Haute Cabrière Pierre Jourdan Ratafia 2015

BLEND

100% Chardonnay

STYLE

Chardonnay fortified with Pierre Jourdan Fine de Jourdan (brandy)

CELLARMASTER’S REFLECTIONS

Currently we are the only farm in South Africa to produce a Ratafia, so you will find this very unique - for yourself or as a special gift.

TASTING NOTES

Ratafia is a fun drink, packed with rich honey flavours. The taste is delicate and enticing. The nose a melange of tropical flavours. As aperitif or with starters: Liver, liver paté & scallops, escargots. With decadent desserts it is a delicious digestif. Enjoy chilled in a elegant small glass.

ANALYSIS

Alc. 19% RS 172g/l TA 5.8 pH 3.4

RATAFIA

Ratafia is a broad term used in various countries to denote sweet, fortified, fruit-based beverages. The most famous ratafia is Ratafia de Champagne, a grape-based vin doux naturel wine from France's Champagne region. The other main category of ratafia is a fortified cordial aromatized with citrus peel, herbs and spices.

Ratafia de Champagne is made from the standard Champagne grapes, but rather than being harvested early, like those used for the region's famous sparkling wines, the grapes are allowed to ripen to full maturity. They are then left to dry out for several months over winter, and rehydrated and fermented in the springtime. The resulting wine is very similar in style to Pineau des Charentes and is effectively a grape version of the apple-based Pommeau found in Normandy and Brittany.

Around the Mediterranean, in southern France, Spain and particularly Italy, "ratafia" is the name of something quite different. It is not a wine at all, but an alcoholic, aromatic cordial made from a wide range of ingredients including fruits (lemon, lime, peach, cherry) herbs (rosemary, mint, anise), spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, clove) and nuts (bitter almonds). This form of ratafia is sweetened with sugar, making it technically a liqueur rather than a wine.