Sophie Te'blanche

At Winex in Cape Town – I was accosted by a gorgeous young blonde lady who asked “Have you been kissed by Sophie Te’blanche?”  “No!”, I said, but I will take a hug from you!

She was punting a new wine from Andrew Gunn of Iona in Elgin.

Now I think I listed Andrew’s first vintage of Iona Sauvignon Blanc on my restaurant wine list at Parks way back when the wine was launched.  And I have loved Andrew’s wines ever since.

He branched out into a Chardonnay and 2 reds, a Syrah and a really yummy Merlot Cab blend called The Gunnar. [Not quite sure why it is spelled Gunnar and not Gunner?].

Now along comes Sophie.   Cheeky wench, all floral perfume with a brilliant undertow of minerals and lime marmalade.  It has the noble acidity of a poached cape gooseberry and slices of ripe pear moving across your tongue and a long crisp finish.

Great as a wine on its own and just fabulous with food of the seafood, fish, smoked chicken, duck salad variety.

Well priced at just under R50 a pop.

Should you want to talk to Sophie, call 028 284 9678 or email her on sales@sophieteblanche.co.za

LATER: Spoke to Andrew Gunn about The Gunnar and he said “The Gunnar is spelled that way as “Gunnar” is the origin of my surname “Gunn” traced back to the Vikings who landed in Scotland in the early 1200’s, specifically to a Viking Chief “Olaf the Black” whose son, “Gunnar” was the founder of the “Gunn” Clan.”