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The other day I looked into the Red and White store, and they have good discounts on wine from South Africa. I was even a little taken aback, is there quality wine there too?
Then I thought, and if it’s really high quality, then why not take it at a discount? Just for starters, I decided to find out what kind of outlandish beast it is – South African wine.
Where is wine produced in South Africa and by what technology
I looked into various sources and found out that wine has been produced in South Africa since the 17th century. Grapes were brought there by the Dutch, who planted the first vineyards.
At first, the production was not very good, but gradually the varieties changed, the best places for growing were found, and the production process improved. And already in the 20th century, South African wine entered the world market as a full-fledged high-quality product.
Moreover, the variety of climatic conditions in the regions gives a wide range of wines with different colors, richness of taste and sugar levels. Among the “wine” areas are:
- Stellenbosch, where almost all types of wines are produced;
- Paarl, where several large manufacturing companies have settled;
- Franschuch, which produces “weak” wines with fruity notes, designed for tourists;
- Kostantia specializing in sweet varieties, as well as dry rieslings and sauvignon blancs;
- Swartland is one of the newest wine-producing regions and has already earned popularity among connoisseurs;
- Robertson, where grapes are grown for sparkling wines;
- Elgin, specializing in white wines;
- Elin, where the conditions for the growth of Sauvignon Blanc are ideal;
- Hemel en Aarde, an excellent region for Pinot Noir.
Africans also inherited the production technology from the Dutch. It does not differ from the global one, only white wines were made here earlier, and they are more diverse.
Advantages and disadvantages of South African wines sold in our supermarkets
The advantage of wine from South Africa is its rich flavor palette. A lot of fruit notes, rich taste, sometimes very unusual in the usual variety. South African wine can be paired with almost any dish, even Thai or Indian cuisine.
Another important point is the low popularity, which is why they are somewhat cheaper. Although in our stores the price is affected by long delivery.
The disadvantage of this wine is its unpredictability. From time to time, wines get very high marks at competitions, but it is not always possible to guess the taste characteristics of wine.
Important: When buying, in order not to be mistaken, you need to find the inscription “Wine of Origin” (WO), which confirms the compliance of the wine with international standards.
Top 5 white wines from South Africa from the nearest supermarket
As I have already noted, white wines are especially successful in South Africa. In our supermarkets you can find:
- Sauvignon Blanc (Sauvignon Blanc) with a bouquet of tropical fruits and notes of pepper and figs. The wine goes well with poultry and seafood. It costs from 800 rubles per bottle.
- Chenin blanc (Chenin Blanc) dry white wine with tropical notes and aftertaste of fruit aromas of peach and pear. Wine is served with vegetable salads, white meat and seafood. You can buy for 550-600 rubles.
- Hamilton Russel Chardonnay (Hamilton Russel Chardonnay) aged full-bodied wine with a tart aftertaste and Burgundy style. It goes well with fish, seafood, poultry meat and costs about 3000 rubles per bottle.
- Hazendal Chardonnay (Hazendal Chardonnay) has a pleasant straw color and a balanced taste with forest notes. Pairs well with fruits, cheeses, salads. Price – from 600 rubles.
- Simonsvlei Chenin Blanc (Simonsvlei Chenin Blanc) is a dry white wine with a pleasant viscous aftertaste and delicate aroma. This variety is recommended to serve with desserts and sweet dishes. It costs about 500 rubles for 0,75 liters.
Top 5 red wines from South Africa from the nearest supermarket
From the red wines produced in South Africa, there is also something to choose from:
- Kleine Hazen Reserve Red (Kleine Hazen Reserve Red) with a rich purple hue and a pronounced fruity aroma, which is combined with a light chocolate tone. You will have to pay about 900 rubles.
- Cabernet Sauvignon (Cabernet Sauvignon) has a characteristic pomegranate color and fruity aroma, accompanied by notes of coffee, cinnamon and caramel. The wine goes well with grilled meats and cheeses. Can be found at a price of 700 rubles per bottle.
- Shiraz (Shiraz) is a kind of fruit mix that combines the aromas of various berries and fruits with spicy notes of vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg. Served with meat. Price – from 1600 for a bottle of 0,75 liters.
- Pinot noir (Pinot Noir) also has a fruity taste, only notes of cherries and plums predominate in it, it goes well with poultry dishes. You will hardly be able to find a bottle of such wine worth less than 2000 rubles.
- Spice Route Chakalaka (Spice Route Chocolaka) – juicy and spicy wine with the aroma of spices and viscous aftertaste. Suitable for barbecue and other types of meat, but also costs about 3000 rubles for 0,75 liters.
Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to your health. Take care of yourself!
Varied and original wine from South Africa has many advantages. But now I have another problem, how to choose from all this variety? Tell me who has tried it, who has some experience with South African wines.