Its growth potential is better suited to the changing Stellenbosch climate than its Bordeaux-stablemate, Merlot and a few key producers have started cottoning on to its unique expression here. Among them, none other than our historic Stellenbosch family, the Winshaws. Their Malbec offered Greg Sherwood MW a unique moment of insight in a recent tasting, proven true on…
Koen Roose is known as the eccentric Belgian who makes wine in Elgin. He’s named three of his wines for notable South African women, including the warrior Queen Manthatisi of the BaThlokwa, who ruled from 1813 to 1824. In her heyday, it is estimated she ruled over 40,000 people and succeeded in keeping her people…
Malbec in France is one of the 5 recognized Bordeaux blend grapes, generally grown in the Cahors region and GENERALLY quite leathery and acidic, with flavours of tart currant, black plum, black pepper, and spice. Best used as a blending component. In ARGENTINA, Malbec is fruit-forward with flavours of blackberry, plum, and black cherry, nuanced…
South Africa is slowly redefining the borders and wards of its winemaking regions. One might argue that the freedom to do so is one of South African wine’s superpowers. Through the redefining and pioneering of new wards and regions, we are capable of producing ever more refined wines, uniquely suited to its terroir and patiently…
Brookdale Estate is situated on the Hawequa Bos Pad in Paarl, just down the road from one of South Africa’s historic wine farms, Nederburg. There, the young Kiara Scott, a Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé, previous assistant winemaker to Duncan Savage, and now Brookdale winemaker, is reimagining what Paarl wine truly means. Or at least, their little slice…
The Winshaw brothers Pierre and JP Winshaw of the Stellenbosch property, Klein Welmoed, make Usana wines and, more recently, their more premium Winshaw Vineyards label. The great-grandsons of Dr. William Charles Winshaw, founder of the Stellenbosch Farmers Winery (later Distell), and grandsons of Bill Winshaw, a key figure in the production of most of SA’s iconic heritage wines, think…
As your fine wine specialist, you can count on Museum Wines to identify and source some of the world’s finest wines. Case in point, this allocation of Lopez de Heredia’s Viña Tondonia Tinto Reserva 2011. The brand is known as the poster child for traditional Rioja winemaking. If you know Rioja and Tempranillo, you know…
“I was his tennis friend.”- Ernest Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises. With Wimbledon’s Ladies’ Singles Final today, we remembered a lovely afternoon spent with Alex Milner of Natte Valleij on the farm on the slopes of the Simonsberg. They have a tennis court that presented a tennis-themed photo opportunity, though the only serve we were interested…
Alex Milner of Natte Valleij just completed a 752km bike ride from the Cape to Nieu-Bethesda, where the annual Karoo Stoep Tasting was held this past weekend. * The above is a picture from his time on the road, from the middle of nowhere with Stellenboschvlei to the right. A cyclist with a minor in winemaking,…
“He couldn’t believe it was only Wednesday. And it was made worse when he realized it was actually Tuesday.”― T.J. Klune, The House in the Cerulean Sea. One of the functions of a Specialist Wine Merchant is that no matter the price point, we’ve ensured the wines on offer are a smart and thoughtful addition to your cellar and…
Wine aficionados Allan Lambe and Joanne are hosting a fine wine and dining trip to South Africa from the 21st of November – the 30th of November 2023. With 4 spots left, we thought we’d offer you the opportunity to join in! Proposed Schedule Day 1 – 21st November 2023 Arrive at Cape Town International…
Alheit Vineyards is a name mentioned in hushed tones, for no sooner are their vintages released than they are sold out. Therefore better not mention this to everybody. Champions of South African white varieties, which they argue were being planted in the Compagnie Tuine sometime before there was ever any Cabernet Sauvignon growing in the Medoc,…
“For many wine producers, the most important characteristics they look for from their exclusive global distribution agents is a shared sense of purpose, a synergy of vision, and an ongoing commitment to grow together as wine ranges evolve from one vintage to the next. At Museum Wines, we are fortunate enough to work with some…
“‘The distance between insanity and genius is measured only by success.’ If that quote could be applied to just one winemaker, it would be André van Rensburg. Never one for mediocracy, he has, over the years, often been accused of being obsessive in the pursuit of his vinous vision, and so the madman image has stuck…
“South Africa is a visceral country.” – Neal Martin wrote in his recent report on South African wine, Growing up and Getting Wiser: South Africa in 2022. Visceral means relating to deep inward feeling rather than intellect, and is the golden thread that defines the great men and women of South African wine. They…
“Once you’re here, you don’t want to be anywhere else.”- Jasper Wickens. The Swartland Independent is a group of like-minded winemakers who make wine according to the principles of “Swartlandness”. Meaning a core set of values that THEY believe will help produce the best possible wines from the area. Things like minimal manipulation in both…
“To those out on their own paths, setting little fires.” ― Celeste Ng, Little Fires Everywhere. It was 2013 when the bushfires started for Alex Milner of Natte Valleij. While the Cape is prone to bushfires, I’m not talking about the literal kind, but the light in the darkness kind. Tamlyn Currin of Jancis Robinson…
“I tend to read like I drink: all over the place and rarely the same thing twice.” – José Conde. Stark-Condé is a melting pot of American, Japanese, and South African doctrine in the Jonkershoek Valley of Stellenbosch. Though a Valley such as this, given its own diversity, seems uniquely suited to host such wide-ranging…