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Jakartans experience the bounty of South African vineyards
No matter the location, the one constant of every wine region around the world is its beauty
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No matter the location, the one constant of every wine region around the world is its beauty. Whether it be the flat, open expanse of Bordeaux's Medoc, punctuated by an ancient and opulent-looking chateaux, the glistening Rhine River flanked on either side by vines or even the glamour and gaudiness of the Napa Valley, wine regions the world over have one look -- beautiful. As far as ranking goes, there is beauty and then there is South Africa, home to the heart-stopping scenery of the Western Cape winelands.
The vineyards of the Western Cape are scattered amongst a vast expanse of majestic mountains, verdant valleys and dramatic coastal shorelines; however, it is not the beauty which makes the wine taste delicious. The underbelly of South Africa's scenic splendor is of course its soil, an all-important asset in every superior wine-growing region and the South Africans are taking their soil very seriously indeed.
"Variety is in our Nature" is the tag line employed by Wines of South Africa, the body responsible for Cape wines, to express this "biodiversity", another uniquely South African term used to refer to the Cape which cradles the smallest yet richest of the world's six floral kingdoms. The Cape Floral Kingdom, as it is known, has been declared a World Heritage Site and is home to 9,600 plant species and tens of thousands of animal species. The natural habitat of the winelands embraces this ancient terroir and the vintners strive to grow wine which is "site specific", reflecting a sense of place. After all, when drinking South African wine, it is vital that the consumer has a taste of South Africa and not some pseudo-Franco "wanna be".
The biodiversity coupled with an immense pool of winemaking talent is South Africa's winning combination and it is a thrilling prospect that Indonesia is poised to ride the South African wine wave.
On Friday night (August 22), The South African Embassy hosted a gala dinner at the Ritz-Carlton Kuningan for a group of special wine producers visiting from the Western Cape winelands. These producers are profiled below.
While wine critiquing necessitates objectivity, when one has spent time walking through the vineyards and winery facilities, talking to the winemakers about their vision and drive and tasting the wine in situ, the experience is anything but objective. The taster is privileged to a glimpse at what lies behind the label and it is then the task of the wine writer to convey this experience to the inquisitive public.
Becoming a competent wine taster does not require special skills but it does demand diversity in tasting, so to practice proficiency, drink from all over the globe, taste with an inquiring mind and revel in the new as well as the old. This is a salute to South Africa. Gezondheid! (All brands will be available at Vin+, Marinda Duty Free, Vinoteca Pacific Place and selected hotels and restaurants)
De Wetshof Estate (www.dewetshof.co.za): The range tastes nothing short of ultra delicious, embracing all the hallmark qualities of premium Chardonnays -- fullness, complexity, finesse and amazing length. Choose from a number of styles ranging from unwooded to oaked. The range also includes a silky Pinot Noir, Danie de Wet Nature in Concert and a yummy Cabernet Sauvignon, Danie de Wet Naissance.
Kaapzicht Estate (www.kaapzicht.co.za): The range includes a bevy of blends and varietals characterized by their easy drinking style, while the flagship selection carries the Steytler family name. The Steytler Vision, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage and Merlot was the winner of the Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Trophy as well as Decanter's Best South African Blend, while the Steytler Pinotage has won the IWSC Best Pinotage Trophy.
Kanonkop (www.kanonkop.co.za): A red wine specialist, Kanonkop consistently produces wines of a high quality -- age worthy and captivating in their ability to hold the taster's interest until the very last drop. It is Indonesia's good fortune to be granted an allocation of these iconic reds.
KWV (www.kwv.co.za): There is something for everyone here from the soft and fruit-driven quaffing wines of Pearly Bay and Robert's Rock to the stylish, varietal focused KWV lifestyle range which move up the quality scale to the estate grown Laborie brand.
Leopard's Leap (www.leopards-leap.co.za): The range is far from cheap and cheerful but rather classy and affordable. Consistently prized and over delivering on taste versus price, this is a brand which is sure to strike gold in Indonesia.
Muratie (www.muratie.co.za): With the exception of the Isabella Chardonnay, the range is red driven with a stellar line-up culminating in the Ansela van de Caab, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. These wines will mesmerize the taster with their old world charm yielded from vineyards which have been so carefully tended over the centuries.
Ridgeback (www.ridgebackwines.co.za): The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a pedigree of dog described as well-balanced and muscular, and in many ways, the wines which borrow the same name reflect similar characteristics, in particular the reds which display power and body.
(All brands will be available at Vin+, Marinda Duty Free, Vinoteca Pacific Place and selected hotels and restaurants)
