Tucked away from the bustling metropolis of Cape Town, but not too far away, the Cape Winelands is a rural enchantment of quaint towns, dramatic mountains and rolling vineyards.
The Cape Winelands section of the Rhino Africa website concentrates on the towns of Constantia, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschhoek and Somerset West. These are the primary location of the hotels and accommodation in the Winelands Area, however we encourage you to grab a map and a hire car and explore off the beaten track, visiting the cellars of Wellington, Tulbagh, Rawsonville, Worcester, Robertson and De Doorns to Montagu.
So you’ve chosen your hotel accommodation in the Cape Winelands and now your preparing for some pretty serious wine tasting. Many of the wine estates are open to the public and are clearly marked. To avoid the riff raff arriving and finishing their cellars, most of the wine estates to charge a nominal tasting fee. This fee is great as it does place you under no morale obligation to purchase any wine !
Most of the classic varieties ( both white and red ) are grown in South Africa. Below is a list of these and their characteristics. Once you have a grasp of the varietal, it is easier to get to grips with the wine.
White Whites
Cape Riesling
Cape Riesling has a green apple nose, with the aroma of freshly cut grass and seabreezes coming through. It is known as Cruchen Blanc in the South of France, from where it originates. It has absolutely no resemblance to the Weisser Riesling or Rhine Riesling. Cape Riesling is best drunk steely dry.
Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc is one of the most widely grown varietal and is used to create many different wines and brandies. It is sometimes referred to in South Africa as Steen. It is frequently used in blends and is distinguished by subtle melon, peach and citrus notes. The grape is thought to have originated in the Loire Valley of France where it is a often used in the production of Methode Champenoise.
Chardonnay
South African Chardonnays are becoming increasingly popular with its buttery, toasted taste and notes of citrus notes. It is the “ Queen” of the whites as it can be made into very elegant complex wines. Chardonnay is normally wooded for a few years, although many people have complained that Chardonnay’s have become “ over wooded’ or ‘ over oaked’ and in recent years there has been a strong increase in Lightly Oaked or Unwooded Chardonnays
Gewurtzraminer
The potent spiceness of Gewurtzraminer means that its often used for dessert wines, where its complex and rich character shine through. The German word “ Gewürz “ means spicy. The wine is a tough wine to make as timing the harvest is critical, despite the challenges some outstanding Gewurtzraminer wines have been made in the Cape.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is best known for its crisp, grassy and green pepper flavours and its compatibility with food, particularly seafood. It is normally drunk very young. In the Loire Valley for France it is normally unblended and best known for being Pouilly Fume and Sancerre, whilst in the Bordeaux region of France it is often blended with Semillion and in this case it is known as Muscadel. Sauvignon Blanc is an increasingly popular wine in South Africa and some excellent wines have been produced.
Semillion
Semillion is often used in Blends but gaining prominence in South African circles. It produces balanced wines with fig, tobacco and honey notes. In the early 1800’s about 93 percent of all vineyards were planted with Semillion Grapes, this was because the vines were very resilient to disease.
Red Wines
Cabernet Sauvignon
The King of Red Wines. This prolific grower is a result of the union between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, retaining some of the best of both characteristics. Cabernet Sauvignon is typically made into bold, powerful and complex wines. Most wine estates have a signature Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wine, whilst others blend it with Cabernet Franc and Merlot to produce a Bordeaux Blend. These Bordeaux Blends mature and soften earlier and are often more easily drinkable than the Cabernet Sauvignon's which can take many years to mature.
Merlot
Merlot Noir is one of the oldest varieties originating from Europe. Merlot is known for its fruity overtones. Characteristics on the nose of the wine includes black pepper, cherry and sometimes roses. It is often made as a light to medium bodied red wine. It was introduced to the Cape in 1910 by Professor Perold, but it was only in the early 1980's that it was reintroduced and became of importance to the South African wine industry.
Pinotage
Pinotage is South Africa's home grown varietal . Good Pinotage wine is rich and jammy and often has a toffee or banana rose. It is excellant paired with chocolate. Pinotage is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. The grape ripens earlier than most grapes, and if the vines are pruned correctly will yield a wonderful grapes and crop. It is a light to medium bodied wine, which is ready for drinking sooner than most quality red wines, however if the Pinotage is allwed to age in the bottle a very interest wine develops.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is notoriously difficult to grow in South African climate. It is noted for having a black skin on a white pulp, and during the production of Champagne the black skin is quickly removed in order to produce a white coloured wine rather than a red wine.
Shiraz
Shiraz is internationally more commonly known as Syrah. A spicy varietal with smoky, leather overtones and dry pepper, coffee and hickory notes. The exact origins of Shiraz are a little obsure, but it is thought that is was perhaps named after an ancient Persian town of the same name. Shiraz was brought to the Cape at quite an early stage, but has never become a dominant varietal.
