Summer is here and the warmer weather is synonymous with lazy days and long lunches with friends and family. Complement these seasonal sensations with Hartenberg’s new release Chardonnay 2016 and you’re ensured of a winning recipe.

Grapes for the wine were handpicked early in the morning in order to capture the subtle primary flavours that this variety is well known for. Cellar master Carl Schultz’s description of this wine is that is has zesty lemon and lime aromas, melded with creamy vanilla notes on the nose. The wine’s crisp acidity leads to a lingering palate with a delicate oak finish.

This wine is the perfect food partner to cream based dishes, smoked duck or chicken, and enhances the flavours beautifully of a seared tuna served with olive oil, lime juice and black pepper. Available directly from the cellar or select wine stores at R115 per bottle.

Part of an award-winning lineage, earlier in October the 2015 vintage was awarded 91 points out of a possible 100 in the seventh annual Prescient Chardonnay Report. The same vintage also received an impressive score of 92 from leading Master of Wine, Tim Atkin, in his annual South Africa Special Report. The 2013 vintage was awarded a Gold medal at the 2014 Veritas Awards. With this track record, the Chardonnay 2016 is guaranteed to be a firm favourite this Summer.

For more information visit www.hartenbergestate.com.