Wines of South Africa
Wine from South Africa does not get the recognition it deserves. They are the eighth largest producer of wine in the world yet I guarantee when the average person goes to the wine shelves they head straight for France, Italy or Australia. It’s a real shame as they produce a wide range of varietals and blends, all attractively priced.
From cool climate Sauvignons to full bodied spicy Shiraz there is something for everyone. Think of South Africa and it is easy to think of heat but there are a surprising number of regions including Elgin where the climate is cool enough to make Sauvignons to rival those from New Zealand. The Chardonnays from Walker Bay can rival good Burgundies from France and the Cabernet Sauvignons from Paarl or Stellenbosch are ripe, fruity and amazingly good value. Pinotage and Chenin Blanc are the two best known local grapes although Semillon used to be the most planted many decades ago. The best semillon I ever had was from South Africa.
Nowadays it is a peaceful democracy and a dynamic country of enormous diversity with a winemaking tradition that dates back over 3 centuries. It combines the modern winemaking techniques from the New World with the traditions found in the Old World. The country has an amazing biodiversity and it makes much of it with its theme of “variety is in our nature“. That biodiversity is found in its soils, climate and geography.
So next time you buy a bottle visit the South African wine shelves. With a difficult economy and much still to do socially and culturally even although apartheid is over, the country needs everyone’s support and what better way than by buying a bottle of wine.
