The Beachhouse White Wine 2010

The Beachhouse White Wine 2010

Origin: Western Cape, South Africa
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (80%), Semillon (20%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: August 2011
Purchase Price: $8.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Light gold with green/silver highlights, this wine has aromas of citrus (orange, lime) and lemongrass with fresh floral and herbal notes. The citrusy, but not too tart, flavors are accompanied by tropical fruit, but not too sweet, flavors on the palate. The finish is very brief, but has a touch of minerality to it.

Our rating: There is not much complexity to the wine, which is not necssarily a fault as we think it makes the wine quite versatile, able to pair with a wide variety of foods. In our opinion, South African Sauvignon Blancs generally work best with moderately spicy Asian cuisines, regardless of underlying protein, and this wine did not disappoint in that regard. We served our bottle with orange chicken, and found it to be an appropriate pairing. The inclusion of Semillon in this blend seems to soften the wine a bit, a nice touch, and one that should appeal to those who may consider some Sauvignon Blancs as too harsh. We rate this wine Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Twinkling bright and pale straw with playful lemongrass and gooseberry aromas layered with hints of honeysuckle and tangerine that race across the palate in a refreshing burst of tantalising citrus fruit finishing with a vibrant crispness.

Winery website: The Beachhouse: A Wine by Douglas Green.