South Africa is a perfect destination to experience life’s pleasures of fabulous food and fine wines in extraordinary settings, all amidst lush winelands overlooking pristine beaches.
In the shadow of craggy mountains, surrounded by endless bushveld, lies the fairest cape throughout the world known locally as the Mother City, Cape Town. Here is the gateway to the South African winelands expressed by it’s rich soil and gentle climate. With a winemaking history that dates back more than 300 years, the Cape’s wines reflect the classicism and tradition of the Old World, but is also influenced by the contemporary styles of the New World.
This Part of the Country Exports to More Than 80 Countries Worldwide
According to experts, this rare combination makes wines that are complex but accessible, sophisticated, yet intensely powerful. More than 100.000 hectors of vineyards can be found in the Cape, cultivated by 4500 primary producers who employ more than 100,000 people directly and a further 200,000 whose employment depends on it. Wines from this part of the world are exported to more than 80 countries worldwide.
Ranging from the historic Constantia on the slopes of Table Mountain to the centuries’- old villages of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhock; the fertile valley of the Breede River to the gentle rolling hills of the Olifants River and dry riverbeds of Calitzdorp, these regions are well known for its varieties in red and white grapes. Well-known wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinotage, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, including Cinsaut, Cabernet Franc and Mourvedre´ in the reds; and Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, as well as, Riesling, Colombard, Gewu~rztraminer, Muscat d?Alexandrie, Pinot Gris, Cape Riesling and Viognier in the whites are cherished exports.
Where to Find the Cape's Most Premiere Wine Districts and Vineyards
One of the most well-known vineyards is Spier Wine Estates. It nestles in the heart of Stellenbosch Wine Region, 81 hectors (expanding to 150) of lush vineyard set, against a backdrop of towering mountains. This picturesque region is regarded as the Cape’s most premiere wine district and where the most stately and fairest of wines on the whole circumference of the earth are found. Spier winemaker, Frans Smit is a firm believer in growing top quality wines in their vineyards. He prefers to handle the whole process from vineyard to cellar, making wine in as natural a way as possible. www.spier.co.za
Klein Constantia Estate Wines lies on the narrow Cape peninsula that juts into the South Atlantic ocean, 20 kilometers from Cape Town. It sets amidst 75 hectors of trees and lush greenery on the slopes of Constantia Mountain and is frequently described as one of the world’s most beautiful vineyard locations. It is the only wine cellar in Southern Africa to have won a merit award from the South African Institute of Architects, who rated it “as sensitive adornment to an important historical estate. Klein Constantia specializes in Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Marlbrook and Vin de Constance.
How many winemakers have said that “you can make bad wine from great grapes, but no one can make great wine from bad grapes.” So it follows that if you’re looking for extraordinary wine, you’d better find some extraordinary grapes.
Leading Producer and Importer of South African Wines & Spirits
As the exclusive importer of KWV International South African wines and spirits, and the leading producer in South Africa, Peter Morales, president and founder of 57 Main Street Wine Company has an award-wining portfolio. KWV wines, Cathedral Cellar, Imoya Brandy, Robert’s Rock, Roodeberg, and an extensive selection of Estate wines from the Cape region’s finest properties are among these selections.
From the fine estate wineries of Groot Constantia, DeWetshof, Clos Malverne, and others, Morales not only imports the finest wines from South Africa, he has distinguished himself by partnering with a company which has established a wine trust initiative that allows a portion of every sale to go back to assist previously disadvantaged South Africans, employing more than 350,000 workers. www.57mainstreet.com
Today’s South Africa is a peaceful democracy, and a vibrant, exciting country. The variety is immediately apparent in the range of their wines. The country seems to be responding to the challenges of redressing the past, as well. Everywhere joint ventures and empowerment projects are giving ownership and equity to labor for the first time in South African history. Who knows, after tasting wines from some of these world great vineyards, you may even find a desire kindled inside you to jump on a plane and head off to South Africa.
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