News and Wine Blog
September VIno Mas Wine Club Wines from South Africa
08/29/2026
The Coastal Region has a warm climate making it an ideal place for bold red wines including Cabernet, Pinotage, and Syrah. Our Main Red this month is Kottabos Red Blend, it is a blend of Grenache and Syrah. 'Kottabos' is a Greek drinking game of the highest skill – where after many glasses of wine one elegantly flings the leftover lees from naturally unfiltered wine toward predetermined targets in the room with fellow drinking friends. Kottabos – in the case of this wine – is a small side project from Reenen Borman of Boschkloof, meant to capture a more experimental style than his Boschkloof label. The 2025 vintage is a blend of 78% Grenache and 22% Syrah fruit from the Polkadraai Hills.
The compliment Red is a Pinotage from Lovely Creatures. Created by Professor Abraham Izak Perold at the University of Stellenbosch to combine the refined flavors of Pinot Noir with the hardiness and vigor of Cinsaut. Pinotage is South Africa's signature red wine grape.
South Africa is the world's capital for Chenin Blanc, holding over half of the global plantings. Our main white is 'In Pieces" Chenin Blanc. The Name‘In Pieces’ reflects both the antique pottery shards found in the vineyards by winemakers Etienne and Stephanie and the separate "pieces" (barrels) of Chenin blended from different regions. The bottle label features images of the actual shards they discovered in the vineyard.
Kottabos Grenache Syrah: I paired the Grenache blend with a recipe that I have used in the past, it was a perfect pariding for the wine. Grenache is naturally bursting with ripe red cherry, raspberry, and strawberry flavors, so I made seared pork chops with a dried cherry sauce. The natural red fruit flavors of the wine created an instant flavor bridge to the cherry sauce. The wine is easy to drink and is one that it super food friendly.
Lovey Creatures Pinotage: Aj did the pairing this month with the Pinotage. "In Nebraska, September is that magical season where you can have 91° on Tuesday, 68° on Wednesday, 94° on Thursday and someone is still walking around with a hot pumpkin spice latte and a decorative gourd like the leaves aren't fully green! In the spirit of cooking for the upcoming season - not the retail-store season 👻 I made Sheet-Pan Balsamic-Roasted Sausage, Apples & Red Onion 🍎 Apples - acceptable for September. A cozy sheet-pan dinner - we’re just flirting with fall 🍁
The Lovely Creatures Pinotage is different from the heavier, smoky Pinotage stereotype. The winemakers wanted to steer away from an overly oaky and fruity wine, focusing on reflecting the flavors of the parent grapes (Pinot Noir and Cinsault). This is medium-bodied, bright and fruit-forward, with red cherry, juicy plum, lively acidity, silky tannins with very little oak influence - 90% stainless steel and only 10% old oak. The juicy red cherry and plum flavors of this Pinotage are a natural match for the sweet-tart apples and balsamic in this quick and easy weeknight sheet-pan dinner. Savory Italian sausage gives the wine's tannins something to grab onto, while rosemary, roasted onion and caramelized potatoes complement its subtle earthy character. It's an easy transition into fall—warm and comforting without being too heavy for those lingering September evenings. Pairing tip: Pour the Pinotage slightly cool, around 55–60°F, to let its bright fruit and fresh acidity shine."
'In Pieces' Chenin Blanc: With tomatoes in full season right now, I am trying to use recipes to use up all the fresh ones that I have in my kitchen. This chicken recipe was super easy, I make homemade pesto and freeze it, but you can use store bought pesto. I made baked chicken topped with pesto, fresh tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. The bright acidity of the Chenin Blanc cut through the rich, texture of the pesto and the cheese while its fruit and herbal notes complemented the fresh basil and garlic in the pesto. This was a very easy dish to make and was delish!
Recipe to pair with Kottabos:
www.vinomas.com/Pork-Chops-with-Cherries-paired-with-Kottabos-Grenache-Syrah
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Lovely Creatures Pinotage
NOTES: The Lovely Creatures Pinotage is a light-to-medium-bodied, fruit-forward South African red wine that bursts with bright flavors of red cherries, cranberries, pomegranate, and juicy plums. This wine is a Natural wine and is Vegan.
Recipe to pair with Pinotage:
www.vinomas.com/Sheet-Pan-Balsamic-Roasted-Sausage-Apples-and-Potatoes-Lovely-Creatures-Pinotage
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'In Pieces' Chenin Blanc
NOTES: Medium straw yellow. The nose reveals lemon, orange, and clove, while the palate leans more fruity, with pineapple and mango at the forefront. Lees aging adds a yeasty note before a dry, lingering finish. This wine is a Natural wine and is Vegan.
The compliment Red is a Pinotage from Lovely Creatures. Created by Professor Abraham Izak Perold at the University of Stellenbosch to combine the refined flavors of Pinot Noir with the hardiness and vigor of Cinsaut. Pinotage is South Africa's signature red wine grape.
South Africa is the world's capital for Chenin Blanc, holding over half of the global plantings. Our main white is 'In Pieces" Chenin Blanc. The Name‘In Pieces’ reflects both the antique pottery shards found in the vineyards by winemakers Etienne and Stephanie and the separate "pieces" (barrels) of Chenin blended from different regions. The bottle label features images of the actual shards they discovered in the vineyard.
