Lele Zondani Wine Experience

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the official week of Shiraz !

I’ve been looking forward to this week with Leopards Leap because they truly have had me leaping to great heights to be part of the celebration, but I don’t mind one bit. I’m so grateful to be pulled out of hibernation to celebrate my favourite grape with you!

The name Shiraz refers to the wine produced around the city of Shiraz in Iran. This city was a great centre of winemaking for thousands of years, with production dating back to 500 BC. The religious homeland of this grape is in France, and although it’s been planted throughout the world, expressing itself in different forms when influenced by the climate, soil, and regional style, it somehow always carries the same core characteristics.

Franschhoek wines have such a delicateness to them; from the colour all the way to the palate, you’re greeted with softness. The bouquet of this wine is so rich yet so tender, accompanied by vanilla oak and cranberry notes. The wine has a medium body with tannins that kiss the back of your tongue. There’s a soft, velvety raspberry finish to the wine that lingers a little longer on your palate, which I fell in love with and kept wanting to experience. The wine has a strong spice to it with hints of black pepper seeds, and this is my biggest indicator that it would pair amazingly with red meats. In my opinion, it would dance beautifully with a juicy and salty steak.

There’s always this worry in the back of our minds that young wine will be too fruity and lessen the quality of the wine. Although this wine has plenty of fruit elements and, when left decanted over a period of hours, beautifully opens up, revealing a spirited personality of an array of fruit, it still manages to stay grounded to its roots of being a Shiraz and doesn’t lose itself.

The best part of celebrating Shiraz Week with Leopard’s Leap and me is that you can stand a chance to win a box of this amazing Shiraz and be part of the festivities with us ! It’s really simple to enter and win: tell us in the comments of the Instagram post what your favourite cheese is to pair Shiraz with, and don’t forget to follow myself (@thewineaficionado_) and Leopard’s Leap (@leopardsleap) and to tag us when sharing this post. Giveaway ends on Sunday 27/08/2023 !

May the odds be in your favour !

I want to give a special thank you to Leopard’s Leap for their kindness and choosing me to be part of such a special campaign, what an honour and I’m eternally grateful.

Creative Director: Lelethu Zondani

Creative Director: Lelethu Zondani

Creative Director: Lelethu Zondani

Creative Director: Lelethu Zondani

Creation wines have always been one of those wine brands that I have admired from afar, it never occurred to me that they would be interested in me or what I do. Fortunately, I was wrong cause they sent me two cases of December stock and solidified that I am the girl I think I am. They sent two wines from their 2021 range which were their Viognier and Rosé , both mouthwatering and fitting for the season we’re in, and man did I indulge.  

Creation Wines was established in 2002 by Jean-Claude and Carolyn Martin in the Walker Bay wine region area on land that has never tasted the forbidden fruit. It’s one thing to purchase a vineyard but to start from the soil with planting vines is a risky move especially because you produce your best vines after years of planting, maybe even decades. If anything I’m glad it worked out for the best for them and they continue breaking barriers when it comes to winemaking and blending varietals. Not only does it show how much gut they have, but it's also an indicator of their dedication to winemaking that they would not piggyback off of someone's efforts to get on top of the food chain as quickly as they can.

I think it’s time for our lips to kiss the wine. 

Rosé is one of the most overlooked grape varietals in the wine society and it saddens me especially when the artistry of winemaking is played out the most in them. There are three different methods to making Rosé; skin contact, wine grapes are fermented with the skin still intact. This can turn the colour of the wine from yellow to orange depending on how long the wine ferments and this varies from a few hours to months. Saignée (“sohn-yay”) involves draining a portion of the wine while it ferments in a tank with crushed grapes. This method increases the skin in comparison to the wine in the tank which leads to the wine being more concentrated in tannins and colour. Blending, which is my favourite way of discovering varietals, involves 2 or more grape varietals blended to create something new and in this instance, it will involve a red grape and a white wine grape which causes the colour to be pink or a bright red. 

The Creation Wines 2021 Rosé is a blend of a Grenache Noir and a Viognier. It has a beautiful floral nose with a subtle sweet red berry fragrance. I’m trying my best not to say it’s poetic so I’ll say it’s lyrical. It’s truly elegant, from the packaging to the tenderness of the colour of the wine. It’s a type of pink that looks like a newborn's clenched-up fist. It’s innocent yet romantic and charming. On the palate, there are beautiful raspberries and the acidity of the wine is in parallel with the sugary fruits and hints of pepper to give it that flawless balance. It’s a cool climate wine and evidently so from how it sits on the palate, it refuses to coat it and annoyingly linger too long that with every mouthful it becomes denser. This delightful wine retails for R135 and to find out more details as well to purchase, please visit: https://shop.creationwines.com/collections/creation-wines/products/grenache-noir-viognier?variant=21224659877968

I want to give a big thank you to Creation Wines for sending me their wines and if you want to know more about their Viognier, please visit my YouTube channel and don’t forget to subscribe: https://youtu.be/yZG0H1OEK7M

Hey, Kiddies! 

