” WINE IS BOTTLED POETRY ” – ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

Country – South Africa

Region – Swartland

Grape Variety– Malbec

Winery – Kumala, Accolade Wines

ABV – 14%

Food Pairing – Beef, Lamb and Poultry

Retail – £7

History

Surrounding South Africa’s legendary Table Mountain is a place of lush fertility and natural beauty. The home of Kumala where they make quality wines, that are full of character. They are able to source their wine fruits from five main regions of South Africa’s wine producing land and vineyards across Western Cape. From Olifants River, through Paarl and Stellenbosch to Worcester.

It’s been a while since I’ve had South African wine. My choice for this week was the Kumala Reserve Malbec 2019. This Malbec is very smooth and easy drinking wine with a spicy finish. A very intense red wine and nicknamed ‘Black Wine’ due to it deep dark colour. And I must confess it is one of the nicest Malbec I’ve had in a while. With delicious, intense ripe plum and blackberry aromas, this Malbec is great on its own or perfect with beef, lamb or poultry. With the lockdown in place I have been cooking and pairing wine a lot than usual. Despite its tannic content which normally invite pairing it with meat base dishes, for this Kumala Reserve Malbec I paired it with a simple warm Mediterranean salad for a late afternoon nibble the first time. The second time I opted to pair it with fish which surprised me how well it worked.