I was supposed to post a blog yesterday, but due to some bad news regarding the apartment I live in, I have lost all my inspiration to write. Even though my “muse” made me feel better, I could not conjure up a topic. So I went home in a rather depressing mood.
Kind of like this... but with wine
Lo and behold, upon walking through the door, on my kitchen table was a bottle of Kaapzicht Merlot 2007… It was like walking in at the apartment with your girlfriend waiting for you in her lingerie…
I undid the foil and popped the cork with much anticipation. The wine poured from the bottle into my glass, like a burgundy silk kimono being dropped slowly to the floor. Immediately my senses were filled with ripe fresh red berries with a hint of smokiness, like cherry tobacco,
Sorry kids
with its sweet and seductive perfume. Upon tasting the wine, cherries and ripe strawberries filled my mouth with a hint of liquorish and mint. The oak integration leaves you as if you were French kissed, wanting more…
Recently I was fortunate enough to sit around a particulary long table with some top South African Winemakers, one of them being Danie Steytler from Kaapzicht Wine Estate. Danie mentioned that Merlot is a very “feminine” grape variety that has elegant soft round tones and light berry fruit. From what I have tasted I totally understand what he meant by that little number that “took me” in the kitchen.
Merlot needs to be taken care of since it is a rather thin skinned grape and is prone to diseases like mildew and rot. Merlot is much more approachable than Cabernet Sauvignon’s masculine character, which can be too hard, tannic and edgy.
Why, hello....
Personally, I always thought that Merlot was too boring as a wine. Never really standing out, never really memorable, even though the Merlot is one of the most asked for wines per glass in restaurant. I would ask wine drinkers “Tell me what was the last Merlot that really knocked your socks off?” Normally the response would be “Ag-ja-no-well, you know?” Merlot tends to be one of those wines that pleases the palate, matches well with red meats but is easily forgotten.
Well, what I will have to say is that there are quite a few “boring” Merlots out there on the market. So go out and look for her, because when you get a good bottle of Merlot… boy are you in for a surprise!
Wine on the Blog 