Wines of South Africa
July 14, 2008 by vegasrenie
I have been asked many times which region is my favorite outside of the United States.
Everybody loves French wines , even if they don’t love - or even particularly like - the French. Same here. I enjoy wines of Italy and Spain as well. German whites are the best way to begin to develop a palate if a neophyte doesn’t understand the nuances of wines. My passion for New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is no secret, and Australian Shirazes are powerful and rich in fruit. South America can’t go unmentioned - can we say Torrontes!! - and Canadian icewines are fun and delicious. And some are even affordable. So which is my favorite?
None of the above.
My favorite non-USA wines are from South Africa .
South Africa?!? Nobody makes wine in AFRICA!! Really? Prepare to be informed!
The two major wine regions in South Africa are Stellenbosch and Paarl, the Napa/Sonoma equivalents of South Africa. These are historical regions, rich in history. Although many of the wineries in those regions have existed since the early settlements of the continent, they have blossomed in quantity and bourgeoned in quality since the end of apartheid in 1994 (apartheid, by the way, began in the 1940s - a relatively recent occurrence). More importantly, the indigenous Africans have become actively involved in the winemaking industry, and I will be writing in depth on that in a future article.
But don’t be mistaken. Although those are the two major wine regions, there are quite a few more. Those are as follows: Constantia, Elgin, Franschoek, Paarl, Robertson, Stellenbosch, Swartland, Walker Bay, and Worcester. Just as there are smaller regions in California apart from the Napa/Sonoma juggernaut, there are smaller regions in South Africa.
The winery names span the gamut from those that are historical names from the Dutch settlers (Meerlust, Boekenhoutskloof, and Vergenogoed) to those that give a nod to the indigenous people (Makulu, Kanu, and Umkhulu) to those that are just quirky or neutral (Goats do Roam, Spice Route, and Porcupine).
My introduction to South African wines came at a tasting about five years ago. I remember it clearly; it was a Friday evening tasting at Lee’s Discount Liquor on Lake Mead in northwest Las Vegas, and the pourer was showcasing the wines of South Africa. Because I was newly returned to the world of wine appreciation, I remember expressing surprise that there wines from Africa.
I tasted a 2000 Lanzerac Pinotage and I was instantly hooked. Deep, rich, and smoky, it was like drinking tropical fruits with a touch of banana that had been wrapped in smoked bacon and put on an outdoor grill for a while. Inky in color, it had the same smoked meat character on the nose. The South African terroir (which instantly became a part of my terroir repertoire- lol), revealed itself, and since that time I’ve been able to detect a South African red just about anywhere.
I have also learned in the ensuing years that South Africa is developing a lot of other varietals. Although Pinotage is its flagship, Chenin Blanc , Shiraz, Merlot, Chardonnay, and beautiful, New Zealand worthy Sauvignon Blancs have been produced and are world class in quality. There are other varietals as well, but these are some of my favorites, with the Pinotage and Shiraz varietals being at the top of the list. What can I say? I like barbeque and spice!
It is a coincidence that Marché Bacchus will be having a South African wine tasting this coming Saturday. The winery is Ataraxia - which is new to me - and will be showcasing their whites and their flagship red blend. Interestingly, they will not be showcasing a Pinotage. There are many wineries that don’t make Pinotage wines and prefer to concentrate on other varietals instead. Ataraxia is such a winery, and I can’t wait to taste their wines!
Want to learn more? I will be touching on other wineries in South Africa, a little on the history, and my personal experiences with some of the wines. And, yes, I will talk a little more about Pinotage, which, by the way, is a genetic cross between the Pinot Noir and Cinsault (Hermitage) grapes. The name is a concatenation of the two parents. Pinotage is a love/hate grape and I will be sharing the reasons why.
Stay tuned for more!
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