The holiday season is a particularly warm and wonderful time of the year when we gather together to celebrate and to dine with family and friends.
And since red wine seems to go so well with the warmth of this special season – especially lighter-bodied red wines such as pinot noir, which offer structure and vibrancy but are not so tannic as to overpower your holiday fare – noted below are three personal libationary recommendations (all three from Oregon, by the way) to bring good cheer to your holiday celebrations and, perhaps, a special present to the wine lover in your life.
2019 Chad Pinot Noir Willamette Valley: On the nose, black cherry seems to predominate, aided and abetted by just a sensual touch of spice. The palate, vibrant & complex, is pure pinot, with an abundance of berry fruit flavors and soft, silky tannins. The finish is smooth & elegant. An outstanding wine, at an equally outstanding price point. To my knowledge, this wine is not available through Pennsylvania State Stores. It is, however, readily available from a variety of sources online, priced as low as $19.99.
2021 King Estate Inscription Willamette Valley Pinot Noir: Several years ago, King Estate launched a new brand of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir called Inscription, which was created expressly to demonstrate Oregon’s unique place among the world’s wines. The result has been overwhelmingly favorable among wine critics and wine lovers alike. This is a wine that is round on the palate, laced with strawberry & raspberry fruit flavors complemented by just a subtle hint of oak. Currently on sale at Total Wine for $19.99.
2019 Stoller Dundee Hills Pinot Noir: This is a lovely wine… and one of my favorite pinots. It is a bright ruby color in the glass and sports an equally bright nose alive with aromas of red fruits. Soft and elegant on the palate, its tannins are silky smooth, leading to a long, light and ethereal finish. Online, this wine will run in the $25.00 – $30.00 range. However, the last time I checked, PA State Stores were running a clearance sale of about $9.00 per bottle. And don’t fret if you cannot procure the 2019, the 2020 & 2021 are equally recommendable.
Cheers and Happy Holidays!
TAD
{ 0 comments }
Following a day of sightseeing in Reykjavik, on Friday, July 15, 2022, we boarded Silversea’s Silver Whisper for a 12-day cruise that would take us around Iceland and through the Faroe, Shetland, and Orkney Islands. Following a stop in Edinburgh, Scotland, we would disembark at Greenwich, England; and, from there, be transported to London, one of the world’s most civilized and livable cities.
Patreksfordur, Iceland: A tiny village (population approximately 721) named after Patrick, bishop in the Hebrides, who was the spiritual guide of Őrlygur Hrappson, the original settler in the area. A majority of the inhabitants are engaged in some form of fishing. Those that are not tend to hold down several occupations… Like our guide, for example. He is both a teacher and an amateur magician; and, on this particular day, happened to be filling in for a friend as our guide. He was delightfully informative and possessed a great sense of humor.
Akureyri, Iceland: Known as Iceland’s “Capital of the North,” Akureyri may be located a scant 60 miles from the Arctic Circle, but it blossoms with a certain cosmopolitan feel, especially during the summer months (the time of our recent visit). On this particular day, however, the weather was not the best – it rained the entire day – and our guide simply didn’t have her act together. Our excursion, however, was rather interesting…
Following a short visit, we journeyed to Nonnahús – Nonni’s House, the childhood home of writer and Jesuit priest Jón Sveinsson, “Nonni” (1857 – 1944). Sveinsson wrote 12 children’s books about his childhood in Iceland. And, although he wrote in German, his books have been translated into more than 40 languages, including Chinese and Esperanto.
Húsavik, Iceland: Framed by the majestic Húsavikurfjail Mountain on the shores of Skjálfandi Bay on Iceland’s north coast, Húsavik is home to just over 2,300 inhabitants.
Income on the island is derived basically from tourism and fishing, as well as certain retail stores and small industries. With respect to tourism, however, Húsavik’s claim to fame is that it has become a center of whale watching in Iceland, due to the different species that frequently enter the bay. The day of our excursion, it was the humpbacks that took center stage, swimming remarkably close to our (rather small) boat and otherwise putting on an amazing diving exhibition for an enthusiastic crowd of novice seagoers.
Seydisfjordur, Iceland: According to Frommer’s, this charming Icelandic village is nestled in an 11-mile fjord that is “lined with sheltering, snow-capped mountains and tumbling waterfalls.” Well… not quite. At least not the day of our visit. As you may clearly observe from the photograph, it was another one of those miserable rainy days… with all those charming “snow-capped mountains and tumbling waterfalls” totally obscured by a particularly pervasive low-cloud cover.
