If you’re looking for an exciting way to celebrate the arrival of spring, then the new look Protea range from Anthonij Rupert Wyne gives you just that opportunity. The innovative packaging has been designed with the purpose of ‘upcycling’ in mind, creating unique and attractive features in- and around the home after the wine has been enjoyed.
As it is designed for earlier enjoyment, the range comprises a collection of seven wines highlighting the Protea, which is distinctive of the Cape Floristic area, the latter regarded as the world’s smallest yet richest floristic region. The heritage of the vines depicted by means of eye catching prints on the bottles encapsulates the winemaker’s vision for this range of marrying the old with the new. The distinctive packaging designs allow for re-use and recycling thereby prolonging the life cycle of the product, ultimately helping to preserve the environment.
Gooseberry, fig and granadilla vibrancy are fleshed out with a lime zest and grassy nuance to the bouquet of the 2014 Protea Sauvignon blanc. Typical Sauvignon blanc lemon- and lime zest flavours abound on the palate. The wine displays vibrant, fresh acidity with some gravelly, flint notes. Clean and focussed with a defined dry tail, it is a superb wine to sip and savour on its own or enjoy with a Thai green curry, grilled asparagus with lemon and Parmesan or salt and pepper fried squid.
Green apricot, pear drop and tangerine fruit aromas vie for prominence on a somewhat shy nose of the 2014 Protea Chenin blanc. Appealing in its refreshing vibrancy, the mouth has ample tangy, crisp and lively nectarine and apricot flavours. The mid-palate is fleshed out by a gentle, leesy fullness that adds an extra dimension as well as length. Enjoy on its own or a selection of antipasti, chicken Caesar salad or Tandoori chicken with coriander and yoghurt.
The 2014 Protea Chardonnay displays peach- and apricot aromas mingled with grapefruit and a light orange blossom overlay on the nose. The same stone fruit flavours of white peach and nectarine are immediately apparent on the light, tangy and crisp palate. It has a lovely medium palate weight with good breadth to it. A light lemon zest note vies with a rich, honeyed nuance on the long, balanced finish. It is lively and appealing in its approachability and drinkability, and the wine is light, perfect to enjoy on its own or with orange and honey glazed roast chicken, Terriyaki glazed seared salmon or a delicious pasta Carbonara with crisp Pancetta.
With its pale orange coral blush colour, the 2014 Protea Rosé’s delicate tangerine and mandarin vie for prominence on the nose with just a hint of red berry fruit too. In the mouth there is lovely vibrant freshness with oodles of tangy mandarin succulence, balanced by a crisp dryness. Light, vivacious and animated, it offers up nectarine and orange rind flavours, with a clean, focused dry finish. It is the perfect summer wine and works beautifully served with seared salmon, your favourite California roll or even a fresh strawberry salad with balsamic dressing.
Expect to find typical fruit cake and blackcurrant leaf on the nose of the 2013 Protea Cabernet Sauvignon with a gentle hint of spices, adding an extra dimension and interest. Tasty ripe cassis and blackberry flavours are complemented by a cocoa and turned earth nuance in the mouth. Deep, dark, delicious and tantalizing. There’s a velvet, silky seductive caress to the texture but ample power, density and concentration to balance it. It is structured, elegant and rich, yet light and delicate, with a subtle coffee nuance resulting in a long aftertaste. The perfect partner to a delicious pepper crusted steak, yellowtail fillets cooked over the coals, or barbequed mushrooms with Gremolata.
The 2013 Protea Merlot displays an abundance of blueberry-, mulberry- and plum aromas. On the palate the wine is full of juicy dark berry fruit, a full-bodied wine with concentration and depth to the palate yet allowing it to be both soft and yielding while retaining a solid core. It displays a beautiful freshness, which runs all the way to a rich cocoa finish. Serve with a fig and blue cheese salad; Portobello mushroom burger or lamb chops with mint sauce.
Completing the range is the 2013 Protea Shiraz, which winemaker Mark van Buuren describes as showing a pleasant bouquet of black cherry-, plum- and smoky charcuterie aromas, with hints of pepper and spice. More of the same can be found on the palate, which is big, broad and well structured. This is a muscular wine with a commanding presence yet restrained and silky, resulting in a lovely gentle fruited finish with a rich cocoa aftertaste. The perfect wine to enjoy with braised lamb shin with smoked paprika and yoghurt, roast baby tomato and chili pasta, or oven roasted pork chops with mustard.
Available directly off the farm or from select specialist wine shops and retail outlets nationwide, the white wines retail for approximately R49.99 per bottle and the reds for R59.99 per bottle.
Recently released into the trade, the range was named as one of the winners at the 2014 WorldStar International Award for Design in the beverages category, which took place earlier this year in Düsseldorf. The authentic look is the brainchild of award winning designer, Mark Eisen, who is internationally recognized for his unique definition of modernism, visible in his fashion collections and a variety of creative special projects. Mark’s Cape-inspired prints on the bottles adds an enduring element to the Protea range. After the wine has been enjoyed and the table cleared, these bottles challenge us with endless creative possibilities. Why dispose of a functional piece of art?
In our time when great emphasis is placed on preserving the environment, rather than recycling your Protea bottle, why not ‘upcycle’ it? A plethora of possibilities present itself when faced with these authentic prints – only a bit of personal innovation is required to:
- take your bottles to a professional glasscutter and have them transformed into cups, vases and plant pots;
- have your bottles melted to be used as placemats or even seats;
- build a Protea bottle rack;
- add a serving top to a bottle, transforming it into an ornamental sauce container.
For more information visit www.rupertwines.com or contact the farm on 021 874 9041.
