African Wines
Fort Worth Restaurants - Wine and Spirits
We at Chef Point Café are beginning a monthly feature where we will highlight some of the wines that we will be serving. Appreciation for the history of wines is just one of the benefits that accompanies the tasting and aroma. We hope you enjoy these little tutorials and that they help you to understand these wines a bit better.
It might surprise you to know that the African wine industry dates back to 1659, so it’s not like we are talking about the new kids on the block. Most of the wines produced in Africa are produced in South Africa near the coast because this area provides a Mediterranean climate so important in growing good grapes. It is so important in wine-growing to be in an area relatively free of heavy frosts in the Spring, and the area near where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans converge offers the perfect climate, much the same as Italy, France and Germany. With that introduction out of the way let us take a look at some of the leading African wineries.
FAIRVIEW WINERY: Founded in…get this…1693. They feature grapes grown on the Kopland vineyard on the Fairview farm in Paarl and they are grown on decomposed granite soils. The Pinotage Rose 2010 is a lovely wine that is best enjoyed as a young, fresh wine. It is a brilliant pink in the glass with fresh red fruit on the nose. You can taste the ripe strawberry and cherry with a crisp acidity. This is the quintessential festive wine for parties and informal get-togethers.
ROBERTSON WINERY: Founded in 1941, this winery produces exceptional wines on land with a fascinating history. Located near the town of Robertson, it was named after a Scottish minister who arrived in South Africa in 1822. Eventually a small church was built and serviced by missionaries and when the winery was founded the church was acquired and the building is now used for the winemaking and cellaring operations.
SEBEKA WINERY: The Sebeka 2008 Chenin Blanc “Steen” has intense citrus and tropical fruit aromas and a crisp, refreshing acidity. This lovely wine uses grapes from the dry-grown bush vines and the Worcester area in the Cape Province. This particular wine benefitted from a very cool growing season with great Spring rainfall that allowed the grapes to ripen fully during the late summer heat. This wine is bright green-gold in color with aromas of lively grapefruit, pineapple and quince. Drink this wine chilled by itself or preferably with shell-fish or light seafood dishes to truly appreciate its gifts.
DMZ WINERY: The wonderfully delicious DMZ Chardonnay 2010 is bright, old gold with sweet vanilla and hints of almonds. You can just taste a hint of oak and you will appreciate the full fruit flavors including apricot and white peach with the ever-present vanilla backing. Spicy, brisk finish will lend to a few more years of bottle development. Look also for this winery’s Sauvignon Blanc and Concerto Syrah, both classic taste treats.
