South African Wine Report

If Burgundy had a place outside France it would have to be with Hamilton Russell. Listen to Anthony Russell talk about his great Pinot Noirs and Chardonnay’s which truly express their since of place at the tip of South Africa. Why is this small valley of Walker Bay producing some of the world’s most sensual and elegant pinot noirs in the world?

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Show Notes:

Intro - a short history of the estate

1:20 – Why Anthony just grows chardonnay and pinot noir.

2:10 – The climate in Walker Bay.

3:18 – Anthony’s vinification style of his wines

7:00 – Anthony vineyard practices

8:00 - Anthony’s hang time for pinot noir

10.:00 - How much oak to use for pinot noir

11:55 – Best vintages

14:20 – Why Anthony does pinot noir

16:50 – His style of pinot noir and his future plans.

Napoleon Bonaparte’s favorite dessert wine

One of the great sweet wines of the world and the oldest vineyard in South Africa. Listen to Adam Mason the wine maker of World famous Klein Constantia. The great Vin de Constance wine which was drank by Kings and Napoleon Bonaparte and stands alongside Chateaux D’ Yeqeum and Tokay.

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Show Notes:

Intro - Adam talks about the 2008 vintage

4:02 – Tasting of the Sauvignon Blanc 2008

8:22 – Tasting the chardonnay 2007

15:00 – Madame Marlbrook 2006 a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon

24:34 – Tasting the Bordeaux blend 2006

31:45 – Tasting another Bordeaux blend 2006 Marlbrook

37:40 – Tasting the world famous sweet wine Vin de Constance, 2004.

49:00 – Future of Klein Constantia

The vineyard at the southern tip of Africa
Listen to Duncan Savage of Cape Point Vineyards. This young, highly talented wine maker is making waves with their wines. Hear why these wines, which are the most southerly situated vineyards in South Africa, are gaining world wide acclaim.

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Show Notes:

1:25- History of and the vineyard and Duncan’s winemaking

4:15 – Explains climate in Noorthoek and grape varieties.

8:25 –The soils types on the vineyard

14:15- Cape Point Vineyard’s vinification method

21:05 – Opinions on screw cap and corks

24:38 – About diseases and how to combat them.

26:25 – Explains their blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.

32:55 – Explains why South Africa is consistent with vintages.

36:32 – Talks about some awards Cape Point Vineyard’s have won.

37:57 – Their production size

43:32 – Future plans

Welcome back with part two of Meerlust Estate wines. We continue our discussion with Chris Williams the wine maker as we hear more on his vision and the wines of this famous South African Estate.
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Show Notes

2:20 - Their style of picking and other vineyard practices

6:05 - talks about the Rubicon wine

15:48 - Best Vintages

31:10 - Talks about who his influenced him

Wines that are beating across the world
Globally one of South Africa’s most well known wines with a history of great wine making. Listen to wine maker Chris Williams of Meerlust Estate talk about their wines, as we taste and learn so much more about this great estate.

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Show notes::

Intro – The climate and viticulture

14:15 – Explains age of vines

20:37 – Why Chris likes tannins in his wines

25:05 – Explains why pinot noir is hard to grow.

A Partnership made in Wine
The world’s most well known wine family Rothschild’s of Bordeaux, join in a great partnership with the great South African wine family Rupert, and the result is world class wines from the heart of the Franschhoek valley. Listen to wine maker Schalk-Willem Joubert.

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Show notes:

Intro - Short history and the partnership between the two families.

4:44 - The viticulture in Franschhoek

7:35 – Explaining the soils.

9:10 - Why their Chardonnay and Merlot grapes come from other vineyard sites.

13:58 – Their unique vinification style.

19:00 – Their flagship wine Baron Edmond

21:40 – Explains how their wines should be served

25:10 – Starting tasting their Chardonnay

34:50 – Suggesting which foods match with their wines.

38:15 – Best vintages.

40:51 – Talks about the partnership with Michel Rolland

46:50 – Schalk-Willem’s opinion on the future of Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons.

International wine maker of the year 2008
In this interview listen to the International wine maker of the year 2008 from the London Wine and Spirits awards Abrie Beeslaar. Kanonkop is one of South Africa’s premier wine estates with world class wines and a great history.

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Show notes:

Intro - history about Kanonkop

2:08 - Speaking about the grape varieties they plant.

4:45 - Soil types and explains the vineyard sites.

7:57 - Talks about the challenges for wine makers

10:33 – Explains the grape variety Pinotage

15:25 – Kanonkop’s flagship wine Paul Saucer, Bordeaux blend

23:53- Explains their planting of the rows

30:27- The influence of the ocean on SA vineyards.

34:02- Explains vinification methods

40:35 - Abrie talks about his best vintage.

48:05 - About the future of Kanonkop

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