Runavik, Faroe Islands: Sandwiched between Norway and Iceland, this tiny cluster of 18 islands is something of an anomaly, as it is conspicuous by its absent from most itineraries, and generally overlooked – or ignored – by the peripatetic public. And this is truly unfortunate, as the Faroe Islands are utterly fascinating, to say the least.
The aquaculture industry in the Faroe Islands is committed to sustainability and sound stewardship of the environment. The industry worked closely with the Faroese Government to design and implement one of the most stringent aquaculture regulatory regimes governing veterinarian best practices in the world. The legislation ensures strict compliance with the highest level of fish welfare and environmental protection possible. This exclusive veterinary prevention program has been so effective that farmed salmon from the Faroe Islands are completely free of antibiotics. (Pictured: Runavik from the road above. Note the salmon farms in the upper left corner.)
During our drive back to the ship, our excellent guide planned a brief stop for coffee and cake at a small restaurant cum bowling establishment. One of the last places in the world you’d expect to find bowling lanes… Only six, but I just couldn’t resist taking a pic for all you bowlers back home!
Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland, U.K.: Situated between the Scottish and Norwegian coasts, just south of the Arctic Circle, the Shetland Islands are an archipelago in Scotland, United Kingdom, composed of over one hundred islands, fifteen of which are inhabited.
These islands are also home to the famous diminutive and wavy-fringed Shetland Ponies. Their presence here is a testimony to Viking history, as local horses bred with ponies brought ashore by Norse settlers created the crossbreed that is an icon of these islands today. They may be readily observed roaming freely on the rolling moors… But they are not nearly so plentiful as the sheep, which seem to be everywhere (approximately 150,000 compared to 25,000 inhabitants) – making many of the narrow roads nearly impassable – since there are no fences or other barriers to confine them.
The centerpiece of Kirkwall, the capital of this scenic archipelago, is the majestic St. Magnus Cathedral, which was founded by Earl Rognvald, nephew of St. Magnus, the Earl of Orkney, in the early 1100s. Construction of Britain’s northernmost cathedral began in 1137 and took 300 years to complete. When first built, the cathedral was part of the Archdiocese of Nidaros (Trondheim) in Norway.
Orkney became part of Scotland in 1468 and, a few years later, the cathedral was given to the people of Kirkwall by the Scots King, James III. After the Scottish Reformation in 1560, the cathedral was used for Protestant worship. Today, the cathedral belongs to the people of Orkney and is looked after by the Orkney Islands Council. It has a Church of Scotland congregation; and, by arrangement, can be used by any Christian denomination.
The Highland Park Distillery, one of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland, was founded by Magnus Eunson, a butcher and church officer by day and illicit distiller and whisky smuggler by night. In 1798 he was caught illegally distilling whisky on the site (There are numerous legends about the extent to which illicit distilling was occurring on Orkney, many of which involve accounts of the mayor of Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney, being a major smuggler!).
As well as being one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries, Highland Park also has the distinction of being the most northerly distillery in Scotland. And it produces an impressive range of official bottlings… 12-year-old, 18-year-old, 21-year-old, 25-year-old, 30-year-old and 40-year-old. The distillery also offers a series of special bottlings, which includes the “Valhalla” range, editions named after the Norse mythological gods, as well as an Orcadian Series, which is currently comprised of 1964, 1968, 1970, 1971, and 1976 bottlings. Highland Park is also used as a major component in the Famous Grouse whisky blend.
The final stop on our excursion was a visit to Orkney’s famous Italian Chapel. Apart from the nearby statue of St. George, the Chapel is the only relic of Camp 60, which, in the latter years of the Second World War, housed several hundred Italian prisoners. These men, captured during the North African campaign, were sent to Orkney to work on the Churchill Barriers, a massive series of concrete causeways that seal the eastern approaches to Scapa Flow (a natural harbor located off the coast of Scotland, United Kingdom).
