Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Our Pinotage grapes arrived on Thursday, 28 January! Below, some of our production moments captured on camera… 

Here’s to looking forward to what the rest of Harvest 2013 has to offer! 

Soweto braces itself for the long anticipated annual Tops Soweto Wine Festival .

More than 70 wineries will be taking part in the Tops Soweto Wine Festival, together bringing more than 950 wines to the show.
Now in its seventh year, the festival is being held at the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto Campus on the evenings of 1-3 September.

Derived from the Xhosa word meaning ‘king’, Kumkani  is one of the brands that personifies the true African heritage. This iconic wine will again be showcased at this year’s festival.

Visitors are welcome to visit our stall and taste the award winning wines

For more info on the event visit sowetowinefestival.co.za

Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold, tannin-forward red wine that is often paired with red meat. This variety of wine actually was created centuries ago from a much older grape, Cabernet Franc, which is still used to make red wine today. Both Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc wines are served in much the same way.

Instructions

Things You’ll Need

Wine

Corkscrew

Decanter

Stemware

1. Properly chill the wine. It is a common misconception that red wine should be served at modern room temperature. Instead, it should be served at the slightly chillier room temperature of centuries past. Chill the wine to around 13 or 15 degrees.

2. Decant the wine. It is important to let the wine breathe, either by popping the cork at letting it rest for 15 to 30 minutes, or by pouring it into a decanter and letting it rest for the same amount of time.

3. Consider the best pairings. Foods that pair well with Cabernet Sauvignon include steaks or roasted leg of lamb. Cabernet Franc also pairs well with red meat, as well as pork and pasta with red sauce.

4. Pour the wine into a wine goblet with a wide, deep bowl to better release the “nose”.

5. Finish the bottle within 3 days, to prevent flavour loss due to oxidation.
The multi award-winning Kumkani Cradle Hill Cabernet Sauvignon is a great South African Cabernet Sauvignon and a perfect gift for any wine lover.

Source: ehow.com

We’re having another Market Day wine sale at our Welmoed cellar door in Stellenbosch.

Dates: 2 June -5 June 2011

Venue: Welmoed Cellar door. Directions to Welmoed

The following wines will be on sale:

If you’d like more details regarding the sale, please contact the Zoliswa at our cellar door on 021 881 8062

South Africa looks set to maintain its eco-focused global leadership in wine, after last year’s launch of the world’s first industry-wide sustainability seal to guarantee the production integrity of its bottled wines.

WOSA recently launched this sustainability seal video at Prowein, Dusseldorf Germany.

King of South African wine , Kumkani , supports this WOSA  initiative and all Kumani wines have the Sustainability seal.

Good Fellas is a hassle free alternative to drinking and driving and it is the preferred choice of thousands of responsible South Africans.

They started in 2004 in Port Elizabeth and have expanded to all the mayor South African cities. With the festive season in full swing, there are plenty of opportunities to use a service like this.
This service is available in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth and East London.

For more info visit www.gfellas.co.za or
Contact the National Call Centre on (0) 861 433 552 .

We support this initiative and urge consumers to make use of this service.

 South Africa is a relatively new player in the international wine markets but some wine analysts suggest that this ‘late entry’ is a distinct advantage in comparison with other New World wines.

In a recent article about the current dynamics of the US wine market , wine consumer purchase perceptions with regards to cultivars and country of origin are investigated and it draws some interesting conclusions.

The article suggests that Argentina, Australia and New Zealand become successful and large wine exporters because of one single grape (cultivar).

These single grapes by the different countries include Malbec from Argentina , Shiraz from and  Australia and Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. This created  marketing and new consumer perception problems  as the rigid reputation stem growth in sales of new wine styles.

South Africa does not have such a restrictive single cultivar reputation which will help us in future years.

Kumkani is one of the iconic South African wine brands with a full range of award winning wines from different styles , cultivars and methods.

Source: morssglobalfinance.com

Keep Flying is a simple idea. An idea that matters. And an idea that belongs to all of us .It believes that its all of our responsibility to fly the flag. Every South African Brand; Every South African, and to recognize what the flag symbolizes: Us, and our unity.

A unity that brought the World’s Greatest Tournament to life in a way only we could. A unity that still reverberates across continents a world away. A unity that says to the  world, and ourselves: “Hear us, each one of us, as one. Our time has truly come”

“Keep Flying” is simply that. A call to fly the flag. A call to keep flying.

