South African Wine

As the sun is starting to shine brighter and the weather is getting warmer, we thought it was the perfect time to explore some of the amazing wines of South Africa. We’ve selected wine from two of our favourite vineyards, Cape Chamonix and Jordan Wine Estate, and explore what makes each winery so good.

Chamonix Wine Farm is a remarkable vineyard situated high above the fertile Franschhoek valley, in the heart of the Cape Winelands. Nestled against Mont Rochelle mountain, the farm has a rich history dating back to 1688 when it was part of the historic La Cotte Estate granted to the Huguenots, a group of French religious exiles. 

In the early nineties, Chris Hellinger purchased the farm when it was predominantly an export fruit farm. He began a replanting program, replacing fruit trees with noble French grape varieties, and built an underground cellar using his engineering background and old-world principles. Today, Chamonix comprises some 248 hectares and boasts some of the highest-planted vines in the Cape Winelands.

If you’re looking for a unique and special Pinotage, look no further than Cape Chamonix Greywacke Pinotage. This wine offers the perfect balance of savoury and vibrant fruit, acid and tannin, and is underpinned by a satisfying freshness that’s worth every penny. It’s ideal for game, lamb, and rich and smokey dishes.

For those who want to break the mould, Cape Chamonix Reserve White is the wine to try. This Sauvignon blanc dominant blend is a lush, rich, and decadent blend balanced by refreshing acidity. The wine smells like a great brunch spot, it has delicious aromas of French toast, asparagus, honey-nut cereal, pears, granola, and marmalade. It goes perfectly with poultry, cream and butter, rice and risotto, oily fish, and nutty or umami flavours.

Next, the family-owned Jordan Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, which is considered one of the leading estates in South Africa. The estate is surrounded by stunning vineyards and has panoramic views of Table Mountain, False Bay, and the Stellenbosch Mountains. 

Building on a history that dates back over 300 years, the estate was purchased by Ted and Sheelagh Jordan in 1982. They embarked on an extensive replanting program to specialise in classic international varieties, choosing plots most suited to the various soil types and aspects of the now 164-hectare Stellenbosch property.

Today Ted’s son Gary and his wife Kathy have been making award-winning wines since they took it over in 1993. Taking advantage of the ancient Cape granite soils, elevated vineyards, and proximity to the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, they have rightly made a name for themselves by making the most of the estate’s range of unique micro-climates.

If you’re a fan of Chenin Blanc, you must try Jordan Wine Estate Inspector Peringuey. This wine is rich and fresh at the same time. Delicious smells of melons, pears, apples and apricot hit your nose first. Then quince, hot buttered sourdough toast, lemon zest, herbs and cream combine beautifully with peaches and white blossom in the mouth. It pairs perfectly with poultry, cream and butter, earthy flavours, and rich dishes.

Finally, Jordan Wine Estate The Prospector is the ideal wine for Shiraz lovers. It features loads of dark berry fruits with a characteristic peppery spice and is super balanced with a little earthiness. This wine is of exceptional quality, and you can pair it with pork, pizza, and rich umami flavours, like roast pork or beef. It even works a treat with pizza.

South African vineyards offer so many unique and excellent wines that are worth a try. The range of flavours and aromas make them perfect for almost any occasion, so why not grab a bottle or two and enjoy a glass (or several) in the sunshine?