This month it’s a 2007 vintage all round. dsc_0002.jpg Villiera Brut Natural Chardonnay 2007 is my white FLAVOUR find. A friend made an impulse buy when he found this bubbly for approximately R100 at Ultra Liquors, en route to watch rugby at my place. This Cap Classique is deliciously dry with apple and brioche toasty flavours, made from 100 percent Chardonnay grapes. And for the health-inclined, it’s also preservative and sulphur-free so indulging well beyond the second half shouldn’t result in a hangover.

I’m pretty picky about Pinotage and don’t enjoy the current trend for coffee flavoured wines. For a Pinotage to impress it has to taste like a good red wine first. On that count, Freedom Hill Pinotage 2007 (R80) easily qualifies as this month’s FLAVOUR red find. I had it with spaghetti bolognaise but it would be equally good with medium-rare game or steak. cabfranc08.jpg Pinotage specialist Francois Naudé assists on the winemaking side. Freedom Hill winery is situated on the R301 near Franschhoek, within a kilometre of Drakenstein prison where Nelson Mandela began his walk to freedom in 1990.