For more info on this initiative visit:  keepflyingtheflag.co.za

South Africa has received praises from all over for hosting an amazing World Cup. It is great to read about journalists, politicians and tourists raving about our county and what we have achieved.

One such a feel good article was published in the Vanity Fair and here is what Austin Merrill had to say about the World Cup.

“But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s pause for a minute and offer a nod to the 2010 host. South Africa spent much of the past few years fending off criticism and doubt—the country didn’t have the technology or sophistication to host the planet’s largest sports event; crime rates were too high; security would be too lax; infrastructure wouldn’t be up to par. There were rumors that FIFA was formulating a plan to move the tournament elsewhere. An attack by separatist rebels at the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola in January even had some people afraid that South Africa might fall victim to similar violence and bloodshed.

None of these fears were borne out. South Africa stood up to the challenge of hosting the World Cup and did so with flair and exuberance. The stadiums were gorgeous and mostly full, restaurants and shops did banner business, and the locals continued to embrace the games after their beloved Bafana Bafana were knocked out.

Merrill concluded by writing : “The ten days I spent at the tournament went off without a hitch. The only down side was that ten days weren’t nearly enough—my time there went by in a blur.”

The iconic and uniquely  South African wine brand , Kumkani, congratulates and thank everyone who made an effort the make this World Cup so special.

Source: vanityfair.com

Try this hot and spicy romantic recipe on your honey for Valentine’s Day. It’s sweetly spicy, inherently healthy, and couldn’t be easier to prepare or clean up. Piri-Piri is an African term for hot and spicy. Control the amount of fire by adjusting the amount of cayenne pepper. This recipe is presented as mild-to-medium heat.

Piri-Piri Pomegranate Chicken

Serves 2

Ingredients:
1 cup parboiled brown rice
1 cup water or broth
2 to 3 pieces chicken
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
Salt to taste
18 to 20 Brussels sprouts, trimmed with shallow “x” cut into stem end
1-1/2 cups baby carrots, halved
1 cup oyster mushrooms, sliced thickly
1/2 pomegranate, seeded
Fresh parsley

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 230 degrees C. Spray inside of 2 liter  Dutch oven and lid with olive oil.

2. Pour rice into pot and add liquid. Stir gently to coat grains and smooth into an even layer. Set chicken pieces in next in a single layer.

3. In a small bowl, mix together ketchup, honey, molasses, lemon juice, garlic and cayenne pepper. Drizzle 1/2 mixture over top of chicken. Drop in Brussels sprouts and carrots. Pour rest of mixture over all. Top with mushrooms and pomegranate seeds.

4. Cover and bake for about 45 minutes, or about 3 minutes after the aroma wafts from the oven.

Recommended Wine:

The Kumkani Chardonnay Viognier 2008 will complement this dish. This wine as aromas of lemon peach with a hints of vanilla oak flavours complementing a well balance elegant wine.

Notes:
You can use any combination of boneless, bone-in, skinless, or skin-on chicken pieces in this recipe.

Look for pomegranate molasses in specialty or health food groceries.

Source: www.sheknows.com

The wine:

Award-winning wine brand, Kumkani, will put a fashionable foot forward as it embodies African elegance when partnering with the Audi Joburg Fashion Week’s Autumn/Winter 2010 collections, which will start at the Sandton Convention Centre and will run until 23 January.

The company of wine people’s Brands and Business Development Manager, Corne Oosthuizen, said: “We are proud to be sponsoring our award-winning, premium wines for an event of this stature. It aligns perfectly with our uniquely South African brand, Kumkani, The King of South African wines and we are pleased to present our flagship wines to consumers.”

The fashion week features the crème de la crème of the local fashion industry, with renowned designers and provides a platform for fashion designers to build their brand; engage with buyers; the media; and speak to their consumers assisting them in creating a sustainable enterprise.

Guests attending Joburg Fashion Week will have the opportunity to sample African elegance at its best with varietals and award winning wines such as the Kumkani Infiniti Methode Cap Classique; Kumkani Lanner Hill Sauvignon Blanc; Kumkani Cradle Hill; Kumkani Sauvignon Blanc; Kumkani Shiraz; Kumkani Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon; and Kumkani Chardonnay Viognier on offer.

