Works a lot better with food than on its own even when paired with mildly spicey dishes (the label recommends plainer, creamier accompaniments). Not a showstopper, but solid enough.
Orange River Colombard 2015
I’m giving the grapes 10 out of 10 because I know a Northern Cape grape farmer who supplies Colombard to Orange River wineries and he’s a lot bigger than I am. Other than points for being so easy drinking it will probably drink itself for you if you ask, its nothing too remarkable.
Orange River Lyra 2010
Despite the effort it must take to grow grapes in the (almost) desert, Orange River wines are normally cheap and cheerful. This is still very agreeably priced, but, like a gentle farmer that does sudoku, this wine is far softer and more complex than its other Northern Cape relatives.
Orange River Chardonnay 2012
There’s two ways of tasting this. One, as a fairly ordinary, but well-priced wine, or two, as a minor miracle considering the climate it was grown in. Sadly you rarely get points for effort at wine comps.
