Holiday Recap : Wine Region

Hi everyone -

A million apologies for not updating the last five days. It was a whirlwind. We didn't have Internet access until Sunday and by then we were spending the day with friends before flying back to the UK yesterday. I'm now able to go through my notes, and thought I'd do two posts. Enjoy.

Things I learned in the South African Wine Region

1. The Pinot Noir grape is one of the most fragile grapes there is – susceptible to weather changes, to how it is plucked, to how it is stored. It is always handled by hand, not by machine. One of the reasons there are so many expensive Pinot Noirs is that it isn’t a sturdy grape like the Shiraz, so not only are their fewer bottles produced but when you have a wine-maker committed to Pinot Noirs you can be sure they will be damned good, not table wine.
2. The Pinotage grape is indigenous to South Africa, dating back to 1924 when the Pinot grape was married to the Cinsault (formerly heritage). It inherited all the best attributes of both – the sustainability of the Heritage, and the flavor of the Pinot. South Africa produces some find Pinotages – I can vouch for many, many delicious ones.
3. It takes roughly four months for a wine to be stored in a barrel before it is even ready for tasting. South African wines are normally made around February, therefore are ready for our summer.
4. South Africa, once known for its Chenin Blancs, is moving the way of New Zealand and producing some exceptional Sauvignon Blancs. I highly recommend going out and finding the Wakefield Sauvignon Blanc 2007. Absolutely delicious, especially if you’re having fish. So, given what we know from #3, look for 2007 Sauvignon Blancs from South Africa next summer. Put a reminder in your calendar. Do it. Now.
5. Unoaked Chardonnays are good. I think poor Chardonnay has gotten a bad rep lately, rather like how Merlot went out of favor after the movie Sideways came out. But I think the oaking of Chardonnays led to its demise. The unoaked ones we tried are rather delicious.
6. Seek out Champagnes that are made via “la methode Champagne” and not injected with CO2. Carbon Dioxide=Headache. Champagne Method=Where have you been all my life?
7. Ernie Els, the famous golfer, decided to use a teensy bit of his wealth to open three vineyards. The view from his signature Ernie Els winery is stunning. But what is up with a multi-millionaire golfer charging MORE for a tasting then anyone else in the Stellenbosch region? Does he really need the money?
8. German and French tourists travel en masse. Ok, I knew that already, but I also discovered they carry portable instruments. At one winery we were forced to listen to Amazing Grace on the trumpet. I kid you not.
9. If you get behind a tour bus driving up to a winery, overtake them as fast as possible, run inside and slam your R15 (about 2 bucks) on the table and say, “Give me a tasting! Now!” Otherwise resign yourself to either listening to steel brass versions of Tainted Love or finding another winery.
10. There are many reasons the Cape Wine Region is listed on several Top Ten Places to Visit Before You Die: It is absolutely stunning. On a sunny day, from various vantage points in the region, you can see all the way to Table Top Mountain. But you don't even need table top mountain - you are surrounded by staggering hills. I can safely say it is much more fun to play pompous ass, stuffing your nose in a glass, moving the oxygen around and pretending to know what you’re doing when you are in a beautiful setting.

The Most Important Thing I Learned in the Wine Region:

It is very possible – nay, almost enjoyable – drinking at 10 o’clock in the morning, especially when it is socially acceptable