Source: publicityupdate.co.za

Funky wine brand Versus and the iconic, uniquely South African brand, Kumkani, will be exhibiting at the Standard Bank Soweto Wine Festival this weekend.

Join us at the Versus and Kumkani stand in the Main Hall, Soweto Campus of UJ to taste some of our award-winning wines.

The Kumkani range maintains its proud winemaking tradition. Derived from the Xhosa word meaning ‘king’, Kumkani is an award-winning wine that celebrates South Africa’s rich heritage, eclectic mix of people and abundance of natural resources.

The Kumkani range comprises single varietals, dual varietals, the Reflections range and award-winning single vineyard wines.

Versus wine brand will wow the younger audience with its uncomplicated, easy-drinking wines, and consumers are also afforded the opportunity to sample the Versus new Naturally Sweet range.

Platter’s South African Wine Guide, has announced a record 41 five-star wines, defined as being ‘superlative, a Cape Classic’.

This follows a blind tasting by the assembled Platter’s tasting team of potential five-star wines for the 2010 edition, nominated by individual members during their sampling of South Africa’s wines over the past two months.

For the 2010 book, nearly 6 000 individual wines are featured.

In the course of this year’s evaluations, a record 105 candidate five-stars were identified, across a variety of categories, including reds and whites, dessert wines and port styles. Only bottled wines, available during the currency of the guide, were considered.

The book launch of the 2010 Guide will be in November. The guide’s Winery of the Year award will also be announced in November, along with the name of the ‘Superquaffer’ of the Year – the wine judged to be the most drinkable and well-priced of all the entry-level bottlings tasted for the current edition.

Analysing the results of the 2010 five-star wines, publisher Andrew McDowall said: ‘The best-performing categories this year were that of Sauvignon Blanc and Bordeaux-style Red Blends, with five wines in each. Four categories offered up four five-star wines each – Bordeaux-Style White Blends, White Blends, Shiraz and Unfortified Dessert Wines – while the Port-Style category has three five-stars. Of the white categories, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay yielded one and three five-stars respectively, while Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Red Blends offered two apiece, and Grenache and Pinotage one each.’

Two wines were voted Wine of the Year by the judges: Palladius 2008 from Sadie Family Wines, White Wine of the Year, and the Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2005 from Le Riche Wines, the year’s top red.

A selection of the five-star wines will be shown to the European wine trade and consumers at the South African Mega Tasting in London during October.

The 2010 edition will be available from end November 2009 from selected book shops and retail outlets, as well as the website, www.platteronline.com. The recommended retail price is R149.95.

Source: winemag.co.za

Wine drinking may not be a competitive sport but the rivalry between countries to see who leads the world with the most influential palate, which wineries are leading their region, and which supermarket’s buying team is ruling the roost is just as intense.

Perhaps the most brutal way to examine the world of wine is by country.

The big news this year is that France is on the slide. The French were once the undisputed masters of the art, but their wine exports to the UK recently slid from second to third position, with the US in second and Italy in fourth.

For the nation that regards itself as the birthplace of wine, this is a royal spanking. France has amazing prestige in Champagne, Bordeaux and Burgundy, wondrous diversity in the Loire, awesomeness in the Rhine, aromatics in Alsace and some serious value emerging in the Vin de Pays category – look for brands such as La Difference. But the French system of labelling by place rather than grape still leaves a lot of UK wine fans bewildered.

Australia remains king of the UK export market, but my tips to watch out for over the coming season include New Zealand, Chile and South Africa.

Read more: dailymail.co.uk

Neil Pendock

Last year wine judges in South Africa came under scrutiny as wine writers (especially Neil Pendock) questioned the merit, objectivity and consistency of wine judging during competitions.  

US wine judges are now also being subjected to scrutiny. A recent study found that only 10%  the judges (in a respected and long-standing tasting competition) were able to consistently give the same rating, or something very close, to the same wine sampled multiple times in a large blind tasting

 Judges at the California State Fair wine competition scored poorly at giving the same wine an identical rating when they tasted it multiple times in a blind tasting.

That was the conclusion of a four-year study of judging decisions at the California State Fair Wine Competition by retired Humboldt State professor Robert Hodgson.

