Groot Constantia Merlot 2018

Groot Constantia Merlot 2018

I always feel that if a wine has a story, it makes the drinking more interesting. Groot Constantia Wine Estate is in the Constantia Wine Appellation about 20 minutes south of Cape Town’s city bowl. First granted in 1685, the estate has made wine continuously since then. Hendrik Cloete, an owner of the Estate took Constantia Wine into a golden era for Cape Wine when it became very popular in Europe and was to be found in the cellars of crowned heads and politicians.

Napoleon Bonaparte drank Constantia Wine on St Helena

In exile on the island of St Helena, Napoleon Bonaparte regularly received shipments of Constantia Wine. Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and the French writer, Charles Baudelaire wrote about Constantia Wine.

Floricius Beukes, Groot Constantia Vineyardist

The mantle of wine production on the Estate now falls on the shoulders of Floricius Beukes, the Vineyardist, and Boela Gerber, the award-winning winemaker and their teams, the usually unheralded vineyard and cellar workers.

Boela Gerber with a Cap Classique Award

Groot Constantia produces a wide range of wines and one of my favourites amongst them is the Merlot, currently the 2018 vintage is on offer.

Ina Paarman’s Lamb or Venison Potjie, gently bubbling on the camp fire

Pair

The Groot Constantia Merlot 2018 is a serious sipping wine. Excellent with food. Constantia resident Ina Paarman’s Lamb or Venison Potjie makes a great partner. Click HERE for Ina’s recipe.

Ina Paarman, Living National Treasure, Queen of the South African Kitchen