Sassy and spicy with Shiraz
We often say that Shiraz is a good match to spicy food, but not all spicy food is the same. Between the sweet spice of Bobotie and the hot spice of Thai, where does the affinity of Shiraz lie?
Shiraz is renowned for its exceptional and lush mid-palate and mouthfeel. The grape is naturally full-bodied and known for delivering a rich, mouth-coating, and fruit-forward flavour profile right in the middle of the tasting experience.
With such a magnificent mid-palate, perhaps when it comes to its ability to pair with spice, we should also consider the middle of the spice world. Halfway between the hot spices of the Far East and the aromatic sweet spices that made their way along the Spice Route around the Southern point of Africa, there is the Middle East and North Africa with its fragrant spices such as cumin and sumac.
As we are celebrating Seven Days of Shiraz from 21 to 28 August, we've decided to dedicate the whole of August to this sassy and spicy variety. Join us and experience Shiraz in a variety of delicious ways!
Meet in the middle
Shiraz is an excellent choice for Middle Eastern cuisine, particularly with rich, spiced meats. The wine's bold fruit flavours and peppery notes perfectly complement the smokiness of charred kebabs and aromatic spices like cumin, cinnamon, and coriander. Pair your Leopard’s Leap Shiraz with richly spiced lamb, beef kofta or meaty tagines. For vegetarian dishes, a medium-bodied style like our Heritage blend with 66% Shiraz works well as it complements the earthy ingredients without overpowering them.
Try this Middle Eastern Lamb casserole with fragrant spices, dried fruit & nuts, our versatile recipe for Spicy Lamb with date chutney that can be served with rotis or samoosas and a traditional Lamb Tagine with apricots and saffron.
Shiraz in the family
Our family’s passion for the Cape Winelands and its unique diversity found its expression in our Family Collection Heritage Blend consisting of 66% Shiraz, 17% Grenache Noir and 17% Cinsault. In our constant pursuit for terroir that gives our wines their distinction and character, this wine met all the hallmarks we believe should be reflected in a South African red blend.
We think seven days are too short to celebrate Shiraz properly and that is why we do it for a whole month! Buy any six bottles of our Family Collection Heritage Blend or Leopard’s Leap Classic Shiraz from our Tasting Room or leopardsleap.co.za and enjoy 10% off.
Click HERE to buy now.
Shiraz and samoosas
Join us in our Tasting Room to test Shiraz's affinity to spice with a Shiraz & Samoosa pairing. Try our Classic Shiraz and Heritage Blend with two differently spiced samoosas - one hot and one not so hot, but fragrant. Available during August, from Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00 -17:00. R180 per person.
Warm-up winter
Joining us for a winter-warming lunch on our sunny stoep? It is the ideal winter activity! Come for a delicious weekday lunch, socialize over small plates or enjoy our popular Weekend Rotisserie and Harvest Table lunches. Expect some Middle Eastern-inspired dishes and enjoy them with a complimentary glass of Leopard's Leap Shiraz during the Seven Days of Shiraz (21 – 28 August).
Click HERE to book now
Sugar and spice
We will always love a glass of wine to warm up a winter's day, but add some sugar and spice and you can make even the coldest weather nice! Try our Sugar & Spice Shiraz wine cocktail or opt for the mocktail recipe using the Leopard’s Leap Natura
De-Alcoholised Classic Red.
Click HERE to get the recipe.