 “Consumers should have a healthy scepticism about the medals awarded to wines from the various competitions,” he said.

Hodgson’s findings have prompted state fair officials to consider making changes in the way they operate future wine competitions.

In a study published by the Journal of Wine Economics, Hodgson wrote that only 10% of the judges were able to consistently give the same rating, or something very close, to the identical wine sampled multiple times in a large blind tasting.

 At the opposite end, another 10% of the judges gave the same wine far different ratings, ranging from worthy of a gold medal to deserving of no medal at all on successive tastings. The remaining 80% of the judges also varied in their ratings, but by a narrower range.

Finding ways to evaluate the skills and consistency of judges is an important issue for wine competitions, which often draw from the same small pool of industry members and aficionados for their rating panels. It’s not unusual for judges to work as many as six different competitions annually.

“Consumers need to gain more self-confidence in their own opinions and tastes rather than listen to what other people think wine should be like,” Hodgson said.

Source: LA Times

It was in 1652 that Jan van Riebeeck landed at the Cape, tasked with establishing a garden to provision VOC ships. The first vines arrived in 1655 imported from France, the Rhineland and Spain. Naturally, these were planted in the Company’s Gardens, six acres of which survive as a botanical garden in central Cape Town to this day.

Jan van Riebeeck’s diary entry of February 2, 1659 reads: “today, praise be to God, wine was pressed for the first time from Cape grapes, and the new must was tested fresh from the vat.”

Van Riebeeck also planted 1,000 vines at his own farm, Boscheuvel, while his successor, Simon van der Stel, staked his personal claim on the lower slopes of the Steenbergen in Constantia. Once these Governors showed that successful large-scale grape cultivation was possible, other free farmers followed suit. Until then grapes had served primarily as adornments for verandahs and stables!

This was the origin of the famously historic sweet wines of Constantia. Constantia vintners placed a premium on quality rather than quantity, attending their vines with care, and thus differentiating them from the somewhat rough and rudimentary wines produced elsewhere.

Fans of Constantia wines include Frederic the Great of Prussia while Danish foreign Minister Johann Sigismund Schulin’s cellar records of 1744 indicate a considerable stock of Constantia. Famous French poet Baudelaire was a fan, as were Napoleon Bonaparte and British author Jane Austen, who wrote about them in Sense and Sensibility.

French Huguenot refugees in 1688 settled in the Drakenstein Valley, an area better suited to vines than grain cultivation, providing a much-needed boost as a few of their number knew about wine and viticulture. In the early 1700s wine farmers found themselves stuck with a surplus of pretty poor quality wine – but production grew apace because of uncontrolled planting of vineyards.

By 1800 around 5 million litres of wine was produced annually. Wine farmers found themselves in a situation which was to last for centuries: a surplus of less-than-ideal quality wine that was difficult to dispose of allied to the reliance upon a fickle foreign market. Only when crops failed or Europe was at war were South African wines in demand. The exception, of course, was Constantia and sweet wines such as muscadel and hanepoot.

In the 1800s, British occupation meant a strong military and naval presence – and a consequent good demand for South African wines in Britain post 1813. However, it was fleeting, with preferential tariffs abolished in 1861 – leading once again to surplus. Added to this was the phylloxera epidemic which devastated plantings. First encountered in a vineyard in Mowbray in January 1886, it spread rapidly. Vintners were compelled to destroy millions of vines by uprooting and burning. Only the introduction of phylloxera-resistant American rootstock saved the industry.

At the turn of the 20th century, South Africa was itself at war, with Boer and Brit pitted against each other. However, wine and brandy sold well during 1899 and 1902 – but, following the cessation of hostilities, surpluses built up and prices dropped dramatically.

Perhaps one of the most significant events was the creation of the KWV (Ko-operatiewe Wijnbouwers Vereniging van Zuid-Afrika, Beperkt) in 1918. It saved many wine farmers from ruin by uniting their producers’ interest under a single umbrella organisation, stabilising production and setting minimum prices.

The country’s change of government in 1948 ushered in the era of apartheid and many former trading partners applied economic sanctions in protest. Lieberstein bucked the trend. Stellenbosch Farmers’ Winery launched the semi-sweet white and backed it with an aggressive marketing campaign. By 1965 it was the biggest selling natural wine of its kind – worldwide.