At this point, the only thing the camp still lacked was a chapel, which was deeply felt by the prisoners, and the construction of which had been urged by the War Office Inspector of P.O.W. Camps. To whom the credit for the ambitious idea of building a chapel should ultimately be assigned remains something of a mystery. One point is certain, however… It developed as a natural outcome of the goodwill of the commandant, the pastoral concern of Father P. Gioacchino Giacobazzi, and the genius of the aforementioned Domenico Chiocchetti and his fellow prisoners. Who could possibly have foreseen that, under their hands, a building would be constructed that is still a thing of beauty and an inspiration to countless visitors.
Edinburgh, Scotland, U.K.: Recognized as the capital of Scotland since the 15th century, Edinburgh is the seat of the Scottish government, the Scottish Parliament, and the highest courts in Scotland. In addition, the city has long been a center of education, particularly in the fields of medicine, Scottish law, literature, philosophy, the sciences, and engineering.
Our day’s excursion took us by bus through the New and beautiful Old City, ending with a visit to the Edinburgh Castle. Situated on a volcanic crag called the Castle Rock, this majestic stronghold, former residence of Scottish monarchs, stands 443 feet above sea level, overlooking the city of Edinburgh (Pictured: View from Castle Rock).
The castle was repeatedly besieged during the 17th and early 18th centuries. It was captured twice, briefly, by Covenanters during the Bishops’ Wars of 1639 and 1640 and was seized by Oliver Cromwell’s New Model Army in 1650 during the English Civil Wars. Between 1757 and 1814, the castle housed prisoners of war taken by the British in the Seven Years’ War, the American Revolution, and the Napoleonic Wars. Still in use by the British military are the New Barracks (1796-99). Elsewhere on the castle grounds, Scotland honors it military tradition in the Scottish National War Memorial (opened 1927) and the National War Museum (opened 1933). The castle is the traditional repository of the Honours of Scotland, the country’s crown jewels. A more ancient relic of Scottish royalty is the Stone of Scone (or Stone of Destiny), which arrived at the castle in 1996, exactly 700 years after it was removed to England. The stone is a block of sandstone upon which Scottish monarchs were traditionally crowned.
Just outside the castle drawbridge is a large open area called the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade (pictured), where grandstand seating is installed annually for an international military music festival called the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and for other summer concerts.
The Mat Bar is what we would call a “gastropub.” A combination of the words “pub” and “gastronomy,” the term was first coined in 1991 to emphasize the exceptional quality of cuisine served in what is usually referred to as a kind of local “happy-tappy.” In other words, a gastropub focuses not only on what you drink, but what you eat as well. As someone once said, “think of it as a restaurant in a pub.”
… And they arrive at table individually, as they are prepared. The night of our visit, the first small plate to put in an appearance was the Cod Crudo (Crudo, which means “raw,” is a dish that originated in Spain and Italy. It is raw fish – in this case, cod – that is splashed with olive oil or light vinaigrette and a variety of herbs). The presentation here added an intriguing combo of diced apples, crumbled rye bread, and garden cress.
Next up were the Broccoli and Celeriac Cannelloni (pictured together). The broccoli was seasoned with a subtle hint of sweetness, salted lemon and mint. It also sported a bit of heat, as the florets were rubbed in chili oil before cooking.
Our one shared large plate – the high point of the evening – was the absolutely spectacular Eggplant Tempura. For starters, the tempura batter was delicate, crispy, and utterly ethereal on the palate. The eggplant sections were just the right consistency – neither too firm nor too mushy – and impeccably seasoned… And the accompanying puttanesca sauce with a sprinkling of fresh basil was the pièce de résistance. “Herein lies Mat Bar’s appeal,” as the Reykjavik Grapevine so aptly put it. “Every dish is remarkable, in one way or another, with bold choices in presentation, flavor combinations, and unusual twists on well-known recipes. Everyone at the table tastes each course, making for animated conversation as you and your fellow diners untangle the complexities of each dish, and form opinions about your favorites.”
My Penicillin, which is served on the rocks and was mentioned in detail in a previous article, incorporated Johnnie Walker Red Label Scotch, honey, ginger, lemon, Angostura Bitters, and a splash of peated Scotch over the top. In his 2016 book A Proper Drink, cocktail historian Robert Simonson referred to the Penicillin as “the most well-traveled and renowned new cocktail of the 21st century.”
In addition to a nice writeup in Frommer’s, Mat Bar was chosen as 2018 Best Vegetarian Meal, 2018 One of the Best Places for Cocktails, 2018 Best Place to Start the Night, 2018 Best Goddamn Restaurant, and 2019 Runner-Up Best Goddamn Restaurant by the Reykjavik Grapevine.
