South Africa Masterclass

Completing our trio of summer masterclass events is a visit to the most-improved wine country of the last 25 years or so – South Africa.

Emerging from the apartheid era with a wine industry desperately in need of investment and modernisation it has received both in spades!  It now produces some of the best wines in the world and at remarkable value-for-money prices.  Whilst there are many South African wines on the supermarket shelves, moving slightly upmarket opens up a whole new level of quality.

As with the other two masterclasses, the content of this event will be reinforced by my visit to South Africa last year and especially our 4 days in Franschhoek and Stellenbosch.

In South Africa, locally-made sparkling wine is referred to as Methode cap Classique (“MCC” is what is it universally shortened to on restaurant wine lists) and we start our event with one of these delightful wines, made in the traditional method (like Champagne) and from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes (like Champagne).

Moving on to South Africa’s most planted variety; Chenin Blanc, from low yielding old bush vines, this variety can make exceptionally good quality wine, and our example combines the judicious use of oak to create a complex wine.

Chardonnay is becoming increasingly popular in South Africa, especially from the coastal regions of Elgin and Hemel-En-Aarde (“Heaven on Earth”) and we sample a wine that could give white Burgundy a run for its money.

Moving onto red wines, South Africa, especially in Stellenbosch, has a great climate for ripening black grapes and producing wines of outstanding quality.  We will sample Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and of course South Africa’s very own Pinotage.  If your experience with this variety is restricted to inexpensive supermarket wine you are in for a treat as we have a fantastic  wine from Pinotage specialist Kanonkop for your enjoyment.

Accompanied of course by background information and extensive orientation information on South African wines and wine regions.

If you’re thinking of visiting the wonderful country (and I would highly recommend it), come and do your pre-flight wine research with us!