South African Legends Series ‘Vasco & the Explorers’ Dry Muscat 2021 Saint Helena Bay, Western Cape, South Africa 75cl

The South African Legends Series marks the figures who shaped the Cape’s story, and this bottle nods to Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese navigator who opened the sea route around southern Africa. The wine is grown at Saint Helena Bay, a cool, breezy ward on the West Coast where the Atlantic keeps the fruit fresh and lifts its aromatics.

Muscat is one of the world’s most perfumed grapes and is often made sweet, so a dry version is a genuine treat. Fermented out to dryness, it keeps all the floral, grapey aroma but finishes clean and crisp, a style that surprises people who expect sweetness from the name. It is a wine that leads with scent as much as flavour.

This is the 2021 vintage. We hold limited vintage-specific detail for this wine, so the notes reflect the intended dry, aromatic style rather than verified harvest data.

Expect an open, fragrant nose of orange blossom, grape and citrus, then a dry, lightly textured palate with a fresh, coastal-tinged finish. Serve it well chilled, and pour it young while the aromatics are at their most vivid. The dry finish keeps it from ever feeling cloying, and the coastal freshness makes it an easy pour before a meal.

Aromatic dry whites are a natural match for fragrant, spiced food, so try it with Thai or Cape Malay dishes, fresh seafood, or simply on its own as an aperitif. If you like Gewurztraminer or dry Muscat, this is an easy, food-loving choice with plenty of character.