Pulpit Rock Chenin Blanc 2012

Many of my wine drinking companions use the first month of the year to give themselves a break from alcoholic drinks. A good idea I imagine especially after the festive season where the liver has been punished with an exhaustible amount of rich food and good wines! Along with a less rich diet it  helps us to cleanse our inner being and prepares us for the year ahead. As the month is still in the midst of summer we can enjoy lighter and simpler foods and an opportunity to be creative with less weight gaining recipes!!

However not all of us give up the fermented grape entirely during this time and what I do is limit my intake by taking a break during the week and only enjoy a glass or two of lighter style summery wines on the weekends. Our family enjoys trying out numerous salad recipes and especially when they include  smoked salmon or cold meats. Perhaps the most versatile style of wine to enjoy with these dishes is the reliable and versatile Chenin Blanc. Its a favourite variety in our home so we enjoy trying many examples  from different regions  as well as unwooded and wooded versions.

The variety also seems to do exceptionally well in the drier and hotter regions of our winelands and especially in the Paarl and Swartland districts.  A recent  trip to Riebeeck Kasteel in the Swartland led us to the Brink families winery called Pulpit Rock.  Situated on the foothills of the Kasteelberg Mountain the winery boats a state-of-the-art cellar. The name “pulpit” derives from a well known piece of the craggy background of the surrounding area.

Father and visionary behind Pulpit Rock, Ernst Brink established the winery in 2003 after having sent his two sons to study wine making at Elsenburg and the University of Stellenbosch. Ernst’s motto behind their wines is “good quality for a good price” and this certainly shows in their two excellent ranges of wines namely the Reserve and the Brink Family range. Both ranges have garnered awards and trophies to prove this as well as having many dedicated followers.

The Pulpit Rock Chenin Blanc 2012 from the Brink Family range is one of these award winning wines. Receiving a Best Value Award in 2012 as well as being the only Chenin Blanc singled out in the John Platter Guide for Exceptionally Drinkable and Well Priced wine it’s no wonder that this wine is so popular, and it’s currently my house wine at home! After unscrewing the cap and pouring a little into the glass I was greeted with subtle aromas of dried peach with distant hints of baked apple. The palate is rich, yet fresh and inviting with a delicious pear drop flavour leading to a clean and crisp fruity aftertaste which lingers on the palate, proving the true complexity of this variety. We enjoyed the wine at lunch on Sunday having prepared the delicious Rocket Barley Walnut Salad from Karen Dudley’s recipe book, The Kitchen.

Expect to pay: R35.00