South Africa Wine Tasting
This week we took a trip into the District of Columbia for a tasting of wines from South Africa. Like most of the East Coast we were bundled up in heavy coats, scarves and gloves. Surprisingly the sun was shining but the wind was cold. The location of the wine tasting was at the CORK Market and Tasting Room. On the first floor the shop sells wines from several countries. In addition, they have numerous varieties of cheese, sandwich fillings and chocolate. Everything is very nicely displayed. The exposed old brick walls provide a good ambiance.We reached the event tasting area by stepping outside and entering the next door and following the steps up that led to a second floor room over the Cork Market shop.
The tables for the wine tasting were setup in a U-shape and each place setting had six glasses with printed materials about the South Africa wine industry. The materials included a colorful and detailed map of South Africa. The white wines were poured as we walked in.
Jim Clarke introduced himself. Jim is a sommelier and the sole US marketing person for South Africa wines. With a degree in classical music, Jim went to New York where he worked in a restaurant that had a wine program. A friend and sommelier talked to Jim about South Africa wines. Eventually Jim toured South Africa.
Jim began the presentation with a description of South Africa’s wine regions. The classic regions of South Africa have been producing wines for 350 years. Some vineyards were abandoned. These areas have been rediscovered and reestablished creating another region. South Africa also has new wine regions many of which were planted after 1992. A fourth region of South Africa is where bulk wines are produced.
As in other countries, South Africa has wine labeling requirements. Wines designated as an appellation must contain 85% of the grape from that region. For the wines to be considered regional, 100% of the grapes must be from that region.
The first wine was made in South Africa in 1659. The Dutch thought wine would be good for their sailors as they believed it stopped scurvy. In the early 2000s there was a resurgence of wine quality and wine marketing.
South Africa Wine Facts
- The Elgin region is a new region that has a cool climate and is located near the ocean.
- Sauvignon Blanc is the most popular white wine in South Africa.
- Chenin Blanc plantings are 18-19% of the total vineyards.
- 1959 was the first commercial Pinotage. Today Pinotage is the 4th most planted red grape at 6.9%.
- Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted red grape.
South Africa White Wines
Spioenkop Riesling Elgin 2013
Spioenkop is the winery name and Elgin is the region. The wine was a light yellow and offered notes of minerallity with a hint of petrol and some citrus notes. The crisp wine had 12% alcohol. The retail price is $20 plus.
Iona Sauvignon Blanc Elgin 2014
This wine was a light yellow. It offered lemon grass, mineral, lemon and grapefruit notes. The wine has 13% alcohol and sells for $16.
DeWetshof ‘Con Vallon’ Chardonnay Robertson 2014
This chardonnay was a light yellow with notes of minerals, apple and some citrus. The wine has 13.5% alcohol. The wine retails in the mid $20’s.
Bellingham Chenin Blanc Coastal Region 2013
The Chenin Blanc with 14% alcohol was yellow with a medium body. The wine offered notes of oak, vanilla and some tropical fruits. The wine sells for the mid $20 range.
Alheit Cartology Western Cape 2013
Cartology was a blend of 80% Chenin Blanc and 20% Semillon. The wine was 14% alcohol. This yellow wine offered mineral, apple and vanilla notes. The retail price is $40.
Seven Sisters ‘Odelia’ Bukettraube Western Cape
‘Odelia’ had 11.5% alcohol. The wine was yellow with mineral and floral notes. It was slightly sweet.
South Africa Red Wines
Simonsig Pinotage Stellenbosch
This Pinotage was a dark ruby color. The wine offered notes of dark fruits and bacon with bold tannins.
Cederberg Cabernet Sauvignon Cederberg 2011
This Cabernet Sauvignon was 14% alcohol. The dark ruby wine offered notes of dark fruit including blackberries, cassis, a hint of leather, a hint of herbaceousness and tannins.
Ridgeback Journey Paarl 2012
This wine with 14% alcohol was a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. The ruby color wine had notes of black fruits including blackberries and cassis. The wine had bold tannins. The retail price is $15.
Ken Forrester ‘Renegade’ Stellenbosch 2011
Renegade was a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre. The wine was a ruby color with a Sienna hue. This wine offered flora and black fruit notes including blackberries, plums, and black cherries. The wine had bold tannins. This wine sells for $35 to $40.
Sadie Family ‘Columella’ Swartland 2011
Columella had 14% alcohol. The dark ruby wine had dark fruit notes of black plums and black berries. The wine offered bold tannins. The retail price is $60 to $75.
If you haven’t tried South Africa wines yet, give them a try. Keep a sharp eye on the future of South African wines.
Cheers!
Kathy
-1.5in.jpg)
Cortijo Los Aguilares Wines Stand Out at the Grandes Pagos de España Tasting
Bibi Garcia, winemaker at Cortijo Los Aguilares
Yesterday, on a frigid, sub-freezing February day in Washington DC, we had the wonderful opportunity to taste wines from many of the members of Grandes Pagos de España. The wineries that belong to this group are from different wine regions of Spain. Their wines are made with grapes from single vineyards. To become members of Grandes Pagos de España the single vineyard wines must achieve critical acclaim for five years. In the 15 years of the organization, 30 wineries have become members.
We attended a seminar and then a walk-around tasting. Our seminar featured eight wines. One of the reds that made an impression was a Pinot Noir from Cortijo Los Aguilares. The winemaker, Bibi Garcia spoke about the wine. One of her first comments was that she inherited the Pinot Noir vineyard, she would not have planted this varietal grape, but since it was there, Bibi decided to make the best Pinot Noir possible. Fermentation takes place using natural yeasts in both stainless steel tanks and cement egg-shaped tanks. The wine was aged in two year old French oak barrels for eight months. The 2012 Pinot Noir had a translucent ruby color and offered floral and berry fruit aromas. I noticed red and black raspberries on the taste with a touch of minerality. The wine had noticeable tannins and was crisp. The wine keeps winning gold medals and therefore will continue to be crafted.
Petit Verdot from Cortijo Los Aguilares
During the walk-around tasting we visited the Cortijo Los Aguilares table and spoke with Bibi. Since her childhood, Bibi was interested in chemistry. Now she can apply the science in the lab in the winery as well as the vineyard. Her passion has shifted a bit and now she is very involved in the vineyard. The vineyard consists of 18 hectares (44 acres) of grapes planted at an elevation of over 900 meters (2953 feet) above sea level. The vineyard benefits from weather influences from both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea most notably the large diurnal temperature swings from day and nighttime temperatures. These temperatures help the grapes to mature slowly and retain their acidity. The soil is a combination of clay and limestone. Grapes are hand harvested and placed in small containers then taken to the winery.
We tasted another wine made by Bibi. The 2012 Tadeo was produced with 100% Petit Verdot and aged for 16 months in French oak. The very dark ruby wine offered black fruit and spice notes. There were bold tannins and a long aftertaste. The wine was delicious. It has won various medals and considered by some to be the best Petit Verdot in Spain. The Petit Verdot grapes were harvested by hand and were the last of the red grapes harvested; there is no rush to harvest before the grapes are ready. In the winery gravity flow is used at all production stages to minimize the pumping of grapes. This gentle treatment of the grapes ensures quality.
Cortijo Los Aguilares is located near Ronda in the Andalucia region of Spain. Wine tourists can visit the winery by making an appointment.
Cheers
Terry