News & Features
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What We're Drinking Now
Shannon Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Elgin Valley 2009
Posted: September 7, 2010 By James Laube
Learn Wine
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Ask Dr. Vinny
Posted: August 30, 2010
Blogs
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Stirring the Lees with James Molesworth
Making wine in Swartland, the Cape's winemaking frontier
Posted: July 27, 2010 By James Molesworth
There are plenty of rock-star winemakers—cool guys and girls with cultivated hipster images making cool wines. And then there’s Adi Badenhorst, of South Africa's A.A. Badenhorst family, who sat down with me here in my office today.
There’s nothing cultivated about his image: He’s a wooly bear, with a pony tail that looks like it’s been wrestled into submission, pork-chop sideburns and a former rugby player’s body. Talkative, loud, engaging and fully immersed in making wine, Badenhorst is currently carving out his own little corner of the Swartland in South Africa, working on the northern side of the Voor-Paardeberg ward, neighboring his good friend and fellow winemaker, Eben Sadie.
Blogs
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Stirring the Lees with James Molesworth
The winemaker at South Africa's Tokara has streamlined the portfolio and wrestled the vineyards into shape
Posted: June 10, 2010 By James Molesworth
It was a busy week for winemakers stopping by my office this week. I had sit-downs with Miles Mossop of South Africa's Tokara as well as Chile's Marcelo Retamal (De Martino) and Sven Bruchfeld (Polkura). Mossop is the winemaker at South Africa’s ambitious Tokara winery. Owned by former banker G.T. Ferriera, Tokara is a well-financed project, replete with all the bells and whistles in the winery, though its initial set of releases from the 2003 and 2004 vintages failed to take off here in the U.S.
News & Features
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Features
In time for the 2010 World Cup, learn about wine-loving U.S. soccer stars, plus 12 great South African value wines for your celebrations
Posted: June 4, 2010 By Robert Taylor
Learn Wine
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Region Summaries
Learn more about the country's key winegrowing regions, signature varieties and the rules governing what appears on wine labels
Posted: June 4, 2010 By James Molesworth
Blogs
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Stirring the Lees with James Molesworth
Winemaker Abrie Beeslaar tames South Africa's problem grape
Posted: May 25, 2010 By James Molesworth
Since I began covering South Africa in 2000, I haven’t exactly been the biggest fan of Pinotage, the country’s former signature grape. There are, however, exceptions. And though the grape has receded from the top lineup of varieties now pacing the South African category here in the U.S. market, there are still a few wineries that manage to make very good to outstanding versions, and Kanonkop's is a cellar-worthy treasure for its price. Here are my notes on a nine-vintage vertical tasting.
News & Features
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News
A first look at vintage quality in South Africa, with eyewitness reports from growers and winemakers
Posted: May 19, 2010
Apr. 30, 2010 Issue
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Alphabetical Listing
Posted: April 30, 2010
Apr. 30, 2010 Issue
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Tasting Reports
South Africa's wine industry works toward social justice
Posted: April 30, 2010
Apr. 30, 2010 Issue
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Tasting Reports
South African exports to the United States are down, but the quality of the wines arriving is on the rise
Posted: April 30, 2010 By James Molesworth
Blogs
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Stirring the Lees with James Molesworth
Winemaker Adam Mason helps continue a sweet wine's long history, while improving it as well
Posted: April 12, 2010 By James Molesworth
When Adam Mason took over the winemaking at South Africa’s Klein Constantia, it was his first full-time winemaking job. “I was filling big shoes at the time,” says Mason 36. Mason has filled those shoes admirably while cutting his own path along the way. In particular, he’s taken the winery’s flagship dessert wine, Vin de Constance, to new levels in the ’04 and ’05 vintages. A recent vertical tasting showed that Mason has made changes and improved a wine that is arguably the country’s top sweet wine.
News & Features
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Tasting Highlights
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc from the Cape region of South Africa deliver consistency, diversity and value
Posted: February 26, 2010 By James Molesworth
News & Features
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Seasonal
Two tasty shellfish recipes, plus 15 recommended white wines
Posted: December 18, 2009 By Laurie Woolever
Blogs
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Stirring the Lees with James Molesworth
The new winery owned by May de Lencquesaing releases its first wines
Posted: December 10, 2009 By James Molesworth
Back in 2004, former Château Pichon-Longueville-Lalande owner May de Lencquesaing purchased a 310-hectare estate in South Africa’s Stellenbosch district, just around the corner from the famed Rustenberg estate. Now, with 60 hectares under vine (two-thirds of them in production) de Lencquesaing’s Glenelly estate has its first few wines in release.
News & Features
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News
Proceeds from Fundi wines will train wine stewards before the global soccer tournament arrives next year
Posted: November 11, 2009 By James Molesworth
Blogs
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Stirring the Lees with James Molesworth
The winemaker goes against the grain to take his vineyards green
Posted: October 20, 2009 By James Molesworth
James Molesworth sat down with Mason here at my office yesterday to get caught up on his recent efforts at South Africa's Klein Constantia winery. Klein Constantia is best known for its Vin de Constance bottling, a dessert wine made from naturally shriveled Muscat de Frontignan grapes. The 2004 vintage was the best yet for this wine, earning a stellar 94-point review.
Blogs
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Stirring the Lees with James Molesworth
The auction gains buyers and sets a new total, despite a down economy
Posted: October 5, 2009 By James Molesworth
The 2009 Cape Winemakers Guild Auction easily buffeted the current economic situation, setting a new record as buyers spent a surprising 5.2 million rand (about $690,000) at the event, held this past Saturday in Cape Town.
Blogs
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Stirring the Lees with James Molesworth
Another winery starts to take a close look at its dirt
Posted: September 30, 2009 By James Molesworth
Emil den Dulk, owner of South Africa’s De Toren winery stopped by for a sit down today. Like most quality-conscious vintners, den Dulk isn’t standing pat, despite the very solid track record his Cabernet Sauvignon-based Fusion V blend has established. And as you might expect, most of den Dulk’s focus is on aspects that won’t affect what the consumer sees until a few years down the road. And, as you might expect, that focus is on dirt.
News & Features
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Tasting Reports
More than 30 tasting notes on the best offering yet from South Africa's top winemakers
Posted: September 25, 2009 By James Molesworth