As you know the world is still agonized by the pandemic and especially children. People have lost their jobs over the past two years which affects families and if you know me, I hate seeing children suffering and I try by all means to help them out as much as I can. 

Robertson has dedicated a range of wines to helping out the Nkqubela Primary School in Robertson by launching a brand new library. The library was specifically designed with vivid Illustrations highlighting the Robertson valley and what makes it such a special ecosystem, bursting with life and love. A plentiful valley of wine, horses, and roses is depicted as something children can be proud of and should protect; with interactive elements specially created for the learners to find hidden letters in the scenes. Standing tall within this blaze of colour are over 2000 compelling new books to inspire the next generation of imagination in the community. 

Education is so important for the next generation and I’m a big supporter of this campaign especially for unfortunate kids to be able to dream and strive for lives that are beyond their current situation. The creation of this Really Good Library embraces a great partnership based on mutual respect, shared values, complementary skills, and a common vision to put something of value back into society with integrity. No hand-outs, only a hand-up. This proud collaboration is an exciting new way for companies and their brands to sustainably make the world a little nicer, adding a bright new horizon of hope, belief, and inspiration to the Nkqubela school and community in Robertson.

Robertson is known for always meeting our expectations when it comes to making flavourful wine, so expect nothing less when it comes to the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc and the 2021 Sauvignon Blanc which I had the pleasure of tasting. Worry not if those are not your preference when it comes to wine then there’s so much more to choose from the REALLY GOOD wine range. 

REALLY GOOD WINE RANGE AND RETAIL PRICES: 

Robertson Winery Cultivar Wines: 750ml whites ±R55, 750ml reds ±R59

Robertson Winery Chenin Blanc 2021 (New vintage release) 

Robertson Winery Chardonnay 2020 

Robertson Winery Beaukett 2021(New vintage release)

Robertson Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 

Robertson Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (New vintage release) 

Robertson Winery Shiraz 2020 (New vintage release)

Robertson Winery Merlot 2020 (New vintage release) 

Robertson Winery Cultivar Wines: 1L whites ±R49, 1L reds ±R55

Robertson Winery Cultivar Wines: 2L whites (R79 – R85), 2L reds (R99 –R110)

Robertson Winery Cultivar Wines: 3L whites (R125 – R135), 3L reds (R160 – R170)

To purchase please visit: https://shop.robertsonwinery.co.za/ and nationally at leading grocers and liquor retailers.

I am so proud of Robertson Winery for this big accomplishment they have done for their community and I will be supporting them by buying more of their REALLY GOOD wine range and I encourage you all to do the same for them to continue doing more. Thank you so much to Robertson Winery for sending me their new releases and I cannot wait to see what else they come up with. 

Hey kids ! I’m here to remind you that the perfect pairing box is still on sale for R630 ! It’s filled with a taste of South Africa which includes:

1x Bottle of Private Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2019

1x Bottle of Private Collection Syrah 2017

2x Tomes Chocolate Selection (2x 6 Chocolates)

2x Biltong Selection (2x 100g Biltong)

2x Saxenburg Crystal Wine Glasses

Please use my code ‘LELE10’ to get a 10% discount off your wine purchase https://saxenburg.co.za/product/the-perfect-pairing

HAPPY WINE WEDNESDAY KIDS 🍷

What a year 2020 was right? If you’re reading this, I’m glad you made it through but if we’re being honest, we’re barely breathing.

  The alcohol ban has destroyed a lot more livelihoods than you could ever imagine and especially for winemakers. The industry was blindsided by the incompetence of the ANC and the alcohol ban which put the wine industry at such a huge risk to lose generations of hard work. Despite the UIF (Unemployment Insurance Fund) failing to follow through with their promises of supporting business owners and employees during the pandemic, the banks refused to give out loans to winemakers as it was viewed upon as disinvestment to bet on the wine industry. Of course, one could say our country has a toxic relationship with alcohol although I do believe the government’s perception of the wine industry is skewed.

