Category: South Africa

The Sauvignon Blanc grape traces its lineage to the historic vineyards of France’s Loire Valley, where it gained early recognition for its distinct aromatic profile and vibrant acidity. It is also one of two grapes, along with Semillon, which makes white Bordeaux blends. However, it was the New World wine regions that truly propelled Sauvignon Blanc to worldwide fame, reimagining…

Cabernet Sauvignon is the King of single-varietal red wines.  The robust body, coupled with its signature notes of black currant, black cherries, plum, and cedar, creates a sensory journey that is both powerful and refined. Its ability to age with grace only adds to its majesty, as tannins soften and intricate layers unfurl, revealing the true artistry of winemaking. It…

Can you name the native grapes of the Rhone Valley?  There are the north and south ends of the valley and different varieties.  The main varieties of the north end are Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne. The northern Rhone is cooler and the valley has steep hillsides while in the southern Rhone, the climate is more Mediterranean and the terrain…

Today, June 17, 2022, is Drink Chenin Day. South Africa is a major producer of quality Chenin Blanc wine. I have posted 4 Chenin Blanc wines earlier on mywinepal to help you celebrate this day, and now I have my final two South African Chenin Blanc wines can you can try. I have the Boschendal Sommelier Selection Chenin Blanc 2021…

I have two more South African Chenin Blanc for you to celebrate Drink Chenin Day on June 17. Both wines are from the Spier Wine Farm in the Stellenbosch region. The Spier Signature Chenin Blanc 2021 is unoaked and probably the one you may be most familiar with. The other wine is the Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2019 which…

Drink Chenin Day is on Friday, June 17. Chenin Blanc has been grown in South Africa since the 1600s, and it continues to be the most widely planted varietal, accounting for nearly 20% of the acreage currently under vine. If you have not tried Chenin Blanc from South Africa, you are missing out on a very versatile food-friendly wine. I…

Winemaking has been around for hundreds of years.  We are very familiar with wines coming from Europe, in particular France, where we talk about Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Champagne.  We typically call Europe the “Old World” wine region, while wines made from the southern hemisphere, are known as the “New World“, plus North America.  But where did the grapes come from…

Wanderlust.  We must all have it after staying in our homes for the past two years due to COVID.  Maybe venturing out to a nearby city or town within a day’s driving distance, but not getting on an airplane and going where your heart desires.  I love wine, and I enjoy going to wine regions around the world, meeting winemakers…

Do you have a coterie? A small group of people with shared interests or tastes, especially one that is exclusive of other people? I think you probably have a small group of friends that you enjoy drinking wine with. I do. They are my coterie. Today I sampled the Wildeberg Coterie Cabernet Franc & Malbec 2018 wine from the Franschhoek…

Today I have wines from the two signature grapes of South Africa; Chenin Blanc and Pinotage.  Chenin Blanc hailing from France but has flourished in South Africa. Pinotage, a red grape, was created in South Africa in the early 1920s, by crossing Pinot Noir and Cinsault.    Kanonkop Wine Estate and Ken Forrester Vineyards are both located in the quality…