Summer Wine Series: Fleur Du Cap 2012 Chardonnay

Oh my gosh, you guys! Summer is winding down. It’s late August and it won’t be long before it’s all “I love your sweater”, and “those boots are amazing”. But before we bid adieu to the dog days of summer, we have to wrap up the EDT summer wine series. And what better way to do it than with a tropical tasting chardonnay from Fleur Du Cap? So let’s have just one more before you turn over that summer wardrobe.

Cultivate Summer time

Fleur Du Cap is one of South Africa’s favourite brands. You see the grapes are cultivated in a south-facing vineyard just outside the town of Stellenbosch within the Cape Floral Kingdom. Wines made here benefit from the diverse and rich terroir that brings subtle summer flavours to each glass. The growing areas are idyllically cool with temperatures moderated by breezes coming in from the Atlantic and Indian Oceans (so romantic). The cool air slows the growing season and ultimately the ripening time while the rich south facing soil sees that grapes receive optimal water.

Once harvested, grapes are stored in the infamous Die Bergkelder or “cellar in the mountain” to age medieval style. Since 1979 Fleur Du Cap has been offering unfiltered wines made with minimal human interference matured in small casks. For varietals like Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blanc this process allows grapes to develop a complex and abundant flavour showing their true varietal character.

What It’s Like (In Your Mouth)

In addition to being citrusy (it is a chardonnay) this wine holds hints of apple and pear. It’s rich, full-bodied and won’t finish sweet and stick—like good Chardonnay ought to do. This wine pairs wonderfully with seafood dishes like muscles and fish but I made it with pizza because pizza and wine are amazing together. Duh! It was, of course, a massive dinnertime victory.

Where to Drink

I drank it in the sun on my patio while on a date with a fellow pizza and wine lover. Though I suggest you do the same other places to enjoy Fleur Du Cap’s 2012 Chardonnay are: at your summer book club meeting, unwinding after work and with a friend while discussing the merits of being single and/or partnered; Mondays.

Summer means shorts, warmth and white wine. And with only a few weeks until that colourful first day of fall, you best get to drinking before it’s time to switch back to reds.

Fleur Du Cap 2012 Chardonnay is available at the LCBO for $12.80

The writer received complimentary products for testing from Fleur Du Cap. The liquor company did not review or approve this article.