For as long as I have been in the industry, I know that behind every label or cork, there is a community of people that put their heart, blood, sweat, and tears to make a difference in other people’s lives. If you haven’t been anxiously reading the news like everyone to see what fucked up thing could happen next, I would have you know that the Western Cape is facing a hunger crisis that is beyond control.

The Wine industry has availed itself to communities in serious deprivation by establishing feeding schemes all around the Western Cape, especially at feeding the next generation. As much as we are on the edge of our seats waiting for the next family meeting addressing the alcohol ban and whether businesses will be open, there is so much to be done and so many lives to be saved. I urge you to find it in your kind hearts to help out if you can and if you can’t, share this with the next person who would be able to. Below I have listed over 40 charities aimed at eliminating hunger and social issues faced in South Africa. 

FEEDING SCHEMES TO SUPPORT: 

https://brucejack.com/headstart-trust/

https://stellenboschunite.org/

https://aware.org.za/

https://streetsmartsa.org.za/

https://www.pebblesproject.org/

https://www.jordanwines.com/find-out-more/giving-back/charities/

http://www.savesawine.co.za/feed-a-family/

https://www.journeysend.co.za/journeys-end-vineyards-our-foundation/

https://thekusasaproject.org/

https://www.goodthingsguy.com/lifestyle/sa-charities-support-lockdown/ - to find charities near you

https://darlingwine.co.za/shop/kunye-syrah-2019/ - proceeds go to charity

https://kolisifoundation.org/

https://breadlineafrica.org/

https://constantiacan.clickauction.co.za/

http://www.feedsa.co.za/

https://www.foodflowza.com/

https://foodforwardsa.org/

https://www.steenbergfarm.com/charity-begins-with-steenberg-home/

https://greenguerrillas.co.za/

https://heartnpo.wixsite.com/heartnpo

https://ikamva.org.za/

https://www.isabelocharity.com/

https://www.quicket.co.za/events/103405-kommetjie-can-fundraiser/#/%20target=

https://www.ladlesoflove.org.za/

https://masicreativehub.org/

https://www.psfa.org.za/

http://senseoftastechefschool.com/

https://www.sdr.org.za/

https://ucook.co.za/good

https://umthunzifarmingcommunity.co.za/

https://www.uthandosa.org/projects/

https://valcare.org.za/donatenow/

https://woodstockbrewery.co.za/mother-soup

https://giftofthegivers.org/

https://www.haven.org.za/

https://homestead.org.za/

http://homelessfriends.org.za/how-to-donate.html

http://www.thejonessafehouse.org/

https://kommetjiecan.org/

https://www.ilithalabantu.org.za/

To assist in providing medical care in prevention of COVID-19, please email  [email protected] 

HAPPY WINE WEDNESDAY KIDS 🙏🏾❤️

Creative Director: Lelethu Zondani

Hey Kids, Happy Heritage day! 

Shall we get right into it? 

I received the Retief Reserve Cape Blend a couple of months ago I believe and I mostly just looked at how beautiful the bottle was, a little nervous that it won’t live up to my expectations. She exceeded it and even after, she still continues to have me pressed. The nose has beautiful ripe juicy fruits, such as red berries, blackberry and dark chocolate but its very subtle and it compliments the soft body of the wine that gently sits on your palate. The 2016 vintage is composed of 37% Pinotage/ 37% Cabernet Sauvignon/ 26% Shiraz and it spent 12 months in oak barrels. I love when a wine is not rushed during it’s aging process, it makes it so much more worthwhile. On the palate you’ll find hints of vanilla and the bouquet flavors reflected so elegantly with a silky juicy plum finish that ties the experience off beautifully. I recommend enjoying this wine on its own but if you really want to show out, I suggest a decadent rib-eye steak or a casserole. 

The Retief Reserve Blend is a must have in your collection, not just based on taste but the historic significance. The wine celebrates 80 years of expertise and three generations of winemaking in the Robertson region. The farm was purchased in 1937 by the Retief family and you will find their family crest on their maiden-branded wine in 1980 which has a graphic bright red Cannas which was planted by Nico Retief to make the Van Loveren vineyards stand out. 

in the mid 90′s, Hennie, Bussell, Phillip and Neil Retief - also known as “Four Cousins” joined the family business and till this day they run the company side by side. 

Thank you so much to the Van Loveren Family for the never ending gifts.  You can find the Retief Reserve Cape Blend 2018 at Checkers or Ultra Liquors for R120 per bottle.

If you have any questions or would like to tell me your experience with Van Loveren wines, please message me on any of my social media platforms: 

Twitter: @LeleZondani 

Instagram: @thewineaficionado_