Denzil’s Food and Wine Pairing: Blue Cheese and Avocado Salad with Boschandel 1685 Chardonnay 2012

This salad of blue cheese, avocado, mango, cashew nuts and mixed baby salad leaves tossed with a splash of extra virgin olive oil makes a great first course or a light main. Each component of the dish pairs well with this wine.The wine choice compliments the mango slices because of the slight sweetness and tropical fruit flavours of the Chardonnay. The wine’s lemony flavours even bring out the underlying flavor of the cashew nuts. According to Denzil, fatty foods need either high levels of acid or high levels of alcohol, or both. This wine has both and beautifully cuts through the rich ‘gooeyness’ of the blue cheese. Similarly, the wine’s mouth-watering, zesty acidity goes well with the sweetness and ‘fattiness’ of the avocado.

The Wine: Boschandel  1685 Chardonnay 2012 (SCF Rating 3½ Stars)
A full-bodied (70% oaked, 30% unoaked) white wine, well balanced  with a soft buttery character. Enjoy the lingering lemony, creamy taste (with a touch of tropical fruit) that hits your taste buds.  A stylish Chardonnay which over-delivers on price.
(Wine Analysis: Alcohol 14%; Ph 3.4; Residual Sugar 3.4g/L; Total Acid 6.3g/L)