our online store, to purchase online and enjoy delivery to your doorstep.
SA Wine Harvest 2022
Celebrate 363 years of the triumphant South African wine industry
Raise a glass and celebrate 363 years of South African wine heritage on 2 February 2022 at 20:00.
This momentous day marks the start of our winemaking industry and calls for all with a passion for South African wine to come together, wherever they are in the world and join in the celebratory online event.
This annual Wine Harvest Commemorative Event is free and open for all to attend and can be accessed on the day through a virtual link at www.sawineharvest.co.za. South Africa is the only country in the world that can accurately pinpoint the date of origin of our wine industry, thanks to Jan van Riebeeck’s diary entry on 2 February 1659 which read: “Today, praise be to God, wine was made for the first time from Cape grapes”. This occasion has become a significant and truly memorable day for both wine appreciators and winemakers. It honours the birth of the wine industry in South Africa, it asks for a blessing on the new harvest, and pays tribute to the trailblazers in the industry,” says Jean Naudé, CEO of Groot Constantia.
During the event, the wine industry gives due recognition to individuals for their exceptional contribution in the following categories: Visionary Leadership (1659 Visionary Leadership Award), Diversity and Transformation, Wine Appreciation and Wine Advancement and Viticulture and Wine Creation. This ceremony has been hosted since 1974 to honour individuals who have made great strides in the industry. Past recipients include Nelson Mandela, Unsung Wine Workers, Norma Ratcliffe, Beyers Truter and Charles Back. “We are excited by the upcoming harvest season and look forward to celebrating it with the rest of the industry, and wine lovers across the globe,” says Naudé. The blessing of the 2022 harvest will take place in the vineyards of Groot Constantia by Rev Desmond Meyer of the Uniting Reformed Church Koelenhof. Groot Constantia is South Africa’s oldest wine-producing farm established in 1685 by the then Governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel, and is considered the historical birthplace of the South African wine industry. “We encourage you to support participating wineries in their harvest festivities by sharing your news, stories and enjoying a glass of South African wine on Wednesday 2 February 2022. A case of exceptional South African wines can be won courtesy of wine.co.za when you post on social media using the hashtag #sawineharvest2022,” adds Naudé. The Wine Harvest Commemorative event is made possible by the financial support and partnerships of Ninety One, Groot Constantia, Standard Bank, Vinpro and Die Burger. Don’t forget to add Wednesday 2 February 2022, at 20:00, to your calendar and visit www.sawineharvest.co.za to follow the virtual link to be a part of the celebrations.
Chat on social media at @sawineharvest and remember to use the hashtag #sawineharvest2022.
Best Wines to Pair With Seafood Dishes
Wondering which wines pair with seafood dishes? As a general rule of thumb, white wines and sparkling wines are traditionally associated with seafood. With that said, you don’t have to skip your favourite red wines. Pairing wines with seafood comes down to the type of seafood. Some fish dishes pair well with richer wines, while many shellfish dishes are perfect with light whites or crisp rosés.
In this guide, we share some tips on how to choose the right wines to pair with seafood dishes of various types.
Which Wines Pair With Seafood Dishes?
Before we share our pairing suggestions, it’s also worth noting that wine is a personal experience. Pairing guidelines are there to enhance your experience by bringing out the flavours of both food and wine. With that said, you may have a favourite wine that you prefer drinking with a wide range of dishes. The most important thing is enjoyment.
Moving on to our suggestions, here’s how to decide on wines to pair with seafood dishes.
Light and sparkling wines
Crisp, fruity, fresh whites work best with lighter seafood dishes. These wines include Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé and unwooded Chardonnay. Sparkling wines also pair well with lighter seafood dishes. Dishes to enjoy with these wines include fresh oysters, mussels, crayfish, seafood salads, sushi, and grilled fish such as tuna.
Full-bodied whites
Full-bodied whites include wooded Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. Although these are whites, they have a more complex flavour rather than a fresh, zesty flavour. These wines pair well with more full-bodied seafood dishes. Cream-based sauces, oilier fish, grilled shellfish, prawn risotto, and broth-based soups.
