Here are the Top 12 Reasons you should be sipping wine from South Africa
Exotic blue seas, magical sunsets, picturesque mountain ranges, majestic flora, friendly strangers, and divine wine and cuisine, are just a few reasons South Africa is full of adventure and allure. Blessed with a rare Mediterranean climate, South Africa is a must visit place on Earth. With the perfect blend of old and new world influence, and exquisite farm-to-table cuisine and wine tourism, you’ll fall in love with it over and over again.
RELATED: Top 5 Pinot Noirs Available at the LCBO >>>
The Cape Winelands are located in the Cape Floral Kingdom, one of six such plant kingdoms in the world and a World Heritage Site. With both warm and cooler areas, winemakers can be artists and plant the grapes that excel in these conditions. In South Africa there is something for everyone who appreciates finely crafted artistic wines at an unbelievable price. This wine region is truly one of the most impressive, exotic and undiscovered that I have ever visited.
With a perfect blend of new world innovation, such as concrete eggs for winemaking, as well as more traditional old world practices, like basket pressing, natural fermentation, old bush vines and hand-picked grapes, South Africa is blooming with artistry and quality when it comes to winemaking. The region maintains a focus on the natural environment and a commitment to fair trade policies and ensures that everyone on the farm is paid respectively for their work. We should all be buying more South African wine to show our support for this great region!
Stellenbosch is known for being a town full of hip energy, cool wine bars, craft beer spots and culinary destinations. It’s close to wine country and in a central location. I have stayed at the Batavia Boutique Hotel and it was simply superb. With uniquely designed rooms, vintage décor and breakfast included, it’s a great spot to stay. You can stay in Stellenbosh and drive around wine country or even hire a driver to take you around as well.
South Africa may be considered a new world wine-growing region, but they’ve been making wine for over 350 years. Chenin Blanc is an old world grape variety hailing from the Loire region in France, and South Africa has adopted it as their signature white variety. The winemakers here are producing bottles that over perform for their price point and in various different styles. This is a grape you have to get to know and appreciate through tasting it at various wineries. Like Chardonnay it can be completely un-oaked or barrel fermented so there is a lot of variety in it’s taste profiles from different wineries and winemakers.
Pinotage (the signature red wine) has a large local following, and with a more rustic taste profile, winemakers have a big influence on the final wine. Pinotage is a grape that is uniquely South African, created by a local University Professor, it is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault (locally once called Hermitage, hence the blended name Pinotage). Like the Pinot Noir species, Pinotage is a bit of a challenge in the vineyard. However, winemakers are loving the opportunity to produce delicious and wonderfully stylish variations on the grape. This is one grape you’ll have to get to South Africa to truly understand and appreciate, as we don’t get too many higher quality wines in the Ontario market.
Drive the Hermanus Wine Route for blue water whale watching and heavenly wine sipping. Stay at the Harbour House Hotel, take a stroll along the ocean, and spend the day touring wine country. This is the area for Pinot and Chardonnay lovers, as its cooler climate gives way to beautiful wines that are well balanced and perfect with the local fare. The beloved Hamilton Russell Vineyards invited us to taste inside their impressive barrel cellar and their wines come in and out of LCBO Vintages. This special region, Hemel-en-Aarde, is aptly named and really looks and feels like heaven on earth. The clay contents of some of these soils mimic those in Burgundy, France (what most sommeliers and winemakers all over the world call best practice for Pinot Noir). The Pinot Noir and Chardonnay here are simply divine. Drive through the gorgeous Valley, Upper Valley and Ridge and enjoy the day sipping and savouring the sights. This could possibly be one of the world’s most undiscovered areas. Visit and taste (and buy!) at La Vierge and Newton Johnson in this premium wine-growing region and plan a gorgeous sunset dinner at Creation Winery to be whisked away by culinary excellence and wine that will woo you for life. I have memories that will forever be engrained in my mind. The natural beauty, the feeling, the sun, the wines and the food pulled at my heartstrings.
A culinary and wine trip to South Africa would not be complete without a memorable visit to Cape Town. If you only have one night, do it right. Head for an afternoon tasting at Dorrance Urban Winery (I am in LOVE with Urban Wineries theses days) and book reservations at Bouchon Bistro for dinner. Enjoy a custom Gin martini for your cocktail, and if it’s a large party, dine in their gorgeous barrel cellar. This place truly blew me away. It is a must visit restaurant that beyond impressed me with their culinary excellence, perfect ambience and brilliant design. I simply can’t wait to go back again. Stay at the Strand Towers Hotel and enjoy a piano player, sparkling wine and morning swim with your breakfast buffet.
Spend a couple of days driving through the Cape and visiting more wineries. I highly recommend a travel advisor or guide to see the most and the best of the South Africa Winelands, and Go Cape transport were the perfect partners. Drive to Boulders Beach to see the African penguins then relax for an afternoon at Cape Point vineyards. Enjoy lunch overlooking the Cape waters while sipping on Sauvignon Blanc — if you’re like me, with the million dollar view, you’ll never want to leave.
If you’re looking for an exotic wine adventure without having to leave home, head to the Wines of South Africa section at the LCBO or to Vintages and try something special!
In fact, check out any of these great wines now on sale for a limited time offer and also bonus Air Miles at the LCBO until February 6th, 2020.
1/12
$13.00, at the LCBO
2/12
$15.95, at the LCBO
3/12
$12.95, at the LCBO
4/12
$12.95, at the LCBO
5/12
$10.95, at the LCBO
6/12
$14.00, at the LCBO
7/12
$13.95, at the LCBO
8/12
$15.95, at the LCBO
9/12
$10.95, at the LCBO
10/12
$15.95, at the LCBO
11/12
$12.95, at the LCBO
12/12
$12.95, at the LCBO
Remember, to please always drink responsibly.
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