Pairing and entire meal with the wines of Boplaas winemaker Margaux Nel guarantees a feast underscored by the quality of one of South Africa’s leading producers.
The Boplaas range spans wines, fortified wines and spirits and all are consistently recognised for their excellence at the highest level. Choosing Boplaas not only makes planning easier, it also offers an opportunity to explore its lesser-known wines.
“Boplaas has wines made from many different varieties, but for a festive season party, if you’re choosing Boplaas wine – I always recommend those made with Portuguese cultivars,” says Margaux.
“The climate of Portugal is very similar to large parts of South Africa, and it’s the reason the varieties do so well here. But there’s also the lifestyle perspective. We share a tradition of hearty hospitality; a love of the outdoors; and, a warm climate, which all shape the wines too.”
Margaux’s reputation as a champion for these varieties is well-known and so too her skill with the varieties. Under her tenure in the cellar, Boplaas’s wines and fortifieds have gone from strength to strength, garnering awards at virtually every authoritative show – at home and abroad.
All are backed by training and experience. Her MSc degree focused on what many regard as Portugal’s apex variety, Touriga Nacional, and has amassed numerous friendships among leaders of Portugal’s winemaking fraternity thanks to regular visits to the country.
What to serve for a festive season meal
“A good start for an event is the Boplaas Alvarinho. The white wine variety is traditionally grown in northwest Portugal and Galicia, the coastal region of Spain. Calitzdorp has a similar Mediterranean climate, where the variety ripens early during harvest season,” she says.
The local version – ideal for sundowners or pre-meal drinks, shows green citrus, nectarine, Pamplemousse and a chalky, saline finish. The 2024 vintage was aged on the lees for six months before bottling.
“It pairs brilliantly with kob or yellowtail,” says Margaux.
“If you’re having lamb, boerewors or grilled or roast chicken, then go with the Touriga Nacional. The Family Reserve 2022, which received Gold at Veritas, shows heady aromatics with ripe black plum, kirsch, vibrant five spice, fynbos and notes of coco nib and charcuterie on the palate. It is well balanced with firm tannins.
“For venison, I’d recommend the Boplaas Ring of Rocks. The 2022 vintage is a Double Gold winner at Veritas. You’ll find lack plums, red cherry, bramble jam, black and red hedgerow fruits, black olive tapenade, fynbos and undercurrents of crushed coco nib, mint thins and wood spice in the character of the wine.”
The wine spent 14 months in new and second-fill French oak barrels.
For dessert, Boplaas has a selection that is sure to provide the highlight of every meal. The Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve Port pairs well with fruit cake, “ideally made with Boplaas brandy,” Margaux offers. “The wine is a layered marvel of blackberries, floral herbs, and spice!”
Another port – the Boplaas Cape Tawny – is a stunner with crème brûlée. The pairing works because the Boplaas tawnies typically exhibits an elegant, nutty, and spicy profile with notes of dried fruit like figs and raisins, along with caramel and honey. Its aroma is complex, combining warm spice, butterscotch, and notes of orange peel. The flavour is rich, sweet, and smooth with a velvety texture and a long, mellow, and satisfying finish.
Finish off the meal with a Boplaas 20 Year Potstill Brandy, which was named Best SA Brandy at Michelangelo International, or a Boplaas 10YO rum cask whisky – the best SA grain whisky at the World Whisky Awards in London.
While not made from Portuguese wine varieties, these spirits are the pinnacle of a distilling heritage at Boplaas that began in the 1800s. They make super gifts as well.
Boplaas wines, ports and spirits are available at fine retailers across South Africa, and can also be ordered online from www.boplaas.co.za. Shipping is free on all orders over R2 000, and only available in South Africa. Get maximum benefits on Boplaas releases when you sign up – via the website – as a member of its wine and whisky club.