Vineyards in South Africa usually run between 27° and 34°.  It is very rare that frost makes its presence known in this part of the world.  With a long history of winemaking, the first vineyards were planted in the Cape area in 1655.  The Boekenhoutskloof farm was founded in 1776 in the Franschhoek Valley (see map above).  Fast forward to 1993 when a group of enthusiasts who were committed “to the future of South Africa” started a replanting program.  Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Semillon and Viognier made up the wealth of the vineyards.

What is… and how would one pronounce Boekenhoutskloof?  The translation for the word is “Ravine of the Boekenhout”.  It is pronounced “Book - en - Howed”.  Boekenhout is an indigenous Cape Beech Tree which is very important in furniture making.

The winery has four different labels.  All of which are available in Alberta.  They are “Boekenhoutskloof, The Chocolate Block, Porcupine Ridge and The Wolf Trap”.  Today we have the pleasure of sampling The Wolf Trap.  We hope you enjoy.

The Wolf Trap Red

Winery: Boekenhoutskloof
Location: Franschhoek Valley, Cape of Good Hope,  South Africa
Alcohol: 14.47%
Blend: Syrah 65 %, Mourvèdre 32 %, Viognier 3 %
Tasting: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

This year we revisited these wines.  We haven’t had them in  a long time, so it was fun to come back to them again.  In the Spring of 2011 we did some tastings with the wines and it was fun to hear our pleasantly surprised people were.

These wines are made in a Rhône style with Syrah, Mourvèdre and Viognier.  Yes yes.  I know Viognier is a white wine.  No, that wasn’t a printing error.  They just add a wee touch of it and it brings out some wonderful qualities in the wine.  It is so popular that many countries around the world have been making Rhône style wines. Winespectator has coined the phrase “Rhône Rangers” to apply to the California producers who have been making this special blend of wines.

WINEMAKERS COMMENTS:
Both the Syrah and Mourvèdre component come from a Malmesbury vineyard with the Viognier sourced on Boekenhoutskloof. The reds were fermented using selected Rhone strain yeasts. French oak matured with Viognier blended prior to bottling. Egg white fined.

TASTING NOTES:
Abundance of black fruit flavours with hints of violet. Unpretentious easy drinking with smooth tannins and sweet berries on the palate.

CSPC:     714772
Price:

$14.00 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

The Wolf Trap White

Winery: Boekenhoutskloof
Location: Franschhoek Valley, Cape of Good Hope, South Africa
Alcohol: 14.54%
Blend: 67% Viognier, 19% Chenin Blanc and 14% Grenache Blanc
Tasting: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Here is another interesting blend and one that you will remember for a long time.  Fun and refreshing.  With this combination of grape varieties, you know that it will be food friendly.  On the other hand, it would just be fun for a wee sip on the patio/deck.  Yes, I know that we are heading into October, but I enjoy every minute I can get my hands on on the deck.

WINEMAKERS COMMENTS:
A friendly style displaying characteristics of the components in harmony. The Viognier grapes are sourced from a dry-land vineyard in Malmesbury, the Chenin Blanc from Stellenbosch and the Grenache Blanc from the Piekenierskloof near Citrusdal. The Chenin Blanc and Grenache Blanc were barrel matured in French oak, after which the Viognier was blended and the wine was cold stabilized, filtered and bottled.

TASTING NOTES:
Fruit blossom, spices and almond flavours, followed with a well textured palate with nice weight and a rounded finish.  The wine has a lingering aftertaste with subtle wood flavours.

CSPC:     140582
Price:

$14.00 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Back to Europe we head next week for a couple of neat wines for Thanksgiving.  Can you believe it is almost Thanksgiving?  Wow… where did the time go.

Winery: Eikendal
Location: Stellenbosch, South Africa
Blend: 100% Chenin Blanc
Tasting: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

For the past 30 years, this winery has been owned by the Saager family from Switzerland.  They invested in modernizing the operations from the vineyards to the cellar.

Social Responsibility is also a big part of this company.  So they not only make great wine for us to enjoy, but they give back to their community.  “Eikendal is involved in sponsoring and supporting not for profit organizations, involved with taking care of children with disadvantages or special needs.”  They are also commited to the preservation of Africa’s wildlife and support some organizations involved with the welfare of wildlife.

This wine was fermented in both stainless steel tanks and French oak.  I have a lot of ‘favourite’ grape varieties and Chenin Blanc is one of them.  The South African Chenin Blanc, also known locally as Steen, has totally different aromas when it is grown here than it does in France.  More tropical flavours are evident in the South African wine.  It is the most widely planted grape variety and accounts for almost 1/5^th of all grapes planted in South Africa.  A lot of the vines are located in the Stellenbosch region.

