Portugal meets South Africa
What’s this then?
Bright, tangy, textural with a gently fleshy thing, Fernao Pires was planted in ZA decades ago for production as brandy. Strange Bru (the weird brother in Afrikaans) celebrates the charms of a Portuguese cultivar finding its feet in a foreign field.
Strange Kompanjie Unlimited
SKU is a casual band of happy ferments. A circus tent of the Cape’s stranger grapes and blends.We will champion the unfashionable, experiment with the known and express the found before it gets lost. Mistakes are likely, fun certain.Welcome to Strange Kompanjie, a Kultivar Club for the Underdog.
What about the wine itself?
Of the last blocks of Fernao left in the Cape this is the oldest at 30-something years old. Originally grown for yield and brandy this Portuguese immigrant certainly found its feet but fell out of favour. Which is where Strange Kompanjie Unlimited all come in.. Before we lose ‘em let’s use ‘em. All the rock-stars are sniffing around this block now which is good for its future but here is an accessibly-priced expression of the loveliness of the Found before it gets Lost. In Portugal the variety is also known as Maria Gomes, which is strangely sexy in itself. Best drunk in its youth this wine is not for later, it’s definitely Fernao.
In a nutshell:
Light, fresh and fruity white from the Western Cape - Portugal meets South Africa.
The lowdown:
Fernao Pires (aka Maria Gomes) is a native Portuguese variety that has been grown down in South Africa for decades - 'Strange Bru' being Afrikaans for weird brother. Originally widely planted for use in brandy production there is now only a very small amount left, and judging by this wine these vineyards (some of the oldest blocks left up in the Worcester WO, 60 miles north east of Cape Town) they'll being staying put! Mineral, citrus and stone fruit aromas lead onto a bright and fresh palate ripe, juicy stone fruit flavours and a dry, crisp finish.
When to drink: Try with coconut infused curry, white fish, or pan roasted chicken.
Suitable for Vegans
Strange Bru Fernao Pires 2021
