Recipe: Pure Charisma – pairing Eikendal’s unique red blend

The wine is made using grapes grown at Eikendal Vineyards, located in the Golden Triangle of wine growing in South Africa.

The vineyards are situated in the Helderberg ward, on the slopes of the Helderberg mountain, which has a microclimate that is ideal for growing grapes.

The wine is fermented using traditional methods and aged for 10 months before being blended and bottled. The winery, Eikendal, is located on the R44 road between Somerset West and Stellenbosch and has been owned by the Saager family from Zurich, Switzerland since 1981. The winemaker, Aldert Nieuwoudt, is an experienced and innovative winemaker who returned to his roots in the Stellenbosch region in 2022.

Aldert, an experienced and innovative winemaker, returned to his roots in the Stellenbosch region in 2022 when he took over as head winemaker at Eikendal Vineyards.

He spent the previous winemaking seasons at Bushmanspad between Bonnievale and Ladismith, where he gained experience with a wide range of grape varieties and winemaking techniques. With his passion for crafting wines that reflect the unique terroir of the area, Aldert is committed to producing wines of the highest quality at Eikendal by working closely with the vineyards and the skilled staff who have been with the estate for generations. He believes in minimal intervention in the winemaking process to preserve the unique characteristics of the grapes and the terroir, and to produce wines that are elegant, fresh and full of flavour.

Recipe: Mushroom risotto

A dish that pairs well with Charisma is a hearty mushroom risotto. The earthy, umami flavors of the mushrooms complement the fruity notes of the Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, while the creaminess of the risotto balances out the tannins in the blend.

Ingredients

• 2 cups arborio rice
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup red wine (Charisma, of course!)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 cups sliced mushrooms (such as cremini or porcini)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Method

1. In a large pot, bring the vegetable broth and red wine to a simmer.
2. In a separate pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat and sauté the onion and garlic until softened.
3. Add the mushrooms and continue to sauté until they release their liquid.
4. Add the arborio rice and stir to coat the grains in the oil.
5. Begin adding the hot broth and wine mixture, one ladleful at a time, stirring constantly and allowing each addition to be absorbed before adding the next.
6. Continue until the rice is cooked through and the risotto is creamy.
7. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and butter and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Both of these dishes are delicious and will be perfect for enjoying with a bottle of Charisma. The beef stew will bring out the boldness of the Shiraz and the umami flavors of the mushroom risotto will complement the fruity notes of the Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. The creaminess of the risotto will also balance out the tannins in the blend.

If you’re looking for a delicious red blend that is sure to impress, look no further than Charisma. To buy the wine, click HERE.