Despite the fact that South African wine is generally thought of as New World, the country has actually been producing wine for more than 350 years. However, it is only since the end of Apartheid in the 1990’s that the South African wine industry has really come into its own.

The heart of South Africa’s wine growing industry is The Cape and three of the country’s five growing regions are located here. Stellenbosch, one of these regions, accounts for a vast proportion of the country’s wine production, in particular, of international grape varieties.

Having said that, a wine search shouldn’t be focused entirely on Stellenbosch. Although the area produces great tasting wines, it’s also a firm favourite on the tourist trail, meaning that you’ll come across some fairly hefty prices compared to other South African wine regions. If you want to be sure that you get maximum value for money from your wine, yet get all the quality and taste of real South Africa, don’t forget to look to the lesser known areas and wine-makers.

Traditionally white grapes have dominated South African wine production. Chenin Blanc, which is more commonly known in South Africa as Steen, accounts for a huge proportion of the wine production. It produces a deliciously crisp dry wine, although it can be used to make some sweeter varieties. Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are also popular with South African winemakers.

More recently, demand for South African red wine has taken off, with a number of international varieties, including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, all key to this success. In addition, South Africa’s home grown red grape Pinotage, is at the heart of South African wine production. Pinotage was initially slow to gain popularity but has become increasingly sought after as winemakers get to grips with learning how to get the most from it.

Winemaking took off in South Africa when the migrating French Huguenots brought their winemaking skills to the country back in the 17th century. By the early 20th century, these skills had been rolled out across the country, although it could be argued that the quality of the wine being produced at this time was relatively poor. A master cooperative (KWV) was set up in order to help provide stability and supervise all production within the South African wine industry. However, this was privatised following the end of Apartheid. Since then, an exciting new generation of winemakers has been learning skills from other wine-making nations. New capital and training has been invested and winemakers have had more freedom to experiment. The result is the emergence of a generation of wines which rival those from the New World.

Unlike many other nations, wine from South Africa clearly straddles the Old World and New. Thanks to its warm temperate climate, South African wines are blessed with all the fruitiness of New World, yet have the wine growing history and finesse of the Old World.

Napa Valley with more than 360 wineries is considered the heart and soul of American winemaking. This beautiful valley located in California is very small, yet where wine making is concerned it is very big. Napa valley produces more than 12 dozen varieties of grapes. The two most popular varieties of that Napa Valley produces are Cabernet Sauvignon for red wine and Chardonnay for white.

The Cabernet Sauvignon variety of grapes is used to produce the best red wines from the regions of Medoc and Graves. Chardonnay which is used to make the best white wines and white burgundies is considered to be the best variety of grapes of the Champagne region of France and is found in Napa Valley. When we talk about wines, we actually talk about the grapes that are used to make them. Here are some of the most popular varieties of grapes of the Napa Valley

Charbono

Charbono grapes, which were brought to California from France in 1869, are red grapes used to produce the best red wines. Inglenook, one of the oldest and best wineries in California started using Charbono to make the best red wine in the 1880s. Now with only 75 acres of Charbono grape vineyard left and most of it in the Napa Valley, it is fair to say that Charbono belongs to Inglenook and Napa.

The Charbono wine is a rich and deep colored wine with a spicy aroma. It is a full-bodied wine with hints of berry and roasted coffee. Its texture is like velvet and it has a cedar undertone to it. This Charbono wine can taste vital, fresh and young even after years of aging, the reason for this is because of the tannins, which keep the wine tasting fresh and young.

Semillon

Semillon though not so well known is a good white wine grape. This Bordeaux wine grape was brought to California and specifically to Napa Valley much later and only for it to be blended with the Sauvignon Blanc, which is a floral and pungent grape. Semillon on its own can make a good wine of a unique flavor and superior quality than the Sauvignon Blanc, but no region in France, which is considered the land of wines, produces a pure Semillon wine. California however has a few wineries like the Clos du Val winery in Napa Valley that makes pure Semillon wine.

Chenin Blanc

The Chenin Blanc grape is a functional grape. It is used to make many wines like Vouvray, Anjou, Saumur and wines that vary from crisp, fruity, dry to rich, full and smooth. California started using Chenin Blanc to make sparkling and jug wines, but in Napa Valley, Chenin Blanc is used to make fruity, airy and delicate fine wines. This was initiated by the Chappellet winery in the Napa Valley. The Chappellet Chenin Blanc wine is popular as being a wine of fine quality and a blend of aromas like green aromas, citrus with a taste of melon, peaches, spice and vanilla.

