Chenin Blanc for Après-Ski

Après-ski literally translates to “after ski,” but it is so much more than the things you do after skiing. It’s the feeling of earned relaxation after a strenuous day shredding powder. It’s a carefree happy hour among people who share your love for the mountains. Immediately following the rush of a last run, a cool, crisp beverage tells your brain to unwind as you unbuckle your boots and stretch your sore muscles. It’s a lifestyle, and a glorious one at that. 

Kumusha Chenin Blanc ($18) is medium-bodied, bright, and vibrant with tropical fruit, pear, and honey notes. The grapes for this Chenin Blanc come from two vineyards in the Breedekloof Valley, located on the Western Cape of South Africa. It’s perfectly refreshing after a chilly winter’s day of skiing – with or without fresh chèvre! 

Kumusha in the Zimbabwean Shona language translates to “your home, roots, or origin.” When world renowned sommelier Tinashe Nyamudoka began making wine in 2017, he did so with the intention of building a brand of wines that would represent and honor their roots with minimal intervention and natural fermentation aimed at letting the terroir (the wine’s origin) shine. 

Tinashe left home in Zimbabwe for South Africa to work in hospitality, working his way to head sommelier at The Test Kitchen (TTK) in Cape Town and earning South Africa’s Eat Out Wine Service Award in 2016, while TTK was named Eat Out Wine Restaurant of the Year, for the fifth consecutive year and placed 22nd at the World’s Best Restaurant Awards.

While working at TTK, Tinashe studied up, earning certificates for his WEST level 3, from the Court of Master Sommeliers Europe, and in Wine Business Management from the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business. He continued working at TTK, placing Black-owned wines on the list, until leaving in 2020 to focus on his wine label full time. 

He notes the challenges he faced as a Black winemaker in getting his wine onto restaurants’ wine lists:

“With so many Black people holding sommelier positions in South Africa I thought I would have it easy. It was totally the opposite. I felt betrayed. In one instant I was told it will be complicated because you’ve worked here before and they would have to seek permission from the bosses to get my wine listed. It struck me so hard that I set off on a course of introspection. I realised I had no Black-owned wine listed at my restaurant. Why? I realised that we truly needed reverse colonisation. I also felt the pressure of being questioned about why I’m supporting Black and them doubting the quality.”

Tinashe Nyamudoka at JaniceRobinson.com

Kumusha wines feature bottles that Tinashe says he would not only like to drink himself, but wines that, from his experience as a sommelier, are representative of what is leading the way for the style of South African wines.

Find a bottle of his wine today! We found his Chenin Blanc at The Urban Grape, an amazing Boston wine shop that helps consumers support diversity in wine by organizing wines by producer; their website features an impressive BIPOC list!

Cheers!

Celebrating Black History Month with Black Winemakers

What do you know about your favorite wine? A few tasting notes? A bit about the region it’s from or about the grape? Some background on the winemaker? 

Since launching Witty Pairs, we have been far more mindful about researching winemakers and producers. We want to know (and celebrate!) the creators of our favorite wines. In doing so, one thing is abundantly clear: the majority of wine we casually pick up at the store was made by white men. To find exceptional, delicious, and affordable wines made by women or BIPOC winemakers is far from impossible, but often requires a little more research. We hope to make your journey to support diversity in wine easier by sharing our favorites here for you to bookmark. 

In honor of Black History Month, we’ll be highlighting some of the Black winemakers we think you should know about! Join us for witty pairings that introduce you to some of the talented, diverse trailblazers in the wine industry. We hope you’ll try their wines too!

Got a reco for us? Please let us know some of your favorite wines by Black winemakers and be sure to let us know when you try the ones we recommend!

Chilean Red for Snowy Date Nights

With Valentine’s Day around the corner and the snowy days coming in hot (and cold!), it’s time for a cozy date night pair! Telmo & Ruth Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot ($12) is delightful and warming, bursting with notes of vanilla, oak, and dark berries, with rich tannins to round it out. Whether you’re off on a first date or settling in for your umpteenth movie night with your sweetie, this absolute steal from Maule Valley, Chile makes an excellent third wheel. 

Save this post so you remember what to look for, come date night!

Viognier for A Long Week

It’s been a long week. It’s snowing. We sure are staying in tonight, and you deserve to spend your Friday night recharging on the couch too. We love to pair a night in with a plush and balanced white, such as Miner Family Vineyards Viognier ($25). We swear the first sip alone has the same effect as a deep tissue massage and will just make you go “ahh” as you settle deeper into the couch – apricot, honeysuckle, and pear fruits dominate, but are balanced out with a citrus punch. 

Viognier (pronounced Vee-own-yay) originated in France’s Northern Rhone region, and California has since become a leading producer of the grape. If you like the full-body feel of Chardonnay, you’ll like Viognier. Look for this or something similar based on these characteristics and let us know what you think!

Pét-Nat for You Had Me at Pét-Nat

What a treat to jump feet first into the world of natural wine with author Rachel Singer through her wine-soaked memoir You Had Me at Pét-Nat! She shares her journey from waiting tables in New York to making natural wine in Australia with plenty of twists and romance along the way! A glass of pétillant-naturel (pét-nat for short), a type of natural sparkling wine made with no additives or chemicals, sets her on a winding path of self-discovery, leading her through Europe, and eventually to South Australia. 

