Lock, stock and wine barrel: Vegan wine

Blending the bougie with the affordable is something South African winemakers do very well.

Many mid-priced wines deliver boldness and quality, without breaking the bank. Add to that the fact that you can incorporate these wines into food – and you have the perfect storm.

Stellenbosch’s Delheim has mastered the art, with the new edition of their shiraz and cabernet sauvignon blend from the lifestyle range.

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The wine is also vegan friendly – and here’s where it’s worth listening to the gospel of Delheim. The wine is not only vegan, but great to pair with food.

In fact, if you continue to go meat and animal byproduct-free, the wine is a good partner to dishes featuring mushrooms. The red blend is a meaty master that will warm the winter.

“This blend offers the best of both worlds,” says winemaker Roelof Lotriet of the 2017 vintage.

“Its aroma is loaded with typical shiraz spice and complemented by the mature tobacco leaf notes of the cabernet sauvignon. It’s lovely and juicy, with flavours of plums and cherries. Every sip lingers with bright red fruit.”

It’s an all-rounder that doesn’t hold back, without being pretentious and no tin touch with wine drinkers.

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If you’re lucky to be in the Western Cape soon, Delheim has become a prominent educator on edible fungi through its curated foraging excursions into the forest on the farm – a popular activity in winter.

Delheim’s first environmental management plan was written in 1976, so it will come as no surprise the farm has become a haven for fynbos flora and fauna.

Delheim haven’t forgotten the humble wine drinker, and the Delheim 2017 shiraz and cabernet sauvignon are both real value for money at R85.

For more information visit delheim.com

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