The blend: Spice Route Chakalaka is a unique blend of 6 Rhône varietals, always the same 6 varietals selected for their suitability to the Swartland’s harsh growing conditions and blended to express the region’s unique terroir. The percentages of the blend change according to the vintage with the 2019 vintage a blend of 25% Carignan | 22% Shiraz | 20% Mataro (Mourvèdre) | 16% Durif (Petite Sirah) | 14% Grenache Noir | 3% Tannat.
The underground tasting cellar at Spice Route
In the cellar: The six varietals are kept separate during the winemaking process until the final blending when they will each make their own unique contribution to create this exciting wine. Destalking and light crushing is followed by fermentation in open concrete fermenters (‘kuipe’) with regular manual punch downs. The wines were then racked off and sent to barrel for malolactic fermentation and 12 months maturation in older French and American oak for 12 months. Post blending, the final wine was returned to the oak barrels for further maturation.
Wines mural in the Tasting Centre
In the glass: A deep ruby red in the glass, this rich and luscious wine displays ripe juicy black currant, cherry and plum notes with lovely purity, with white pepper, spiced meats, smoky cloves, nutmeg and vanilla complementing the wine’s bold fruit character. Full-bodied, intense, silky and smooth with a rich texture, the palate has Rhône-style depth with skilfully integrated oak, smooth structured tannins and a lingering spice finish.
Tasting Centre
Awards: Spice Route Chakalaka’s acclaim over the years includes 5 stars, Gold medals and a Trophy at the Decanter World Wine Awards, Top 100 awards, Double Platinum and Grand Cru National Champion at the National Wine Challenge, excellent ratings by Tim Atkin and Platter’s SA Wine Guide and more.
Food pairing: Chakalaka is a fantastic food wine. Just as the Chakalaka spicy South African relish adds the WOW factor to any dish, so too the Spice Route Chakalaka, equally at home at a fancy restaurant or around the fire, enriches any occasion with delectable flavour and local flair. Chakalaka, of course, likes spice. After all, ‘spice is the spice of life!” Think intensely flavoured South African cuisine like curry, bobotie, braaied spicy meat (Shisa Nyama – served with Chakalaka relish and pap), Middle Eastern and Asian inspired cuisine.
Approximately R195 a bottle