South african wines book

South africas most planted wine grapes are chenin blanc and cabernet sauvignon. Awardwinning south african wines and methode cap classique bubbly has been specially selected to pair with our chefs designer dishes. Enjoy a delicious lunch and wine tastings amidst the beautiful rolling mountains of the region. South africa s most planted wine grapes are chenin blanc and cabernet sauvignon. Most south african wines are varietally labelled a key factor in any buying decision. A beginners guide to south african wine cape town travel. South africa is among the top ten wine producing countries in the world, with the majority of winemaking taking place in the southern coastal peninsula near cape town. We visit the iconic regions of stellenbosch, franschhoek and paarl, at an all inclusive price that wont leave you dry. Best wines from south africa the 2020 reverse wine snob picks. This guide presents the existing wine producing regions in the uncomplicated wine pockets system. The growers and shippers concentrated on fortified wines in imitation of sherry and port, but now the term south african sherry may no longer be used in europe, and that trade too has vanished. Great prices from, largest retailer of south african, australian, new zealand, chile and argentina wines. Majestic still has in stock some of the wonderfully light, brisk, beaujolaisesque, cinsaultbased alheit limited release red blend. Platters south african wine guide everything you want to know about south african wine, brought to you by the countrys favourite wine adviser.

On this tour, enjoy a comprehensive introduction to south african wine as you visit four different wineries. Great prices, terrific service and prompt delivery uk and europe wide. Unsurprisingly, the region is a hotbed of firstclass restaurants as well. First edition published in 2006 by cheviot publishing cc. Ive been trying to remember the first south african wine i tasted, but its a little fuzzy in my mind.

South africa grows everything from shiraz to sauvignon blanc and everything inbetween, but its flagship grapes are full and fruity pinotage and lovely fresh chenin blanc. And in the recent past, south african wines were shunned on account of apartheid. The south african wine industry is in fine form, producing fabulousvalue, juicy, fruitdriven wines as well as extremely elegant fine wines to rival the best in the world. Aug 23, 2017 trade sanctions placed on south africa in the 1980s as a result of its apartheid policies further drove south african wines from the wider public consciousness. Theres also a large salt water swimming pool and a jacuzzi, to relax and unwind after a hard days wine tasting, which can be arranged for you in franschhoek as well as neighbouring regions stellenbosch, paarl and constantia. After the end of apartheid in the 1990s, south africas wines reentered the world market.

Here is her list of 10 great wine styles from across the western cape all worth seeking out to enjoy now or cherish and hold on to. The property dates back to 1692 and includes south africas first dated wine cellar. She occasionally contributes to wine journals and websites around the world but spends most of her wine time as associate editor of platters south african wine. But since south africas emergence from the old apartheid regime in the 90s, the countrys wine industry has undergone a renaissance, with producers weeding out the dead wood and. The easiest way to find south african wines, wineries, tasting rooms, people, news, events, maps, videos, wine routes, tours, restaurants, accommodation and things to do in the cape winelands.

This legendary all in one wine tour covers everything you must see and taste in the cape winelands. Sought after by european aristocrats and a favorite of napoleon bonaparte, the sweet wines of constantia in the cape colony were considered to be among the worlds best during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. From cape agulhas to central orange, south africa is the next great region for warmclimate wines with dusty minerality. During the first democratic elections in 1994, south africa began to reemerge onto. Imagine black pepper, bell pepper rounded out with currant, blackberry and plum. The country opened its doors and wine lovers from around the world were finally able to discover fruity, fullbodied wines made in the regions around cape town, and the quality. It was created in 1925 at stellenbosch university by professor abraham perold by crosspollinating pinot noir and hermitage cinsaut. South africas most expensive wines winesearcher news. Visit four top vineyards to learn about south african wines. Why the 2015 vintage marks a golden age for south african. A beginners guide to south african wine serious eats. Best wines from south africa the 2020 reverse wine snob. Francois roode of diemersfontein wines one of the most popular pinotage producers in south africa believes that it was persistence and extensive ongoing research that ensured south africa s pinotage was unique and of the highest quality.