If you are planning on visiting California, you should take some time out to visit some of the popular wineries. California wine is reputed worldwide. With the amazing weather and the beautiful scenery, wine touring in California is a brilliant way to experience and taste some of the fine vintage US wines. With more than 200 days of sunshine every year, the climate in California is ideal for the wine business. There are 6 predominant varieties of wine in California.

There is the Sauvignon Blanc, a white wine that has a herbal or melon taste and tastes best when accompanying seafood. The Chardonnay has a buttery taste and usually complements seafood and chicken. Among the red wines, there is Pinot Noir, which is fruity and Merlot, which can be either floral or fruity in taste. Then, there is Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel that are spicy, herbal or fruity. Along with these varieties, there are many other types of wines available to tempt your taste buds. The wine tours not only offer an insight on how wine is made, but also on how and when to taste the wine. Tourists are informed about all the local events and annual festivals that focus on wine harvesting and processing.

Even though wine is produced in many places in and around California, the most famous areas are definitely Sonoma County and Napa Valley. The primary focus of any wine tour is wine tasting. When touring California, the some tour guides present their guests with a bottle each of their favorite wine. Apart from touring the vineyards and viewing the different facilities and processes that are a part of wine making, there are many companies that provide virtual tours. These tours are designed for those tourists who are interested in visiting the wineries and vineyards, but dont have the time to actually go on a tour. It is advisable for all, to go on a virtual tour, before you sign up for a real one.

When you are on a wine tour, you might probably end up drinking a lot of the wine offered. It is important to take a good driver along, in case you are touring alone. There are various tour services available, which range from deluxe to regular. Wine touring companies in California offer personal guides and even limousines for you to enjoy the whole experience, luxuriously.

If your day is filled with fun activities, like visiting a casino or taking a sunset cruise on the San Francisco Bay, perhaps you should leave the wine touring for the nights. In case you feel like indulging further, a customized private tour is worth trying. The options may vary from gourmet lunches and limo tours for couples, to accommodation and wine tours. The private tours cater to the needs of everyone. Besides this, there are picnics arranged for small or large groups and other team events are designed as well.

California wine tours are usually in association with the various California wine clubs. The tours are romantic and rewarding. A wine tour is primarily designed to enable you to enjoy the best, luxury and good health, while sipping on a glass of your favorite vintage.

If you are looking for fine French wine and food, why not consider the Loire Valley region of central France? You may find a bargain, and I hope that you’ll enjoy yourself on this fact-filled wine education tour in which we review a white Sauvignon Blanc-Chardonnay from Touraine in the eastern part of the region.

Among France’s eleven wine-growing regions the Loire Valley ranks third in total acreage devoted to vineyards. Given that France’s longest river the Loire runs for 620 miles (one thousand kilometers) across the country, in many ways it could be thought of as a series of regions. Here they are running from west to east: Nantais whose primary grape is the white Muscadet, Anjou-Saumur whose primary grapes are the white Chenin Blanc and the red Cabernet Franc, Touraine whose primary white grapes are Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc and whose primary red grape is Cabernet Franc, and Central Vineyards whose primary white grape is Sauvignon Blanc and whose primary red grape is Pinot Noir. We intend to review at least one wine from each of these four areas.

Chambord is home to the largest of the Loire castles, built as a hunting lodge for Francois I early in the Sixteenth Century. Many people feel that Leonardo da Vinci was responsible for the original design. The statistics of this French Renaissance hunting lodge are stupendous. There are 440 rooms but sadly a mere 365 chimneys. How would you feel to be assigned to a room without a chimney? The wall surrounding the property is 20 miles (32 kilometers) long enclosing a thirteen thousand acre (fifty two square kilometer) forest. The story has it that the Emperor wanted to divert the Loire River to create a moat but wiser heads prevailed and he had to be satisfied with diverting the Cosson River. Whenever he visited it took twelve thousand horses to bring all his stuff; they had to transport all the furniture and all the food except for game. It was estimated that over the years he actually spent a grand total of seven weeks there. During the French Revolution the castle floors were sold for timber and the castle doors were burnt to keep people warm during the sales. This castle is now government property.

