Pleasure or Plonk?
May 13, 2008
As a curious wine drinker and a lover of a good bargain, I often find myself buying wine with my fingers crossed. Will it be pleasure in a glass … or plonk? Here are a couple of South African Shiraz I’ve recently tried.
Gloden Kaan Shiraz 2005 from South Africa. This mysterious wine has a mild aroma with perhaps a hint of kerosene mixing with hints of berry and pepper. But the taste is big and fruity, strawberry even, and a spicy kick. It has a heavy, rich, velvety mouthfeel. It opens up well if you give it some time. I tried it at home and liked it enough to bring it to a tasting with friends. It went over well with 12 people. Then a couple weeks later I saw it in the Vancouver Courier recommended by Tim Pawsey. And the price tag? $12.87.
Verdict: Pleasure!
Drostdy-Hof Winemakers Collection Shiraz 2007 from South Africa. This wine was fairly purple in the glass, a tell-tale sign that it’s young and will most likely taste that way. There was a spicy smell and some dark berries trying to fight their way through the overwhelming whiff of alcohol. The taste was a bit spicy then quickly turned into a shudder-inflicting bitterness that continued to haunt my tongue. It was about $11.
Verdict: Plonk.
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