Wines of South Africa: reviews

For many South African wine remained unopened. Although shelves and were full of cheap bottles with animals on the labels, wine lovers around the world believed that the image of Goats Fairview's nothing special. Meanwhile, South Africa was busy with the creation of truly great wines.

New world vs Old

French, Italian, Spanish, wines of Portugal and Germany - all of them are regions of the Old world. To the New World include, for example, New Zealand. These regions generally have a shorter history of winemaking than Europe, and they have a warmer climate. In General, bottles of wine from the New world are designated by grape variety, not the name of a place.

Although South Africa, which is about three times the size of California, is considered a new wine region, new to this she is not. The first grapes were planted here in 1655, and shortly thereafter, the sweet wines of Constantia, which is situated near Cape town, was celebrated throughout Europe.

South Africa has come a long way. During her isolation most of the wines of the country was a tedious and insipid. Red is often distinguished by the flavor of burnt rubber and white was reminiscent of vinegar. But since then quality has improved dramatically.

Today, wines of South Africa with a taste of ripe silky fruit, not lacking earthy flavors and different complete restraint, trying to win the Old and New world. Because of the warm climate, usually red grape in South Africa get very ripe and produce a full, high alcohol wines. But in the Western Cape the cold ocean breezes help to maintain a bright acidity, which gives freshness and is more suited to the food.

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What you see on the label?

The Best wines of South Africa, according to fans of Sunny beverage, produced in the South-Western part of the country, the Western Cape province. Wines are classified according to significant geographic areas that are then divided into districts, counties and territories. For example, Stellenbosch is a district within the Coastal area.

Wines of South Africa have its own system of designation of origin, which is similar to American AVA. If the bottle Chenin-Blanc is the inscription «wine comes from Stellenbosch”, then immediately become clear a few things: the drink was tasting, it's 85% Chenin-Blanc grapes grown in Stellenbosch. Manufacturers are not required to label their products this way, but if they do not, you will not be able to indicate on the label the vintage, variety or area.

Sauvignon Blanc

If you are looking for a good and inexpensive white wine South Africa, reviews of connoisseurs recommend starting with Sauvignon Blanc. This is a good illustration of how South Africa paves the path between the New and the Old world: the drink not the intensity of the new Zealand namesake, but there is a fresh green note is synonymous with a picnic on the lawn, well combined with hints of white flowers and fine, chalky minerals, which may remind of Sancerre. To experience these feelings, you can try “2013 Neil Ellis Sauvignon Blanc” for $ 15 per bottle from Groenkloof, wineries in the Darling, located in the Coastal area. The wine will brighten the day with aromas of grapefruit and hints of fresh herbs.

The Sauvignon Blanc is often thought of as thirst-quenching beverage like limada consumed before a meal. A bottle of good quality may be combined with richer main dishes like halibut in cream sauce. Reviews lovers recommend you to try the “Cape point Vinyards 2013 Sauvignon Blanc" ($25). Refined with a touch of Semillon, the wine combines aromas of white peach and raw hazelnuts. Buitenverwachting (often shortened to Buiten or Bayten) is another good manufacturer to look for.

Chenin Blanc

For many centuries, South African wine producers have named this floral grape "Steen", but in the 1960-ies, they found that in fact it is the "Chenin Blanc", variety that made the famous French regions such as Vouvray and Savenger. If you like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, the experts strongly recommend to try the drink made from this grape. This dry wine South Africa contains almost no sweetness that enhances the flavor of yellow Apple and Jasmine.

The MAN makes a wonderful Family Wines Chenin Blanc Coastal region, which you can buy at a price below ten dollars. The 2014 harvest is fresh and clean, with notes of ripe melon and white peach, making it an excellent companion to seafood and afternoon rest on the deck.

South African grape "Chenin Blanc" is used in the production of delicious blends and is frequently combined with varieties of the Rhone, such as "Viognier", "Rusan", "Marsanne" and "Grenache Blanc". This wine South Africa reviews emit more rich flavor and texture. Try Jackal Bird Fable Mountain Vineyards winery 2012 harvest value of $ 25. It is full bodied and surprisingly refreshing drink with flavors of yellow cherries and almonds.

