We’ve officially entered into the Festive Season! For many, this time of year is about dusting off old family recipe books and taking a crack at creating some incredible food to share. Whilst we know many holiday plans might be uncertain during this time – we’d love to help you get into the Festive Season spirit despite this. Wherever you find yourself during the upcoming holidays, we hope that you are able to enjoy some good food paired with some delicious wine. On that note – if you did not already know this – South Africa boasts some of the best wines in the world (well we like to think so!).
A wine which is close to our hearts at Londolozi is the Iona Sauvignon Blanc – this is one of our top featured specialty wines. So in preparation for this Festive Season, we’ve got in touch with a friend of ours, Andrew Gunn, owner and founder of this beautiful South African wine estate, for suggestions on how you could incorporate this crisp beverage into your Festive Season menu…
Iona Sauvignon Blanc (A Londolozi Favourite)
How would you best describe the Iona Sauvignon Blanc?
Iona Sauvignon Blanc is an expression of the varietal at its elegant, focused, balanced best in South Africa’s coolest vineyard. Great Sauvignon thrives in a cool, long growing season, resulting in wonderful complex flavours of limes, white and passion fruit with lovely soft, natural acidity.
Why is this wine special to you, the grower?
We grow all the grapes for our wines and Sauvignon Blanc particularly, has a special place in our hearts, it was the first varietal planted on Iona, and brought us international recognition as an exceptional Sauvignon. We have a strong affinity for the wine, and it remains a top priority.
Why is Iona Sauvignon Blanc great for the Festive Season?
Iona Sauvignon has traditionally heralded the onset of the festive season. Living in the Southern Hemisphere means a hot festive season, often associated with the seaside, rivers, dams and swimming pools and lighter fresh foods. Occasions which beg for a fresh, crisp, versatile wine like Sauvignon. It also marks the exciting release of the new vintage when the wine is ready to go to market.
What specific Christmas dish would you pair Iona Sauvignon Blanc with and why?
The balance of Iona Sauvignon Blanc ensures that it pairs beautifully with a surprising number of dishes including oysters, shellfish, or salmon. It’s delicious with Asian food and white meats with creamy sauces. My personal recommendation is a pot of steamed mussels with crusty bread served with well chilled Iona Sauvignon Blanc, a match made in heaven.
Can you order Iona Sauvignon Blanc internationally?
Iona wines are available internationally through a wide network in the UK, Europe or the USA, please contact orders@iona.co.za to pass on your requirements to the appropriate merchant.
What family business values do you share with Londolozi?
Having read David Varty’s book, what resonates most is the fact that family businesses are exactly that- about family. The temptation to involve corporate business often dilutes the effort rather than enhances it. Everything at Iona remains very home spun and essentially modest. Very much like Londolozi, our family extends to everyone who works here, specifically the 20 families that live on the farm where most of the detailed work in the vineyard is done by hand. There is a huge emphasis on the elegance of simplicity, focus, respect, and gratitude, using one’s endeavour as a vehicle to express personal philosophy on matters practical, spiritual, human, creative, the natural universe and so much more.
Make sure to order your Iona Sauvignon with ample time for shipping. Wishing you all a magical Festive Season no matter where you find yourself this December – may it be one filled with love, joy, family (and of course delicious food and wine).
Looking forward to reading about the majestic reds and the sparkling wine as well.
We love the Iona Sauvignon Blanc, and it’s name is the same as the university I attended!
Thanks for your post! Really enjoyed it! My own favorite is an old-style oaky South African chardonnay (I seem to remember that the old Glen Carlos wines were excellent! I’ve had them during the Reveillon in New Orleans.). Reminds me a lot of the (old) French white Graves appellation although a bit less dry. Both are excellent with turkey at Thanksgiving or Christmas. I’ll have to try the Iona wine.
Hi Jemma, your story on the Iona Sauvignon is very interesting and I loved the fotos of the Estate house and vineyard. The wine has International Recognition, so it is definitely a good wine.
Thank you Jemma for highlighting my favorite wine varietal, especially the Iona. I thank Kim Drake for introducing me to this label during my visit in April. I’ve contacted the link you included to hopefully find a distributor in Northern California.
As an aside, I also love the pairing of moules mariniere with Sauvignon Blanc – cheers!
Sounds yummy. I will have a look whether I can get this delicious wine here at home.
A nice blog Jemma. An interesting story about the wine and also to read that the growers have the same philosophy as Londolozi. We need more of that in the world. Thanks for sharing.