Light to medium reds
While most reds are paired with red meats, some work well with certain seafood. Cabernet Sauvignon can pair well with fatty game fish such as swordfish and tuna, especially when prepared as steaks or used in richer dishes. It can also work in tomato-based seafood dishes or creamy seafood pasta. Avoid pairing any red with overly spicy seafood dishes, however, as the taste can veer towards metallic.
If you’re looking for more inspiration on how to pair wines with seafood, be sure to view our recipe collection or sign up to receive our exclusive cookbook.
4 Reasons to Join the Rietvallei Wine Club
If you are a lover of fine wines, the Rietvallei Wine Club is the best way to enjoy member-only benefits. At Rietvallei, we are proud to have established a reputation for excellence over the years. While we welcome many new customers each year, many of our customers return to our estate and online store to enjoy much-loved wines. Our membership club was designed to offer loyal customers a way to save on online purchases, earn points and enjoy exclusive benefits.
What makes the Rietvallei Wine Club a must to join and what can you expect as a member? Keep reading to find out more.
Why Join the Rietvallei Wine Club?
There are two membership options for the club – Basic Membership and Exclusive Membership. To qualify for the Basic Membership, spend R1000 or more. To gain access to the Premium Membership, spend R3000 or more. Some of the biggest benefits enjoyed by members of the Rietvallei Wine Club are as follows:
1. Discounts on your favourite wines
The Basic Membership offers discounts of 10% on online purchases, while the Premium Membership offers 20% off online purchases. This means that you will always have the chance to save on your favourite wines.
2. Loyalty points on wine purchases
You will also be able to earn points with every online purchase. Basic members receive 2.5% points, while Premium members earn 10% points. This gives you even more ways to save, with points redeemable when finalising your purchases.
3. Free delivery on orders of 12 bottles or more
As a member, you will get free delivery on orders of 12 bottles or more. This gives you even more ways to save on your purchase, avoiding delivery fees and taking advantage of our members-only discounts and points.
4. Updates on estate news and events
You will be kept in the loop on all estate updates and events, too. From new releases to upcoming events held at the estate, this will ensure that you are the first to know what is happening at Rietvallei.
Ready to join the family? Become a member of the Rietvallei Wine Club to enjoy all of these benefits and more.
Featured Wine – Rietvallei Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc grapes are one of the oldest cultivated varieties, originating in the Basque country, where France meets Spain. Today, it is grown all over the world and is mostly used as a blending component in premium red blends.
Cabernet Franc forms an integral part of Rietvallei’s Heritage Collection. There is the JMB Cabernet Franc, a single varietal version and then also as a main component in the Estéanna Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot blend.
Rietvallei Cabernet Franc
Rietvallei Cabernet Franc includes our signature single varietal as well as our delectable blended varietal.
JMB Cabernet Franc 2016
As a sought-after wine in our Heritage Collection, the JMB Cabernet Franc 2016 is a 100% cultivar wine. This wine has amassed a number of awards, making it one of our most prestigious reds. The wine is full-bodied and complex, with a deep red colour and the perfect balance between fruit and wood. It is aged for 26 months, giving it its distinctive toasty oak flavour. Notes of blackcurrant and plum on the palate and delicious tannins round off the wine. While it can be enjoyed from the bottle, it can also be further aged for 10 years or more to enhance its rich flavours even further. This wine is best served at room temperature, pairing well with red meats, pasta and other hearty meals.
Estéanna Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot 2016
The highly acclaimed Estéanna Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot 2016 is another award-winning wine in our Heritage Collection. This wine uses Cab Franc in a luscious blend of 62% Cabernet Franc, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot. Fruit and wood integration is brought through with notes of cherry, cassis, vanilla, floral, cedar, and acidity. Full tannins add depth to the wine, making it ideal in its youth or as a further matured wine in your cellar. Serve at room temperature with meats such as beef, lamb or game for maximum enjoyment.
You will find these exceptional Rietvallei Cabernet Franc wines in our store, to buy online and enjoy delivery to your doorstep.