Wine Pinotage

South Africa scares many tasting of Pinotage, but this procedure always ends with the variety finds new fans andbecomes ultimately the most favorite and interesting drink. The grapes were once called “smelling of bandages and the barnyard", but recent yields are extremely tasty.

Good examples of Pinotage combines the flavors of a sun-kissed blackberries and cherries with roasted herbs and smoke. They could remind you about the southern French blends, made from grapes "Carignan", "Syrah" and "Grenache" and "Mourvedre".

Another good news is that a bottle of delicious wines of this variety can easily be found in all price categories. For about $ 13 you can stock up on Pinotage “Tormentoso” the 2013 harvest and enjoy the combination of aromas of fresh red plum, blueberry and hamburgers on the grill. Kanonkop – a fantastic producer from Stellenbosch, which makes a great blend called Pinotage Kadette cost $ 12. It is a blend with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet-franc.

Wishing to explore the height, which can reach the red wines of South Africa must pay 100% Pinotage from Kanonkop at a price of about $ 40 per bottle. Rich flavors of black cherry, violets and dried tobacco perfect for roast lamb or other meats on the grill.

Syrah or Shiraz

These wines, sometimes known as Shiraz, Syrah and sometimes have aromas of ripe BlackBerry and blueberry, and earthy flavors of the Old world. Many also feel the pepper and meat flavors that are a feature of French Syrah.

You Should look for a Syrah wine from Swartland. It is a large area located to the North of Cape town, often compared to the Rhone valley, famous for its grapes "Syrah". Test fit the 2012 Secateurs Red Blend production Badenhorst Family Wines at $ 14 per bottle, which is "Shiraz", "Senso" and a few other grape varieties produce juicy, medium bodied wine with aromas of strawberry and anise.

Fans of the more adventurous options of Syrah should try Bellingham's 'the Bernard Series' 2011 Small Barrel S. M. V. a cost of $ 40 from a Coastal region. Fans of Australian Shiraz will especially appreciate the flavors of cherries, dark chocolate and rocky granite tones of this wine.

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

These two classes have found their spiritual homeland in Burgundy, France, but are grown all over the world with varying degrees of success. It is difficult to find the right balance of sun and cold air, not to mention the correct soil that grapes make a great wine. In some regions of South Africa the art of balance has been mastered quite well, and the leader among them is the Walker Bay. You should search for a wine South Africa red wine valley of Hemel-en-Aarde (“Paradise on earth”). Here is the famous Hamilton Russell winery. Its Chardonnay harvest in 2013 of $ 25 per bottle is a rich creamy wine whose aromas of ripe peach and toasty toast balanced with expressive minerality.

In South Africa is grown not so much "Pinot Noir", but what you can find, very high quality. "Strom vines" harvest in 2012, the winery made the "dangers" of the valley of Hemel-EN-Aarde ($45), intoxicatingly fragrant with notes of fresh strawberry, rose petals and cinnamon. Those who like Pinot Noir from Oregon, will have to taste and this wine: it has a lot of acidity, medium structure and soft tannins.

Blends Cabernet Sauvignon

Looking around the world a good Cabernet Sauvignon at an affordable price? It is harder and harder to find, but South Africa offers an impressive ratio of price and quality. Mulderbosch Faithful Hound, is made from "Cabernet-Sauvignon, Cabernet-franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot", sold for $ 19 and can compare with their more expensive counterparts. This full bodied blend at the intersection of traditions Old and New world filled with aromas of ripe cherry, mint and cedar and envelops refined terroir.

Sparkling wine: the method Cap Classique

Cap Classique – the name of the traditional method of making sparkling wines produced in South Africa. These wines South Africa, which can be done in any part of the country, like champagne saturated with carbon dioxide in the process of secondary fermentation in the bottle. This category is on the rise, so a lot of suggestions on the market yet. One of the benchmarks of representatives is a Cap Classique Graham Beck's Brut Rosé at $ 15 per bottle. This blend of "Pinot Noir" and "Chardonnay" is a wonderful aperitif, with fresh notes of raspberry, red Apple and rose petals.