“This red earth, it’s in our skin. The Shona say the colour comes from all the blood that’s been spilled fighting over the land. This is home. You’ll never leave Africa.”
-Colonel Coetzee, Blood Diamond
This week’s pairing is M.A.N. Chenin Blanc and Blood Diamond.
The Colonel’s words come as he pours soil into the hands of a diamond smuggler played by Leo DiCaprio. This soil just happens to be from a vineyard in South Africa.
The grapes to make this terrifically dry, South African Chenin Blanc thrive in the deep soils and high temperatures of Africa, the same conditions diamonds thrive under.
To see this bottle at first you would think it’s all about the fellas. Quite the contrary! The initials are actually the names of the winemakers’ wives, Marie, Annette, and Nicky.
Blood Diamond is certainly a manly film with its violent and vicious scenes. This was absolutely the only way to open our eyes to the truth. Even with the all too manly brutality, it comes down to who has your back. Who has your back while you are out fishing, out hunting for diamonds, or out making wine. And whose names are on the back of the bottle…THE WIVES!!
So, enjoy the stunning visuals and story of this thought-provoking feature. I suggest you do so with a bottle of wine that equally reflects this rugged, yet exquisite continent.
To be transported to Africa right now, listen to Adiemus!!