It was the middle of July, but, as expected, the weather was cold, damp & dreary with a light, misty rain. The landscape around Keflavik Airport was incredibly desolate (pictured above), made even more so by the inclement weather. There was not a tree in sight, the result, as our driver pointed out, of the various lava flows from the nearby still active volcano (which erupted once again two weeks after we had returned to the United States).
Via Silversea, our cruise line, we were booked into the Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, just east of the downtown area. Originally opened in 1965, it became part of the Hilton chain in 2007 and completely renovated. The chrome-glass natural-wood interior is sleek and modern – a bit too modern for my tastes; and the postage stamp-sized bathroom wasn’t much of a turn-on either – but the place did grow on us. The bar/lounge, for example, was especially comfortable, boasting, among its other attributes, a beautiful spiral staircase that wound its way up to the hotel’s top floor.
As I mentioned above, when we arrived at the airport, the weather was a good deal less than hospitable. However, by the time we settled in at our hotel, the day had turned sunny and the temperature had warmed significantly. So much so, in fact, that we decided to take the on/off bus tour of Reykjavik… And since we only had the remainder of the day before embarking on our cruise, this seemed the most logical way to see the city. I won’t bore you with a blow-by-blow description, but several stops did stand out.
Encompassing a variety of artistic venues, Harpa was developed in consultation with artistic advisor Vladimir Ashkenazy and international consultant Jasper Parrott. It is the country’s premier music and event center, hosting films, concerts, and various performances every night of the week. The beautiful space also includes several stores, two restaurants, and a long-distance bus stop.
The distinctive exterior, with its prominent steeple, is often described as both primordial and futuristic, as if the church were some kind of volcano or glacier that had been transformed into a rocket ship. A statue of Leif Eiriksson is aligned directly in front of the church, as if he’s about to lead it down the hill. The statue was a gift from the United States to commemorate the 1,000th anniversary of the founding of Iceland’s parliament.
One of Reykjavik’s most distinctive landmarks, Perlan (The “Pearl”) is a museum and rotating glass dome that stands on the top of Őskjuhliö Hill surrounded by forest. The site is built on top of six water tanks that store millions of liters of Reykjavik’s hot water.
One final note… If you’re a chess fan, Iceland holds one additional treasure. In the village of Selfoss, just a short drive from Reykjavik, you will find the Bobby Fischer Center, a small non-profit biographical museum housing memorabilia of the 1972 World Chess Champion Bobby Fischer.
The Touzot family domaine is located in the northernmost part of France’s Mâcon region of Burgundy, just south of the Côte Chalonnaise. Their 209+ acres of vineyards are planted with 70% chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir.
…And the 2020 Domaine Touzot Chardonnay Vieilles Vignes Mâcon-Villages certainly bears witness to this assessment. The chardonnay grapes are hand-harvested and then quickly pressed in a state-of-the-art pneumatic press, in order to extract all the fruit and aromas while avoiding any bitterness. After two days of cold stabilization and a light clearing of the juice (débourbage), the wine is slowly fermented in temperature-controlled, stainless-steel coves for ten to fifteen days. The wine is aged on its lees in tanks and undergoes full malolactic fermentation in January. It is then bottled in April.
The 2018 Domaine Touzot Bourgogne Pinot Noir is a rustic, concentrated Pinot Noir with significant fruit intensity. Pale ruby in color, medium-bodied, dry & tart, with subtle tannins and balanced acidity, the 2018 is mellow but powerful, with a decided hint of bitterness that is quite pleasing to the palate. The price is also rather pleasing as well… $19.99 at Pennsylvania State Stores.
Tucked away in the original carriage house of the Wentworth Mansion, replete with its original pine floors and enchanting architectural accoutrements, Circa 1886, as their website so understatedly notes, “evokes the romance and Old-World charm of historic downtown Charleston.” An understatement, indeed, considering that in 2020 the restaurant was cited as one of “The Most Romantic Restaurants in the World” by Architectural Digest.
