A Sit-Down with South Africa's Adi Badenhorst

James Molesworth talks with Adi Badenhorst

South Africa Gains Notoriety with Wines

The authors wonder how South Africa can produce such fine wines and sell them at such low prices!

A Taste of South Africa

Monica Williams takes a culinary trip to South Africa via Braai restaurant in New York City

Wine, Water and Walking in Montagu

Gautam Naik recommends what to do (drink plenty of delicious wine, for starters), where to eat and where to stay in this charming, historic hamlet, a two-hour drive from Cape Town.

This Will Pair Nicely with your Vuvuzela

The best South African wines to drink while watching the World Cup final. by Mike Steinberger, Slate Magazine

Alder Yarrow South African Gems Seminar at Aspen Food & Wine Classic

View Alder Yarrow's South African wine seminar from the Food & Wine Classic at Aspen this year.

Alder Yarrow, renowned blogger at Vinography.com, showcased some of his favorite South African wines for a crowd of about 160 people at the Food & Wine Magazine Classic in Aspen in June. A video of the seminar can be found at his site:

http://www.vinography.com/archives/2010/06/south_african_gems_my_aspen_fo.html


South Africa Beyond the Stadium

Noah Rosenberg reports by video from South Africa: From safaris, to paragliding, to wine country, World Cup tourists are indulging in far more than just soccer

http://online.wsj.com/video/south-africa-beyond-the-stadium/7F0CE492-FE0B-4084-BA80-A4CF775447AD.html

Soccer Site Known for Wines, Too

While only soccer is on the mind of many when they think of South Africa, this writer also thinks of the outstanding wines it produces.

Braai Recipe: Bobotie-Spiced Ostrich Fan Fillet

Check out this delicious recipe using unique South African spices!

South African Wines - Wine of the Week

Although South Africa is all anyone's talking about right now because of its role as host to the FIFA World Cup matches, it's also an up-and-coming wine region.

A World Cup Wine Tasting Challenge

Will Lyons spices things up for the World Cup, noting the vibrancy surrounding South Africa's wines. The premise is simple: to drink a wine from the region where the football match is being played.

Fill your Cup with South African Wine

Author Alpana Singh writes that, despite its New World classification, South Africa's wines often straddle a style between the New World and the Old World. The whites are fruity and lively while maintaining fresh acidity. Red wines often feature bright fruit components combined with an elegant, earthy edge.

South African wine's past is illustrious as World Cup

Vic Poulos writes about the renewed focus on South African wines brought about as the world watches the World Cup.

World Cup Entertaining: The Backyard Braai

Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen show us how to celebrate soccer and South Africa's centuries-old grilling tradition, in your own backyard

ABCs of South Africa

James Molesworth tells us about the country's key winegrowing regions, signature varieties, and the rules governing what appears on wine labels

SOUTHERN EXPOSURE: South African Wines Share the Spotlight with the World Cup, by Jim Clarke

Coming off the 350-year anniversary of its first wine vintage, and in the midst of publicity surrounding the imminent World Cup, South Africa’s wine industry has been front and center. As of 2007, the world’s ninth largest wine exporter sends almost 11 million liters to the U.S. each year. These wines are far more diverse than the Pinotage and Chenin Blanc that appeared on store shelves back in the mid-90s after apartheid fell and the U.S. lifted trade sanctions. South Africa now exports an attractive selection of wines at all price points. A favorable exchange rate has kept the country’s wines well-priced in the American market, despite worldwide economic problems. “We have seen strong growth in the last six months in the U.S. and importantly, new inquiries from importers looking for the first time to include South African properties in their portfolios,” says Su Birch, CEO of Wines of South Africa. “I think importers are recognizing that South African wines are great values. However, South Africa is not by-and-large a low-cost producer; we are very competitive at the premium end where wines are handcrafted. Retailers need to conduct some comparative tastings so that their customers can discover our great quality in wines retailing below $20.”

For the full article, click here: https://www.bevnetwork.com/monthly_issue_article.asp?ID=398


South Africa's Perfect Blends, by Susan Kostrzewa

The juxtaposition of New and Old Worlds is echoed in the wines made in Stellenbosch and the wine regions beyond. Elegant but daring, balanced but bold, their unique, expressive, terroir-driven character poises them for significant success on the global stage. Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in the Cape Blends of South Africa -- collectible wines that are, at their best, among the top reds in the world.

The Rise Resumes: After a Brief Pause Last Year, South African Wines are Back in Growth Mode

After a brief pause last year, South African wines are back in growth mode, with consumer interest building steadily, reports Kevin Barry in the October 2009 issue of Market Watch.

