Wines made from cultivars previously little known outside their countries are bringing new flavours to local palates, says Wine Master Allan Mullins

DE KRANS TOURIGA NACIONAL 2009

Touriga Nacional is the highest quality grape used in the making of Port. Boets and Stroebel Nel of De Krans Wine Cellar in Calitzdorp made South Africa’s first Touriga Nacional in 2000.

The 2009 has a vibrant ruby colour with a nose of chocolate, ripe plum and spice.

The palate is rich and full with intense fruit and firm tannins. It will mature for six to eight years.

Pair it with: Succulent ostrich steaks.

CELLAR PRICE: R45 (March 2011)

DE KRANS TEMPRANILLO 2007

Released in 2009, this is South Africa’s fi rst Tempranillo, a grape popular in the north of Spain. It ripens early, making it full-bodied and elegant.

The De Krans 2007 is a juicy mouthful of cherries and berries with aromas of vanilla, cedar and soft oak spice. Ten months in French and American oak have left it well-rounded with silky tannins.

Pair it with: Roast duck or rare fillet.

CELLAR PRICE: R42  (March 2011)

ZORGVLIET TANNAT 2008

Neil Moorhouse, winemaker at Stellenbosch’s Zorgvliet, has recently released his first Tannat. He has counteracted the Uruguayan grape’s tendency to be astringent and tannic with 16 months in French oak.

The nose is floral with ripe blackberry and raspberry aromas, and the palate is medium bodied with a tight structure that will soften over the next six to eight years.

Pair it with: Rosemary-infused roast leg of lamb.

CELLAR PRICE: R70  (March 2011)