Tag Archives for south african wine
Episode 40 – Paul Cluver – Elgin, South Africa, how a wine region is born
In this episode, I was talking to Father and son team of Paul Cluver Senior and Junior about their Elgin vineyards and wines. It is a fascinating account filled with brave and visionary decisions and visions. Planting a vineyard against all professional advice, in times when South African wines were not exported in any volume and when there was no other vineyard planted anywhere in the valley.
We chatted about the early years, planting and trying hard to ripen Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot despite the cool climate, aiming to make a Bordeaux blend, and how finally, after advice from Paul Pontallier of Chateau Margaux, deciding to abandon those and realising the region’s potential of world class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
You can also hear them describe their wines, from the village series, to the Estate range to the flagship label of Seven flags, now considered amongst South Africa’s best Pinot and Chardonnay.
Sustainability, climate change, growing tomatoes and figs also featured.
Episode 22 – Cathy Van Zyl MW Growing Cabernet in South Africa’s wine region of Stellenbosch
In this session, I hosted Cathy Van Zyl MW, Christo Le Riche, Cellar Master at Le Riche Wines and Chairman of the Stellenbosch Cabernet Collective and Alastair Rimmer, Cellar Master at Kleine Zalze winery.
We discussed the intricate details of the Stellenbosch Vineyards. Their complex geology, topography, soils, vineyard aspects, wind influences and of course, how all that translates to the liquid in the glass!
During this session, Christo and Alastair shared some fantastic 3D maps of Stellenbosch and other South African wine region, to emphasise geology, temperature variations between the regions and much more.
Listening to the audio session is highly recommended, as ever, but I feel that following this up with watching the YouTube recordings will give you a better insight from the excellent images shared so kindly by those passionate experts.
Enjoy listening and watching and please remember to drop me a line in the comment box. It is always great to hear what you think of the show and of course, if you have a future region or a grower you’d like to hear about in future recordings.
