Local wines world cup champions

I am sure many readers will have entertained soccer fans from overseas during this exciting World Cup season.

I’ve had several wonderful evenings of wine and conversation with American friends who are here to support their team.

What a great opportunity this is to show them just how good our wines can be.

With the chilly winter weather I have tended to concentrate on big, warming red wines and – of course – feisty sweet muscadels and jerepigos.

And I have tried, wherever possible, to offer wines that they won’t be too familiar with back in America.

Pinotage, for example, is a sure-fire winner. I know it’s produced in small quantities in other countries (even Canada!), but nobody does a pinotage as well as our own winemakers, many of whom have concentrated on the variety for generations.

I’ve been proud to introduce guests to wines like Beyerskloof Pinotage – not their great Pinotage Reserve version, or even the Beyerskloof Auction Reserve, just the standard, affordable Beyerskloof Pinotage with its juicy strawberry flavour and gentle tannins. It’s so drinkable. Other pinotages that have impressed have included those from Darling Cellars, Hartenberg and the iconic Jacobsdal.

Jacobsdal has been a favourite for many years. The Dumas family put their faith in this relatively young grape long ago and have learned exactly how to bring out its full potential. Jacobsdal Pinotage is a big, serious wine, packed with black cherry flavours, some savoury notes and a beautiful balance. It’s a wine that improves over the years, so it’s worthwhile laying down a few bottles for future enjoyment.


more on tonight.co.za