South Africa: A Vineyard Called Democracy – Fifth of Five Parts
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The W.O.'s identifiers, more specifically 'production units', are: The Wine Tasting |
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ESTATE WINE PINOTAGE 2000 Wine of Origin Simonsberg Stellenbosch The 2000 Pinotage is a great vintage, thanks to a dry, warm summer. This Pinotage varietal is produced by Kanonkop in the Simonsberg wine area, in the district of Stellenbosch, from 55-plus-year-old vines. For 3 to 4 days the must is fermented and macerated in open vats, at 28°C (82.4°F), in contact with the grape skins and manual breakage of the top layer every two hours. After the malolactic fermentation, the wine rests for 14 months in 225-liter French oak barriques. The wine is clear, intense ruby red with crimson highlights, which suggest youthful notes. The consistency is excellent. The perfume is intense, complex and fine, with defined notes of red fruits, plum jam, and wild berries, among which the raspberry stands out. Spicy notes of cloves give way to delicate nuances of toast and vanilla, acquired during the ageing in barrique, and ends with a slight herbaceous, ground cover finish. The taste is dry, warm and soft, sustained by the right amount of fresh acidity and pronounced mineral notes which, along with the defined, but well polished tannins, deliver well balanced sensations. With intense opening to the palate and good taste/perfume ratio, this wine is fine and has good body with medium persistence. Harmonious, easy to drink, though two to three more years of well deserved ageing in the cellar will further add to its character. Definitely an excellent wine, to pair with important, slowly cooked, red meat stew and game dishes. Serve in wide stem glasses at 18° - 20°C (64.4° - 68°F). Suggested Italian wine bar cost: €25 (see up-to-date value in other currencies) October 2005 Paride Leali, Sommelier |
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Finally, the Coastal Region accepts wine blends from various districts under a single denomination. It includes Paarl, Stellenbosch, Swartland, and part of Tulbagh districts, as well as the old regional council of the Cape area, which in turn includes the Costantia and Durbanville wards.
Since April 2, 1993, two new Geographical Units were added to the W.O.: Western Cape and Northern Cape.
The two most important South African production areas are Paarl and Stellenbosch districts, which are both part of the Coastal Region.
Paarl was for a longtime the homeland of South African fortified wines, and is currently home to the headquarters of KWV. Along with Stellenbosch, today Paarl produces the most appreciated and valued white and red wines from South Africa, especially Chenin Blanc (Steen), Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinotage and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Within the Stellebosch district are included some smaller wards, including Simonsberg, Jonkershoek Valley, Papegaaiberg, Devon Valley, Bottelary, Stellenboschkloof, and a few others. In addition to the previously mentioned soil characteristics, what makes the Stellenbosch wines unique is the vineyards' location. The area receives the mild ocean breeze of the False Bay, home to the cities of Somerset West and Strand, in addition to the cooling winds coming from the imposing mountains in the northeast. These winds often affect the white wines, made especially with Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Colombard grapes, and lends them aromas and freshness found only in the best European wines.
In recent years though, many producers have invested heavily in areas that until a few years ago were believed ill-suited to viticulture, in particular along the western Atlantic coast. The districts of Piketberg and Swartland, as well as the Olifants River Valley Region, are considered up-and-coming areas in the vitivinicultural South African panorama, especially for their fresh, perfumed and light white wines, such as the Sauvignon Blanc produced in the Groenekloof hills, nearby Darling, or the Chenin Blanc and Colombard wines produced along the banks of the Olifants River, in the north. There are also respecteble red wines though, such as the Pinotage produced in some areas of the Swartland district, especially those made with grapes from non-irrigated vineyards.
Finally, we must not forget the hot, arid Klein Karoo Region, where irrigation is almost a must, and produces wines with high alcohol content and intense structure. Around 25% of all South African wine is produced in the district of Worcester, in the Breede River Valley Region, and a good part of it is used to make either brandy, or red and white wine blends. Moving toward the Indian Ocean, east of Walker Bay and inland from Cape Agulhas, the district of Overberg is affected by the ocean breeze and, in recent years, has produced fine, elegant Pinot Noir. Further east, inland from Mosselbaai, is the Ruiterbosch district, where white wines with intense structure are produced. Finally, we need to mention historic Costantia. Perched on the eastern slopes of Mount Table, south of Cape Town, it is famous for its dessert wines which, in the 18th century, competed with the best sweet wines produced by Spain and Portugal on the tables of the European royals, and today produces excellent Sauvignon Blanc as well.
| Statistical Data Source: W.O.S.A. (Wines Of South Africa) - August 2005. |
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