Last night we joined the author, publisher and founder of Pipette Magazine, in conversation with Book and Wine Club, a glass of pét-nat in hand of course! 

Les Allies Pét-Nat Rosé ($10) is a slightly sparkling blend of Sémillon and Carignan. With strong strawberry notes and a good deal of sweetness on the finish, this bottle makes a great first foray into this world of natural wine! 

We’d definitely recommend this read! While following along, you’ll learn about natural winemakers, natural winemaking practices and styles, and if you’re like us, will suddenly find yourself proclaiming your desire to explore this world glass by glass – probably each time you finish a chapter.

Let us know your favorite spot for natural wine in Boston or Chicago… or really anywhere! #willtravelforwine

Sauvignon Blanc for Home Improvement

Recently, Naomi enlisted the help of a couple girl friends to finally hang some art above her couch. It only took…2 years in this apartment to finally choose some pieces for the space. Do you have any home improvement tasks that have gotten stuck on your list and you’re finally ready to complete? The task absolutely calls for wine, and Naomi had been holding onto a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc from Castilla, Spain which felt preordained as this bottle has a beautiful piece of artwork on the label! 

Pinuaga “Bianco” Sauvignon Blanc ($12) is dry, tropical, and has a strong floral nose. This is a super fun, easy-drinking white from second and third-generation family winemakers in the lovely region just southeast from Madrid. Salud!

Pinot Noir for Game Night

If you’re anything like us, a good game night with friends is your ultimate night in. Game nights are cozy, engaging, fun, and best of all, a perfect pairing with your favorite wine. We recently paired game night with this Presqu’ile Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir ($25), which brings intrigue and nuance to the table just like the best strategy games. This cool-climate Pinot Noir evokes a complex blend of red fruit, earth notes, and white pepper. If you’ve never experienced a Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara, give this one a whirl!

Presqu’ile (pronounced ‘press-keel’) is a family-owned winery in the Santa Maria Valley along Central Coastal California. Presqu’ile is Creole for “almost an island,” and was the gathering place for the Murphy family on the Gulf Coast until Hurricane Katrina ended an era in 2005. In 2007, Madison and Suzanne Murphy, along with their children, Matt, Anna and Jonathan, and their two daughters-in-law—purchased 200 acres in California’s Santa Maria Valley. They’ve since been growing grapes across 73 acres of certified sustainably farmed vineyards and making a variety of elegant wines. 

Rosé for Tennis

Last fall, we took a trip to Napa and visited the Silver Trident Winery tasting room in Yountville. Silver Trident is a boutique family winery, and the tasting room is incredibly unique as it was decorated in partnership with Ralph Lauren Home – definitely check it out if you’re in the area!

Silver Trident Tasting Room in Yountville

Naomi recently discovered that their Apollo’s Folly Rosé pairs perfectly with a post-tennis happy hour. Reminiscent of a Provence-style rosé, this wine is full of summer berries, a hint of tart fruit, and is delightfully light and crisp. Rosé year round? Yes please!

Sauvignon Blanc for Meal Prep

Last year, as a family, we implemented Mediterranean January, meaning we all decided to cook exclusively Mediterranean-inspired meals for one month. This pushed us to explore ingredients, browse more cookbooks and blogs, and try new recipes. We also shared a family spreadsheet (now you know our secret love of spreadsheets!) where we mapped out meals and drew inspiration from each other’s plans, finding togetherness even as the pandemic kept us apart. This year, we’re not doing anything formal, but we are still shopping with a full week’s plan in mind.

And what pairs better with meal planning than a bottle of wine? Especially a bottle as delicious as Imagery Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc ($10), a steal for such a deliciously crisp wine! You’d never guess that 7% dry Muscat is blended into this wine to add refinement and softness to the finish. Pro tip: the acidity makes it a great pair with any homemade Tikka Masala! 

2nd generation winemaker Jamie Benziger took over the reins at her family’s Imagery Estate Winery in Glen Ellen, Sonoma in 2017, and she’s been on a roll ever since. Not only was she named the 2019 Best Woman Winemaker in the International Women’s Wine Competition, she was also included on Wine Enthusiast’s list of 40 Under 40 Tastemakers. Her new collection presents traditional varietals with a twist, paired with a striking visual design evocative of the winery’s dedication to art. A drip of paint… leaves us inspired to test a future pairing idea AND to visit the winery’s art gallery!

Grüner Veltliner for Journaling

We love finding the time for some self care and nurturing ourselves, and journaling is such a quick and easy way to do so. Journaling can help with managing anxiety, setting priorities, sparking creativity, reducing stress, and reflecting on life. Whenever we feel overwhelmed, our quick go-to task is to write down 3 things we feel grateful for in the moment. 

Weingut Stadt Krems Grüner Vetliner

Now for the good stuff: what pairs better with self care than a juicy glass of wine?! Weingut Stadt Krems Grüner Veltliner ($15) is so delightfully balanced with acidic fruits like grapefruit and green apple, minerality, and just a slight fizz on the tongue.

Finding some tranquility through journaling with a perfectly balanced glass of wine? We’re in! 

P.S. Pictured is the Wellness Journal from Papier!