{"id":10968,"date":"2015-02-21T09:35:19","date_gmt":"2015-02-21T14:35:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/winetrailtraveler.com\/blog\/?p=10968"},"modified":"2015-02-21T09:35:19","modified_gmt":"2015-02-21T14:35:19","slug":"wine-tasting-of-south-africa-wines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/winetrailtraveler.com\/blog\/2015\/02\/21\/wine-tasting-of-south-africa-wines\/","title":{"rendered":"Wine Tasting of South Africa Wines"},"content":{"rendered":"
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South Africa Wine Tasting<\/p><\/div>\n

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\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Jim began the presentation with a description of South Africa\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

As in other countries, South Africa has wine labeling requirements. Wines\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0 there was a resurgence of wine quality and wine marketing.<\/p>\n

South Africa Wine Facts<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n