Idiom - The wine club experience PART 1

As part of the Boland wine club, we were treated to the Gastronauts Taste Explosion food and wine pairing.
Idiom is located in the rural foothills of the Hottentots Holland Mountains, outside Somerset West, with a spectacular view of the entire Helderberg and a large part of the False bay.

Upon arival we were treated to an imported Italian Prosecco; La Delizia. La Delizia is a refreshingly dry sparkling wine with small to medium beads. Aromas detected on the nose include dried fruit, perhaps pear, and a slight smokiness. The aromas detected on the nose follows through onto the palate along with a destinct vanilla flavour. This prosecco is very light and refreshing with a subtly fruity aftertaste.

As a starter, we received the "Best of Italy" canapé platter. This platter consisted of the Burratta Antipasto served with the Idiom Bianco 2015, Veal Saltimbocca with the Idiom Zinfandel 2012, Rosemary Roasted Lamb with the Idiom Sangiovese 2013 and lastly Porcini Mushroom Arancini with the Idiom 900 Series Nebbiolo 2011.

Idiom Bianco 2015 is a Pinot Grigio of pale straw colour. On the nose forthcoming aromas of tropical fruit, pear and jasmine blossoms can be detected. The fruitiness detected on the nose follows through onto the palate. Flavours of melon, pineapple and pear is in balance with the crisp acidity. The Burratta Antipasto is topped with parmaham, olive paste, roasted rosa tomato, vinegrette pearls and a fresh basil leaf. The olive paste in this first dish brings out an earthy note in the wine, while the acidity of the vinegrette and tomato brings out a sweet fruitiness.

Idiom Zinfandel 2012 is a medium depth, ruby to garnet colour with visible gradation. The wine is forthcoming and complex on the nose, with aromas of pine needles, bay leaves, rosemary and fynbos. The wine has a savory character on the palate, with the herbaceousness following through. Fruity flavours of black currants can be detected. The wine was served with Veal Saltimbocca: veal wrapped in pancetta and flavoured with sage and lemon served with a wedge of rosa tomato. The veal and tomato brings out the sweetness of the black current flavours while the sage accentuated the herbaceousness and the lemon tempered the acidity.

Idiom Sangiovese 2013 has a deep ruby colour with slight gradation. On the nose this sangiovese expresses aromas of ripe red currants, subtle hints of cloves and cedar wood. On the palate this wine has a slightly spicey and savoury flavour along with cherry and a hint of the red berries detected on the nose. The Rosemary Roasted Lamb served with a sage and polenta triangle and topped with peperonata accompanied this wine. The rosemary and sage enhances a herbaceousness in the wine while the peperonata brings out the spiciness.

The final wine of this course is the Idiom 900 Series Nebbiolo 2011. The wine is deep dark garnet in colour. On the nose the aromas seem to be concentrated, especially considering the low yield of the vineyards during 2011 (only 900 bottles of Nebbiolo was produced). Aromas detected were dried apricots and rich ripe cherries along with the muskiness of nuts nd a sweetness of honey. On the palate this wine is complex and intense with flavours of roses, tar, hazelnuts and oakiness. The tannins of this wine is firm, almost gripping. The Porcini Mushroom Arancini enhanced with truffle pearls enhanced the earthy and mineral flavour in the wine. This wine has potential and could still be aged for a few years!

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