But Circa 1886 offers diners infinitely more than alluring ambience, as the restaurant is consistently ranked as one of the finest the city of Charleston has to offer. For over a decade, Executive Chef Marc Collins has worked with local farmers and fishermen to create an innovative seasonal & local menu that has taken Lowcountry cuisine to new culinary heights… In 2019, he launched a unique four-part menu that takes diners on an historical journey through South Carolina’s fascinating foodways – Tastes of Native Tribes… Flavors Brought from Africa… Influences from Europe – and how these elements have been fused into a decidedly modern take on Lowcountry cuisine… South Carolina Today.
My dining companion’s Shrimp n’ Rice Grits (from Africa; pictured) was equally au courant, incorporating smoked ham hock gravy, Burden Creek Dairy goat cheese, and tiara of cabbage leaves.
Our denouement of choice, however, was the Strawberry Shortcake Soufflé (South Carolina Today; pictured): beautifully textured buttermilk soufflé, rich, decadent Grand Marnier ice cream, and sweet fresh strawberries… Incomparable.
If you are visiting the Charleston area, Circa 1886 is certainly worth a visit. Check that… a journey.
Docks Seafood Restaurant & Market, 15 Evans Street, South Portland, Maine, (207) 899-4433, 
Finny fare includes items like Grilled Swordfish; Salmon, baked or grilled; Haddock, baked or stuffed; and such sundry other possibilities as Seafood Newburg, Fisherman’s Platter, Seafood Alfredo, and baked or seared Scallops. My traveling companion opted for the Fish & Chips, while I settled on the Haddock Reuben (pictured), an utterly delicious amalgam of fried local haddock, Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Thousand Island dressing sandwiched between toasted slices of Mainly Grains marble rye.
The Fix Burger Bar, 108 Grove Street, Worcester, Massachusetts, (774) 823-3327, 
There are a number of interesting ways to start things off here – the Mac & Cheese with parmesan, cheddar & truffle breadcrumbs looks like a good bet… ditto the Spicy & Sweet Snaps, roasted sugar snap peas, spicy sweet soy glaze, crushed cashews, and red pepper flakes. Then there’s always Roasted Garlic Hummus or Potato Chip Nachos with short rib, cheddar, fresh jalapeño, whisky BBQ, corn, onion, and chili sour cream. Our starter of choice, however, was the Fried Pickles. They are crispy crinkle cuts with a dynamite horseradish dipping sauce (pictured). This is a really great starter. Just a hint of dill through the light breading with the sauce adding a nice bit of heat. If you’ve never tried fried pickles, you’re in for a real treat.
With a name like Fix Burger Bar, burgers are, as you have probably surmised, nothing short of spectacular. They are, as the menu notes, “cooked through while remaining tender and juicy.” Without doubt, the best I have tasted anywhere. Possibilities range from the Bigger Mac, obviously a takeoff on McDonald’s (2 ¼ lb. house patties, special sauce, lettuce, American cheese, pickles, onions, sesame bun), through the Mushroom (sautéed mushrooms, grilled onion, arugula, Swiss cheese, truffle mayo, brioche roll), the Bacon Blue (Great Hill blue cheese, bacon, red leaf lettuce, red onion, tomato, creamy Frank’s Red Hot, brioche roll), the Phenomenal (bacon, smoked gouda, fried egg, frizzled onion, sweet chili ranch, brioche roll), culminating with the Gatsby (pictured), the most expensive burger on the menu, (1/2 lb. American Wagyu patty, clothbound cheddar, slab bacon, grilled onion, ancho ketchup, brioche roll).
Desserts, which we did not sample, also look good. The two listed on the menu are B5 Chocolate Spring Rolls (white chocolate mousse, ginger strawberry sauce, whipped cream) and Pistachio Cheesecake (orange honey, crème Chantilly, candied pistachio).
In the title of his recent article in the Robb Report, Jason O’Bryan described the Penicillin as “the Most Successful Whiskey Cocktail of the Millennium (So Far).” And in his 2016 book A Proper Drink, cocktail historian Robert Simonson referred to the Penicillin as “the most well-traveled and renowned new cocktail of the 21st century.” Today, Penicillin is considered a modern classic; and yet, somehow, also a reminder of the past as well.
Be that as it may… I freely confess that I had been absolutely unaware of this libation before I spied it on the cocktail list at the Mat Bar (pictured; full review at a later date), a cozy little gastropub in Reykjavik, Iceland, and decided to give it a try. The name, of course, caught my eye immediately, as did the intriguing list of ingredients: Johnnie Walker Red Label Scotch, honey, ginger, lemon, and Angostura Bitters. If I order a cocktail before dinner, I prefer a predominance of bitterness rather than sweetness… and the Penicillin definitely exceeded my expectations.
