Jim Clarke is a freelance writer, author, and speaker, focused on wine, sake, and other beverages. His book, The Wines of South Africa, was published in July 2020 by Infinite Ideas, and in September 2020 he won the Louis Roederer Wine Writers’ Award for International Feature Writer of the Year.
In our comprehensive South Africa Seminar, we will explore the diverse grape varieties and regions of this fascinating wine-producing country.
We begin our journey with Cap Classique, the traditional method sparkling wines from South Africa. This category is currently experiencing rapid growth, and these wines exhibit the classic structure and smooth mousse that one expects from a traditional method wine, with an added burst of fruitiness thanks to South Africa's generous sunshine.
Moving on, we delve into Chenin Blanc, the most widely planted grape variety in South Africa. Chenin Blanc serves as an ideal canvas for expressing the range of South African terroir. From Swartland's powerful and mineral-driven wines to the fruitier and broader offerings from Stellenbosch and Breedekloof, or the more acid-driven wines of the Cape South Coast, Chenin Blanc showcases a common thread of body and texture that can appeal to Chardonnay drinkers, generosity of aroma that Sauvignon Blanc enthusiasts can enjoy, and a refreshing quality sought after by Pinot Grigio aficionados. We'll taste Badenhorst's legendary "Kelder Steen" as our Swartland example.
Next, we turn our attention to Pinot Noir from the Hemel-en-Aarde region, which has gained considerable acclaim. To exemplify the excellence of this region, we will be tasting a Pinot Noir from the iconic Hamilton Russell winery.
Then we shift gears to Pinotage, a unique South African variety resulting from a crossing of Cinsault and Pinot Noir in the early 1900s. We will compare this varietal with its parent grapes by sampling a Cinsault as well, allowing us to discern the contributions of each parent to this distinctive wine. Then we’ll taste the Pinotage to see how Pinot Noir and Cinsault aspects come together.
We focus on Stellenbosch next, the first region in South Africa to achieve international recognition. Known for its Bordeaux-style blends, Stellenbosch offers a unique character and sense of place. As we discuss the region's characteristics, we will have the pleasure of tasting one of its highly acclaimed wines: De Toren's Fusion V.
Lastly, we cannot overlook the Rhone Blends that have garnered significant attention in South Africa over the past few decades. Swartland, in particular, is home to some of the finest examples of these wines. We will explore the unique expression of South African terroir through these captivating Rhone Blends.
Throughout this seminar, we aim to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of South Africa's most important grape varieties and regions, accompanied by tastings from some of the most esteemed producers.
Cheeses, charcuterie and Mediterranean Tapas will be served during the seminar.
This event is full. If you'd like to be added to the waitlist, please fill in your details below and we'll contact you if there is a cancellation.
