While Sauvignon Blanc may not be my favourite wine varietal, there are a few, particularly from the Constantia Wine Valley, that I love. I recently had the opportunity of tasting the new Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blanc 2018. For an added bit of fun, we also learnt how to make Flammkuchen.
Constantia Glen
Constantia Glen is located below Constantia Nek, in the Constantia Wine Valley. This gorgeous boutique wine estate produces a range of premium, cool climate wines. As I have mentioned previously, Constantia is the oldest wine producing region in South Africa, dating back to 1685.
The Winemaker responsible for producing their fantastic range of Bordeaux-style wines is Justin van Wyk. He began his winemaking journey ten years ago, harvesting grapes at St Emilion in France. Justin joined the Constantia Glen team in 2008 as their assistant winemaker. His winemaking ethos is firmly rooted in respecting the terroir and allowing wine to maintain its identity and sense of place.
The first Constantia Glen vines were planted in 2000, and the first vintage of Sauvignon Blanc harvested in 2005. Their first two Sauvignon Blanc vintages were made at neighbouring cellars. In 2007, they completed their own cellar, just in time for the harvest season. And as they say in the classics that was history. Today they produce a fantastic range of wines are among one of the gems of the Constantia Wine Valley.
Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blanc
Although admittedly my favourite Constantia Glen wines are red varietals, I was excited to try their Sauvignon Blanc. I am not a huge Sauvignon Blanc fan, but as I mentioned if I had to choose one, it would more than likely be from the Constantia Wine Valley.
A factor that may be of interest to you is that the Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blancs have exceptional ageing potential. Their ageing potential is primarily due to the signature cool climate, which allows for intense concentration of flavours, low pH and good acidity in the grapes. These elements add a freshness that gives the wine longevity.
We use lees contact and add a small portion of Semillon to coat the acidity and add weight and texture, which also contributes to the age-ability of the wine. ~ Justin van Wyk
2018 Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blanc
The Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blanc 2018, is made from grapes from the dryland vineyards, on the upper reaches of Constantia Nek. With this vintage, the concentration of flavour, as well as high acidity in the grapes, has resulted in a wine that is in zesty and vibrant, despite the severe drought that Cape Town suffered this year.
On the nose, you can initially expect zesty aromas of lime and lemongrass, which give way to more tropical notes, such as grapefruit and white peach. The nose is elegant and bold, reminiscent of a tropical summer breeze, inviting you to take your first sip. The palate delivers more intense tropical fruits, with just enough minerality to create balance. In my opinion, it is still a very young wine, which I would love to taste again in a few years.
As well as tasting the new vintage we were able to do a vertical tasting to compare it with its predecessors. Vertical tasting helps emphasise the differences between vintages, especially the effects climate can have on the grapes harvested each year.
Flammkuchen
Next up was a master class in Flammkuchen making. Flammkuchen or flame cake is made from bread dough. The key to a good flame cake is how the dough is rolled out. It needs to be very thin, which is quite a lengthy process. Once rolled out very thin, it is prebaked in the oven for a short time at high heat, the toppings are then added, and it goes back into the oven until crispy. Traditional toppings include raw onions, bacon and sour cream, lightly seasoned with salt and pepper. Our task was to create our own Flammkuchen “recipe”, to pair with the 2018 Sauvignon Blanc.
It was such a fun, interactive experience, forcing us to tap into both our food and wine knowledge. I was really happy with mt efforts and even won a bottle of wine!
Wine Tasting & Menu
Wine tasting options at Constantia Glen range from R45 to R90 per person, depending on the wines you select. If you purchase wine, to the value of R350, one wine tasting fee will be waived.
As well as wine tasting you can order from a selection of Flammkuchen, as well as delicious salads. You can also enjoy one of their famous Cheese & Charcuterie Platters to accompany your wine tasting.
Availability and Price
The Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blanc 2018 is available directly from the estate, as well as fine dining restaurants and boutique wine shops. It sells at a cellar door price of R180 per bottle.
Address & Contact Details
Address: Constantia Main Rd, Constantia, Cape Town, 7806. Contact via telephone 021 795 6100 or email
[email protected].
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Disclosure
Wine tasting and lunch were complimentary. We have no material connection to the brands, products, or services mentioned in this post. Care has been taken to ensure that all information provided, including prices, are deemed correct at time of publishing. These are, however, subject to change at the establishment’s discretion. Please note that all opinions, content, and images are the property of Inspired Living or Fiona Rossiter unless otherwise stated. To see more, read the full PR & Disclosure Policy below.
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