For many, South African wines remained undiscovered.Although the store shelves were full of cheap bottles with different animals on the labels, wine lovers all over the world believed that there was nothing special about the image of the Goat Fairview. Meanwhile, South Africa was busy making some really great wines.
New World vs. Old
French, Italian, Spanish, winesPortugal and Germany - they all belong to the regions of the Old World. To New World can be attributed, for example, New Zealand. These regions as a whole have a shorter winemaking history than Europe, and they have a warmer climate. In general, bottles of wine from the New World are indicated by the grape variety, and not by the name of the area.
И хотя Южная Африка, которая примерно в три раза exceeds the size of the state of California, is considered a new wine region, a newcomer to this business is not. The grapes were first planted here in 1655, and shortly thereafter, the sweet wines of Constantia, which is not far from Cape Town, were extolled throughout Europe.
ЮАР прошла долгий путь.During its isolation, most of the country's wines were tedious and tasteless. Red often had a burnt rubber flavor, and white resembled vinegar. But since then the quality has improved dramatically.
Today, South African wines with ripe silky tastefruit, not devoid of earthy flavors and characterized by complete restraint, trying to conquer the Old and New Worlds. Because of the warm climate, as a rule, red grapes in South Africa turn out to be very ripe and produce full, high alcoholic wines. But in the Western Cape province, cold ocean breezes help to maintain a bright acidity, which gives freshness and is more suited to food.
What do you see on the label?
Лучшие вина ЮАР, по отзывам любителей этого solar drink, produced in the southwestern part of the country, already mentioned Western Cape Province. Wines are classified by large geographic areas, which are then divided into districts, counties and territories. For example, Stellenbosch is a county within the Coastal Region.
South African wines have their own designation system.origin, which is similar to the American AVA. If there is an inscription on the bottle of chenille blanc, the wine comes from Stellenbosch, then several things become immediately clear: the drink passed the tasting, it is 85% made of chenille blanc, and grapes are grown in Stellenbosch. Producers are not required to label their products in this way, but if they do not, they will not be able to indicate on the label vintage, variety or region.
Sauvignon Blanc
If you are looking for good and cheap white wines from 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 does not have the intensity of the New Zealand namesake, but there is a fresh green note associated with a picnic on the lawn, well combined with shades of white flowers and thin, chalky minerals that can to remind of a sensera. To experience these sensations, you can try Neil Ellis 2013 Sauvignon Blanc for $ 15 a bottle from Groenkloof, a winery in Darling located in the Coastal Region. Wine brightens the day with the aromas of grapefruit and hints of fresh herbs.
Sauvignon Blanc is often thought of as quenchingcraving a drink like limead used before starting a meal. A bottle of good quality can also be combined with richer main dishes such as halibut and cream sauce. Amateur reviews recommend trying Cape Point Vineyards 2013 Sauvignon Blanc ($ 25). Refined by a touch of Semillion, the wine combines the aromas of white peach and raw hazelnuts. Buitenverwachting (often abbreviated to Buiten or Bayten) is another good manufacturer to look for.
Chenin Blanc
For centuries, the South Africanwinemakers called this flower grape "stin", but in the 1960s they discovered that it was actually "Chenin Blanc", a variety that made French regions such as Wouvre and Savenières famous. If you like pinot-gris or sauvignon blanc, then experts strongly recommend to try a drink from this grape. This dry South African wine contains almost no sweetness, which enhances the aroma of yellow apple and jasmine.
MAN Family Wines makes a wonderful Chenin BlancCoastal area, which can be purchased at a price below ten dollars. Vintage 2014 is fresh and clean, with notes of ripe melon and white peach, which makes it an excellent companion of seafood and afternoon relaxation on the deck.
South African grapes "Chenin Blanc"used in the production of delicious blends and is often combined with varieties of Rhone, such as "Viognier", "Rusan", "Marsan" and "Grenache blanc". This South African wine reviews emit the presence of a richer taste and texture. Try the Jackal Bird Winery 2012 Fable Mountain Vineyards harvest worth $ 25. This is a rich and surprisingly fresh drink with aromas of cherry and yellow almond.
