At the table with Cuvée Ameena 2022
Powerful and spicy, this wine deserves dishes with pronounced flavors such as West Indian black pudding, a spiced rack of lamb, a leg of deer or a grilled duck breast. It can also be used with a beautiful alpine Etivaz or a lovely matured Beaufort!
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Let's talk little, let's talk wine
Cuvée Ameena 2022Dorrance
This 100% Syrah cuvée reveals a rich aromatic profile, supported by spicy, supple tannins. It is an elegant, complex wine, peppery, with liquorice and notes of morello cherry, chocolate and small black berries, and a touch of vanilla. The "Ameena" cuvée, named after the winemaker's daughter, was aged in 500-litre French oak barrels for 24 months and is unfiltered. Like all the estate's wines, it is made using low-intervention winemaking with natural yeasts, very low sulphur levels and no filtration at bottling. This lacy wine has lovely finesse, melted tannins and an acidity that reveals superb balance. It is a wonderful nod to the wines of the Northern Rhône Valley.
Where are we traveling?
Western CapeSouth Africa
Western Cape
It is by far the best known and most emblematic geographical area of South Africa. It is home to the prestigious Stellenbosch, Paarl and Cape Town regions and can be considered the epicenter of the wine region. The climate is essentially Mediterranean. The Western Cape region is crossed by spectacular mountain ranges which are particularly important for viticulture because they form particularly interesting microclimates for varietal diversity.
The sub-region: The Swartland
Traditionally a grain-producing region, Swartland, whose name means "Black Land" in Dutch, has become in around fifteen years one of the most emblematic wine-growing regions in South Africa. The topography of the region is very varied and vineyards can be found on mountainsides or on the rolling hills that dot the region. The climate is warm Mediterranean with oceanic influences as we get closer to the Atlantic coast. The warm climate greatly reduces the incidence of disease. The rainfall is 400 mm per year but the region includes many plots of old, non-irrigated vines with very low yields. The floors are mainly composed of slates. There are also pockets of granite particularly around the Paardeberg mountain. Most vineyards are goblet pruned, a pruning which provides strong resistance to heat and drought. The main grape varieties of the region are Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Chenin Blanc.
The little history of the country
South Africa
The first vines were planted in South Africa by Dutch settlers in the 1650s, although wine production did not really begin to take off until the arrival of French Protestants, in the 1680s, with their skills and their knowledge of viticulture. Stellenbosch is also a historic wine region, with the first vineyards being planted there in the 1690s.
Today South Africa is one of the most important wine producing countries in the southern hemisphere. With over 300 years of winemaking history, it is often described as a bridge between the Old and New Worlds. The majority of wines are produced using New World winemaking techniques, but they often have more in common stylistically with their Old World counterparts. Since the end of apartheid, South African wine has received international attention and acclaim for its wide variety of styles.
South Africa's wine industry is spread across the lush and rugged landscape of the Western Cape. Here, the abundance of mountains, valleys and plateaus allows winemakers to produce a wide variety of styles. Vineyards can also be found in the Orange River region of the Northern Cape, where the flat, arid landscape is dominated by the Kalahari Desert. Most of South Africa's wine regions have a Mediterranean climate, strongly influenced by the meeting of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
The country's signature grape variety is Pinotage, an indigenous cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut that is rarely found in quantity in other wine-producing countries. Shiraz (Syrah) is also widely planted, as are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (often combined in a Bordeaux blend). South African Chardonnay, Chenin and Sauvignon Blanc have become popular internationally in recent years.
All about Cuvée Ameena 2022
At what temperature should Cuvée Ameena 2022 be served?
Between 16 and 18 °C. An hour in a decanter helps it open up.
How long can Cuvée Ameena 2022 be kept?
Ageing potential: 5 to 10 years, until around 2032. Store the bottle lying down, away from light, at around 12 °C.
Which grapes make up Cuvée Ameena 2022?
Grapes: 100% Syrah. Origin: Western Cape, South Africa. Alcohol: 13%.
What to serve with Cuvée Ameena 2022?
Cuvée Ameena 2022 pairs well with lamb, beef, hard cheese and game. Our dish ideas are in the food pairing box at the top of the page.