Unlike the Negroni cocktail, mentioned in a previous newsletter, which traces its history back to 1919, the Penicillin is a relatively recent phenomenon. It was created in 2005 by Sam Ross (pictured), a native of Melbourne, Australia, at New York City’s famous Milk & Honey Bar. Just 22-years-old at the time, he was experimenting with Gold Rush, a cocktail that featured bourbon, lemon juice, and honey. He decided to skip the bourbon and, instead, mix blended Scotch with fresh lemon and a homemade honey-ginger syrup. The result was a beautiful balance of sweet, tart & spicy, similar to that found in a Whiskey Sour. The real genius of the drink, however, was the quarter-ounce of smoky Scotch that he floated on top. Served in a rocks glass, it really spiked up the aromatics.
INSTRUCTIONS
There is absolutely no shortage of Mexican restaurants in the Phoenixville/King of Prussia area. However… if you consider yourself a discriminating connoisseur of south-of-the-border cuisine, a road trip to Chadds Ford is something of a must. I say this because Agave, which made its debut on January 25, 2017 – and was previously reviewed by this writer in February 2018 – remains, in my opinion, the numero uno Mexican eatery in Philadelphia’s western suburbs.
On the other hand, if you’d prefer something a bit lighter, the kitchen also does a commendable job with salads. For example, the Salpicon Salad (or salpicón, meaning “hodgepodge” or “medley” in Spanish) is comprised of romaine lettuce, diced tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado, radishes, queso fresco, and white wine tomatillo vinaigrette. My favorite, however, which I’ve sampled on numerous occasions, is the incomparable Quinoa Salad (pictured), a delightful amalgam of pumpkin seeds, avocado, raisins, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and queso fresco splashed with an enticing lemon vinaigrette dressing. Simply not to be missed.
As I mentioned in my initial review four years ago, as you move on to what would be considered entrées, the tacos – all served on homemade corn tortillas – are definitely a cut above. My favorites include Coliflor (cauliflower and chick peas), Costilla (short rib braised in guajillo chili sauce, and Pescado (mahi mahi served with chipotle aioli, red cabbage coleslaw & avocado). But the Taco Tasting Platter, which I thoroughly enjoyed during a previous visit, is clearly the way to go here (pictured with side of Kennett Square Mushrooms). Choose your five favorites and feel free to share.
During my most recent visit, however, matters piscatorial took center stage. The Bronzino, Mediterranean sea bass, was exceptional… but the Salmon a la Plancha (pictured), grilled salmon served on a seabed of quinoa and arugula was even better. I seldom order salmon when dining out, as I so often prepare it at home… However, companioned by perfectly prepared julienne vegetables, this filet was an incredible textural treat, cooked through (as opposed to translucent) but still incredibly moist and flavorful. Just the way I like it. Kudos.
As I mentioned in my first review, Mexican restaurants aren’t known for their desserts… but Agave’s renditions are definitely worth the extra calories. The Flan is quite good… ditto the Spicy Chocolate Mousse Cake. Though not noted on the printed menu, when it is available, the Cheesecake with Tequila Sauce is excellent. Even better, however, is the spectacular Cheesecake with Crème Brûlée Topping. The thick Graham cracker crust provides a fabulous crunch, while swatches of raspberry sauce add touches of color and a tangy contrast to the sugary crème brûlée.
The term “Essay” is a play on words, as it refers to the popular abbreviation for South Africa (SA). But it also implies “assemblage,” or the blending of elements to create a whole that is greater than the sum of its individual parts.
Initiated by partners/cellarmasters José Conde and Tyrrel Myburgh of MAN Family Wines and head winemaker Riaan Möller (pictured), Essay Wines consists of two blended Mediterranean-style vintages produced from grapes grown in the Agter-Paarl (“behind Paarl”) Cape Coast region of South Africa. The vineyards are grown sustainably, are unirrigated, and are planted on old shale soils, which tend to produce grapes with good minerality coupled with fresh fruitiness.
And the price is quite a delight as well. The 2021 Essay Wines Chenin Blanc retails around the $10.00 mark.