JANUARY (RED) SOUTH AFRICAN SHIRAZ  Stellenbosch is South Africa’s oldest growing region, the centre for study of viticulture and oenology in Africa, and the heart of the wine industry. Famous for its stunning natural beauty, it has soaring mountains, forests, vineyards, olive groves and veldts. South Africa’s finest red wines thrive in the Cape’s moderate climate, and the Shiraz from this region is dense with jammy richness, intense fruit, and complex spiciness, including pepper, plums, red fruit aromas, and abundant tannins that blend wonderfully with barbecue, grilled red meat, and stews, where the robust character shines. This medium/full bodied wine almost begs for early drinking, with spice and rich fruit, but the bold tannins and rich jamminess (typical of Shiraz) will require six months to a year to develop, and it will improve gracefully for three to four years, or even longer. Sweetness Code: 0.

JANUARY (WHITE) AUSTRALIAN VERDELHO Mularoo Creek is a stunning region of South Australia’s Murray River. Featuring long open plains and sloping hillsides it has only been planted in grapes since 1960, a clean slate allowed growers to plant only premium grape varieties, only in the best areas. Originally from Portugal where it makes the sweet Madeira and White Port, in Australia it is an increasingly important variety, challenging Sauvignon Blanc as the number-two wine (after Chardonnay) Verdelho shows pink grapefruit, mineral, floral, green apple and pear notes, but never forgets it was made from ripe, sweet grapes. A wonderful antidote to heavy, oaky Chardonnay it matches with Thai green curry, Butter Chicken, scallops or king crab. Crisp, fresh and bright when young, it will develop floral/mineral aromas after six months, and deepen in flavour for one to two years. Sweetness Code: 0.