South African Winelands

[andyc]

I was lucky enough to get out of Johannesburg for last weekend and ended up spending the Saturday in the winelands as it's called of Stellenbosch and Franschoek. The wines weren't always a hit but when they are on song certainly are world class and good vfm in most cases although some big money is coming into the area and charging accordingly. The thing that I couldn't get over is the sheer beauty of the place. Sheer 1300m high mountains rising straight up out of the vineyards or wine farms as they're called. If you get half a chance to go here, take it, you'll have a ball. Good food, some very good wine combined with a great view wherever you look.
The following wines hit the mark to this palate
2003 - Homtini Shiraz Viognier : Yes they've caught the bug too but this had so much rich shiraz fruit the viognier was barely noticeable. This is the personal brand of the wine maker for Fairview who is famous for exporting the Goats Do Roam, Goat Roti (get the picture)which are selling big time in the US. Happily the gimmick is backed up by good winemaking. New brands include Bored Doh and Goat Door, obviously the French hate the guy behind these brands, Charles Back and have tried (unsuccessfully) to stop them exporting. This is a great cellar door lets you taste wine in large quality glasses and alos include a cheese tasting. This makes a good deal even when they charge about A$6 for a tasting as most do. Stellenbosch is a Uni town and this small charge is levied to dissuade the students from coming and getting drunk for free as they used to and I would of also when I was a student. Come to think of it I got pretty drunk anyway as we had a designated driver who lives there and doesn't like wine!
2004 - Glen Carlou Syrah: This is a huge mouthful of pepper, spice and deep set blackberry.
2001 - Glanaire Cab Merlot - Very classy Bordeaux blend which due to now being owned by a London diamond dealer has now tripled in price for the 2003 vintage. The location for this vineyard needs to be seen to be believed.[/img]

I also had some very good sweet Chenin Blancs mostly made as straw wine. Chenin used to be there top white grape but has been dwindling in size with each vintage until recently when some top vineyards have seen the opportunity to offer something different by putting out top quality versions of a grape that is pretty rare outside of the Loire in both sweet and dry versions. I think this could be SA's point of difference.

[Glen]

Hi Andy

I whole-heartedly agree with your comments on this wonderful wine region of the world. It has to be one of the most outrageously beautiful, and in fact, I put Franschhoek as #3 on my all-time greats (not to mention the terrific value for wine and food - although over the past 4 years rental cars and accommodation have been bordering on the ridiculous!)

If you go back, I suggest that you take the highway past Paarl through the tunnel and check out the Breedekloof wine region, this is Stellenbosch 10-15 years ago.

Can I ask where you stayed and what you payed? as I will be there in September again this year.

[Grant]

Glen,

Come out and have a look at our new operation, Haskell Vineyards. It is in Stellenbosch, just up the road from Rust en Vrede. If you let me know when you are there I'll arrange a bit of a look around, if you wish.

Cheers

[andyc]

Can I ask where you stayed and what you payed? as I will be there in September again this year.

Glen,
I will be going back in the new year and will take up your advice on going to Breedekloof as I plan to see as much of this area as possible. We stayed at the 1802 guesthouse which is in an older style and you'd stay more as a lover of history and food as the rooms are average.
We had a great meal just outside of Franschoek at La Petite Ferme which has great food and one of the best views in the area from their back lawn.

[Glen]

Hi Grant

If it was any of my earlier trips I would have had to politely decline, but now that I have a distributor in SAfica, this trip will be a lot less hectic and I would love to take you up on the offer. I think the hardest thing this trip will involve will be chosing which wine farm to have lunch at each day.
I will be in touch closer to the time. Will you be there?

Hi Andy

La Petite Ferme is superb, try also Marc's in Paarl (Marc is a Swiss sommelier and his partner runs the tasting room at KWV), no doubt you have been to the Wijnhaus in Stelly, Fishmonger in Stelly is v. good with largish portions, but probably the best meal we had was at Pontac in Paarl.

[toofastdriving]

Hi all

Resurrecting an old thread here. Heading to Franschhoek in the next week or so and wondering if there's any specific recommendations? Will be jumping on the Wine Tram http://winetram.co.za/ and wondering which 'line' we should get on. I'm sure it's all stunning, but would love to hit some special wineries if anyone has any experience in the region.

Thanks!

[Mike Hawkins]

I agree with all the above sentiments. A fantastically beautiful region... which is itself only 45 minutes away from one of the most beautiful cities on earth in Capetown.

While none of the wines particularly wowed me (they were ok), many of the wineries have superb (and cheap) restaurants. As a golfer, I really enjoyed going to Ernie Els' joint, as he has his 'major' trophies on display there.

[vovo]

I'll be there early January, so please give us a write up of your visit.

[Redwine&Rum]

Likewise. Heading there a few days either side of new years. Really looking forward to getting stuck in and trying some of these wines.

[sjw_11]

I am in Cape Town for work next week, but I doubt I will get to try much more in the way of wine than whatever they have at the BA lounge... Although I am having dinner at Greenhouse which I am told is one of CT's better restaurants so I will let you know if that's worth a go.

[Matt@5453]

I've had some very good Bordeaux blends at De Toren. The 2008 was very good.

[felixp]

went to the winelands in 1984, fantastic region. Would have stayed more than the one day, but me and my mate, both young and single, had discovered the attractions of Clifton Beach

[vovo]

Any updates or recommendations? I'm in Cape Town now and will have one day for wine tasting.

Thanks

[vovo]

A word for the wise, most wine farms do not open on a Sunday. Vergelegen was open, so popped in there a much different experience to an Aus CD, an amazing place with ancient buildings and a natural beauty that out does probably most if not all Australian cellar doors however not as enjoyable, you select the 4 or 5 wines you want to try and they are given to you and you are left to your devices. No banter from the staff, trying to figure out what you like make recommendations etc. Did manage to wrangle a taste of their flagship V which is not for tasting, but took a fair amount of my powers of persuasion.

Rust en Vrede was more typical Australian cellar door and lovely service and fantastic wine, did not get to taste their flagship 1694 as the latest vintage is not yet released.

Had lunch at simonsig which was fantastic, under $60 for three of us including tip and one of the best meals we had in South Africa.

As for the wine, what a bargain. Other than the super high end stuff (obviously targeting a foreign market) most wines even flagships can be had for under $20/bottle