The winemaker has a few words for us on this wine:  “The Eikendal Chenin Blanc is an elegantly wooded and fresh white wine, with a full, rounded and balanced palate. On the nose it has melon, pineapple, lychee, apricot and peach flavours.  The fruit flavours follow through on to the palate, with a rich and generous fruit and cream finish. . The oaked component gives the wine an extra, and graceful structure, without dominating the wine.

Food Pairing:

Chicken with Roasted Vegetables; Sushi

CSPC:     730731
Price:

$15.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price subject to change without notice.  Price correct at time of printing.

Winery: Eikendal
Location: Stellenbosch, South Africa
Blend: 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc and 30% Merlot
Tasting: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

These three grapes when blended together are like a great   marriage.  The Cabernet Sauvignon has got the power, the Cabernet Franc has the fruit and the Merlot makes it all go down like the feel of soft velvet on your fingertips.

French oak was also used in making this wine.  The flavours it imparts are subtle, so as not to overpower the wine.

Winemaker’s Notes:  “The Eikendal Classique is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 30% Merlot and Cabernet Franc each - a wine that always entices the senses. Sweet, ripe black and red fruit abound, followed up with slight spice and typical earthy, mineral characters. On the pallet it grips with fine, silky tannins. This wine typifies what Eikendal is all about - it is a classy, understated red wine with staying power.”

Food Pairing:

Beef Tenderloin Medallions; Beef Flank Roll Ups.

CSPC:     719876
Price:

$29.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price subject to change without notice.  Price correct at time of printing.

Ever since I was a wee child, I have always had this fascination with the continent of Africa.  The people, the land, the animals and now the wine. We are visiting this beautiful country today.  It is located right on the very tip of the continent.

Some of you may remember many years ago when we used to see a number of South African wines in the liquor stores.  They were quite popular at that time.  They disappeared for a very long period, because of the embargo that was placed on the country.  When the embargo was lifted and they came back, it took a little while for people to get in touch with them again.  Now we see so much from this country.  We have almost 400 listings for South African products in Alberta.  Wines (including sparkling and fortified) comprise about 99.99%, but we can’t forget liqueurs, beer and there is even a cooler.

We are travelling to the Swartland region today.  The agriculture in this region includes not just vineyards, but olive groves, wheat fields and canola fields.

Winemaking in South Africa can be traced back to the mid 17^th century when The Dutch East Indian Company settled into an area now known as Cape Town.  Vineyards were originally planted for grapes and to make wine to help ward off scurvy for sailors.  The first governor of the Cape, Jan van Riebeeck, planted a vineyard in 1655.  The first wine that was made from grapes in the Cape region was on February 2, 1659. (southafricanwine.co.za)  They have come a long way since then.

The Lammershoek vineyards and winery are family owned and run.  There are 96 ha (approximately 237 acres) that make up the property.  “Legend has it that the name Lammershoek, meaning “lamb’s corner”, originated from the fact that ewes with their young lambs sought shelter in the forests surrounding the farm, when threatened by the Black Eagle - in Cape Dutch called the “Lammervanger”. (Lammershoek website)

Lammershoek Pinotage

Winery: Lammershoek
Location: Paardeberg, Swartland, South Africa
Blend: 100% Pinotage
Tasting: Wednesday, November 10, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m

Pinotage is South Africa’s signature variety.  It was developed almost a hundred years ago by crossing two French varietals: Pinot Noir and Cinsault (known in South Africa as Hermitage).  So why these two grape varieties?

Pinot Noir is known in the Champagne region in France, but is probably best known for the wines that come from the Burgundy region.  It can be one of the toughest grapes to grow (hence the name ‘heartbreak grape’), but in the right year under the best of conditions (the recent vintage of 2009 was exceptional) Pinot Noir can produce some of the most incredibly elegant wines. It likes a bit of a cooler climate with warmer days and cooler evenings.

Cinsault (Hermitage) likes the heat and is an abundant variety.  It also grows in France in the Rhône and Languedoc-Roussillon regions.  You may know Cabernet a lot better than Cinsault (san-so), but in France Cinsault far outnumbers Cabernet Sauvignon in planted acres.

Enough of the history… back to South Africa.

The grapes for this wine are all hand harvested.  Before they sort them the grapes are cooled overnight.  “The vineyards are currently being converted to sustainable and organic farming with a focus on getting soil and vine in balance. No chemical fertilizer has been applied in 5 years with organic composting preferred. Fungicide and pesticide sprays have also been reduced to an absolute minimum.”

Lammershoek describes this wine:  “The wine is rich with a red berry character prominent on the nose. A hint of oak and warm spices typical of reds out of the Paardeberg also impress. The wine is fresh and elegant with typical Pinotage tannin structure dominant on the finish. The wine is a more serious example of Pinotage and shows the ability to age well.”

