Wednesday Wine Tip - 13.03.24

Tekstur by Scions of Sinai

Touch the flor

Wine: Tekstur

Winemaker: Scions of Sinai

Origin: Stellenbosch, South-Africa

Grapes: 51% Chenin Blanc, 49% Grenache Blanc

Method: 5 weeks of maceration, 11 months of maceration in two old barrels under Flor

This week's Wednesday Wine Tip is Tekstur from Scions of Sinai, a South African orange wine made with Flor, the hate-it or love-it yeast that appears when a wine barrel isn't filled up and leaves room for oxygen. Famous for giving aromas of nuts, salt, honey, sherry, and other oxidized notes. Tekstur is not your typical Flor wine, so if you avoid it like the plague, don't go just yet.

The wine is rich, but at the same time very easy to drink. The flor is giving subtle hints of nuts, salt, and honey, but so mild that anyone can enjoy this. The balance created by Berhnhard is impressive and worth giving time to appreciate. I truly recommend serving this wine at room temperature or just slightly chilled to enjoy the full range of aromas.

Bernhard Bredell stands as a remarkable figure among South Africa's young and impressive winemakers, having been named the Young Winemaker of the Year in 2019 by Tim Atkin, MW, a leading authority on South African wine. Founding Scions of Sinai in 2016, with its first vintage in 2017, Bredell has a deep-rooted family history in Stellenbosch's viniculture, traditionally focusing on port wine production. Despite the family's unexpected sale of their vineyards in 2015 due to financial sustainability issues, Bernhard pivoted, leasing small plots in the Sinai Hills to continue his family's legacy with a focus on minimal intervention winemaking. He often uses skin contact for his white to add texture and depth to the wines, which Tekstur is a perfect example of.

A cabin trip in the forest

The calming ambiance of a forest cabin offers the perfect backdrop for savoring Tekstur. It's where I first enjoyed it, and it certainly thrived in a natural environment. Just the smells of being in the forest will help you connect with this wine.

Why a cabin trip specifically? The connection to the earth and nature resonates with Tekstur's own qualities. A cabin in the forest strips away the stress of your daily life, allowing the wine's layered nuances to mirror the surrounding wilderness. It's a place where time slows down, and the wine can be appreciated in its full depth.

KOAN Sound's album "Led by Ancient Light"

I don't think I have ever experienced an album quite like this before. Personally been a huge fan of KOAN Sound since they started, and in this album, they merge their electronic production skills with immersive orchestral soundscapes that blend my two favorite music genres. It's a journey you need to listen to from start to finish with a (good) headset, in the car while driving, or from good speakers. Also, talking about texture in the wine, I don't know anyone who makes more textural sounds than these guys.

KOAN Sound is an electronic music duo known for their detailed production and unique sound that blends genres. "Led by Ancient Light" is a special project that stands out for its depth and craftsmanship, much like Tekstur itself. The album also has an accompanying novel that tells the story of the album, and a documentary is coming out about this project soon. If you have never heard about them before, it's about time.

Comté

The pairing of Tekstur with Comté cheese is a celebration of texture and taste. The wine's mineral notes and subtle fruitiness beautifully complement the nutty, caramelized flavors of the comté, creating sexy magic in your mouth. If I'm having wines made with Flor or just oxidized flavors, Comté is my jam.

Comté is a French cheese made from raw cow's milk in the Jura region of France, known for its rich history and traditional production methods. It's also this region that is famous for the use of Flor in wine production. The cheese is aged for months to years and develops a deep flavor profile that ranges from sweet and creamy to nutty and complex.

Enjoy!