Master of Wine:

Cuvée and Blend

Cuvée meets Blend: Two are better than one

Cuvée or Blend, they both mean the same thing: at least two wines are mixed together. What's the secret? Experience and craftsmanship. For our Master of Wine, Richard Bampfield, they are “another way to achieve more complexity and balance in wine”.

The Art of Blending

Whether in France (Cuvée) or South Africa (Blend), the technique is essentially the same worldwide: each wine is handled individually up to the point of fermentation. Only then are the flavours blended together.

Cape Blend vs. Bordeaux Blend

With a Cape Blend, Pinotage is always part of the mix. A glass tastes like a warm sunset after an endless summer's day. A Bordeaux blend, on the other hand, usually has a Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot base. It tastes like a walk through vineyards at dawn.

Recipe: Grilled Pineapple with Iced Piña Colada Yoghurt and Mint

If you like Piña Colada… then this dessert is your summer highlight. Caramelised pineapple from the grill meets fresh mint and a creamy coconut flavour: sweet, exotic, and wonderfully simple. Paired with a light Riesling, it's the perfect finish for any dinner.