A Surprising South African Red Wine - But Only as Mulled Wine
check_circlePros
- The corkscrew that came with the wine was super handy and didn't leak.
- The 3-liter bottle was a total steal at 1499 rubles.
- Turning the wine into glühwein was a total game-changer.
- The spices we added to the glühwein really brought out the flavors.
- The glühwein was perfect for warming up on chilly winter nights.
- We enjoyed the leftovers for days, and it was worth every penny.
- The glühwein got better with time, so feel free to make a big batch and enjoy it over the holiday season.
cancelCons
- The wine itself was pretty acidic and simple.
- The aroma was a bit of a turn-off, even before we added the spices.
- We had to get creative with the spices to make the glühwein enjoyable.
- The wine arrived in a pretty unassuming cardboard box.
- We had to add a lot of honey to counteract the acidity.
- The taste was quite overpowering at first, but we managed to balance it out.
Editor's Summary
We picked up the Swartland Contra Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot on a whim, and it turned out to be a decent find. The 3-liter bottle was a steal at 1499 rubles, and the corkscrew that came with it was a nice bonus. However, the wine itself wasn't exactly what we were hoping for - it was pretty acidic and simple. But, as it often does, necessity became the mother of invention, and we turned it into a delicious glühwein. The result was a game-changer, and we're still enjoying the leftovers. If you're looking for a budget-friendly option to spice up your holiday season, this might just be the ticket.
Specifications
A Surprising South African Red Wine - But Only as Mulled Wine
We stocked up on essentials just before New Year's and caught a great deal on this South African red wine. The Swartland Contra Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot was a steal at 1499 rubles for 3 liters, and we couldn't pass up the opportunity to try it.
The wine arrived in a cardboard box with a corkscrew, which was a nice bonus. The box itself was unassuming, but the corkscrew was super handy - it didn't leak.
We decided to give the wine a try, pouring it into a nicer decanter to see how it looked. The deep ruby color was a good sign, but the slightly pungent aroma was a bit of a turn-off. We weren't expecting a complex wine, but we were hoping for something a bit more enjoyable.
Unfortunately, the taste was quite acidic and very simple. Not exactly what we'd call enjoyable. But we're not ones to waste good stuff, so we decided to turn it into gluhwein.
Three days later, we made the gluhwein by adding cinnamon, cloves, a bit of ginger, some honey to counteract the acidity, and a couple of lemons and oranges. And that's when the magic happened - our gluhwein turned out amazing, and we enjoyed every sip of it.
As a standalone wine, the Swartland Contra Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot is a bit of a disappointment. But as a gluhwein or other spiced drinks, it's a great choice. So if you're looking for a wine to use as a base for mulled wine, this might be worth considering.
Overall, I'd give this wine 4 out of 5 stars, minus one star. It's not the best wine we've ever had, but it's a great value for the price, and it's perfect for making gluhwein.
Other reviews from yours truly:
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