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

Klein Constantia’s Muscat de Frontignan vineyards, cradle of Vin De Constance, was singled out as “one of the most mythical vineyards of the world” by the French Institute des Paysages et Architectures Viticoles. A sample of its soil is encased in a crystal cube in a Bordeaux museum besides those of Chateau D’ Yquem, La Romane Conti, Petrus and five other legendary labels.

Join us in this great tasting and interview down in Klein Constantia’s cellars with wine maker Adam Mason. Klein Constantia is not only one of South Africa’s oldest vineyards but also one of the world’s most beautiful sites of any wine region in the world. The vineyards are situated just 20 km from the central city of Cape Town at the back of the world famous Table Mountain. In 2002 US wine and spirits magazine listed Klein Constantia as one of the world’s top 25 great vineyards rubbing shoulders with Lafite Rothschild, La Tache and D’ Yquem.

Klein Constantia also focuses on white and red varieties which you will hear about in this interview. But it is their Botrytis sweet wine which first made this Estate famous. A favorite of Kings and Emperors like Napoleon Bonaparte. Blessed with ideal weather conditions for Botrytis, it is the vineyards that make the wine. This is not a wine makers wine but a wine with a sense of place.

Klein Constantia: www.kleinconstantia.com
Podcast number six (51:12 min, 48MB)
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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

This young estate is achieving great honors internationally which is attributed to superb terroir, and a focus on low yields. In this show we learn about the views and vision of one of the most exciting vineyards in South Africa.

One of South Africa’s most southerly situated vineyards is Cape Point Vineyards. Situated just 1,8 Km from the cold Atlantic ocean and blessed with cool climates high sloping vineyards. After the Dutch landed in 1652 a century later the first vines were planted in Noorhoek.

In 1996, on the same land the new vines of Cape Point Vineyards were re-established by Sybrand van der Spuy and now the owner of this Noordhoek Estate. The vineyards are now planted on the Noorhoek and Scarborough area. Having this cool climate allows for slow ripening conditions and wines which have great acidity. Varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Semillon as well as Pinot Noir are planted on the cool south facing slopes of Noordhoek. On the warmer north facing slopes of Scarborough are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

/Host Roland Lundall

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.

Globally one of South Africa’s most well known wines. Meerlust Estate has long been recognized for producing world class wines. I had the honour of speaking to Chris Williams the winemaker at Meerlust Estate. I conducted this interview in the cellar whilst doing a tasting of their wines.

Chris was so passionate about his wines and this interview ended up being over an hour, so I have divided it into two parts. Join me in this fantastic show and tasting as we all learn so much more about the great wines of Meerlust.

The Estates unique position in Stellenbosch lends itself to the production of wines which show exceptional complexity and character. In the summertime, ocean breezes and evening mists roll in from the coast to cool the vineyards.

The grapes ripen slowly, thus achieving full, concentrated varietal flavours. The soil consists of predominantly deep, well drained Hutton and Clovelly soil types, affording the vines excellent drought resistance and an ideal substrata for producing concentrated, complex wines. One hundred and ten hectares are planted with varieties such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Pinot Noir.

/Host Roland Lundall

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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.

The world famous Rothschild wines of Bordeaux meet Rupert of South Africa. The two families partnership was formed in 1997 by the late Dr Anton Rupert and the late Baron Edmond de Rothschild. Today the partnership and vision of the two families are shared in this wine production. At the foot of the Simonsberg Mountains in the beautiful Franschoek valley lies the historic French Huguenot farm Fredericksburg established in 1690 and now home of Rupert and Rothschild Vignerons.

In this show the winemaker Schalk-Willem Joubert speaks about his world class wines. We also did a tasting in the interview and it was a real treat to hear all about their philosophy and vision. Learn about how they meticulously pay attention to the vineyard and the blending of their top wine the Baron Edmond. They also make a great Chardonnay called Baroness Nadine and the other red called Classique. Join me on this great interview as I take you to the beauty of the Franschoek Valley and the wines of Rupert and Rothschild.
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Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons: www.rupert-rothschildvignerons.com
Podcast number two (49:01 min, 45MB)
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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

Kanonkop is one of South Africa’s premier wine Estates. In this show we open the world’s eyes to their wines, grape varieties, climate, vinifications style and hear about how they make their world famous wines and their vision for the future. Join us as we talk to Abrie Beeslaar the winemaker and hear about his passion and how he makes the wines of Kanonkop.

Kanonkop dates back four generations to the first owner JW Sauers. His son Paul Oliver Sauer, took over the reigns from his father and in 1968 was joined by Springbok rugby great Jan “Boland” Coetzee. Mary Sauer, daughter of Paul Sauer, inherited the Estate and together with Coetzee made the first estate bottled wines in 1973. Beyers Truter joined the estate in 1980 with the departure of Coetzee. More recently Abrie Beeslaar, who joined the team in 2002, has taken over from Beyers and continues the good work passed down from generation to generation.
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Kanonkop Wine Estate: www.kanonkop.co.za
Podcast number one (50:37 min, 47MB)
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