For the love of South African red wine

It can be a never-ending journey of discover.  With its abundant flavours, enchanting aromas, and varied textures, red wine captivates the senses and piques curiosity. There are two primary elements that identify the essence and personality of each red wine, it is the specific type or cultivar of the grape used, and the year the grapes were harvested, known as the vintage.

A cultivar in viticulture, which is the science, production, and study of grapes, refers to a specific type of grape that has been selectively bred or chosen over time for its desirable characteristics.

Some of the most popular grapes or varietals in South Africa are:

Shiraz/Syrah: Birthed in the vineyards of France, Shiraz, which is known as Syrah in France and other parts of the world is famous for its robust, opulent, and assertive characteristics. Picture biting into ripe, juicy blackberries, plums, or cherries, with an added hint of spicy pepper. That’s the essence of Shiraz. However, when grown in cooler climates, Shiraz shifts its flavour profile to exhibit more floral and herbal nuances, showcasing the grape’s adaptability.

Pinotage: This cultivar is South Africa’s exclusive gift to the world of wine. Pinotage, a unique hybrid of Pinot Noir and Cinsault, a grape used to add flavour and steadiness to many wines, typically gives us sturdy, bold wines imbued with dark fruit flavours such as black plum and mulberry. It carries a certain earthiness, often evoking hints of smoky tobacco and coffee, akin to sitting by a warm campfire while sipping on a comforting, strong coffee.

Cabernet Sauvignon: Also known as the King of Red Wine Grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon is celebrated for its depth, complexity, and ageing potential. Its palate typically flaunts dark fruit flavours, like blackcurrant and black cherry, juxtaposed with intriguing hints of green bell pepper, mint, cedar and assorted spices. Cabernet Sauvignon’s high tannin content gives it a unique structure and longevity, meaning that these wines often get better with time.

Merlot: Merlot, with its velvety texture, is a soft, medium to full-bodied wine known for its bright red fruit flavours like cherry, raspberry, and plum. Alongside these vibrant fruity notes, it often presents undercurrents of chocolate, herbs, and spices. Merlot is versatile – while it can certainly shine on its own, it’s also frequently blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to soften and balance the blend’s tanninny taste.

A vintage in winemaking refers to the specific year in which the grapes for a particular wine were harvested. The vintage holds a central role in shaping a wine’s overall profile, largely because weather conditions can vary so dramatically from year to year. In turn this influences the quality and character of wine and can drastically impact the taste, aroma, and ageing potential of a wine. For instance, a hot, dry year often results in riper, fuller-bodied wines with a higher alcohol content, while a cooler, wetter year might yield lighter, more acidic wines.

Such fluctuations in climate become particularly influential in regions with unpredictable weather patterns, adding a layer of excitement and uncertainty to the winemaking process.

South Africa’s diverse wine regions, including Stellenbosch, Swartland, and Paarl, offer an impressive range of unique and high-quality red wines. While cultivating internationally renowned cultivars like Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, South Africa also takes pride in its homegrown hero, Pinotage.

The climate and geographical diversity of these regions significantly influence the character of their wines. Stellenbosch, with its sun-drenched summers and refreshingly cool, wet winters, is an ideal haven for Cabernet Sauvignon. On the other hand, the cooler-climate region of Walker Bay is renowned for producing elegant, nuanced Pinotage, showcasing how a single grape can tell different stories based on where it’s grown.

 The red wine landscape, from the hearty, spicy notes of Shiraz to the earthy, robust character of Pinotage, offers an incredibly diverse array of flavours and aromas. The intricate relationship between grape cultivar, vintage, and the unique geographical characteristics of South Africa’s wine regions further amplifies the allure and complexity of red wine.

At The Square Shopping Centre, Checkers Liquor and Ayoka Blue Bottle offer a wide variety of South Africa red wines.