Wine of the Week - Paul Clüver Estate Chardonnay 2021

Our Wine of the Week is Paul Clüver Estate Chardonnay 2021, an elegant winter white with a classic Elgin character.

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Paul Clüver Family Wines is a fourth-generation family business that has been farming in the Elgin Valley for more than 120 years. They’re the pioneer of Elgin’s premium cool-climate wine region.

Their focus is on producing world-class wines that reflect the individualistic terroir of this unique region, the coolest in South Africa, but more specifically of their estate, De Rust. They farm in harmony with nature, as wine is an extension of nature. The more natural your environment, the truer the wine to its place of origin. To this end, they have more than half their estate under conservation.

Visit this unique estate and see its natural beauty for yourself. Paul Clüver Family Wine Estate offers wine tastings and bistro-style food with the warm-hearted hospitality of a fourth-generation family wine farm.

Paul Clüver Family Wines is especially well-known for its award-winning Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines – which is why we chose to shine the spotlight on one of their award-winning Chardonnays, the Paul Clüver Estate Chardonnay.

Paul Clüver Estate Chardonnay 2021 is made from vineyards set on the estate and is on average over 20 years old. Planted on elevated sites between 320m and 385m above sea level, the cool climate terroir includes the farm’s famous Bokkeveld shale and clay soils.

Andries Burger, Paul Clüver Family Wines cellarmaster, says the 2021 Estate Chardonnay can be described as classic Elgin and distinctively Paul Clüver. “The wine has presence and length, is textured and multi-layered,” he says. “But at the core lies a life-affirming bright acidity allowing the fruit, floral nuances to harness themselves and make for a complete Chardonnay experience.”

On the nose, the Estate Chardonnay 2021 shows citrus and winter melon notes with some light toasted brioche in the background. Tangerine fruit and citrus blossom fragrances are apparent, with hints of vanilla pod and a slight salinity on the taste. These characteristics follow through onto the palate. The fine, fresh acidity is natural and adds poise and focus to the wine.

The Paul Clüver Estate Chardonnay 2021 awards comprise 5 stars in the latest Platter’s Wine Guide and 93 points from the esteemed Master of Wine Tim Atkin.

Pairing recipe: Tartiflette

Indulge in the warmth and richness of a beloved French classic, tartiflette. Hailing from the picturesque Savoie region, this dish is a symphony of flavours, combining tender potatoes, decadent camembert cheese, savoury bacon, and caramelized onions. Perfect for gathering loved ones around the table.

Ingredients

1 kg potatoes
1 large onion, thinly sliced
200g bacon or pancetta, diced
1 tablespoon butter
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup (240ml) Chardonnay wine
1 whole camembert cheese (about 500g), sliced horizontally
Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Method

Preheat your oven to 190°C.
Prepare the potatoes: Peel the potatoes and slice them into rounds about 1/4 inch thick.
Place the potato slices in a large pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the potatoes are just tender. Be careful not to overcook them, as they will continue to cook in the oven. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, cook the diced bacon or pancetta over medium heat until it browns and renders its fat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook until softened and slightly caramelized, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute. Remove from heat and set aside.
Assemble the tartiflette: Grease a baking dish (about 20 cmx30 cm or similar size) with butter. Arrange half of the cooked potato slices at the bottom of the dish. Season with salt and pepper. Spread half of the bacon and onion mixture over the potatoes. Repeat with another layer of potatoes and the remaining bacon and onion mixture.
Pour the dry white wine over the potatoes, bacon, and onions layers. This will help infuse flavour and keep the dish moist.
Place the sliced camembert cheese on top of the potato mixture, covering it evenly.
Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the top is golden brown.
Once the tartiflette is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. If desired, garnish with chopped fresh parsley.

This Tartiflette is best served hot and pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad and a glass of Paul Clüver Estate Chardonnay. Bon appétit!

Paul Clüver Estate Chardonnay 2021 is available for purchase via wine.co.za’s online shop, tastewine.co.za.