The Beachhouse Sauvignon Blanc 2011
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Goes with almost any fish or seafood especially sushi, shrimp, soft shell crabs, prawns, oysters or mussels in creamy white wine. It's delicious with roast chicken, smoked turkey salads, macaroni cheese or any other creamy pasta. Also perfect served well chilled on its own.
Blend: 80% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Semillon
Sourced from South Africa and Italy, the Beachhouse collection of wines is inspired by coastal living and relaxed food & wine experiences. The wines of South Africa are grown and produced in some of the most exciting and dramatic vineyard lands in the world, with a viticultural history dating back 350 years. The maritime influence is from both the Indian and Atlantic Oceans and plays an indisputable role in crafting balanced, fresh wines.
The Beachhouse is an inspirational range of five vibrant wines that are crafted to be enjoyed anywhere, anytime – with or without food. This lifestyle brand encourages its consumers to enjoy life with family and friends as well as quiet time to celebrate their individuality, relax, seek peace and daily happiness.
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.
With an important wine renaissance in full swing, impressive red and white bargains abound in South Africa. The country has a particularly long and rich history with winemaking, especially considering its status as part of the “New World.” In the mid-17th century, the lusciously sweet dessert wines of Constantia were highly prized by the European aristocracy. Since then, the South African wine industry has experienced some setbacks due to the phylloxera infestation of the late 1800s and political difficulties throughout the following century.
Today, however, South Africa is increasingly responsible for high-demand, high-quality wines—a blessing to put the country back on the international wine map. Wine production is mainly situated around Cape Town, where the climate is generally warm to hot. But the Benguela Current from Antarctica provides brisk ocean breezes necessary for steady ripening of grapes. Similarly, cooler, high-elevation vineyard sites throughout South Africa offer similar, favorable growing conditions.
South Africa’s wine zones are divided into region, then smaller districts and finally wards, but the country’s wine styles are differentiated more by grape variety than by region. Pinotage, a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, is the country’s “signature” grape, responsible for red-fruit-driven, spicy, earthy reds. When Pinotage is blended with other red varieties, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah or Pinot Noir (all commonly vinified alone as well), it is often labeled as a “Cape Blend.” Chenin Blanc (locally known as “Steen”) dominates white wine production, with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc following close behind.