Just outside of Tulbagh is a farm that was established back in 1714 by 2 French Huguenot refugees from the city of Montpellier, and rightfully so, the farm; Montpellier was born. But it was only in the late 1890's that the 1st commercial vineyards were planted.
Being in the Tulbagh Valley & surrounded by 3 mountain ranges, there is a very unique climate that has proven to be ideal for wine making.
Beautiful soft & small bubble MCC on arrival always hits the spot. The Brut & Brut Rosè are both devine & really easy drinking.
This is one of the very few estates in South Africa where you will find a bottle of Gewürztraminer. Which is probably my favourite wine from Montpellier. Being a 100% Gewürztraminer & spending 12 months in French Oak barrels, you have a beautiful bouquet of Turkish Delight & Litchi on the nose & on the palate. Imagine having a spicy Thai dish & enjoying a glass or two of this wine.
(Unfortunately, for me that is, this wine is so popular that it has become very rare, even so that I didn't get to taste it on the farm & it usually sells out faster than it is bottled. So if you find this wine anywhere, best you buy yourself a bottle & you can buy one for me too.)
My next choice of wine found at Montpellier, would have to be the Spyseniersberg. A beautiful blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz & Petit Verdot. Most definitely a full-bodied red wine with a deep plum red colour, which comes through on the nose, in addition to ripe red fruits & hints of rose petals. On the palate you get an elegant full mouth feel of plums & a slight medicinal element coming through from a bit of the Eucalyptus.
Another wine that I highly recommend is their Chenin Blanc. With Chenin Blanc being a varietal in SA that many estates have recently rediscovered, I think that this one is something easy drinking & can work for a great wine to enjoy the whole day next to the pool.
Also, lets just have another look at the stunning labels on all these bottles! Such detail & it gives the feel of a rich heritage & history that Montpellier has behind the name.
Check out Montpellier here.
Another awesome drive with the new Ford Kuga through Tulbagh.
#WineRoutingWithLloyd
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