The Earth Day 2022 Theme is “Invest In Our Planet” and we invite you to Invest In Our Wines while you contemplate the enormity of climate change, carbon footprints, Stage 4 Load shedding, the Fuel Price crisis and the legacy we are leaving our children. It’s a lot, right? And we’re going to need sustenance.
According to Earthday.org we need to act (boldly), innovate (broadly), and implement (equitably). It’s going to take all of us. All in. Businesses, governments, and citizens — everyone accounted for, and everyone accountable. A partnership for the planet. It's already happening in the wine industry! Proponents of Organic viticulture/winemaking are already on the path to saving the planet as they emphasize natural and sustainable farming methods and cellar techniques. A variant is biodynamic viticulture, influenced by anthroposophy, focused on improving wine quality through harmony with nature and its rhythms.
In our humble opinion, a point of departure for plotting and planning how to summon the unstoppable courage to preserve and protect our health, our families, our livelihoods, is with a glass of wine that offers up… “earthy notes”. This can mean a wine with aromas and flavour reminiscent of earth, such as forest floor or mushrooms. It can also refer to the drying impression felt on the palate caused by high levels of geosmin that occur naturally in grapes.
Essentially “Earthy” tends to be a sort of umbrella term for red wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir and Tempranillo — though just about any red wine can pick up an “earthy” element. It can have both positive and negative connotations, depending on the winemaking process. For example, some Pinot Noirs are described as earthy, meaning that the fruit flavours often present in this light-bodied red are balanced out with a scent similar to a wet forest floor. It’s still a positive experience, but your orthonasal olfaction (smelling through your nose) gives you the earthy flavour note.
So what wines do we at Susan Stanleys Fine Wines recommend you sip on as you listen to Eartha Kitt, contemplating Earth Day 2022 and how to restore nature and build a healthy planet for our children and their children?? Let's begin with an Organic Chardonnay from Longridge Wine Estate
Distinct notes of minerality, combined beautifully with citrus and lime aromas on the nose are complemented by shortbread and dessert peaches on the palate, ending in a refreshing, lingering and perfectly balanced finish.
Moving on to Red Wines that offer us "Earthy" Notes:
Longridge Die Plek Cinsault 2018
Lightly wooded and medium-bodied, this wine greets you on the nose with aromatic floral notes which follow through with ripe strawberries, cherries, sweet spices, fine raspberry and tangy acidity with soft tannins.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (84%) and Merlot (16%) The Natte Valleij P.O.W. 2017 is Alexander Milner’s take on Cape Bordeaux but made in a type of Barolo fashion. “Made with minimal interference and pretence - preserving the intrinsic link between grape and bottle” Dark red and lively in colour. On the nose scented plums and subtle cacao. On the palate there are those lovely dark fruits, cacao and that all too familiar Simonsberg herbal nuisance. A deft balance of tannin and acidity adds to its surprising length. 36 Months in old French oak barrels.
Plaisir Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
This elegant Cabernet Sauvignon presents expressive raspberries with dark cherries and cedarwood. A full-bodied red with velvety tannins, ending with a rich palate and a round finish.
5* Platter Wine Guide Award with 96 points
Rainbow’s End Family Reserve 2019
A Blend of Merlot 25%, Cabernet Franc 25%, Cabernet Sauvignon 25%, Petit Verdot 17% and Malbec 8%. Aromas of dark cherry, black plum and cassis followed by a touch of sage, mint and thyme. Full-bodied, the palate offers layers of complexity with soft spice, and dark fruit ending with a lingering minty mulberry finish. Soft well-balanced tannins. Barrel matured for 24 months in 12 medium toast French oak Barriques. Bottle matured for 18 months. Only 12 barrels are made per year from the best wines from the estates of the vintage.
Here at Susan Stanleys, we offer a variety of red wines, so you can experiment with finding earthy wine notes. We offer you limited quantities and exclusive offerings of wine online so that you can purchase a variety of bottles to suit your tasting needs. Peruse our selections here and see what takes your fancy! #InvestInOurPlanet #InvestInOurWines