Visitors to Morgenster’s tasting room in Somerset West can enjoy a new experience, a wine tasting of owner Giulio Bertrand’s Italian Collection wines, paired with specially selected artisan chocolates.

The three Morgenster Italian Collection wines are grown and produced in South Africa from Italian varieties. Each has been matched with strikingly different chocolates handmade by local chocolatier Jane Stewart from the finest quality Belgian chocolate.

The tasting starts with a glass of Morgenster Italian Collection Caruso, a Sangiovese rosé, which teases the nose with sweet guava, red cherries, candy floss and hints of ripe tomato, and leads to a soft velvety tanginess of berries in the mouth. A lemon and cherry infused white chocolate balances this zinging freshness.

Two different chocolates have been paired with Morgenster Italian Collection Tosca, a Super Tuscan blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. One is a 70% dark chocolate with cinnamon to enhance the spiciness of the wine and the other is a 70% dark chocolate with chilies to complement the warmth of the blend. Tosca offers an intriguing range of aromas covering fresh cranberries, flowery perfume, roasted tomatoes, cigar box, cloves and cinnamon which carry through to the palate.

The classic Nebbiolo aromas and taste in Morgenster Italian Collection Nabucco are highlighted by orange zest in a 70% dark chocolate. Nabucco offers delicate sweet red cherries, rose and lilac notes with hints of ripe tomato and truffles to the nose, and in the mouth, a sublime balance of sweet spice and fruit with cherry and cranberry notes. Morgenster is one of few South African estates to grow Nebbiolo grapes, and Italian Collection Nabucco is becoming recognised as the benchmark for Nebbiolo wines produced locally.

Tastings cost R40 for five Italian Collection wines, or R65 for a four-chocolate and three-Italian Collection wine tasting.

Tasting room hours 10h00 – 17h00

For bookings call 021 852 1738 or email.

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