One of the things about wine is its worldliness. It brings the tastes and cultures of the world right to your table.
Some great ones for you to discover are from South Africa . Everyday you can find more fine and drinkable wines from the Cape.
All the major varietals are grown there, along with their very own creation, called Pinotage. Pinotage is a hybrid of Pinot Noir and Cinsault giving the wine a bright fruitiness underlain with an earthy backbone. They also produce a lot of Chenin Blanc, known there as Steen.
The South African climate is temperate and Mediterranean, but there are some regional variations. The most common regions you'll see are Stellenbosch and Paarl . . . home both to some of the larger producers and the more classic estates.
So for a new and different taste of the world, check out South Africa.
Pop the cork™.
Some South African Suggestions . . . Prices Approximate
Cloof 2001 Chenin Blanc $12
South Africa
Winemaker's Notes
The hallmarks of Cloof Chenin Blanc are the good acidity, a floral nose, and impressive length on the palate. Chenin Blanc is the most planted grape variety in South Africa, and Cloof's wine is proudly 100% Chenin
2001 Cathedral Cellars Chardonnay Coastal South Africa $12
Wine Enthusiast 90, This is a rich, generous wine, with spice, ripe fruit and a good layer of toasty wood flavors. There is complexity also, introduced by the crisp acidity that complements the opulent fruit. Best Buy
Kanonkop 1999 Kadette Red Blend $15
South Africa
Winemaker's Notes
A medium to full bodied blend with a deep red color. A complex wine with a good balance between fruit, oak, tannin and acid. This wine goes well with pasta or any lighter fish or meat dish
1999 Cathedral Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Coastal South Africa $15
Wine Enthusiast 88, Wheat toast, caramel and golden raisin aromas open up to brown sugar, cedar, leafy green herbs and roasted red pepper on the palate. Throughout there is dark fruit that also coats the moderate length finish
Simonsig 2000 Pinotage $15
South Africa
Winemaker's Notes
This has lovely purity of flavors, showing violet, raspberry, cherry and spice. A delicious and unique wine, a great value from South Africa
Le Bonheur 2000 Chardonnay $15
South Africa
Winemaker's Notes
Medium-bodied, fresh and dry, this wine has characteristic lemon/clove flavors
2002 Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc Stellenbosch $18
WS 92 points, Precise and pure, this crackles with gooseberry, grapefruit and lemon zest flavors, with a vibrant mineral note racing along underneath. Finish is filigreed but powerful. Long and precise, like a tuning fork for your palate
2000 Mulderbosch "Faithful Hound" Stellenbosch Red Blend $20
WA 87 points, Offers a spicy nose of ripe black fruits. On the palate, the wine is fresh, bright and expressive. Black currants and tangy dark cherries are found in its rustic character
Fleur du Cap 1998 Unfiltered Merlot $22
South Africa
Winemaker's Notes
On the nose the wine has powerful youngberry aromas supported by a smokey toastiness
Grangehurst 1998 Stellenbosch Pinotage $24
Winemaker's Notes
Rich ruby red color with garnet edges; complex, red berries, vanilla and walnut aromas and flavors
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