Constantia wines were as celebrated as hungarian tokaji or french sauternes, but this all changed when the phylloxera epidemic spread throughout the south african vineyards in the late 19th century and decimated them. About platters south african wine guide platters wine guide. Aug 30, 2019 the simple fact is, there are very few south african wines exported to the u. Cellar door wines 01727 854488, wright wine co 01756 700886 this is scrumptious stuff, the capes answer to the douro. Varietal wines must also be composed of at least 85% of. Many of the photos we see of south african vineyardspositioned in front of striking granite mountains,are from the stellenbosch area.

South africa grows everything from shiraz to sauvignon blanc and everything inbetween, but its flagship grapes are full and. The wines of south africa need little introduction, thanks to the overwhelming success they had at international level after the end of apartheid in the early 1990s. A significant proportion of the best south african wines today were not being made in 2000, states tim james in his comprehensive book wines of the new. Styles vary of course, and our notes aim to clarify this, but you will probably already know whether you like sauvignon blanc now among the worlds best, chardonnay, riesling, syrah, pinot noir, or cabernet. Despite a rich and long history of winemaking, south african wine has not always received the attention it deserves. Ten years ago tim atkin mw wrote about the changing scene and opinion of south african wines all 10 wines below are drinking well now but will also benefit from ageing, including the chenin blancs. A beginners guide to south african wine people come from all over the world to sample south african wine, for good reason. Even if its sweet wines never regained worldfame, south africa continues to produce them with similar elaboration methods to. Today, however, south africa is increasingly responsible for highdemand, highquality winesa blessing to put the country back on the international wine map. Tradition and revolution was published in mid 20 by university of california press i have privately brought in some copies of the book which i am able to sell at a decent discount to the prevailing rate. As it is a very full day in the beautiful winelands, there will be no time for walking around in the cities. South african wine has needed a book like wines of the new south africa for some time. In the past, its wine has been sent directly to distilleries to be turned into brandy, but south african wine is gaining recognition for its excellent value.

Recommended by south african wine expert and awardwinning writer angela lloyd. South african wines tend to fly under the radar but are growing in popularity. The south african wine index sawi has released its ranking of the top wine producers in south africa, and the leading brand in each wine category. The result is that wines of the new south africa is as complete a reference on the south african wine scene as youre likely to find, and those with an interest in learning more about south african wine will be able to spend many hours with the book. In the 18th century, there was a shortage of proper oak barrels for aging, and terroirs and climates had yet to be matched to the grapes most suited to grow in them. For the first time in south africa, a team of highly qualified subject experts have collaborated to write a publication simultaneously addressing the most influential factors facing the wine. A page about south african wines for south african wine lovers. Detailed south african wine regions map wine posters. I have privately brought in some copies of the book which i am able to sell at a decent discount to the prevailing rate. The jawdropping wines of stellenbosch, south africa. Now, 20 years later, south africas time to shine on the wine stage has definitely arrived. Erica moodie for many wine drinkers, south africa is a bit of a mystery.

Tradition and revolution was published in mid 20 by university of california press. An introduction to the wines of south africa, plus a few bottles to seek out. From a crisp sauvigon blanc to a plummy shiraz, these are the south african wines to drink from majestic, morrisons, wine society and tesco. The jawdropping wines of stellenbosch, south africa wine folly. Sep 27, 20 south africas most planted wine grapes are chenin blanc and cabernet sauvignon. The best wineries in south africas cape winelands the. The essential guide to south african wines is a new book that addresses two important aspects of our wine industry.

For the first time in south africa, a team of highly qualified subject experts have collaborated to write a publication simultaneously addressing the most influential factors facing the wine industry one decade into democracy. South african wine has needed a book like wines of the new south africa for some time james brings a fresh perspective and a critical eye to a wine. This is a list of wineries in south africa arranged by wine region. While pinotage wine had been made in 1941 it wasnt until 1961 that it was featured on a label and marketed as pinotage. South africa is another wine region making a wide assortment of excellent wines.

