Many of the photos we see of south african vineyardspositioned in front of striking granite mountains,are from the stellenbosch area. Detailed south african wine regions map wine posters. But, the wines of south africa is more than just a history and a tour of the countrys wineproducing regions. 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. Platters wine guide everything you want to know about south african wine, brought to you by the countrys most recognised wine adviser. If only tim james had written this book about south african wine two years ago, before we spent many hours researching the producers. The ultimate guide to south african wine expertise. Most south african wines are varietally labelled a key factor in any buying decision. The western capes rugged granite hills are over 65 million years old, and vines struggle to dig. Instead, it tells the remarkable story of south africas transition from apartheid to. Wines of the new south africa by tim james hardcover. For the first time in south africa, a team of highly qualified subject experts have collaborated to write a publication simultaneously addressing the most influential factors facing the wine. Under this certification process, vintage dated wine must be composed of at least 85% grapes that were harvested that vintage year. 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.
Jan 21, 2009 not that we found any of our south african wines harking back to the bygone days of 12. South africa select the country below with centuries of tradition dating back to 1659, south africa is one of the most wellrespected wineproducing nations on the planet, and you will not find many better collections of south african wine anywhere else. The wines of south africa by james seely 1997, paperback. And in the recent past, south african wines were shunned on account of apartheid. In the 18th century, there was a shortage of proper oak barrels for aging, and terroirs and climates had yet to be matched to the grapes most suited to grow in them. Today, south african wines straddle old world and new. South africa is seventhlargest producer of wine in world and fourth. Cape town, south africa cabernet sauvignon, merlot, shiraz.
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. 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. The quality of the wines, the skill and enthusiasm of the winemakers and a laissez faire attitude are all contributing to a real sense of excitement that is palpable, especially when theres a number of winemakers in the room. Wines of south africa wosa is a notforprofit industry organisation which promotes the export of all south african wine in key international markets. Since then, the south african wine industry has experienced some setbacks due to the phylloxera infestation of the late 1800s and political difficulties throughout the following century. Sep 27, 20 south africas most planted wine grapes are chenin blanc and cabernet sauvignon.
This is a list of wineries in south africa arranged by wine region. Mar 02, 2017 the first vintage was produced in 1659, and in the coming century south african wine, known as constantia, became one of the most popular fortified wines in europe. While most of the aforementioned varieties end up being blended, south africas cooler climate regions including elgin and walker bay. Other south african reds several other red wines are growing in south africa, including malbec, petit verdot, pinot noir and cinsault spelled cinsaut in sa. 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. Try the fmc, is one of the most powerful voices of the south african wine industry. May 20, 2015 the jawdropping wines of south africas stellenbosch district.
Quality and sales of south african wines have improved sharply since fall of apartheid and lifting of international sanctions. In this truly epic production, renowned south african fatherandson team gerald and marc hoberman, showcase south africas wine country as never seen. Here you will find uptodate information on our regions, varieties, terroir and amazing biodiversity, which all make for magic wines from a magical place. But south african wines still had yet to catch on in the rest of the world. The ultimate guide to south african red wines vintage. The 38th edition of the platters wine guide of south african wines has just been launched. 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. Dec 19, 2019 the area just north of cape town is a prime south african shiraz region, and its a part of the country which draws favourable comparisons with the varietys spiritual home in the rhone valley. A dutch surgeon, jan van riebeeck, was assigned the task of managing the station and planting vineyards to produce wines and grapes. James brings a fresh perspective and a critical eye to a wine region about.
Not that we found any of our south african wines harking back to the bygone days of 12. 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. The growers and shippers concentrated on fortified wines in imitation of sherry and port, but now the term south african sherry may no longer be used in europe, and that trade too has vanished. The rolling green pastures lie beneath hosting a myriad of vineyards which flourish on the ancient soils. Styles vary of course, and our notes aim to clarify this, but you will probably already know whether you like sauvignon blanc now among the worlds best, chardonnay, riesling, syrah, pinot noir, or cabernet. How south africa built a booming wine business entrepreneur.
John platter south african wines 9780958389884 by platter, john and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Aug 30, 2019 the simple fact is, there are very few south african wines exported to the u. Approach south african wines with curiosity, rather than apprehension, he says. May 03, 2020 but so many of the best modern south african wines are blends. Best south african wines you need to try the independent. South african shiraz wines tend to be rich, with deep blueberry and blackberry flavours which work well with the rustic cuisine the nation is famed for. Search the worlds most comprehensive index of fulltext books. No, these are potent bottles, most of them around 14 to 14. Majestic still has in stock some of the wonderfully light, brisk, beaujolaisesque. This winebible gives you, in a handy format, all you. From cape agulhas to central orange, south africa is the next great region for warmclimate wines with dusty minerality. South africas most planted wine grapes are chenin blanc and cabernet sauvignon. Welcome to platters by diners club south african wine guide. The old mutual trophy wine show is south africas premier wine.
