Chris had two requests for excursions with us – Wine Tour was top of the list – 🍷 🥂
A coach trip was easiest way to do this without a Designated Driver having to refrain from the tasting, so off we went. Our guide was a well-travelled guy who seemed to have back-packed everywhere in his youth – knew Leeds Uni, Falkirk and Manchester, for a start ! Also kept us informed throughout the drive with Fascinating Factoids , like –
Townships – originated with forced labour brought in for mining etc , when these workers could be fined / jailed for staying in town at night. 19% of the population was white and had 50% of the land space. There is still a 600K housing shortage in W Cape.
Why Wine’s Wonderful –
Sailors originally used wine mixed with water to combat scurvy and disease, but it was pretty rough as the local Dutch settlers were crap at viniculture. Dutch VOC brought in French wine makers with their vine cuttings to improve the local vinegar. Some vines are on terracing, others just left to grow wild on the ground, so they get extra heat from the ground
– 65% of chenin blanc globally comes from SA, and much of it is used for brandy.
– 5% of global wines come from SA.
– Pinotage is celebrating its centenary this year – a grape unique to SA ( and not one which actually impressed me when we tried it)
– White grapes like Sauvignon Blanc are mostly grown on the coast. So the ones we drank on this tour were almost foreign produce !
Our thirst for knowledge thus slaked, we felt well- prepared to sample wines at 3 vineyards :
#1 Stellenbosch : Blauuwklippen Winery
Stellenbosch was based on land from which non-whites were forced out ( a pattern is emerging). It’s now a very attractive town of white colonial buildings, thatched Dutch-style cottages , and a University with bursaries for ‘the previously disadvantaged’.
Still looks pretty elitist to the tourist eye – there are townships in the foothills which no doubt house the workers
Blaauwklippen Tasting notes
(Caution : starting at 10:30am may have blunted our discernment. )
#1 Cape Classic sparkling rosé. 34 month maturation . Zinfandel (from Hrvatska). Tastier than your standard rosé, my new go-to breakfast wine
#2 2025 Sauvingnon Blanc – our fave !
#3 Chardonnay french oaked – meh.
#4 2023 Rose – can be a blend of white / red, but mostly by leaving the skin in for 3-6 hours ( maceration process). This is a blend of 2 red grapes zinfandel (aka Primitivo) / Malbec – no recollection of this at all. I clearly spent more time writing than tasting it
#5 De Blauuwklip 2020 flagship red wine – blend of 5 cab sauv, cab franc, merlot, .. this was decent. But I think I would have enjoyed it more in an evening with a solid meal. Probably a good accompaniment to Pork Scratchings.
Back in the bus, and a short drive to the next valley …..
#2 – Franschoek
A lovely setting surrounded by steep rocky peaks and ridges
We were in need of solids by this stage, to prepare us for the second wave , and as luck would have it , the Franschoek Cellar offered us lunch in this airy hall
Then back to the serious business –
#1 Chenin blanc
#2 Sauvingnon blanc
#3 Cabernet Sauvignon
#4 Shiraz
To be honest by this stage my own notes are less forensically detailed, but I think #1 and #4 were our favourites.
For some variety , we then had a stop in Drakenstein – a prison which held Mandela from 1988-90. Outside the gates is this “Long walk to Freedom” statue
And finally on to
#3 Paarl – the Rhebokskloof winery
Lovely setting by a lake, well-stocked with carp. I watched them nudging their heads out of the water, presumably enjoying an insect-tasting experience.
This place really upped the game by including gorgeous mini desserts paired with each wine ..
#1 Flatrock Sparkle : Chenin blanc + grenache blanc infused with CO2 – bit meh, handy for removing stubborn stains from linen
#2 2020 Chardonnay: lovely ! Bought a bottle and took a second glass in extra time
#3 Flatrock Red : award winning value wine for 100 rand . Syraz, Pinotage blend 2020 vintage. My mind is a blank ….Probably a good value fighting wine
#4 Pinotage ( a Cinsault / Pinot noir cross) – not amazing to me. One for laying down and avoiding.
#5 RBK Shiraz – 2021 vintage multi award winner – yep. Always like a nice Shiraz
Ooh yes. And we were adopted by a Great Dane called Nils to make up a 4 at table, and also chatted to a beer loving Leipzig couple ( Emma/ David).
Ate back at the waterfront, Uber home, fell into bed.
Which was nice.