The 2012 Hot List: South Africa

The era of faulty wines from the Cape seems to finally be over as quality continues to improve. This is thanks to a massive replanting program, accompanied by winery equipment upgrades and winemaker education. Consumers can now expect Cape wines to be clean, fresh and pure.

Growth in the country’s cooler wine regions continues to bring fresher and juicier sauvignon blanc, as well as lighter styles of reds with more minerality, especially syrah/shiraz. The wines have a high natural acidity that mitigates elevated alcohol levels and results in better- balanced bottles. Oak is being used more modestly than in the past, maybe because the fruit is better quality and does not need to be covered with oak as much.

Another major shift involves sustainability and social responsibility. Sustainable viticulture is now widely practised; winery owners and winemakers are taking enormous strides to recycle wherever possible, especially water, which is so essential in this hot, dry country.

Moreover, many see social responsibility as essential for the future. When visiting wineries, you see the results of education and social programs designed to bring more of the black majority into employment — especially into management positions at wineries.

And, like we are seeing in the rest of the world, the focus is on allowing the terroir or the origin of the wines to be more evident. We’re seeing less winemaker manipulation and less blending from multiple locations. With that in mind, regional styles are starting to become better defined, even within established regions such as Stellenbosch and Paarl, where subregions are now noted on labels more often.

See the rest of The 2012 Hot List

Classic producers in South Africa

Graham Beck, KWV, Nederberg, Durbanville Hills, Hamilton Russell Vineyards

Up-and-coming producers in South Africa

Boekenhoutskloof, Constantia Glen, Delheim

Where to stay in South Africa

Devon Valley Hotel

This place is nestled in a quiet valley, a few miles from the town of Stellenbosch, with a spectacular view of the mountains. Not only is it a comfortable hotel, with spacious rooms, there is an excellent restaurant with a well-chosen wine list.

Hamilton Russell Vineyards 2010 Chardonnay

Check out more South Africa wine notes