Mar 11, 2019 10 top south african wines worth seeking out on a recent trip to the winelands of south africa, georgie hindle visited many of the top wineries the region has to offer. The essential guide to south african wines is a new book that addresses two. Within stellenbosch there are 7 subregions, or wards, and a few unofficial delineated areas where wine is produced. Bordeaux, wines, regions, producers the book bkwine. South african wine has a history dating back to 1659, with the first bottle produced in cape town by its founder jan van riebeeck. The wines are fermented in a mixture of concrete eggs, for fruit character, and barriques, for complexity and texture. More significant in south africa than much of the new world notably new zealand and chile are blends, which make selection more complicated, as the style of the wine is less easy to anticipate. Instead, it tells the remarkable story of south africas transition from apartheid to. The ultimate guide to south african red wines vintage. Tokara excels for 4th consecutive year at wm 10 year old wine awards. The book is part of the series guide to the world of wine and is written and photographed by britt karlsson and per karlsson, multiple awardwinning wine book authors. Mulderbosch vineyards in stellenbosch and fable mountain vineyard in tulbagh. Epub the roots of the south african wine industry can be traced back to the exploration of the dutch east india company when a supply station continue reading wines of south africa by pierre.
The south african wine index sawi has released its ranking of the top wine producers in south africa, and the leading brand. The south african wine index sawi has released its ranking of the top wine producers in. 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. Tim james, an expert on south african wines, takes the. And in the recent past, south african wines were shunned on account of apartheid. Many of the photos we see of south african vineyardspositioned in front of striking granite mountains,are from the stellenbosch area. Jun 07, 2017 there is a wine revolution quietly going on in south africa. That led to the birth of the modern wine industry in south africa, where today you can find many very exiting wineries producing outstanding wines. The 38th edition of the platters wine guide of south african wines has just been. James brings a fresh perspective and a critical eye to a wine region about which he clearly cares deeply. South africas largest and most loved travelling tryandbuy wine show the tops at spar wine show has launched its 2020 tour with a refreshing new identity and brand promise that invites guests to step into the beauty of the cape winelands.
Great prices from, largest retailer of south african, australian, new zealand, chile and argentina wines. The wine producers, the changing vineyard, the social landscape. He is also a part of marvelous wines, a collaboration with a local. 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. Region western cape, south africa year founded 2011 proprietors duncan savage winemaker duncan savage size of property sourced from growers around the western cape. Jan 16, 2016 in 2011, he bought two south africa wineries. Government of south africa pretoria press release i welcome the news today that regulations have been amended to allow for the export of wines from south africa. Under this certification process, vintage dated wine must be composed of at least 85% grapes that were harvested that vintage year. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Tim james, an expert on south african wines, takes. Being named winery of the year is great honour for a south african producer.
Pinotage, a cross between pinot noir and cinsault, is the countrys signature grape, responsible for redfruitdriven, spicy, earthy reds. Epub the roots of the south african wine industry can be traced back to the exploration of the dutch east india company when a supply station was established in cape town. The warmth of the southern climate results in lush, well rounded and highly fruity merlot wines, which generally display classic features of this grape. A beginners guide to south african wine serious eats. A wine soaked journey from grape to glass by natalie.
Additions of sauvignon and muscat lift the aromatics without taking away from the semillon charm. South african wine a guide to the wines of south africa. The small hand selected parcels of fruit receive much love and. Even though many people regard south africa as a new world wine producing country, we have in fact happily been making wine for centuries. Access to international markets led to new investment in the south african wine market. 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. The wines of south africa faber books on wine hardcover july 1, 1997 by james seely author. He started his career as an assistant winemaker at mullineux family wines and is now making the wines at fable mountain vineyards. The jawdropping wines of stellenbosch, south africa. The first one was when apartheid ended and the kvw iron grip on the wine sector also came to an end. 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. Buy 12 bottles of wine online or more 5% buy 24 bottles of wine online or more 7% buy 36 bottles of wine online or more 8%.
Five natural wines from south africa that are really. The jawdropping wines of stellenbosch, south africa wine folly. The colour of wine isnt just another book about picturesque cape vineyards. Wines of the new south africa by tim james hardcover. The jawdropping wines of south africas stellenbosch district. The ultimate guide to south african wine expertise. Production is concentrated around cape town, with major vineyard and production centres at constantia, paarl, stellenbosch and worcester.
It is time to shake off the image of cheap and easy wines and show the world that south africa is also. The 5 following areas have consistently produced outstanding wines, each with their own regional specialty. Noble late harvest, sweet wine made from botrytised grapes. Wine and the new south africa gives an idea of the state of wine here today after the great breakthrough of 1994, with subheadings. Most of the wine produced in the country went directly to be distilled into brandy. The first half approximately of the book consists of the following chapters, following an introduction suggesting the great variety of landscape and winemaking and the complexities of south african history. This is a list of wineries in south africa arranged by wine region.
