Wine Corner—Wines of South Africa

WRITER: HOMER PHOTOGRAPHY: SAFARI MAGAZINE, FREEPIK.COM

ot very many beverages can be as intriguing and full of mystery as wine. So much has been written about wine in competing volumes as to what is consumed...and the thirst for more knowledge never stops. There is a wine for every occasion. And have you ever noticed how wine drinkers hold their glasses elegantly? This is certainly a beverage that sets you apart at a social scene and it is even better when you can talk about the wines with authority. To understand wine, like any beverage, the three principle stages of life must be understood. • Their origins and the ingredients that go towards making them • Their refinement in the bottle and the name they then bear • Their selection for use and their care

Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Grigio Riesling

Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Pinot Noir Syrah/Shiraz

The most popular is Champagne which is a term that can only be used for sparkling wine produced in the Champagne region of France. Sparkling wine is also made in other regions and takes on different names notably Prosecco (Italy), Cava (Spain) and Méthode Cap Classique (MCC) from South Africa.

Rosé is made from grapes that have the black skin typically left overnight or for short periods to create the light colouring.

This can be made from the white or black grape (skin is pressed lightly for black grapes).

Red wine is made from the black grape with the skins left on in the fermentation process.

‘Wine is the alcoholic beverage made from the fermentation of the juice of freshly gathered grapes with the fermentation taking place in the district of origin according to local tradition and practice’, or, simply put, fermented grape juice!

The origin of wine, according to history, dates back to the slopes of Mount Ararat where the first vines flourished. It is mentioned frequently in the Bible, and Egyptian wall paintings show the stages of wine production, with its uses in religion continuing to this day. We must credit the Greeks for bringing wine to the people— this was once a preserve of kings and gods— as they initiated the first real export of wines, now consumed globally centuries later.

To understand wine we begin with the famous grape that creates the wine. Grapes grow on a bush called a vine which can live for 60 years and beyond. Vines are influenced by latitude, altitude, water bodies around them, air, water vapour, mountains, slopes, soil and weather. Thus, the complexity and maturing to make a fine wine starts with the elements…sometimes not withholding pure luck in some years.

The different grape varieties lend themselves to different wines, and the method of production also determines what category each wine is known by for each occasion or pairing. We start by identifying the main grape varieties of white and black grapes before moving on to wine types.

These are wines to which alcohol is added, popular varieties being sherry and port.

This starts your journey towards understanding wine and identifying the varieties on that shelf when you walk along that aisle, albeit a short journey, but full of promise and expectation all in the bottle.

Until that next glass, may the vine be with you… ■