COUPS DE COEUR

THIS CELLAR'S HIGHEST SCORING WINES BY OUR MASTERS OF WINE

EVERYDAY DRINKING CELLARING POTENTIAL

ROGGIANO, MORELLINO DI SCANSANO RISERVA, DOCG, VIGNAIOLI MORELLINO SCANSANO, 2019, LOT 3927, P50

IXIA BY ARISTEA CHARDONNAY, STELLENBOSCH, 2020, LOT 3863, P14

THE SMUGGLER'S BOOT PINOT NOIR, 2020, LOT 3874, P19 ALTADONNA CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA DOCG, CHIOCCIOLI ALTADONNA FAMILY ESTATE, 2018, LOT 3897, P33

and no fixed abode. A sense of place or terroir was not seen as relevant. South Africa has been formed on the tenet of non-regionality primarily through the cooperative system where grape variety planting was based on the sequential ripening of grapes to allow an extended production period for the winery. This created numerous non-regional wines that fitted price points, often at the lower end of the scale.

South Africa wasn't initially alone, as the New World collective was happy to shun what felt like straitjackets that producers in the Old World had to adhere to specified grape varieties and plantings. Indeed, in the early days, the New World promoted that they could grow anything unhindered by grape restrictions. However, many New World countries quickly realized that this direction was unsustainable. Since the 1990s, countries such as New Zealand have led the way, focusing on Marlborough being the home of Sauvignon Blanc. Australia joined quickly with Barossa Shiraz, Coonawarra Cabernet and Clare Valley Riesling, whilst more recently, Argentina has become the home of Malbec.

South Africa's long-term success hinges on positioning its wines in this way. By imbuing a sense of place, we will not only add tremendous value to the wines we already produce but give credibility to the differences between our regions. It isn't a simple process. To take ownership of particular grape varieties or styles and give traction to their region means digging deeper into some of the groundwork that Winetech has done regarding geology mapping and soil types and developing better clonal information. This will enable us to identify subzones better and give each region a more distinct personality. This journey started with areas formulating signature grapes such as Elgin Chardonnay, Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir, Swartland Rhone blends and Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon. More is needed, but South Africa's resourcefulness will eventually shine through!