Stephen Tanzer Rates the 2009 Cape Winemakers Guild Auction Wines

Stephen Tanzer reviews some wines that were offered at the 2009 Cape Winemakers Guild auction in October in Stellenbosch, South Africa.The limited lots of wine that were sold at the CWG auction theoretically represent the crème de la crème of South African winemaking. They are unique wines that are different from those offered under the standard labels of the wineries. Tanzer includes tasting notes on most of the wines offered this year.

Previewing the Wines of the 2009 Cape Winemakers Guild Auction

James Molesworth reports that this year's selection of wines at South Africa's annual Cape Winemakers Guild auction is the best set of wines in the three years since he began reviewing these non-commercial releases. Of the 31 wines listed in his article, 25 earned outstanding marks (90 points or better on Wine Spectator's 100-point scale), a significant step up from 2008's showing.

Diversity and Value: South Africa delivers a wide range of wines at attractive prices, by James Molesworth

From structured Cabernets and vivid Syrahs to enticing Chenin Blancs and crackling Sauvignon Blancs, the best South African wines give familiar grapes unique flavor profiles drawn from the country's various terroirs. And they do it at reasonable prices. It's a recipe that is finding success amid the current economic turmoil of the U.S. marketplace.

Since his last report on South Africa ("A Pair of Aces," April 30, 2008), James Molesworth has reviewed nearly 440 wines in blind tastings in his New York office, the most ever from the Cape's still-growing wine industry. He finds that the best are fresh, juicy wines that combine vivid New World-style fruit with racy, integrated Old World-style structure and minerality.

Download the rest of the article by clicking on headline.


Endangered Species

James Molesworth writes about South African Chenin Blanc, noting that it's "old-vine Chenin plantings are arguably the country's greatest vinous treasure," which are in danger of disappearing as some growers are uprooting them in favor of other varieties. Find out more...

International Wine Cellar

Stephen Tanzer rates South African wines in his March-April 2009 issue of the International Wine Cellar.

Top 10 Wines Under $10

South African wines dominated Wine Enthusiast’s “Top 10 Wines Under $10” taking 5 of the 10 selections with the Winery of Good Hope’s Chenin Blanc taking the number 1 spot. (The Wine Enthusiast, March 2009).

Tasting Highlights of South Africa Part II

Wine Spectator On-line Tasting Highlights (Part II): South Africa. 11 new wines from South Africa that demonstrate the country’s steadily improving quality. (James Molesworth, 9 February 2009).

Value Wines of South Africa Part I

Wine Spectator On-line Tasting Highlights (Part I): Value Wines of South Africa” discovers a diverse selection of 15 exciting new wines, each priced less than $20. (James Molesworth, 6 February, 2009)

Bellingham a Top Pick

Bellingham was one of 5 wines picked for under 10 dollars on Epicurious.com in February.

South African Wines Step Onto the Stage

The New York Times wine critic finds South Africa to be one of the greatest sources of moderately priced Cabernet Sauvignon in the world today. “Wines of the Times: SA wines Step Onto the Stage” NY Times 21 January 2009.)

Easy on the Wallet; Lovely on the Palate

Wall St. Journal on SA wine (Pt. II) : Easy on the Wallet; Lovely on the Palate” “The South African aisle of your wine store is a good source for well-made wines at bargain prices. In tastings of South African Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc, we found them consistently well-made and pleasing. ( 27 December 2008).

2008's Most Thrilling

Wall St. Journal on SA wine (Pt. 1): 2008’s Most Thrilling. This year’s “Delicious” rated wines are an antidote to cynicism. Of all the wines the WSJ critics tasted in 2008, only 8 were selected and the Vinum Africa Chenin Blanc 2008 was one of this very special group. (20 December 2008).

Giving the Wonderful World of Wine

Wall St. Journal: Giving the Wonderful World of Wine. A sampler case of 12 wines from across the globe makes a palate-pleasing gift included a South African Chenin Blanc (6 December 2008).

Out of South Africa

White wines from an overlooked country offer focus, weight and value. By Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher

Capetown Capers

Mort Hochstein visits Capetown and reports on this beautiful city of busines, leisure, and some really great restaurants. paste this link into your browser to access the article. http://www.johnmariani.com/archive/2008/080323/index.html

Smoking Hot: South African Shiraz is Poised to be the Next Big Red to Hit Global Tables

Versatile, approachable and capable of myriad styles, Shiraz is a variety that seems, suddenly, everywhere: on every restaurant list, and taking up more shelf space in wine shops, it is the red wine on the lips of aspiring wine devotees looking for an accessible as well as affordable sip.

Have Goats Will Roam: Charles Back is the force behind South Africa's most intriguing wines, by James Molesworth


A South African Secret: An annual auction contains some of the Cape's best wines, by James Molesworth