Food Pairing:

Barbequed Ribs; Beef Stew; Roasted Venison

CSPC:     736896
Price:

$22.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Lammershoek Roulette Blanc

Winery: Lammershoek
Location: Paardeberg, Swartland, South Africa
Blend: 48% Chenin Blanc, 41% Chardonnay, 11% Viognier
Tasting: Wednesday, November 10, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

The first time Richard and I sampled this wine was at our friends’ 30^th anniversary celebration this summer.  We had seen the wines on the shelf, but had not had a chance to try them.

This is a very interesting blend of grape varieties.  Each one brings something special to the table.  South African Chenin Blanc is known to be a little bit lighter and it has some nice acidity. Chenin Blanc in South Africa is also known by a different name… Steen.  The Chardonnay grape is very popular all around the world, because it is relatively easy to grow.  It has the fruit, the power and the minerality.  Viognier, brings the aromatics to wines and leaves the big acidity at home.  It can be a little difficult to grow, but it is drought tolerant.

The tasting notes from Lammershoek:  “The nose shows hints of green apples and zesty citrus. The palate weight is wonderful-rich Paardeberg Chenin Blanc balanced beautifully by a zingy acid. The finish lasts forever. There is a slight increase in the Chardonnay component in 2008 which adds a lovely creaminess to the palate.”

As mentioned in the notes on the Pinotage, these vineyards are also being converted to sustainable and organic farming.

Food Pairing:

  Chicken with a cream sauce; Barbequed Shrimp skewers with a butter glaze; Grilled trout; Roasted veal.

CSPC:     736895
Price:

$22.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice

Wine country in Ontario is our next stop.

Winery: Quails’ Gate
Vintage: 2008
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Alcohol: 12.5%
Blend: Chenin Blanc 92%, Sauvignon Blanc 8%
Tasting: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

To get the whole picture of Quail’s Gate Winery, we have to go back almost to the beginning of the 20^th Century.  Back to 1908, to be precise.  That is when Richard Stewart Sr. arrived in British Columbia from County Kildare in Ireland.  Richard had worked in the greenhouses of Lord Guinness in Ireland.  When he arrived in British Columbia, he set his eyes on some greenhouses in Gellatly Bay.  Together with his brother Bill, Richard started Stewart Brothers’ Nurseries in 1911.  That love of agriculture would be passed down through the decades.
In 1956 Richard’s son, Dick, purchased land on the slopes of Mt. Boucherie in Kelowna, “which is now the home of Quail’s Gate Winery”.  The first vines were planted in 1961.  The land also had orchards abound.  There were peaches, pears, apples, cherries and vineyards of table grapes too.  Dick knew that the land that he was so blessed to have would be “destined to be some of the most sought after vinifera vineyards in North America.”

Many years passed and Dick was starting to reach retirement.  Ben, Dick’s oldest son, came home and over the next ten years, together with his dad, transformed the whole property.  They went from a “grape grower to a wine producer”.

In 1992, Ben’s brother Tony joined him at the winery.  Both Tony, his brother and their sisters have worked hard to make this family farm into one of the most recognizable names in the Canadian wine industry.
Grant Stanley is the winemaker at Quails’ Gate.  Grant is a Vancouver native, but was trained in winemaking in New Zealand.  He returned to North America and then worked in Oregon honing his Pinot Noir winemaking skills.  He started working at Quails’ Gate in 2003.

The winery has a relatively short history, but people have taken notice of this family owned winery.  Wine Enthusiast magazine gave their 2005 Quails’ Gate Family Reserve Pinot Noir 93 Points. Quails’ Gate Chenin Blanc was served to President Barack Obama during his first state visit to Canada in February 2009.  What an honour indeed!!

Talking about Chenin Blanc… that is exactly what we will be tasting this week.  It isn’t a grape that we hear a lot about.  The grape originally came from France.  It is grown extensively in the Loire Valley in France. Chenin Blance makes some wonderful wine going from dry to quite sweet and even some sparkling wine.

The 2008 Quails’ Gate Chenin Blanc is a remarkable white wine that tastes nice and juicy fresh.  Lemons and limes for sure, but also some gooseberry.  The gooseberry most likely comes from the Sauvignon Blanc in the wine.  When you taste it, you get the nice fruit taste with the crispness of the acidity.  It left me wanting more after the first sip.

Food Pairing:

Oysters (especially British Columbia Oysters); chicken with a cream sauce; roasted pork stuffed with fruit; fish prepared with lemon.

CSPC:     391854
Price:

$19.99 (minus Winesday 10% discount)

*Price correct at time of printing.  Price subject to change without notice.

Next week we will be staying in Canada as well as travelling across the pond to good ol’ Ireland.  We will get lots of air miles for this trip!

Come join us for St. Patrick’s Day.