All the natural and artisanal wine you are looking for

Free shipping in Italy from 89 euros

South Africa

SHOW FILTERS

South Africa: Reflections

If there was a competition for the most beautiful wine country, South Africa would be a serious candidate for the final victory. The blue shadows of the sandstone and granite debris of Table Mountain dominate green pastures dotted with the white facades of Dutch colonial houses, a people who settled here some three centuries ago. There is a South Africa before and after Apartheid, from 1994. We like the current one, the people have changed, but so have the vineyards and the quality in general. And this is thanks to huge international investments by experienced and wealthy financiers. The country has a much cooler climate than the latitude would suggest, thanks to the cold current of the Banguelawhich bathes the west coast from the Antarctic. Rainfall is intense but only occurs in the winter months, and the winds mitigate the climate, and the further you go towards the sea, the cooler the climate and piovous. Among these, the most important wind is the infamous Cape Doctor, which channels itself through the mountains and drives away pests and rotalthough it can damage younger vines due to its potency. Virtually all South African vines are found in the vicinity of Cape Town. The coastal area of the Cape is the furthest away, but paradoxically it is becoming the most sought after due to its cool climate and quality soils. from the parts ofthe Bot River and up the coast the style of wine is French, and the quality very high, especially in Walker Bay.
But let us go step by step. The first area to mention is precisely that around Cape Town, whose geological conformation is incredible. Thousands of years old and extensively eroded, granitic and shale soils naturally limit the vigour of the vines. The fact that these soils are home to the world's most diverse floral ecosystem is testament to the biodiversity of the area. And it is the favourite slogan of the South African wine industry. Unlike some 20 years ago, when big natural producers like Tom Lubbe (Matassa) were forced to seek their fortunes elsewhere, Now in South Africa, respect for nature is even encouraged. Here all farms are sustainable and natural and biodynamic practices super in vogue. The 80% of the grapes becomes premium wine, the remaining 20% is used for the grape juice, of which the country is the largest producerand for Brandy.
The most cultivated, and one can say almost autochthonous grape is the Chenin Blanc, here less delicate and more full-bodied than what is produced in France. The most important areas are the spectacular Tygerberg and the rediscovered Tulbagh, the districts of Citrusdal and Lutzville in the Olifants River area. And also Lower Orange and Klein Karoo. The country's most famous fortified wines are produced in Calitzdorp. Finally, moving ideally always eastwards, we find the territories of Worcester and Breedekloof in the Breede River regionthe most generous, with a quarter of the national grapes.
North of the Cape we find the region of Costantia, named after the legendary passito of the same nameonce considered the best in the world. The vineyards are the most expensive in the country, but the Semillon that are produced Steenberg and Uistigwith their elegance, testify to the reason for this. Here also the Sauvignon Blanc is of a very high standard, also because this is the area that perhaps most of all others benefits from the Cape Doctor.
Further north we find the Swartland of the legendary Craig Hawkins of Testalonga. The vines are all bush-trained, they were often abandoned, and this has attracted young and talented producers, just like Craig, who are revaluing the whole area
unknown until a couple of decades ago. In fact, the Swartland Revolution, a festival dedicated to new-generation, natural and sustainable wine, is celebrated here. This fair is also dedicated Eben Sadie, the first winemaker to truly understand the potential of an area once known only for its endless wheat fields. It is a land of whites but also of excellent Cabernets.
Finally Stellemboschwhich historically produced the highest quality wine in the whole of South Africa. Stellembosch is a university town with a renowned oenology faculty and vineyards as far as the eye can see. Its area is not immense and yet it encompasses very varied climates, which become warmer as you move away from the sea. Thus the wines, too, can vary in styles and flavours. The areas to circle in red are Franschhoek, Paarl, Jonkershoek Valley and False Bay.
Total hectares under vine are about 130000, like Australia, but production is just over half that, at about 9 million hectolitres. The export value, however, is almost double that of its great rival, approaching 600 million eurowith lots of bulk wine brought in from outside the borders.

Close ✕

Vintage

Manufacturers & Tags

Grapevine

Regions

Country

Typology

World

Format

Price

Price

Typology

Country

Regions

Vintage

Format

Grapevine

Manufacturers & Tags

en_GBEnglish (UK)
1
    1
    Your Cart
    Testalonga5
    Testalonga El Bandito Cortez 2020 Magnum
    1 X 102,00  = 102,00 
    Scroll to Top

    become part of our

    Family