SOUTH AFRICAN WINES

READING BETWEEN THE WINES:

South Africa has attained competitiveness with the world's top wine-producing countries in terms of consistency, depth and range.
— Michael Franz, Washington Post, July 28, 2004

The end of apartheid brought many positive changes for South Africa, but one of those seemingly minimal changes in the scope of such big transformation was their launch into the global wine market. Of course, wine lovers abroad found this to be a big plus. After all, South African has been producing wine for over 300 years and is the eighth largest wine producer in the world.

Unfortunately, South Africa wasn’t making many real fans at first, but over the past few years, production has leapt up in terms of quality consistency. South African wines yield somewhat lower alcohol content than Australian or Californian wines, but have higher acidity and solid flavor patterns.

The country is known for Old World favorites like the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc but also for New World triumphs like Shiraz or South Africa’s very own grapely creation, the Pinotage.

MAJOR SOUTH AFRICAN WINE REGIONS

The southern tip of Africa’s most vital wine regions arc around the coastal regions surrounding Cape Town, and several important regions are dotted inland as well. The major regions in South Africa are Constantia, Darling, Elim, Little Karoo, Olifants River, Northern Cape, Overberg, Paarl, Robertson, Stellenbosch, Swartland, Tulbagh, and Worcester.

THE GRAPES

The top grapes of South Africa are as follows:

SOUTH AFRICAN REDS:

Pinotage

Is that? No… It can’t be… It is! It’s blueberry! South African vintners have successfully crossed the Pinot Noir and Cinsault grape to make a unique wine grape called the Pinotage. This grape delivers complex light- to mid-bodied wines with distinct blueberry aromas.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Found mostly at the Cape in South Africa, Cabernet Sauvignon grapes — sometimes blended with Merlot or Cabernet Franc, sometimes not — age into some of the best peppery reds, which display a complex range of dark cherry, cedar, and black currant flavors.

Shiraz

You say Syrah; they say Shiraz. Local Shiraz wines can express smoky and spicy wines that, like the Cabernet, become more complex with proper aging.

Pinot Noir

The picky Pinot fairs well in the cooler South African climates. This grape turns out lighter red wines with cherry and strawberry nuances.
A large portion is used in making Cap Classique sparkling wines, which are the champagnes of the area.

SOUTH AFRICAN WHITES:

Chenin Blanc (Steen)

The widely grown Chenin Blanc offers a range of South African sweet and dry wines with fruity flavors. It is also used in the production of their sherry, brandy, sparkling wines, and spirits.

Sauvignon Blanc

This grape lady produces the best of South Africa’s sweet and dry whites that ooze melon-whiffs and spicy or herby nuances. The Sauvignon Blanc yields high, which brings its costs down low.

Chardonnay

A base grape in the champagne-like Cap Classiques, the Chardonnays in South Africa are found oak aged with tropical fruit or buttery essences.

HOW TO ORDER/BUY

The selection of quality and well-priced (many under $10 a bottle) South African wines is slowly growing in the States and around the world. Of course, if you live in England, you’ll have selection-a-plenty.

If you happen upon a nice variety at your local wine shop, it’s simple to choose a wine (simple, meaning not like choosing a French wine). When perusing, you’ll find the grape variety or “cultivar” listed right on the label.

If you want a big red, pick a Pinotage, a smooth, medium-bodied red, pick a Merlot, or a crisp fruity white, pick a Chenin Blanc. Get to know the rest of the label specifics by reading the “Legal Quality Code” section below.

CHOOSING AN SOUTH AFRICAN WINE

Various South African Producers

Chenin Blanc	Backsberg
Fleur du Cap	Plaisir de Merle
Boschendal	Glen Carlou
Chamonix	Clos Cabrière
Mulderbosch	Neil Ellis
Rust en Vrede	Saxenburg
Stellenryck	Stellenzicht
Thelema	Vergelegen
Warwick

LEGAL QUALITY CODES

South Africa has specific laws in place to strictly control wine quality and ensure each wine’s origin, authenticity, and style. The Wine and Spirit Board oversees these regulations by keeping the Wine of Origin and Integrated Production of Wine schemes in check. These laws also standardize wine labels with regard to:

1. Country of Origin
2. Appellation of Origin
3. Quality Standard
4. Name & Address of Producer/Brand Owner
5. Bottle Content
6. Alcohol Content
7. The Term 'Wine'
8. The Term 'Domain'
9. Wine and Spirit Board Authenticity Seal

References

www.epicurious.com
www.internetwineguide.com
www.tastings.com
www.winespectator.com
www.winexwired.com
www.wosa.co.za
www.washingtonpost.com
www.winespectator.com