The Stunning Wines of South Africa
Expand your palate with vintages from a lesser-explored continent
When we think of South African wine, regions like Stellenbosch and grapes like chenin blanc and pinotage – a cross between pinot noir and cinsault – may come to mind. But there’s a lot to explore here, from premium cabernets to Cap Classique, the country’s celebrated sparkling wine made in the traditional method.
Most South African wine production happens in the Western Cape. This is a beautifully diverse area of the world with dramatic mountain landscapes, beaches and vineyards, and the dynamic city of Cape Town is only about an hour away from many of the most famous wine regions.
Though the list is practically endless, here are three examples of classic South African wines found here in South Florida to get you started on a tasting adventure.
MAN Family Wines
Oh, man, are these wines a great value! If you see a bottle from MAN Family Wines on the shelf, make sure to give it a go.
The winery was formed by three couples, using the wives’ names to make the acronym MAN – Marie, Anette and Nicky. The founders, José Condé (married to Marie and both of Stark-Condé Wines, also a fantastic South African producer), and brothers Tyrrel (Anette) and Philip (Nicky) Myburgh started making wine together in 2001. Though they began with only 300 cases produced in a tractor shed, the winery now produces 250,000 cases per year and exports to 25 countries. We’re lucky to have these wines here in our neighborhood.
MAN Family makes quality-driven wines that can be enjoyed by all levels of wine lovers, at prices that are hard to beat.
Chenin Blanc, 2022
Chenin Blanc (or steen in South Africa) is the most widely planted grape in the country. Though originally from the Loire Valley in France, chenin blanc has made quite a home for itself in the soils of South Africa, where it is a local specialty.
This bottle is so fresh and crisp, with that high acidity that makes chenin such a stimulating wine. Though it is dry, there are aromas and flavors of ripe tropical fruits like pineapple and grapefruit that give it a juicy appeal. The grapes come from old vines, which leads to depth and a fuller mouthfeel. MAN Family makes a great food pairing chenin that can nicely complement raw seafood like oysters or ceviche. This wine is available at Whole Foods for $10.99.
Reyneke
Johan Reyneke is a bit of a legend, especially in the biodynamic wine space. His Reyneke Wines farm, located on the ridge of the Polkadraai Hills, overlooks False Bay and the Stellenbosch area. It’s truly a spectacular location for a winery.
Due to his interest in and studies on the environment, Reyneke made the complex transition to biodynamic farming, becoming South Africa’s first winery to attain certification by Demeter International, the largest and most widely acknowledged biodynamic accreditation body.
His wines are of the highest quality and reflect his enthusiasm for farming and winemaking in the best way to preserve and encourage the environmental health of his land. In Reyneke’s free time, you’ll find him out catching waves as a laid-back surfer, adding to the list of reasons why he’s such a captivating individual in the wine world.
Sauvignon Blanc, 2020
This biodynamic wine could be one of the most vibrant and balanced sauvignon blancs out there. The wine is medium bodied and oh-so-refreshing. Pear, lemon and fennel greet on the nose, along with a clean minerality throughout. A lengthy citrus finish means this bottle will leave you feeling refreshed long after it’s gone. Though you should consider pairing it with something to eat, Reyneke’s sauv blanc also goes well with boating and other South Florida outdoor activities that require something energizing to sip. This wine is available at Michael’s Genuine in the Design District for $75 a bottle (vintages may vary).
Barista Wine
Barista Wine is a small label founded by winemaker Bertus Fourie in 2009. His style became famous in the early 2000s when he created a batch of wine that smelled a lot like coffee. He was worried the wine wouldn’t be a hit – on the contrary, it became a global success. Now he’s created his “Barista” Pinotage and Black label (also pinotage) in his signature coffee-style tasting profile, but this comes from a combination of oak and other winemaking techniques – not actual coffee.
Pinotage, 2019
Sure enough, you’ll get that hint of coffee on the nose, along with other intriguing aromas like chocolate, dark fruit and spice.
On the palate, this wine is dark and brooding, but in a pleasantly smooth on the tongue way. Rich fruits like blueberry, plum and dark berries add to the full mouth feel of this velvety wine. It evolves into a delicious mix of coffee and blackberry jam on the long finish. Add Barista Wines to the list for your next BBQ party. This wine is available at Mr. D Wine Merchant in Miami for $17.55.
Hoping these wines create some inspiration to learn about and explore more stunning South African wines!