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.



Sunday, 1 September 2013

Leopards Leap

Today was Uncorked in Franschhoek which we hadn't realised when we decided to visit Leopards Leap for lunch and a wine tasting. This meant we could only taste three wines which were the Sauvignon Blanc 2013, Pinotage Rose 2013 and the Merlot 2011.


Even though this place is commercial, it had a nice feeling to it and I felt they had created a nice styled place with a good atmosphere, it did help that a festival was on of course. I recommend coming here for lunch as that was a very nice experience. In regards to the wine tasting, I wouldn't say I would go out of my way to do a tasting here, but if you come for lunch then you might as well do a tasting here also.


Classic Sauvignon Blanc 2013 (R38 a bottle) was very fresh. Beautiful tropical fruits on the nose and the palate. Soft, citrus, with balanced acidity. Lingering lime finish. Pleasant, fresh, I liked it.

Lookout Pinotage Rose 2013 (R33 a bottle) had a candyfloss colour and aroma. Sugary nose, crystalised sugar aroma. Soft, tart, little sharp finish.

Classic Merlot 2011 (R42 a bottle) lacks aroma, taste and has powdery tannins. It was fruity though.


We went through for lunch after our tasting. After you have been seated you can go to the buffet section and choose all your salads, vegetables and meat. They weigh your salad and vegetables and then the meat is a set price. We all thoroughly enjoyed our meals. Because the Uncorked Festival was on we were able to enjoy live entertainment which really set the mood. It was a great lunch experience we had at Leopards Leap.



 
We tasted the Family Collection Shiraz Mouvedre Viognier 2009 with our lunch. This was smooth and fruity.

After lunch I had a look at the shop they had with many different products, some for the kitchen and others more wine related. It is a nice shop with some interesting items.

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