Welcome to the Western Cape Wineries - a kiwi's opinion blog

I originally set up this blog to help foreigners have an enjoyable experience when visiting the western cape wineries in South Africa.

I realised that it is very difficult for a tourist to choose where to go and which wineries to visit, when you have 600+ wine producers to choose from.

When I first moved to SA December 2010, my palate struggled to adjust to SA wine, b
ut after living here for a while and after visiting over 100+ wine estates, I have found many wines which I really like and can highly recommend.

Admittingly, when you come from another country it is hard not to compare the wine in SA to what you are used to back home. However, once you realise they are not the same (they have their own characteristics due to the different soil, climate etc) and appreciate their wines for being SA wines, it will improve your opinion and experience of the wines immediately.

If you are staying in SA for a while, don't dispair, your palate will change, and you will soon find yourself liking SA wine over your home countries wine!!

I hope my blog will help wine lovers have an enjoyable wine experience while in SA.

Please note: I am not a wine connoisseur. The comments I write about the wine is mostly for my own benefit of having them on record.



Thursday, 10 May 2012

Top 100 SA Wines 2012

Wow, what an evening!! The venue (One & Only) was lovely, such a beautiful hotel!! As you walk in the front entrance, you are wowed by the stunning bar, beautiful decor, and glass walls allowing you an awsome view of Table Mountain. Absolutely stunning!! I stood there for a few minutes just taking in the beauty of it all!!

Quite a lot of people turned up for this event again. Thankfully the venue was a bit bigger than last year, allowing a bit more space to move around. Having said that, they still need to stop putting the wine tables near the front entrance. The Sauvignon Blanc and MCC is always near the entrance (which many people start with), and so there is always a lot of people in this area and makes it difficult to get in.

I tried a lot of the wine available for tasting. The wine that stood out for me last night was the Jordan Riesling and the Kanu Chenin Blanc. The Riesling was the closest I have tried to an Australian Riesling (they make awesome Rieslings), it was crisp, refreshing, had nice structure and body, I just loved it!! The Kanu Chenin Blanc was slightly wooded, had so much flavour, beautiful body, just stunning!!

I was pleased to have had the chance to meet several winemakers at this event. I feel it is always nice to see who is making your favourite wines.

I also met with Richard, one of the judges of this event. I asked him why they use foreign judges to choose SA's best 100 wines. It turns out that the competition is not just for the benefit of SA, apparently the book is sold overseas also, and the overseas consumers recognise the award of the Top 100 SA wines.

It was a shame that there were no canapés this time round, especially considering the price of the tickets. But, still a worthwhile experience and I shall definitely be there next year also.

Below is a list of the wines I tried and the ones I liked. This is for my own records.


Wines I tried:
Alvi’s Drift AD CVC 2011
Alvi’s Drift Viognier 2011
Anwilka 2009
Avontuur Estate Dominion Royale Shiraz Reserve 2009
Boschendal Grande Cuvee Brut 2007
Cape Point Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2010
Cederberg Ghost Corner Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Doolhof Wine Estate Signature Malbec 2010
Driehoek Shiraz 2010
Elgin Heights Shiraz 2010
Elgin Vintners Shiraz 2008
Jean Daneel Chenin Blanc 2010
Longridge Brut 2008
Neethlingshof The Owl Post PInotage 2010
Rickety Bridge The Foundation Stone 2010
Saronsberg Viognier 2010
The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2010

Wines I liked:
Alvi’s Drift AD chardonnay 2011
Bon Courage CC Jacques Bruere Brut Reserve 2007
Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2009
Bosman Family Vineyards Opetnhorst 2010
Cederberg Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Cederberg Five Generations Cab Sauvignon 2009
Diemersdal MM Louw Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Ernie Els Signature 2008
Jordan Chenin Blanc 2011
Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay 2010
Jordan The Real Mc Coy Riesling 2010
Kanu KCB Chenin Blanc 2009
Ken Forrester The FMC 2010
L’Avenir Grand Vin Pinotage 2009
Lomond Pincushion Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Mvemve Raats De Compostella 2009
Nitida Club Select Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Oldenburg Vineyards Chenin Blanc 2011
Overgaauw Tria Corda 2009
Rietvallei Wine Estate Special Select Esteanna White 2011
Saronsberg Provenance Rooi 2010
Saronsberg Shiraz 2010
Saxenburg Private Collection Shiraz 2007
Shannon Vineyards “Sanctuary Peak” Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Super Single Vineyards Mount Sutherland Syrah 2009
Vondeling Sweet Carolyn 2007

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