In recent years, much attention has been focused on the label fraud, where counterfeit labels from cult wines and other rare and expensive wines are affixed to bottles of less expensive wine and then resold. Wine fraud can involve less expensive wines if they are sold in large volumes. Wine Spectator noted that some experts
The earliest recorded mention of Merlot (under the synonym of Merlau) was in the notes of a local Bordeaux official who in 1784 labeled wine made from the grape in the Libournais region as one of the area’s best. In 1824, the word Merlot itself appeared in an article on Médoc wine where it was
White wine is a wine whose colour can be straw-yellow, yellow-green, or yellow-gold coloured. It is produced by the alcoholic fermentation of the non-coloured pulp of grapes which may have a white or black skin. It is treated so as to maintain a yellow transparent colour in the final product. The wide variety of white
Pinot gris is grown around the globe with the “spicy” full-bodied Alsatian and lighter-bodied, more acidic Italian styles being most widely recognized. The Alsatian style, often duplicated in New World wine regions such as Marlborough, Tasmania, Australia, Washington, and Oregon, tend to have moderate to low acidity, higher alcohol levels and an almost “oily” texture
Old World wine refers primarily to wine made in Europe but can also include other regions of the Mediterranean basin with long histories of winemaking such as North Africa and the Near East. The phrase is often used in contrast to “New World wine” which refers primarily to wines from New World wine regions such
The Olifantsberg family vineyards and winery is are located on the rocky slopes of Olifantsberg mountain, overlooking the Breedekloof valley. It was acquired by Dutch couple Paul and Corine Leeuwerik in the early 2000s. The vineyards endure substantial diurnal temperature swings and strong winds at altitudes ranging from 250m to 450m above sea level. During
Vondeling traces its origin back to 1704 when this piece of land was first granted to Oloff Bergh, a Swedish immigrant. Vondeling Estate is in the Voor-Paardeberg; a Western Cape wine region that has all the charm of an undiscovered country landscape yet is easily accessible being approximately 45 minutes drive from Cape Town. As
A brand by Cape Point Vineyards. The passionate team of young Capetownians producing super easy drinking cool climate wines in Cape Town. Wine of Origin Cape Town ‘appellation’ – incorporating wards such as Constantia, Durbanville, Philadelphia and Hout Bay – might only be a few years old but it speaks to a much older legacy.
De Trafford Winery is situated on the beautiful Mont Fleur farm set at the top of a dramatic valley above Stellenbosch, 380m up between the Stellenbosch and Helderberg mountains, right at the end of the Blaauwklip road, between Stellenbosch and Somerset West. The history of wine growing on this mountain farm started with the purchase
A beautiful pioneering wine estate in the middle of nowhere. Sijnn (pronounced: Seine) is the original Khoisan name for the Breede River. This exciting new vineyard was established in 2004 on a stony plateau between the hamlet of Malgas and the fishing village of Cape Infanta, 230km east of Cape Town. The vineyards are 70m
Founded by Paul Boutinot in 2004, Waterkloof is a family-owned farm using organic practices. The farm is perched high up on the windswept Schapenberg, overlooking False Bay and The Atlantic Ocean. Living soils, naturally low yields and a long growing season help provide talented Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard with naturally balanced grapes that are imbued with
