Stop in for last-minute Mother's Day gift ideas!
Stop in for last-minute Mother's Day gift ideas!
Each month we highlight a new wine region and curate four white and four red wines that best represent the region. These wines are featured in our Wine Station dispensers for tastings and are available for purchase by the bottle.
The vineyards of South Africa cover 140 000 hectares mainly in the province of Western Cape. South Africa was the 8th biggest wine producer in the world in 2015 with around 1,130 million liters of wine produced. Most of the production is exported to countries like the UK, Germany, Japan, Russia, Ireland, Denmark.
Wine has been produced in South Africa for longer than in any other of the new world countries. In the 1600s, French Huguenots, Dutch and English settled down near the Cap of Good Hope in Constantia, and in the district of Franschhoek where vineyards where then planted. Today, the main grape varieties planted are: Pinotage (signature grape), Chenin Blanc, Cabernet sauvignon, Colombard, Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Gewurtztraminer, Riesling, Trebbiano, Sémillon and Muscat d'Alexandrie.
The Wine of Origin, WO, appellation system defines about 60 appellations under four categories which are from largest to smallest: geographical units, regions, districs and wards. The WO mark on the label indicates that the grapes used in making the wine originate from this labeled area.
The most renowned wine regions are:
A fruit driven style of Sauvignon Blanc which portrays a melange of tropical fruit aromas and a broad palate that has lovely freshness and complexity. Pale straw with green tinges. This wine displays fresh black current, passion fruit, gooseberries and lime on the nose. The palate is layered with complexity and mouth coating texture, whilst still offering a fresh and mineral appeal.
Rosé of Shiraz, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc. This rosé shows juicy watermelon, candyfloss and red berry fruit flavours with sweet hints and a distinctively floral bouquet. This vibrant salmon pink wine is well balanced with natural acidity, good length and complexity. Produced in a style reminiscent of Provence, dry but with excellent fruit balance.
Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne, Semillon. This extraordinary wine shows pure fruit of lime, grapefruit, pineapple, quince, with just a dash of honey on the nose. The palate is dense with ripe flavours and juicy with tangy peach and brie flavours, delivered with good intensity and freshness. These mouthwatering flavours linger on the palate.
A delicate nose with hints of crisp apple, white pear and lingering pineapple. Elegant mouthfeel and texture to compliment a coated acidity with good depth of fruit. 9 months in oak.
Not your typical Pinotage. Fruit is sourced from a small farmer in Swartland. Partial carbonic maceration; aged for 12 months in big barrels. Juicy and fresh, but with plenty of natural grip and earth. The tension as the fruit tries to keep up is thrilling. Really enjoyable and super versatile. – ABV: 12.75%
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Syrah. The grapes were destemmed, crushed, after which wild yeast fermentation was allowed in closed stainless-steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation and maturation took place in small used French oak barrels. The wine was aged for 12-14 Months in 225 litre barrels. Blackurrant, liquorice, with a hint of dark chocolate and ground coffee. The wine has an explosion of fruit on the palate and well-integrated, elegant tannins to support it.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Western Cape. Destemmed into old oak cask open top fermenters. Extended maceration in the oak casks for 30 days then pressed and put into 300L old French oak for 12 months. After bottling, the wine aged for an additional 4 months before release. Nose of beautiful red berry fruit. A classic, approachable, easy drinking cab.
This wine delivers a complex array of flavours with red and dark currant berries, beautiful floral aromas layered by hints of liquorice and white pepper. The palate has a refined taste with subtle wood and a sappy, refreshing finish.