Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable, Vegan, Vegetarian ... we have something for everyone!
The differences can be confusing but we hope this explanation will help: an Organic wine is a wine made from grapes that have been grown without the use of artificial or synthetic chemicals, such as herbicides and pesticides; a Biodynamic wine means that the grapes are farmed biodynamically and that the winemaker did not make the wine with any common manipulations such as yeast additions or acidity adjustments; and a Sustainable Producer is someone committed to using methods that reduce soil erosion, pesticide dependency and loss of biodiversity (for example providing owl boxes and raptor perches in vineyards to maintain ecological control of mice!).
The type of fining agent used in creating wine will determine whether it is awarded Vegan-Friendly status (no animal-derivative agent is used i.e. the winemaker may use Bentonie Clay) or Vegetarian-Friendly status (the use of egg white or casein - a milk product) or neither (where gelatin, isinglass or chitosan may be used).
A Sulphite free wine? Unfortunately, there is no true “sulphite free wine” or “sulphur free wine” as very low levels are naturally produced during fermentation. But for those of you sensitive to sulphur, we suggest trying a Natural, Organic or Biodynamic wine who's 'sulphite-status' is lower than most.
Natural wine is wine made with minimal chemical and technological intervention, both in growing grapes and making them into wine. The term is used to distinguish such wine from organic wine and biodynamic wine because of differences in cellar practices. So there we go - now you are in the know!
1 product
2023 Strange Kompanjie Old Vine Palomino
Regular price £11.99 Sale price £10.19 Save 15%The label reflects the wine's provenance high up on the Piekenierskloof plateau, where stumpy bush-vines appear frozen in poses of agony. Their meagre yield gives a wine that's bright, tangy, textural and distinctly salty on the finish. Drink slowly to take all this in!
Tasting Notes
Fresh and zesty aromas with notes of almond skin, fennel and even a little jasmine. A bright natural acidity on the palate with a teasing top note of grassy fennel, almond nuttiness and the residual salinity of an old dry grown vineyard. Drink slowly to take all this in.
Production
On the fecund plateau of Piekenierskloof there exists some extraordinary bush. Dwarfish, seemingly petrified stumps punctuate a high rolling landscape of rye-grass and rooibos. Amongst these are old plantings of Grenache Noir, Chenin Blanc and, here and there, Palomino. Strange Kompanjie has isolated one such block for a teeny release of old vine Palomino, planted in 1977.
Producer
What’s this then? SKU is a casual band of happy ferments. A circus tent of the Cape’s stranger grapes and blends. We will champion the unfashionable, experiment with the known and express the found before it gets lost. Mistakes are likely, fun certain. Welcome to Strange Kompanjie, a Kultivar Club for the Underdog.
Sustainability
Strange Kompanjie Unlimited wines are certified as part of South Africa’s sustainability accreditation, the ‘Integrated Production of Wine’ (IPW) system. The IPW scheme, started in 1998, consists of a set of audited guidelines specifying agricultural practices, manufacturing practices and bottling activities.
Specifications
| Year | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Palomino |
| Country | South Africa |
| Alcohol content | 11% alcohol |
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.3 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Features | Vegetarian & Vegan |
| Dietary Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Food Match | Simply cooked fish dishes, scallops or fishcakes or an asparagus and lemon risotto. |
| Appellation | Piekenierskloof |