However, the release of Nelson Mandela in 1990 and the rapid – and peaceful – transition to democracy paved the way for sustained growth in the modern era. Along with the establishment of a dedicated export marketing body (Wines of South Africa), a new generation of young winemakers were able to work and travel abroad, returning with fresh skills, techniques and ideas.

International exposure and dramatic growth in sales led to a change in style of South African wine as well as a greater commitment to improving quality. This has been reflected in the slew of international awards claimed by South African wines since democratic elections were first held in 1994, a remarkable turnaround and achievement for an industry which is simultaneously 350 – and 15 – years old.

Go to www.southafricanwine350.co.za to view the array of wonderful events and promotions planned for the year to celebrate this commemorative day.

Article was written by Annareth Bolton, CEO Stellenbosch Wine Routes

Source: wine.co.za

Buying for a math geek or a collector? Experts offer tips on how to judge a person’s preferences

Picking out the right wine for someone during the holidays could prove as challenging as buying a present for the in-laws who have everything.

Which varietal? How much to spend? Go bold – or delicate? Is a bottle of Sherry the ultimate insult?

These questions become particularly difficult when you don’t know the recipient’s wine taste. Steer clear of giving wine to anyone who you’re not certain drinks alcohol.It could become awkward if the person is a recovering alcoholic or for religious reasons doesn’t drink.

But if they do, the trick is in the pairing. Our experts have a lot of tips, everything from matching personalities to wine to finding clues in the foods and beverages they drink.

Tim Hanni, a master of wine, has his own theories about people’s likes and dislikes based on how many taste buds they have on their tongue. While it might be a little presumptuous, and definitely strange, to ask your boss if you could get a look inside his or her mouth, Hanni says there are other hints to follow.

Coffee clues

“How they drink their coffee could be a telltale sign,” says the wine master. “If they prefer their coffee black and strong, their wine preference will more than likely lean toward intense wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, old-vine Zinfandels and many Meritage wines (usually a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes).”
Hanni says cream-and-sugar coffee drinkers are more likely to show a preference for moderately sweet wines, such as Muscat and Riesling. Sparkling wines are also an option. He says to look for labels that have 2 to 6 percent residual sugar levels.

People who salt their food heavily are also likely to go for the sweeter wines, according to Hanni. Same goes for folks who gravitate to sweet cocktails such as mojitos and pina coladas. He says Manhattan, martini and classic margarita drinkers would probably appreciate Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, Viognier, Merlot and Chardonnay. For the whisky, Cognac, Tequila and Scotch crowd, try big, bold reds and oaky, expensive Chardonnays.

Don’t have a clue about what kind of cocktails the person you’re buying for likes or how he or she takes coffee? Hanni suggests going with personality traits. A man with a strong personality who is good at math would probably prefer a wine that’s received a high rating from Robert Parker. If he’s more artistic and a little disorganised, go with Pinot Noir, dry Riesling and wines you would describe to your merchant as delicate and expressive.

For a strong woman, Hanni suggests Shiraz, Pinot Blanc, Viognier and Chardonnay. For an artistic woman, go for something sweet, like a fruit wine, he says. “Of course these are all generalisations,” says Hanni. “But in my experience, they tend to work.”
If you don’t know someone well enough to judge their wine taste, get something festive that they can share with other people. Good choices are Champagne, sparkling wine, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc – it goes great with food.

Source: sfgate.com

The wines from the company of wine people’s stable have been chosen to be served on one of the world’s largest airlines, namely British Airways

The Thandi Chardonnay 2006 was chosen for the British Airways Comair Club Class while the immensely popular Arniston Bay Chenin Blanc Chardonnay 2008 was chosen for the Traveller Class.

Executive director of sales and marketing, Chris O’Shea, said: “We are very proud to be associated with a world-class airline and brand such as British Airways in having the opportunity for wine drinkers to enjoy two wines from our growing and internationally recognised brands. We see British Airways as both a relevant business partner as well as providing a great match for our successful Arniston Bay and Thandi wines.”

The Thandi Chardonnay is continuing its winning streak after winning a silver medal at the International Wine Challenge, silver at the renowned Concours Mondial de Bruxelles and silver at the AWC Vienna International Wine Challenge this year. This string of accolades attests to the fact that Thandi – the first wine in the world to receive Fairtrade accreditation – prides itself on producing first-rate wines. This Chardonnay is concentrated and achieves a fine balance between fruit and oak, has citrus and orange blossom aromas on the nose and hints of vanilla on the palate.

