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, 28 February 2013

Chenin Blanc Blind Tasting at the Cape Town Club

Every month I hold a tasting for my wine club members. If you would like to become a member please email me on westerncapewineries@gmail.com.

The February blind tasting was a Chenin Blanc tasting. I sourced ten Chenin Blancs from the Western Cape for us to try on the night. That evening the wine club members helped with supporting RedNose CharityEvents by buying a nose each. The money raised that evening went towards buying food for children.


The evening started with canapes, Laborie MCC and Overhex sparkling on arrival.


Jandre Human from Overhex told us about his wine estate and wine. He informed us about the characteristics of Chenin Blanc and what we can expect on the nose and palate.


We tried the wine in two's. We tried #1 and #2 first, then #3 and #4 and then #5 and #6. We then had canapes at half time before sitting down to the last 4 wines. We tried #7 and #8 and then finished with #9 and #10.


After taking the votes on which wine was liked on the evening, it was apparent that #5, #9 and #10 were the favourites. They were only one vote from each other!! We then tried #5, #9 and # 10 again side by side to see if it would make a difference in the votes but it didn't, it was still extremely close and with the same results.

#5 won: Chenin Blanc from Cederberg Wine Estate. Was very fruity and just delicious!!
#10 got second: Chenin Blanc from Zevenwacht. A little wooded.
#9 got third: The Big Easy (Chenin Blanc) from Ernie Els. Pleasant, easy drinking.

It was yet another lovely evening. The next wine club evening is on the 9th of April. Etienne Louw from Altydgedacht will be introducing us to his wine. The event will be held at the Five Flies. Tickets are R120 per person which includes canapes, arrival drink and the wine tasting. Please contact me if you would like to join.

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