Posts tagged “varietal”

Leading Varietals – Red wines

Posted on October 23rd, 2012

Last week I posted about South African white wine varietals. Of course South Africa has a great range of red varietals so here are some of them with some examples of good wines to try. Cabernet Franc Is the grassy cousin of Cabernet Sauvignon, and does very well as a blending partner. However, it is becoming popular as a single variety wine. Cabernet Sauvignon Cab Sav… one of the most famous wines out there. It ripens late and enjoys sites with long hours of sun, which are plentiful in South Africa. There is a high ratio of skin to juice and it has a high tannin content which means it has good maturation potential. It’s mainly grown in Stellenbosch-Simonsberg, Helshoogte and Paarl. Many brands are…

Categories: Learning about wine, South African Wine

Tagged: cabernet sauvignon, Drostdy-Hof, Durbanville Hills, Fleur du Cap, Nederburg, pinotage, red wine, South Africa, South Africa Uncorked, South African wine, Two Oceans, varietal, wine

Leading white wine varietals

Posted on October 15th, 2012

Although South Africa is better known for its big reds, there is an impressive number of white wine varietals. Here are some of them with some examples of good wines to try. Chenin Blanc Originally regarded as relatively ordinary, it was historically grown with high yields and poor fruit concentration. South Africa is now producing really good Chenin Blanc wines. The wine it produces has fresh applies and citrus notes. Over time the flavours develop rich honied flavours and the high acidity makes it a wine that can age for many years. It is also known as Steen. In Ireland we can find relatively easily Drostdy-hof and Fleur du Cap in a lot of stores. Chardonnay This grape flourishes in poor, rocky soils. The wine expresses typical…

Categories: Learning about wine, South African Wine

The humble grape

Posted on September 3rd, 2012

The grape variety or cultivar is the heart of a wine and determines the basis of flavours. The harvest takes place when the grape reaches “optimum ripeness” which is based on a combination of sugar, acid, tannin, colour and other chemical levels. The makeup of the grape at the moment of harvest will determine the quality of the resulting wine. The skin is the source of colour, tannins and flavour compounds, giving the wine its distinctive character. The stalks contain bitter tannins and are rarely used in winemaking. The bloom or wax coat on the outside of the skin contains natural yeasts, which are used for spontaneous or natural fermentation. The wax also protects the grape from disease and pests. The pips contain bitter…

Categories: Learning about wine

Tagged: cabernet sauvignon, chenin blanc, grape, malbec, natural fermentation, pinotage, sauvignon blanc, shiraz, South Africa, South African wine, varietal, wine

What is Pinotage?

Posted on August 14th, 2012

Pinotage is South Africa’s principal varietal, though it is being planted elsewhere now. This doesn’t mean that it is their best grape, nor even the pride and joy of all South African winemakers. It’s like the Marmite of wine – you either love it or hate it. But it does have a specific character, and it is a wine you should really get to know your way around if you are serious about learning about South Africa’s wines. It sprang from a cross between the one time ubiquitous Cinsault, a rather boring fruit which has been grubbed up over these past few years, and Pinot Noir. The latter has been less than overwhelmingly successful in the hot climate, being a delicate and temperamental species infinitely…

Categories: South African Wine

Tagged: pinotage, red wine, South Africa, South Africa Uncorked, South African wine, varietal