WHITES

2009 Flamingo Bay Chenin Blanc/Sauvignon Blanc (South Africa) (BK PICK)

B449 from Wine Connection
A blend of two zesty grapes means this is going to be a refreshing wine with grassy and tropical aromas. The winemarkers promise an easy drinkability, so you should be able to have this just as an aperitif.
BK Tasting: Pale blond color and very citrusy on the nose. Light on the tongue and not too acidic, making it a nice drink on its own. If you do decide to have it with dinner, choose something light, not too saucey.

2009 Rare Sauvignon Blanc (France)

B499 from Wine Connection
A wine with a modern story: it’s from the Cotes du Gascogne, an oceanside, rainy area, where this grape is a recent introduction. The wine is stored in stainless steel (as opposed to oak), so the fruit flavors should be prominent. It’s “stirred on the lees” for two months, meaning the yeasts are stirred after fermentation, giving creaminess.
BK Tasting: Fruitier and sweeter than the Flamingo Bay. The stirring on the lees makes this Sauv Blanc (uncharacterisically) unacidic. Good for beginners.

2009 Mont Clair Sparkling Brut (South Africa)

B379 from Villa Supermarket
This is a brut, which means that it’s pretty dry (as opposed to sweet). Its Chenin Blanc composition means that it has a relatively high level of acidity, making it a crisp and refreshing but also aromatic wine. The Mont Clair bottle promises to be fruity as well, and the fine mousse (that’s the bubbly foam), will soften the drinking.
BK Tasting: Very Goldilocks: just dry enough, just acidic enough, just bubbly enough. We can’t believe how cheap it is, considering there’s no cheap aftertaste.

REDS

2007 Castano Solanera (Spain) (BK PICK)

B599 from Wine Connection
Along with the tannic, earthy presence of Cabernet Sauvignon, the Solanera is also comprised of indigenous grape Monastrell (known as Mourvedre in France, 65%), which is also bold, and Tintorera (15%), largely used for color. It’s aged in oak for ten months, so the flavors will be big. You should have this with a proper dinner.
BK Tasting: Not for novices, this wine is heavy on the oak and light on the fruit aromas and flavors. More dry than fruity. Pretty macho and good with a steak.

2009 Hardy’s VR Cabernet Sauvignon (Australia)

B599 from Villa Supermarket
This is Hardy’s line of wines made to let the natural qualities of the grape shine, so this wine may be a lot more fruity than usual. It’s stored in stainless steel with just a bit of oak later, so there are less woody notes. The boldness of the grape means some spicy, cigar-like notes to balance the fruit.
BK Tasting: Newcomers enjoy the peppery, spicy flavors of Cabernet without giving up the red fruit flavors. Not too dry either, but with subtle tannins, so you don’t feel like a child drinking juice.

Gato Negro Cabernet Sauvignon (Chile)

B567 from Gourmet Market
Bestsellers among Chilean wines, these guys are famous for consistency and easy drinkability, perfect if you don’t have the palate (yet) for intense stuff. The Gato Negro is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, but thanks to the mild weather and the stainless steel maturation process, the wine is more fruity and less tannic than usual.
BK Tasting: Similar to the Hardy’s though a touch sweeter and differently structured: the subtle tannins are present more at the finish than throughout.

How To Pick the Right Glass

Make cheap wines taste chic with these tips.
1. For bold reds like the Solanera, pick glasses with wide bowls that will expose more to the air, letting the wine breathe.
2. For sweet-smelling light wines like the Rare, pick a glass with a small bowl and a tapered mouth that will direct the aroma directly to your nose.
3. Drink sparkling wines in long, narrow glasses, called flutes, to keep the lovely bubbles for as long as possible.