Los vinos que nos podremos encontrar en SudáfricaTaste Africa: Great Wines to Try in South Africa

Viñedo de montaña en Sudáfrica

Los vinos que nos podremos encontrar en Sudáfrica

Para los bebedores de vino del mundo, Sudáfrica es un gran lugar para ver, degustar y finalmente deleitarse con vinos de buena calidad. El país, que es tres veces el tamaño de California, es un viejo jugador en la industria del vino, con su historia de la elaboración del vino que remonta al siglo XVII.

El deleite absoluto del vino sudafricano no debe ser eclipsado por sus famosos safaris de animales y un impresionante paisaje que se baña en una historia antigua. El país es considerado el más antiguo de la región del vino del Nuevo Mundo, con su vino a menudo mostrando sabores terrosos.

Al recorrer Sudáfrica en busca de los Big Five, uno no debe perderse en la búsqueda de los grandes vinos. Aquí veremos los vinos populares a degustar en Sudáfrica!

¿Por qué es nuevo mundo y no viejo?

Los vinos de Sudáfrica son considerados vinos del Nuevo Mundo, ya que la vinificación comenzó durante y después de la era de la exploración. Se cree que los vinos del Nuevo Mundo son más maduros y frutales, con mayor contenido de alcohol y menor acidez.

Sauvignon blanc

El Sauvignon Blanc es considerado uno de los vinos sudafricanos más asequibles del mercado. Mientras que la intensidad del Sauvignon Blanc sudafricano no está a la par con su variedad de Nueva Zelanda, nos ofrece refrescantes sabores afrutados y notas de hierbas frescas. Sauvignon Blanc es saboreado generalmente antes de comidas, pero van bien con entrantes en el comienzo de una estas.

Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc es la variedad de uva más plantada de Sudáfrica. Mientras gran parte del Chenin Blanc producido en Sudáfrica está realmente reservado para producir brandy, su variedad de vino está comenzando a ganar más atención tanto a nivel local como internacional. Chenin Blanc encarna una variedad de uva floral y melocotón, similar a Pinot Gris.

Pinotage

Esta uva de vino tinto es una firma sudafricana. Cultivada en 1925 como un cruce entre Pinot noir y Cinsaut, esta variedad de color rojo oscuro de vino rojo encarna humo y sabores terrosos que a veces tienen notas de frutas tropicales. Los buenos ejemplos de Pinotage son generalmente una combinación de zarzamoras y de cerezas negras con las hierbas y un toque a ahumados. Pinotage son geniales cuando se combina con cordero asado u otras carnes a la parrilla.

Shiraz / Syrah

Cuando se trata de vino en la región, el Shiraz (syrah) es una estrella en ascenso. Hecho con mora madura y el arándano, el Shiraz de Suráfrica tiene improntas con el del Viejo Mundo, pero también un cuerpo fornido y robusto. Algunos vinicultores de Shiraz en Sudáfrica aspiran a un sabor más frutado y relajado, que seguramente deleitará al paladar! Shiraz se produce generalmente en Swartland, 100 kilómetros (62 millas) al norte de Ciudad del Cabo, donde algunos de los mejores Shiraz están bellamente equilibrados y elaborados.

Arículo colaboración de Elaine Clara Mah, Elaine es escritora en BookAllSafaris.com.

Mountain vineyard in South Africa

Taste Africa: Great Wines to Try in South Africa

For the wine drinkers of the world, South Africa is a great place to see, taste and ultimately delight in good quality wine. The country, which is three times the size of California, is an old player in the wine industry, with its wine making history stretching back to the 17th century.

The absolute delight of South African wine is not to be eclipsed by its famed animal safaris and stunning landscape that is bathed in age-old history. The country is considered the oldest New World wine region, with its wine often showcasing earthy flavors but finished with restraint.

When touring South Africa in search for the Big Five, one must not miss out on seeking the great wines. Here is a break down of popular wines to taste in South Africa!

Why is it New World and Not Old?

Wines from South Africa are considered New World wine, as winemaking started during and after the age of exploration. New World wines are thought to taste riper and fruitier, with higher alcohol content and lesser acidity.

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is considered one of the most affordable South African wines on the market. While the intensity of the South African Sauvignon Blanc isn’t on par with its New Zealand variety, it still does pack a punch with refreshing fruity flavors and hints of fresh herbs. Sauvignon Blanc is usually savored before meals, but the right bottles go well with richer entrees at the start of a meal.

Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc is the most planted grape variety in South Africa. While much of the Chenin Blanc produced in South Africa is actually reserved for producing brandy, its wine variety is beginning to gain more attention both locally and internationally. Chenin Blanc embodies a peachy and floral grape variety, similar to Pinot Gris.

Pinotage

This red wine grape is a South African signature. Bred in 1925 as a cross between Pinot noir and Cinsaut, this deep red variety of red wine embodies smoky and earthy flavors that sometimes have hints of tropical fruits. Good examples of Pinotage are usually a combination of blackberries and black cherries with roasted herbs and a hint of smoke. Pinotage are great when paired with roasted lamb or other grilled meats.

Shiraz/Syrah

When it comes to wine in the region, the Shiraz (syrah) is a rising star. Made with ripe blackberry and blueberry, the Shiraz of South Africa has an Old World earthiness to it, but also a chunky and robust body. Some Shiraz winemakers in South Africa aim for a more restrained and fruity taste, that will surely delight the palate! Shiraz is generally produced in Swartland, 100km (62 miles) north from Cape Town, where some of the best Shiraz are beautifully balanced and crafted.

How to Taste Wine

There are a few steps to wine tasting that will surely turn you into a wine connoisseur. While there are many wine tasting tips out there that you can utilize, here are the basic three steps that serve as a great baseline for any wine enthusiast.

Look

First appearances matter when it comes to wine. Do take a look at the color, opacity and viscosity of the wine you are being served. Color and opacity of wine differs according to its age, amount of acidity, alcohol, sugar and climate within which it was grown. Older white wines have more yellowish and brownish tones, while aged red wines become more transparent with time. You can also find clues about the wine through thefound on the bottle. Pay specific attention to its alcohol percentage and grape variety!

Smell

When it comes to smelling wine, there are generally three primary categories to look out for:

Primary Aromas: The primary aromas generally come from the scent of the fruit – i.e. the types of grapes used. Take note of hints of its herbal and floral notes.

Secondary Aromas: Secondary aromas are usually derived from winemaking practices. Common aromas that may surface are yeast-derivative and are easily spotted in white wines. They usually smell like cheese rind, nut husk or even stale beer.

Tertiary Aromas: These aromas come from the aging of the wine, usually in the bottle or sometimes possible in oak. Aromas surfacing here are usually savory, smelling like roasted nuts, autumn leaves, old tobacco and cured leather.

Taste

Generally, once in your mouth, your tongue can taste salty, sour, sweet or bitter flavors within the wine. All wines that you come across will have some hints of sour, as grapes are inherently acidic. Some wines, like the Pinot Grigio, will embody subtle bitterness. White table wines have an additional sweet flavor because a small portion of the grape sugars are retained. Salty flavors within wines are generally the rarest of the flavors, and can sometimes be found in both red and white wines.

About
Elaine Clara Mah (author)

Elaine is a Contributing Writer for BookAllSafaris.com. She is constantly in awe of the majestic animals living in the wild alongside us and does what she can to help conserve their habitat.