Latest news with #Sémillon
Cision Canada
08-07-2025
- Cision Canada
Celebrate Summer the European Way: Fresh Kiwis from Greece, Abruzzo Whites & Late Harvest Wines of Bordeaux for Perfect Canadian Picnics
Enjoy the vibrant flavors of The Charming Taste of Europe this summer season TORONTO, July 8, 2025 /CNW/ -- As summer takes over parks, lakesides, and patios across Canada, The Charming Taste of Europe invites Canadians to embrace the simple pleasures of outdoor dining with a European twist. Highlighting the freshness of green kiwis from Greece's Imathia region, the vibrant character of Abruzzo white wines, and the golden elegance of late harvest wines of Bordeaux, these seasonal pairings are perfect for summer weekends and for continuing the festive spirit of Canada Day celebrations. Imathia's green kiwis are instantly recognizable thanks to their fuzzy brown skin and bright green flesh studded with tiny black seeds. They strike a delicious balance between sweetness and tartness, making them the perfect snack for hot summer days, whether you enjoy them alone, in a fruit salad, or alongside soft cheeses. Imathia stands out as a top-growing area, where farmers blend tradition and care to deliver consistently high-quality, flavorful, and refreshing fruit. To accompany these fresh flavors, the white wines of Abruzzo, especially Pecorino and Trebbiano d'Abruzzo, offer brightness, elegance, and a refreshing character that's ideal for outdoor dining. Grown between the Apennine mountains and the Adriatic Sea, these wines reflect the region's natural beauty and coastal freshness. Pecorino delivers lively citrus notes and floral aromas, while Trebbiano is known for its delicate fruit, crisp acidity, and smooth finish. Both pair beautifully with classic picnic fare such as grilled seafood, fresh salads, soft cheeses, and light pasta dishes. Easy to enjoy and full of charm, Abruzzo whites bring a touch of Italy's sunny coastline to any Canadian summer afternoon. For a touch of indulgence, Bordeaux Moelleux wines bring brightness and balance to any summer picnic. Made primarily from Sémillon and Sauvignon grapes grown in the clay-limestone soils of Bordeaux, these wines are delicately produced using over-ripened harvests and careful vinification. The result is a pale yellow, expressive wine bursting with the fruity aromas of Sémillon, offering irresistible freshness and a subtle sweetness. Bordeaux Moelleux pairs perfectly with fresh appetizers, soft cheeses, fruit-based desserts, or even as a light aperitif to begin the picnic. With their airy, elegant style, these wines bring a sense of refinement and joy to warm summer afternoons. With summer in full swing, these European specialties offer a charming and delicious way to gather outdoors, whether for fireworks, barbecues, or park picnics. Just a few thoughtfully chosen ingredients can elevate any outing into a moment of pure seasonal joy. The Charming Taste of Europe is a campaign co-financed by the European Union to promote some of Europe's most distinctive agricultural and wine products. This summer, bring a taste of Europe to your picnic basket and discover why charm, quality, and tradition never go out of season. About The Charming Taste of Europe Europe, a place with timeless charm, is the birthplace of some of the highest-quality products in the world. The Charming Taste of Europe is a special project that introduces exquisite specialties to the United States and Canada, such as Italian and French wines, and fresh kiwis from Greece, that showcase Europe's charm, beauty, culture, history, art, heritage and unmistakable tastes. The mission of the Charming Taste of Europe, co-funded by the European Union, is to increase awareness of the merits and quality standards of select European wines and fresh fruits with promotional activities in the competitive markets of the U.S. and Canada. The Charming Taste of Europe is promoted by the Consortium for the Protection of Wines of Abruzzo, the Association of Imathia's Agricultural Cooperatives and Union Des Vins Doux de Bordeaux. These European agricultural products, famous around the world for their outstanding qualities, will continue to be promoted with initiatives and events for consumers, journalists and trade professionals. For more information visit To Follow The Charming Taste of Europe Campaign: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European union or the European research executive agency (Rea). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Time Out
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Mother Sippy: Fairview grows Regional Revival series
Welcome to Mother Sippy, where we shine a light on the talented winemakers, brewers, distillers and mixologists that make sure the Mother City never goes thirsty! From new wine releases to taprooms pouring perfect pints, Mother Sippy is your guide to all that's good and great in Cape Town's world of drinks. Ah, Bordeaux, the most renowned of French wine regions. The Left Bank. The Right Bank. Cabernet, merlot and white wine blends that will make you weep with joy. Prices that will turn those tears into sadness. Happily, Fairview rides to the rescue with the latest addition to their innovative Regional Revival series: Fairview's homage to the classic wine regions of Europe, reimagined through a distinctly South African lens. Each wine in the series draws inspiration from Old World styles and grapes, but adds a distinct local character. This year, it's the turn of Bordeaux, with the release of the Altesse 2024, a crisp white blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon—the classic combination for a 'Bordeaux White'. Inspired by the sea breezes and high-altitude vineyards of Darling, and modelled on classic Bordeaux whites, this is a wine where terroir does all the talking. The name Altesse is a tip of the hat to the two key aspects of the terroir that shape the wine: altitude and sea. With grapes harvested from vineyards near Darling, the vines on the hills above Yzerfontein soak up cool Atlantic breezes and enjoy long ripening days. The result? A vibrant, lime-zesty white with a whisper of salinity and a generous seam of Sémillon texture. 'It's a Darling revival,' says Fairview's Charles Back. 'A wine rooted in French tradition but unmistakably Cape in personality.' Likewise, the label, styled as a vintage postage stamp, features a lighthouse standing watch over waves and vines and is a tribute to the region's maritime climate and coastal beauty while reminding drinkers of the wine's deep sense of place. And aside from being Fairview's first take on Bordeaux, it's also the first white in the acclaimed Regional Revival range. Take the Homtini 2022, a blend in the style of the 'Super Tuscan' wines, without the super-spendy prices. Here, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Shiraz come together in tribute to the winding Homtini Pass near Knysna, which was once home to the Italian ancestors of winemaker Anthony de Jager. Their dreams of silk farming were dashed, but they found their fortune in winemaking. In the glass, expect ripe cherry, spice, and structure with plenty of Italian flair. From Tuscany to Rioja, the Extraño 2021 is all about expressing Spanish passion with a gutsy blend of Tempranillo, Grenache, Shiraz, and Cinsault. The name – meaning 'stranger' in Spanish – pays tribute to Tempranillo's outsider status in the Cape, even if this punchy red grape is now firmly at home in Fairview's vineyards. The wine is dark and brooding, bursting with plum, spice, and swagger, making it perfect for pairing with tapas or grilled meats. Someone light the braai already! Extraño is 'Spanish temperament in a red wine glass!' says cellarmaster Anthony de Jager. 'This red will pack a punch … Arriba! Arriba! Bring out those castanets!' Finally, there's the Caldera 2022, perhaps my favourite in the range. This is Fairview's nod to the southern Rhône, a region of France just below the foodie city of Lyon, where some of the world's finest Syrah is crafted in the steep hills tumbling down to the river below. Caldera is one of the Cape's first 'GSM' blends – Grenache, Shiraz, and Mourvèdre, plus a dash of Cinsault – and is also a fine fit for a South African braai as much as it is for a hearty Lyonnaise ouefs en meurette (eggs in red wine). But leave the French behind and don't take this wine too seriously, even if it did bag a five-star rating from the Platter's guide twice in the last five years. Cheers to that!