The Arniston Bay Chenin Blanc Chardonnay – also available in an eco-friendly, innovative pouch – is consistently one of the company’s best-selling wines. This expertly blended wine has pineapple and ripe melon flavours on the nose, a full middle palate and ends with a crisp freshness. It’s best served with light meals, salads and seafood.

Arniston Bay is one of the best-selling international brands in the United Kingdom, the Far East and parts of Europe. The Arniston Bay range is available in a variety of packaging alternatives (such as a 187ml and 250ml pouch which is ideal for travel and event channels) and has a multitude of offerings ranging from easy-drinking entry level wines to more sophisticated wines for discerning palates.

the company of wine people is one of South Africa’s top wine exporters whose people are passionate about producing wine for those who love sharing good wine. Its core brands are the ‘king’ of South African wine Kumkani, Thandi – the first wine in the world to be Fairtrade accredited, traditional Welmoed, unconventional Versus and the lifestyle wine Arniston Bay. The winemaking team, under the guidance of chief winemaker Nicky Versfeld, ensures that the company of wine people boasts with a diverse variety of excellent wine suitable for every drinking occasion.

For more information, visit www.thecompanyofwinepeople.com

Wine enhances the flavour of the food, makes the table look nice and can liven up a meal. But many people find it confusing. There are too many choices, it requires a special tool to open, and there’s the whole culture around wine supposedly dictating what goes with which food and what’s cool to drink.

Here’s a quick primer on how to incorporate wine into your holidays without hassles and embarrassment, and what basic items you need to present your drink perfectly.

The No. 1 rule is drink what you think tastes good, and have a couple of other offerings available that others might like. Your palate is about as individual as your fingerprints. What you like, someone else might avoid and vice versa, but that doesn’t mean the wine is bad. So serve a couple of wines and keep your bases covered.

Secondly, serve it in decent glasses. The shape of the glass really can affect the taste of a wine. It has to do with how the bowl of the glass channels the aroma – which is a big component of taste – to your nose. This is what wine lovers refer to when they are talking about the bouquet of a wine. Use a clear glass so you can see the wine. It’s worth the second or two to raise the stem toward light and just take a moment to appreciate the color.

Next, get a good corkscrew. A flimsy old corkscrew can be a hassle and an embarrassment. Corkscrews are really not expensive and, ideally, you should have more than one in your home.

Now all you need is wine. I recommend a Merlot or a Bordeaux blend like Kumkani Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot. This is a well-balanced wine with a blackcurrant and ripe berry fruit nose. This medium-bodied wine will be enjoyed by most red wine lovers as it has a soft tannin structure.

Source: LA Times Blogs

Wines from Old World countries like France, Italy and Spain and New World wines from California seem to always garner most of the experts’ accolades. The majority absolutely deserve these high ratings, but there are many outstanding wines from other parts of the New World.

South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and Chile are producing fabulous wines. In many cases, their prices are well below those of their European and California counterparts.

Over the past three years combined, these New World countries have accounted for 22 percent of the wines on Wine Spectator’s top 100 list. In 2006, 25 percent of the top 100 came from these countries.

South Africans have been making wine for many years. Over the past few years, they are getting recognised for making some quality wines.

They plant more white grapes than red. Much of the white produced is Chenin Blanc. They also have been making some very good Sauvignon Blanc.

Their top red varietals are Shiraz (Syrah), Cabernet Sauvignon and their creation Pinotage, a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut. Pinotage used to be hard to find, but is starting to pop up more regularly at wine shops.

On international wine markets South African brands are doing exceptionally well. Leading South African wine producer, the company of wine people™, has announced an increase of 21.9% in sales of their flagship brand Arniston Bay. This is largely driven by the success of its revolutionary, environmentally friendly packaging format, the Arniston Bay pouch.

Wine of South Africa’s UK market manager, Jo Mason, said it is satisfying to see South Africa performing so well in one of its most established export markets. “South Africa enjoys an enviable image in the minds of UK consumers and the quality and value for money the country offers are clearly having an effect. The more established South African brands have been successful this year.

Source: Ventura County Star