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Testalonga 'Follow Your Dreams' Carignan 2022
Grape Type Pronunciation: "kar-in-yarn"
Primary flavours
Pomegranate
Raspberry
Rhubarb
Liquorice
Pepper
Rose Petal
Details
“Follow your Dreams” is a quote made famous by the street artist, Banksy, who says “All art is stolen”... so the clever crew at Testalonga stole his quote. Chances are, you'd want to steal this wine. It's paler than Pinot Noir and just as seductive. An early harvested Carignan with plenty of fruit - rose petal, pomegranate and raspberry seed. Delicious.

Craig Hawkins is the brains behind the brilliant Swartland winery Testalonga, on the Western Cape of South Africa. He and wife Carla have their own piece of paradise - their own property, named BanditsKloof, in the northern part of Swartland. Here they make some of the countries most exciting wines. But it wasn't always this way.... After leaving his high profile job as head winemaker at local powerhouse Lammershoek, he was still busy making wines for an Austrian winery and trying to find his way to creative freedom. He knew the types of wines he wanted to make - he'd tasted their ilk overseas, from great growers and makers like Francois Cotat and Thierry Puzelat. But the local wine export board was continually rejecting his wines for their lack of 'typicity' - ie they were different to his neighbours wines. But that was the very point! Today he is regarded as one of the most influential and certainly the most exciting winemakers of, not only South Africa, but the the New World. He refuses to bow to convention in his quest for excellence and authenticity, and the wines are stunning as a result.
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Taste Profile
This wine’s tasting notes.
Sweetness
lowmediumhigh
Body
lightmediumfull
Fruitiness
nonesomelots
Tannins
lowmediumhigh
Acidity
lowmediumhigh
Oak
nonesomelots
Alcohol
low (under 12%)medium (12-14%)high (14%+)
Taste Summary
This wine’s tasting notes are leaning towards light bodied, low sweetness, with medium acidity, very fruity, low tannins, medium alcohol and no oak.
Specs
Region
Swartland
country
South Africa
Grape type
Carignan
Wine Maker
Testalonga
Alcohol
12%
Vintage
2022
Cellar period
3-5 years
Production method
Organic
Pairing guide
If you were to ask a classical gourmand what to pair with Carignan, they’d immediately direct you straight to a big plate of garlic butter-stuffed escargot. Now, snails aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but the combination of garlic, parsley and meat is a pretty good place to start when seeking a pairing for this wine. It’s also absolutely delicious with other French bistro classics, including bavette steak and chips, beef stews, lamb or duck and sausage cassoulet, and will pair beautifully with slow-cooked duck or pork, or with smoky meats and intensely-flavoured dishes like brisket.
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Food
Filipino
Charcuterie
Korean
Tastes
Bitter
Earthy
Fruity
Moods
Adventurous
Mood for something different
Seasons
Cooler Months
Recipe Matches
Wine region
Swartland, South Africa
Imagine a land of scorching hot summers and rocky, sandy soils, where only the bravest grapevines dare to grow. This is the Swartland, a wine region located in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Here, the wines are bold and full-bodied, with flavours and concentration that will knock your socks off. The winemakers of the Swartland are a rebellious bunch, always pushing the boundaries and experimenting with new techniques. In fact, the Swartland has become a hub for innovation and experimentation in the wine world, pioneered by a few, forward-thinking winemakers who have dared to challenge the status quo by working with an eclectic mix of grape varieties. So if you're looking for a wine that's anything but boring, give the Swartland a try. You might just find your new favourite bottle!
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