Crisp Summer Whites: Flagstone Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay

We expect different things from wine during the warm days and long evenings of summer. Food is lighter and our time is increasingly spent outdoors, full-bodied vintages retire to the wings and crisp, chilled wines take centre stage.

When the sun is shining there’s nothing more refreshing than a cool glass of white wine. We’ve picked two Flagstone whites as perfect summer pairings, Free Run Sauvignon Blanc and Two Roads Chardonnay. Both of these wines are summer stars and make themselves indispensible food partners and elegant facilitators of easy conversations.

The Platters 4.5 star Sauvignon Blanc, Free Run, is a work of technical infatuation. The fruit is treated with care to retain as much of the natural, zesty, fuity freshness as possible, imbuing them with intense flavour and aroma through overnight skin contact and chasing away oxygen at every stage. This risky method means we are able to capture the ethereal essence and zing of the Sauvignon Blanc grape.

A complex nose of green pepper, fig leaves, passion fruit, star fruit and limey aromas is followed by a distinctive, bright flintiness. The complexity of Free Run’s aroma is expressed on the palate giving this wine a full, crisp and lively mouth-feel, with an after taste that lingers.

The full mouthfeel and roundness of this wine tends to pair well with foods that offer zest, combining particularly well with veal lemone and grilled calamari. Try it with steamed asparagus and an extra-tart home-made chive mayonnaise, a spaghetti vongole, an avocado soup or a herbed risotto.

Michaelangelo Double Gold Chardonnay, Two Roads, takes its name from Rob Frost’s poem, The Road Not Taken, and plays on some of our winemaking philosophy – we question everything with respect and always take the road less travelled.

This oak-matured Chardonnay has an intricate nose displaying floral notes of lemon blossom, bright citrus and hints of cinnamon spice. On the palate, complex citrus and white peach on entry, complimented by delicate notes of cinnamon and vanilla from carefully used oak. Care is taken to make sure the balance stays with the fruit’s rich essence.

This bright white gold wine with green tint makes an ideal partner for spicy salmon fish cakes, chicken makhani or a chicken salad with peach, mango and macadamia nuts.

RSP:

Flagstone Free Run Sauvignon Blanc – R 89.00
Flagstone Two Roads Chardonnay – R 89.00

Join the Flagstone Wine Club, Annual membership is free. Your only commitment is to buy 24 bottles of wine per year, at a discounted price http://flagstonewines.com/club