Now a new political age has arrived, and with it wine growers dedicated to bringing out the distinctive character derived from the soils and the nearperfect climate for grape growing enjoyed by various areas of south africa. Pinotage, a cross between pinot noir and cinsault, is the countrys signature grape, responsible for. Aug 30, 2019 but south africas distance from the western world, the depression and world war ii and its apartheid policies kept the wines out of many markets until well into the 1990s. Wosa, which was established in its current form in 1999, has over 500 producers on its database, comprising all the major south african wine exporters. 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.
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. Erica moodie for many wine drinkers, south africa is a bit of a mystery. Savage wines are inspired by the great older reds from south africa and abroad that have stood the test of time, and are made with gentle extraction, minimal intervention, and moderate alcohol. Winemaking is low intervention but high skill, using a mix of fermenting and ageing vessels, blending cleverly, and picking appropriately early. Tradition and revolution was published in mid 20 by university of california press. 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. I have privately brought in some copies of the book which i am able to sell at a decent discount to the prevailing rate. There is a wine revolution quietly going on in south africa. South africas wine industry is entering into the next chapter of its success story. The wines of south africa by james seely 1997, paperback. An introduction to the wines of south africa, plus a few bottles to seek out. 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.
The ultimate guide to south african red wines vintage roots. Imagine black pepper, bell pepper rounded out with currant, blackberry and plum. Sought after by european aristocrats and a favorite of. Volume discounts are applied to all purchases of 12 bottles of wine or more. Our winemaking tradition started when the dutch east india company, who traded in spices and all things, decided to establish a halfwaypitstop at the southern point of africa in 1652.
Wines of south africa wosa is a notforprofit industry organisation which promotes the export of all south african wine in key international markets. Wines of the new south africa tradition and revolution. Rall cinsault blanc 2017 coastal region, south africa this is a rare variety grown in a. South africas most planted wine grapes are chenin blanc and cabernet sauvignon. Instead, it tells the remarkable story of south africas transition. Tim james, an expert on south african wines, takes the reader on an informationpacked tour of the region, showing us how and why the unique combination of terroir and climate, together with dramatic improvements in winemaking. Another major player when it comes to new world red wines, merlot is a bordeaux variety which has also found a happy home in south africa. South african wine has needed a book like wines of the new south africa for some time. These discounts do not apply to wines that are part of any other specially reduced or 6 bottle discount offers. Shop all wines from south africa join the south africa group the history of winemaking in south africa began as the dutch east india company established a refreshment station at the cape for trading fleets a precursor to the truck stop in 1652. The world atlas of wine by hugh johnson, red, white, and drunk all over. Rall cinsault blanc 2017 coastal region, south africa this is a rare variety grown in a forgotten 0. This astonishing wine takes its grapes from three vineyards, planted in 1902 the oldest in south africa, 1936 and 1942.
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. Here you will find uptodate information on our regions, varieties, terroir and amazing biodiversity, which all make for magic wines from a magical place. Buy wine by varietal and category or via country and winery. These are the most highly rated wines of the cape over the past 10 years from numerous vintages in over 30 local and international forums. Tremaynes philosophy is to make wines that have soul and are satisfying to both make and drink. 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. We are happy to enable you to prepare yourself for your prowein 2017 by giving you access to our bottlebooks prowein catalogue. 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. During the first democratic elections in 1994, south africa began to reemerge onto the international wine scene. Here you will be able to access indepth information about all the wines and exhibitors. Bordeaux, wines, regions, producers the book fblikebutton bordeaux, wines, regions, producers is an indispensable guide for those who want to know more about this world famous wine region, its wines and its winemakers.
As in australia and california, however, many of the best wines here are blends a sign of maturity in the industry. A winery is a building or property that produces wine, or a business involved in the production of wine, such as a wine company. Here you will be able to access indepth information about all the wines and exhibitors present at the wines of south african stand in hall 9. Before the last 10 years south african wines barely crested the bottom of the grocery store shelf.
Dec 19, 2019 another major player when it comes to new world red wines, merlot is a bordeaux variety which has also found a happy home in south africa. Bordeaux, wines, regions, producers is an indispensable guide for those who want to know more about this world famous wine region, its wines and its winemakers. Sep 27, 20 all about south african wine with map if you love cabernet sauvignon, start looking for south africas hot values. May 20, 2015 this map is a modified version of the map by wines of south africa.
Tim james, an expert on south african wines, takes the reader on an. Wines of south africa wosa is a fully inclusive body, representing all south african producers of wine who export their products. But south africas distance from the western world, the depression and world war ii and its apartheid policies kept the wines out of many markets until well into the 1990s. Terroir grapes are meticulously sourced from a number of altitude and maritime vineyards around the western cape farmed by passionate south africans. Methode cap classique, south africas own term for the traditional champagne method of making wine sparkle.
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