Heritage Month, a time to honour our Rainbow Nation’s rich cultural diversity, culminates in celebration on Heritage Day, on September 24, also fondly known as Braai Day. It’s a special day to embrace what makes us uniquely South African — and no special occasion in South Africa is complete without a braai, the tradition that unites us all.
Spice Route Wines invite you to fire up a lekker traditional braai and raise a glass of a proudly South African wine — Spice Route’s Chakalaka red blend of six Rhône varietals, named in honour of an Mzanzi tradition, South Africa’s popular spicy icon relish, a similar fusion of delicious flavours.
An aromatic, rich and robust wine with layers of ripe, juicy dark berry fruit and savoury spice, Spice Route’s Chakalaka is the perfect companion at a shishanyama-style braai. Picture succulent cuts of marinated meat sizzling over a fiery grill — lamb tjoppies, sosaties, ribbetjies, T-bone steaks, chicken, wors of course, and more … — your favourite salads and traditional side dishes like pap and chakalaka as well as braaibroodjies, roosterkoek or dombolo. Now, add stories, laughter, and aromatic fragrances wafting through the air while you sip on a glass of Spice Route Chakalaka.
The name Chakalaka, meaning togetherness in Zulu, speaks to the art of blending and South Africa’s cultural diversity. In South Africa, few dishes hold as much cultural significance as chakalaka. Chakalaka isn’t just a dish; it’s a perfect example of our Rainbow Cuisine. This icon relish is believed to have originated in Joburg’s townships and gold mine hostels, where migrant workers used whatever produce they had available to cook up a relish to pair with pap for a hearty after-work meal. This dish, borne of an amalgamation of different cultures and cuisines, typically included tomatoes, onions, and tinned beans together with a selection of vegetables and spices. Over time, Chakalaka took on a life of its own, evolving into a beloved national dish, with each family adding their unique twist. Very popular at shisanyamas and braais, it is commonly served with meat and starches such as bread, pap, samp, and rice.
Chakalaka, Spice Route’s icon Chakalaka red blend — that initiated the extraordinary renaissance of the Swartland wine region — like the Chakalaka relish, is a harmonious blend, reflecting South Africa’s Rainbow Nation and its diverse cultural influences.
SPICE ROUTE CHAKALAKA 2022 – THE WINE
The blend: Spice Route Chakalaka is a unique blend of six Rhône varietals, always the same six varietals selected for their suitability to the Swartland’s harsh growing conditions and blended to express the region’s unique terroir. The 2022 vintage is a blend of 25% Carignan, 22% Shiraz, 20% Mourvèdre, 16% Petite Sirah, 14% Grenache Noir, and 3% Tannat.
In the vineyard and the cellar: The grapes are sourced from low-yielding, dry-farmed bush vines uniquely suited to surviving the baking summer sun of the Swartland. The six varietals are kept separate during the winemaking process. Fermentation in open concrete fermenters (‘kuipe’) is followed by malolactic fermentation in barrel and 12 months maturation in older French and American oak. Post blending, the final wine is returned to the oak barrels for further maturation.
In the glass: A deep ruby red in the glass, this rich and luscious wine abounds with ripe, juicy blackcurrants, cherries, and plums, complemented by notes of white pepper, spiced meats, smoky cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, and a whisper of cocoa. It is full-bodied, intense, silky, and smooth, with a lingering spice finish.
Food pairing: Chakalaka is a fantastic food wine. Just as the Chakalaka spicy South African relish adds the WOW factor to any dish, so too the Spice Route Chakalaka enriches any occasion with delectable flavour and local flair. Think intensely flavoured South African cuisine like braaied spicy meat, curry, bobotie, Middle Eastern, and Asian-inspired dishes.
Purchase Spice Route Chakalaka: The usual retail price is R250; however, in celebration of Heritage Month, Spice Route will be selling the Chakalaka 2022 for R200 a bottle in the Tasting Room and online at https://www.spiceroutewines.co.za/product/chakalaka-2/.
MORE ABOUT SPICE ROUTE
Spice Route Winery’s name, a testament to their signature style of robust, spicy red wines, recalls the ancient mariners of the 15th century who went on a journey of discovery in search of exotic spices. In much the same way, visionary adventurer Charles Back, owner of Spice Route and Fairview, loves to ‘journey’ in search of new and interesting places with extraordinary vineyards to produce wines. Back in the late 1990s, he sailed into the uncharted waters of the Swartland and discovered an old tobacco farm with exceptional vines. Bewildered by the quality of grapes in a region better known for its wheat and rolling fynbos hills, Charles set forth to acquire the farm and explore its soils and extreme climate. Hence, Spice Route Winery was born. An astonishing pioneering journey had begun. In just a few years, Spice Route Wines, spearheaded by Chakalaka, became a cult label experiencing enormous acclaim both locally and abroad, setting in motion an extraordinary revival of the Swartland that later crystallised under the banner of the Swartland Revolution. The Spice Route journey continued to the Paarl Winelands with the launch of the Spice Route Destination next door to Fairview, giving wine lovers a more conveniently located venue to explore the Spice Route wines.
Situated on the slopes of Paarl Mountain, with lush lawns, stately old oak trees, and glorious sweeping views, Spice Route is the ultimate family destination. Home to Spice Route Wines, as well as a carefully curated selection of specialist artisanal producers showcasing their talents and products, it provides a rich and unforgettable visitor experience for all ages.
SPICE ROUTE DESTINATION
Suid Agter Paarl Road, Suider Paarl, South Africa
Tel: 021 863 5200 · Email: info@spiceroute.co.za
Website: https://www.spiceroute.co.za/ · Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpiceRoutePaarl
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiceroutepaarl/ · X: https://x.com/SpiceRoutePaarl
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Issued by Posy Hazel PR
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