Wine pintage
ЮАР пугает многих дегустацией пинотажа, но эта the procedure always ends with the fact that the brand finds new fans and becomes ultimately the most beloved and interesting drink. Grapes were once called "smelling bandages and a barnyard," but recent harvests are extremely tasty.
Good examples of pinching combine flavors.sun-kissed blackberries and cherries with roasted herbs and smoke. They could remind of southern French blends made from Carignan, Syrah, Grenache, and Murvedre grapes.
Еще одной хорошей новостью является то, что A bottle of delicious wine of this variety can be easily found in all price categories. For about $ 13, you can stock up with a “Tormentoso” crop of 2013 harvest and enjoy the combination of fresh red plum, blueberry and grilled hamburger flavors. Kanonkop is a fantastic producer from Stellenbosch who makes an excellent pintage blend called Kadette worth $ 12. This is a mixture of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc.
Those who want to explore the heights they canto reach the red wines of South Africa, they should fork out for 100% Kanonkop Pinotage at a price of about $ 40 per bottle. The rich aromas of cherries, violets and dried tobacco are ideal for roast lamb or other grilled meat dishes.
Shiraz or Syrah
These wines, sometimes called shiraz, and sometimes syrah,possess aromas of ripe blackberries and blueberries, as well as earthy tastes of the Old World. Many also feel the pepper and meat aromas that distinguish the French variety of syrah.
You should look for Syrah wine from Swartland.This is a large area north of Cape Town, often compared to the Rhone Valley, famous for its Syrah grapes. For the sample, Secateurs 2012 Red Blend produced by Badenhorst Family Wines is suitable for $ 14 per bottle, in which Shiraz, Senso and several other grape varieties create a juicy, medium-saturated wine with aromas of strawberries and anise.
Lovers of bolder syra varieties needtry Bellingham’s ‘Bernard Series’ 2011 Small Barrel S.M.V. $ 40 from the Coastal Region. Fans of the Australian Shiraz will especially appreciate the aromas of cherries, dark chocolate and stony granite tones of this wine.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
These two varieties found their spiritual homeland inBurgundy, France, but grown worldwide with varying degrees of success. It is difficult to find the right balance of sun and cold air, not to mention the right soil, so that this wine makes an excellent wine. In a number of regions of South Africa, the art of maintaining balance has been mastered quite well, and the leader among them is Walker Bay. You should look for dry red wine from South Africa from the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley ("Paradise on Earth"). This is where the famous Hamilton Russell winery is located. Her 2013 chardonnay for $ 25 a bottle is a rich cream wine whose aromas of ripe peach and toasted croutons are balanced by expressive minerality.
Not much grown in South Africapinot noir, but what you can find is of very high quality. The 2012 Strom Wines, made by the Vrede winery from the Hemel en Aarde Valley ($ 45), is delightfully fragrant with notes of fresh strawberries, rose petals and cinnamon. Those who like pinot noir from Oregon will also like this wine: it has a lot of acidity, medium texture and soft tannin.
Blend Cabernet Sauvignon
Looking around the world for a good Cabernet Sauvignon byaffordable price? It is getting harder and harder to find, but South Africa offers impressive value for money. The Mulderbosch Faithful Hound, made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Frans, Merlot, Malbec and Ptie Verdot, sells for $ 19 and can compare with its more expensive counterparts. This rich blend at the intersection of the traditions of the Old and the New World is filled with aromas of ripe cherries, mint and cedar and envelops with a refined terroir.
Sparkling Wine: Cap Classique Method
Cap Classique - the name of the traditional methodmaking sparkling wines made in South Africa. These wines of South Africa, which can be made anywhere in the country, like champagne are saturated with carbon dioxide in the process of secondary fermentation in a bottle. This category is on the rise, so there is no big offer on the market yet. One of Cap Classique’s benchmarks is Graham Beck’s Brut Rosé for $ 15 a bottle. This blend of “pinot noir” and “chardonnay” is a wonderful aperitif with fresh notes of raspberries, red apple and rose petals.