The essential guide to south african wines book, 2009. Indeed, written with a sure grasp of the history of south african wines and a patriotic sense of their value in the world, this book will doubtless go far to enhance the industrys growth. Under this certification process, vintage dated wine must be composed of at least 85% grapes that were harvested that vintage year. South african wine a guide to the wines of south africa. The wines of south africa by james seely 1997, paperback. But south african wines still had yet to catch on in the rest of the world. May 20, 2015 the jawdropping wines of south africas stellenbosch district. Wines of the new south africa by tim james hardcover. Its varieties give drinkers high quality at a very affordable price. As the kwv is now a privately owned winemaking cooperative, some of its regulatory responsibilities have fallen to other. Many of the best wines in the world are made right here in cape town. South african wines to beat the lockdown david williams. Pinotage, a cross between pinot noir and cinsault, is the countrys signature grape, responsible for redfruitdriven, spicy, earthy reds. Economy class depending on the length of your flight, we will serve you a light snack or a delicious multicourse meal made using our very best local products.

Spend a little more on wines from this part of the globe and you will be rewarded with top quality from passionate producers. S s outh african wines are simply an infusion of the old winemaking methods combined with new ones to create modern bottled poetry for you. South african red wines cabernet sauvignon 30,000 acres 2011 there is a savory complexity to south african cab, which makes it a delightful alternative to the more fruitforward cab values from paso robles or sonoma, california. Economy class depending on the length of your flight, we will serve you a light snack or a delicious multi. The wine regions of paarl, franschoek, and stellenbosch produce some of the finest wines in the cape winelands, surrounded by lush mountains and rolling vineyards. The franschhoek wine tram hopon hopoff tour is one of the best ways to discover the true essence of the franschhoek valley picturesque vineyards, breathtaking scenery, warm hospitality, worldclass cuisine, fine wines and a 300year history. South african winelands travel attracts oenophiles with vintages that range from sauvignon blanc to its famed red pinotage. Spier hosts picnics on their lawns in the summer months and has a stateoftheart wine tasting room that overlooks the spier dam. Wines of south africa wosa is a notforprofit industry organisation which promotes the export of all south african wine in key international markets. Share your wine experiences visiting wine estates and wines available in the uk. For breaking news, competitions, special offers and more, also follow us on. The jawdropping wines of south africa s stellenbosch district.

The tastings include multiple wines, the option to do a chocolate and wine pairing, and even a grape juice tasting for the kids. Nov 11, 2009 9 2001 morgenhof cape late bottled vintage, 17. South africas winelands of the cape hoberman books. Jul 19, 20 the result is that wines of the new south africa is as complete a reference on the south african wine scene as youre likely to find, and those with an interest in learning more about south african wine will be able to spend many hours with the book. Since then, the south african wine industry has experienced some setbacks due to the phylloxera infestation of the late 1800s and political difficulties throughout the following century. Welcome to platters by diners club south african wine guide. Oct 16, 2012 my interest in seeing whats new in south african wine provoked me to call on a number of wineries in the capewine 2012 exhibition hall. A lot of stores have shelves of cheap bottles with various animals on the label, but while people all over the world assumed there wasnt much out there beyond fairviews goats do roam. Best south african wines you need to try the independent. Scents of ripe strawberry and ripe cherries on the nose. The south african wine festival gives you the opportunity to be part of this vibe, meet charismatic, fun filled winemakers, explore, sample and celebrate the best south african wines, food and culture available throughout the uk from 1st 7th september 2019. Here you will find uptodate information on our regions, varieties, terroir and amazing biodiversity, which all make for magic wines from a magical place.

Explore the fantastic wine regions of paarl, franschoek, and stellenbosch on this 8 and a half hour tour. South africas wine zones are divided into region, then smaller districts and finally wards, but the countrys wine styles are differentiated more by grape variety than by region. A winery is a building or property that produces wine, or a business involved in the production of wine, such as a wine company. But, the wines of south africa is more than just a history and a tour of the countrys wineproducing regions. Terroir and travel is the second edition of the illustrated guide on the wines of south africa. On your travels, if you decide to bring south african wine to your palate, home or establishment, and you want to learn more, here are some pointers. South africas first and still bestselling wine annual, platters guide is the. At the time i wasnt keeping notes on wine, so i dont have a scribble in any notebook to look back on for my very first impression. Updated march 8, 2020 at 850 kilometers, route 62 in south africa is considered to be the longest wine route in the world. James brings a fresh perspective and a critical eye to a wine. The proprietary grape of south africa is called pinotage. Wines of the new south africa tradition and revolution.