The striking simonsberg mountain names the ward or area most highly sought after for these reds, but stellenbosch produces a wide range of wine styles, from excellent chenin blancs. The dynamism that has been so evident in the south african wine scene hasnt passed stellenbosch by, however, and some newer producers are making great wines here. The jawdropping wines of south africas stellenbosch district. The essential guide to south african wines a musthave guide to south african wines addressing the important aspect of terroir and winetourism. Its mentioned in jane austens sense and sensibility, charles dickens the mystery of edwin drood, and charles baudelaires les fleurs du mal, among other works. 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. Today, however, south africa is increasingly responsible for highdemand, highquality winesa blessing to put the country back on the international wine map. Wines such as kanonkops paul sauer, meerlusts rubicon and warwicks trilogy are south african icons, produced over many years, and with proven ageing capacity.
Instead, it tells the remarkable story of south africas transition. But so many of the best modern south african wines are blends. South african wine a guide to the wines of south africa. All natural ferments, no new wood, no enzymes, no filtration nor fining these wines are a pure expression of their vineyard sites. The most popular wine books are beginners guides, a publisher once told me. The old mutual trophy wine show is south africas premier wine competition, identifying the very best cape wines. The ultimate guide to south african red wines vintage roots. Majestic still has in stock some of the wonderfully light, brisk, beaujolaisesque, cinsaultbased alheit limited release red blend. Tokara, the acclaimed family owned stellenbosch wine estate, has excelled as a top preforming cellar at the wm 10 year old wine awards for the 4th consecutive year with four wines breaking the venerable 90 point barrier. The winners of the 2018 old mutual trophy wine show have been announced. Platters south african wine guide everything you want to know about south african wine, brought to you by the countrys favourite wine adviser.
Although the book details all the wine regions of south africa, by far the majority are located in the western cape, close to the city of cape town. Varietal wines must also be composed of at least 85% of. South african wine has needed a book like wines of the new south africa for some time. Wines of the new south africa tradition and revolution.
I visited only coastal region districts and saw paarl, stellenbosch, cape peninsula, and tygerberg. The blend perfectly balances the fabulous fruit flavors, structure, and acidity. South africas wines come of age the new york times. During the first democratic elections in 1994, south africa began to reemerge onto the international wine scene. Nov 14, 2017 south african winemaking is on fire right now. Oct 09, 2012 south african wines are regarded as new world wines masquerading as old world wines this is what i was told in my wine classes. Jun 02, 2018 the winners of the 2018 old mutual trophy wine show have been announced. The three foxes are south african winemaking superstar chris mullineux along with pascal and olivier schildt. 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.
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. South africas wineproducing regions are divided by region, district, and ward with the principal regions being breede, river. South africas winelands of the cape hoberman books. Last year i spent two weeks in south africa where i visited 14 wineries, tasted at least 75 different labels, and learned some of the history of south african wine. The area just north of cape town is a prime south african shiraz region, and its a part of the country which draws favourable comparisons with the varietys spiritual home in the rhone valley.
Wine by the glass oz clarke pavilion books, 2018 r155. A winery is a building or property that produces wine, or a business involved in the production of wine, such as a wine company. Because of the generally warm climate, south africas red grapes in particular get very ripe and produce full, high alcohol wines. This was intended to ward off scurvy amongst sailors during their voyages along the spice. South africa wine guide 2019 cape winelands one page guide. The first vintage was produced in 1659, and in the coming century south african wine, known as constantia, became one of the most popular fortified wines in europe. The simple fact is, there are very few south african wines exported to the u. Platters by diners club international 2020 south african wine guide john platter sa wine. South africas wine land is regarded as being staggeringly beautiful the majestic table mountain looms above capetown acting as an iconic landmark. Jan 16, 2016 native ken forrester, known for his fabulous chenin blancs my tip.
The jawdropping wines of stellenbosch, south africa. It is made from 100% hand harvested, organically grown grapes from vineyards under sustainable agriculture. From a crisp sauvigon blanc to a plummy shiraz, these are the south african wines to drink from majestic, morrisons, wine society and tesco. For breaking news, competitions, special offers and more, also follow us on. A beginners guide to south african wine serious eats. The roots of the south african wine industry can be traced to the explorations of the dutch east india company, which established a supply station in what is now cape town.
Indeed, written with a sure grasp of the history of south african wines and a patriotic sense of their value in the world, this book will doubtless go far to enhance the industrys growth. This is gorgeous oldvine carignan from the swartland that wears the pinotesque side of carignan well. The easiest way to find south african wines, wineries, tasting rooms, people, news, events, maps, videos, wine routes, tours, restaurants, accommodation and things to do in the cape winelands. Whether directed at dummies or filled with factoids designed to appeal to millennials, these introductory works can give a tyro wine lover a terrific head. South african wines to beat the lockdown david williams. South african wines step onto the stage the new york times. My personal experience confirms that when we blind tasted russel hamilton pinot noir blind i could swear it was a classic burgundy.