Kottabos Grenache Syrah: I paired the Grenache blend with a recipe that I have used in the past, it was a perfect pariding for the wine. Grenache is naturally bursting with ripe red cherry, raspberry, and strawberry flavors, so I made seared pork chops with a dried cherry sauce. The natural red fruit flavors of the wine created an instant flavor bridge to the cherry sauce. The wine is easy to drink and is one that it super food friendly.
Lovey Creatures Pinotage: Aj did the pairing this month with the Pinotage. "In Nebraska, September is that magical season where you can have 91° on Tuesday, 68° on Wednesday, 94° on Thursday and someone is still walking around with a hot pumpkin spice latte and a decorative gourd like the leaves aren't fully green! In the spirit of cooking for the upcoming season - not the retail-store season 👻 I made Sheet-Pan Balsamic-Roasted Sausage, Apples & Red Onion 🍎 Apples - acceptable for September. A cozy sheet-pan dinner - we’re just flirting with fall 🍁
The Lovely Creatures Pinotage is different from the heavier, smoky Pinotage stereotype. The winemakers wanted to steer away from an overly oaky and fruity wine, focusing on reflecting the flavors of the parent grapes (Pinot Noir and Cinsault). This is medium-bodied, bright and fruit-forward, with red cherry, juicy plum, lively acidity, silky tannins with very little oak influence - 90% stainless steel and only 10% old oak. The juicy red cherry and plum flavors of this Pinotage are a natural match for the sweet-tart apples and balsamic in this quick and easy weeknight sheet-pan dinner. Savory Italian sausage gives the wine's tannins something to grab onto, while rosemary, roasted onion and caramelized potatoes complement its subtle earthy character. It's an easy transition into fall—warm and comforting without being too heavy for those lingering September evenings. Pairing tip: Pour the Pinotage slightly cool, around 55–60°F, to let its bright fruit and fresh acidity shine."
'In Pieces' Chenin Blanc: With tomatoes in full season right now, I am trying to use recipes to use up all the fresh ones that I have in my kitchen. This chicken recipe was super easy, I make homemade pesto and freeze it, but you can use store bought pesto. I made baked chicken topped with pesto, fresh tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. The bright acidity of the Chenin Blanc cut through the rich, texture of the pesto and the cheese while its fruit and herbal notes complemented the fresh basil and garlic in the pesto. This was a very easy dish to make and was delish!
Enjoy!
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Kottabos Grenache / Syrah Blend
NOTES: Perfumed with red and black fruits, fynbos, and white pepper, touched by earth. Juicy yet fresh, with bright acidity and grippy tannins. Layers of spice add depth to this bold yet refined blend. A blend of 78% Grenache and 22% Syrah. This wine is Natural, organic and Vegan. Kottabos Grenache / Syrah Blend
Recipe to pair with Kottabos:
www.vinomas.com/Pork-Chops-with-Cherries-paired-with-Kottabos-Grenache-Syrah
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Lovely Creatures Pinotage
Recipe to pair with Pinotage:
www.vinomas.com/Sheet-Pan-Balsamic-Roasted-Sausage-Apples-and-Potatoes-Lovely-Creatures-Pinotage
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'In Pieces' Chenin Blanc
Recipe to pair with Chenin Blanc:
www.vinomas.com/Chicken-Pesto-with-Tomatoes-and-Mozzarella-paired-with-in-pieces-Chenin-Blanc
www.vinomas.com/Chicken-Pesto-with-Tomatoes-and-Mozzarella-paired-with-in-pieces-Chenin-Blanc
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High Tier Wine Club Main Wine
2022 APERTURE BORDEAUX RED BLEND
"For this vintage, we crafted a distinct Bordeaux blend, composed primarily of malbec and cabernet sauvignon, rounding out the blend with with merlot and small amounts of petite verdot, and cabernet franc. The ripe red fruit characters are structured by silky seamless tannins, showcasing an elegant density to the blend."
A blend of:
36% Malbec
35% Cabernet Sauvignon
24% Merlot
3% Petit Verdot
2% Cabernet Franc
NOTES: "It bursts from the glass with pure red cherry and pomegranate perfume, unfurling nuances of lavender, forest floor and glossy new oak as it opens in the glass. The medium-bodied palate features generous, floral fruit. It’s structured by powdery tannins and juicy acidity and has a long, layered finish.”
93 pts – Erin Brooks, Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate
THIS WINE IS UNFINED, UNFILTERED AND UN-ACIDIFIED
High Tier Wine Club Main Wine
2022 APERTURE BORDEAUX RED BLEND
"For this vintage, we crafted a distinct Bordeaux blend, composed primarily of malbec and cabernet sauvignon, rounding out the blend with with merlot and small amounts of petite verdot, and cabernet franc. The ripe red fruit characters are structured by silky seamless tannins, showcasing an elegant density to the blend."
A blend of:
36% Malbec
35% Cabernet Sauvignon
24% Merlot
3% Petit Verdot
2% Cabernet Franc
NOTES: "It bursts from the glass with pure red cherry and pomegranate perfume, unfurling nuances of lavender, forest floor and glossy new oak as it opens in the glass. The medium-bodied palate features generous, floral fruit. It’s structured by powdery tannins and juicy acidity and has a long, layered finish.”
93 pts – Erin Brooks, Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate
THIS WINE IS UNFINED, UNFILTERED AND UN-ACIDIFIED
Post By:
Deanna Albertson