ONCE UPON a time, and not that long ago, Semillon – or Groendruif as some refer to it – was being touted as Franschhoek’s signature grape. These days, the ‘French Corner’ of South Africa’s winelands is more likely to prompt images of Chardonnay, red blends of one sort or another and Cap Classique sparkling wine. Plus, perhaps even more synonymous with this
Gold medal at the Global Rosé Masters, Listed in the Sommeliers Selection, double gold medal at Rosé Rocks… No other South African rosé has been as well received in 2018 as the 2017 vintage from Franschhoek winery Holden Manz. The wine is ever-so-slightly wooded, and made in a style that the producers refer to as Provençal – in part, no doubt,
THE Cape of Good Hope range in the portfolio of Anthonij Rupert Wines, Franschhoek, was launched in 2011 as part of proprietor Johann Rupert’s initiative begun in 2006 to help protect the old vines of the Cape as producers of distinctive, terroir-specific expressions of various grape varieties. One of these treasured ‘pieces of history’ comprises bush-vine Semillon on Henk Laing’s
SOURCED predominantly from one of the oldest vineyards and certainly the oldest Semillon plantings in South Africa, the grapes for Boekenhoutskloof Semillon grow on traditional bush vines that still have their original roots, i.e. contrary to the norm that involves cuttings grafted onto disease- and pest-resistant rootstock. And the roots run deep, conducive to intensely complex, well-structured wines with good ageing
ONLY R94 a bottle, and in such good company! You might well have expected Bon Courage to lead with their flagship Inkará Shiraz, yet it’s with the relatively humble Pepper Tree version that they have excelled at Syrah du Monde in the Rhône Valley, France – the 2016 vintage from this Robertson wine estate selected among the Top 10 gold
NICE! Following the naming of South Africa’s 15 gold medallists at the 2018 International Wine Challenge (UK), the announcement of the country’s trophy winners pointed to some of the country’s all-time greats… You can’t talk about top Cape Pinot without including Bouchard Finlayson of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley – cellarmaster Peter Finlayson headed up the first winery in the area. Kaapzicht of Bottelary
BELOW are the top Cabernet Sauvignon producers in South Africa over the past 10 years, those with the best track records spanning 2008 to 2017, presented according to where you’ll find their tasting rooms on the various wine routes. For the 2018 SA Cabernet Sauvignon Classification, see here, and for the contact info and addresses of those outfits that can be visited
JACOLINE Haasbroek has the smallest cellar in Franschhoek, off the beaten track at the end of a long and winding road that could do with some improvement – although that would mean more visitors, and half the appeal is the discovery of a place few have been to, particularly as the sign at the bottom of the ‘driveway’ often tells you
BELOW are the top Sauvignon Blanc producers in South Africa over the past 10 years, those with the best track records spanning 2008 to 2017, presented according to where you’ll find their tasting rooms on the various wine routes. For the 2018 SA Sauvignon Blanc Classification, see here, and for the contact info and addresses of those outfits that can be
BELOW are the top Chardonnay producers in South Africa over the past 10 years, those with the best track records spanning 2008 to 2017, presented according to where you’ll find their tasting rooms on the various wine routes. For the 2018 SA Chardonnay Classification, see here, and for the contact info and addresses of those outfits that can be visited and/or
KUDOS to Franschhoek estate La Motte for winning an international award in the 2018 Tourism Challenge run by the Drinks International magazine of the UK. The category: Best Food and Wine Matching Experience. And it’s not the first time that they’ve achieved this accolade. The judges were impressed by the ranking of Pierneef à La Motte as one of the best
