Sophie Liu presents her Capewine discoveries from the Rainbow Nation - December 2018
With Shanghai’s stunning Bund as a backdrop one of China’s most important wine writers shared her impressions of her own discoveries of South African wine in 2018.
Sophie was a guest at “Capewine 2018” spending 10 days the Western Cape exploring the wine scene and the incredible scenery of the region.
Glam at M on the Bund provided a spectacular setting with the haunting sounds of South African music enhancing the vibe.
The selection was driven by Sophie’s choices, those wines which had excited and inspired Sophie on her first trip to the region.
Whilst most of us think of South African wines in fairly narrow terms- great value entry level wines and rich ripe reds, this selection was very much a “walk on the wild side” of some of South Africa’s most exciting contemporary producers. The focus was the Cool Climate sites of the South Coast, Old vine heritage and some hip new wines from up and coming producers.
Selected quotes from attendees-
Buyer for a major fine wine retailer- “Wow that completely shook my perceptions of South African wine. So much energy and precision in all the wines and incredible balance and freshness throughout”
Educator- “Tasting the Bordeaux blends was like a walk back in time- when Bordeaux made wines of elegance”
Wine maker and collector - “The cool climate Pinot’s, Chardonnays and Blends are truly world class, I had no expectations and now I need to taste more. I’ve been collecting Sadie’s wines for many years and of course they were as stunning as ever- it was the rest of the pack that took me by surprise”
Sommelier- “Clearly we need to have another look at the South African category, it’s been off the radar for too long”
Wine list as below
- MCC, L’Ormarins, Anothonij Rupert Blanc de Blanc 2013
- Bouchard Finlayson, Sauvignon Blanc 2016, Hemel en Arde
- BOEKENHOUTSKLOOF SEMILLON 2015, Franschoek
- Sadie Family, Skurfberg, 2015, Swaartland
- Ataraxia Chardonnay, Hemel en Arde, 2016
- Babylonstoren Chardonnay, Western Cape, 2017
- Survivor, Chenin Blanc, Swartland, 2016
- Ataraxia Serenity red Blend, Hemel en Arde, 2015
- La Brune, Pinot Noir, Elgin 2016
- Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak, Pinot Noir, Hemel en Arde, 2015
- Sadie Family Vineyards, Columella, Swartland 2015
- Survivor, Pinotage, Swartland, 2015
- Avondale, La Luna, Bordeaux Blend, Paarl, 2012
- Baylonstoren Nebukadnesar, Bordeaux Blend, Western Cape 2016