Arguably my favoured wines on the planet. I can't recall ever having a bad bottle that I wouldn't want to buy again.
Its even been known that some weeks on my Insta account that my choice and post would be predictable - "another Stellenbosch bychan?!" - Umm yes and why wouldn't you not?!
Great and amazing and so underrated in the scheme of things.
The general consensus among my friends and fellow slurpers is that French, New Zealand and the odd occasional Italian is by far superior and I tend to fight my corner well.
Ive pasted some extracts from Decanter magazine and just to start us off for February and the full focus on South African wines - at their best - and i've some amazing bottles to try and share (virtual share - just in case you get any ideas and turn up with a glass like a neighbour wanting sugar!)
Just for the record - Decanter magazine for wine lovers is the best I've read!
We kick off this Thursday evening with a rich and bold bottle - yes you have to wait until Thursday cause it's only Tuesday and actually still 7:42 am (even though there is a PM somewhere 🙈🍷).
Stellenbosch, South Africa’s second-oldest settlement after Cape Town, is perhaps the most recognisable of the many winegrowing areas within the Western Cape. It is home to names such as Kanonkop, Meerlust and Thelema, and excels at producing Bordeaux-style blends as well as South Africa’s signature variety – Pinotage.
Constantia is located on the peninsula to the south of Cape Town, almost completely surrounded by the two oceans. It is best known for producing Klein-Constantia’s Vin de Constance, a world-class sweet wine, but the area also suits varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling thanks to the cooling sea breezes which help to retain acidity in the grapes.
Paarl is located further inland, and has a warmer climate as a consequence. Paarl Rock dominates the area, one of the biggest granite outcrops in the world. The area is well-suited to robust wines made from varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Chardonnay.
Swartland is a hot and dry area, although it benefits to some degree from the Atlantic Ocean’s cooling effect on its western border. Producers such as Mullineux, The Sadie Family and AA Badenhorst specialise in producing high quality Shiraz, Chenin Blanc and Rhône-inspired blends.
The cool climate of Walker Bay is particularly suited to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, with which estates such as Hamilton Russell, Ataraxia and Crystallum are making world-class wines.
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