Before we review the Loire wine and imported cheeses purchased at a local wine store and a local Italian food store, here are a few suggestions of what to eat with indigenous wines when touring this beautiful region. Start with Rillettes (Coarse Pork Pate). For your second course savor Lapin au Vouvray (Rabbit with Onions, Shallots, and Vouvray Wine). And as dessert indulge yourself with Tarte aux Pommes a la Confiture de Chinon (Apple Pie with Chinon Wine Jam).

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed Cheverny Blanc V. V. (Terra Vitis) 2005 12.5% alcohol about $15

I don’t know why but the usual marketing materials were unavailable. So I accessed the producer’s web site that offered following blurb – translated from the French by Google. Cheverny Blanc Old women Vines resulting from the marriage of Sauvignon and Chardonnay is manually collected with maximum maturity in order to release from the very constant flavours and a powerful gustatory length; to be useful between 7 and 8 degrees accompanied by fish out of sauce, scallop, snails as. Whaaat?

Didn’t anybody tell Google that V. V. (Vieilles Vignes) means old vines and not Old women Vines? Here is my rapid translation: Cheverny Blanc Old Vines (wine) comes from Sauvignon (Blanc) and Chardonnay (grapes) that were manually harvested at their full maturity to bring out their powerful aromas and long, powerful flavors. Serve between 7 and 8 degrees C (44 to 46 degrees F) with fish in sauce, scallops, or snails. Frankly, I would rather review wines than translate documents. And that’s what I am doing next.

My first meal was whole-wheat spaghetti with a homemade tuna, red onion, garlic, and Greek Olive sauce that started with a commercial tomato spaghetti sauce. I doused on a lot of grated Parmesan cheese. The wine was light, refreshingly acidic, and somewhat sweet. It was lemony with a taste of honey. When I finished the glass after the meal I had the feeling that the wine improved.

The next meal consisted of a commercially prepared barbecued chicken breast, rice, and an eggplant side. The Cheverny started off between weak and light but later picked up some strength. Interestingly enough it was quite present when paired with the tomato-based grilled eggplant.

The final pairing involved an omelet with local Provolone cheese and Greek Olives. The wine was somewhat assertive but short. As I had a little left I paired it with a high-quality chocolate-coated ice cream bar. The wine was nice and sweet and a fairly good match, at least initially.

The first cheese pairing was with a mild Italian Pecorino Friulano cheese. They made a good couple; the wine showed a lot fruit and pleasant acidity and was rather long. The second cheese pairing was with a more forceful Dutch Edam cheese. The results were fairly similar but the wine was definitely flatter.

Final verdict. This wine is best with rather bland food and as such is overpriced. At a much lower price point it would be worth buying again. I really expect more at this price.

If you are looking for fine French wine and food, consider the Loire Valley region of central France. You may find a bargain, and I hope that you’ll have fun on this fact-filled wine education tour in which we review a white Chenin Blanc from Anjou-Saumur Touraine in the central part of the region.

Among France’s eleven wine-growing regions the Loire Valley is third in the acreage devoted to vineyards. The Loire is France’s longest river running for 620 miles (one thousand kilometers) across the center of the country. In many ways the Loire Valley can be considered as a series of regions. Here they are running from west to east: Nantais whose number one grape is the white Muscadet, Anjou-Saumur whose primary grapes are the white Chenin Blanc and the red Cabernet Franc, Touraine whose major white grapes are Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc and whose primary red grape is Cabernet Franc, and Central Vineyards whose primary white grape is Sauvignon Blanc and whose primary red grape is Pinot Noir. We will review at least one wine from each of these four areas.

Saumur is a city of about thirty-five thousand inhabitants where the Loire and the Thouet Rivers meet in the Anjou and Saumur zone of the Loire Valley, east of the Nantes and west of Tours. It is a bourgeois city quite proud of its historic center and Fourteenth Century Church of St-Pierre as well as the city square of the same name. And of course there is a Loire Valley turreted Castle, the Ch?au de Saumur well worth the visit even though the Musee des Arts Decoratifs (Decorative Arts Museum) and the Musee du Cheval (Equestrian Museum) may be closed to the public.

Saumur’s Riding School, the Cadre Noir de Saumur (literally the Black Cadre) was founded well over one hundred fifty years ago. Its instructors, whether military or civilian, wear beautiful black and gold uniforms in public performances that attract up to forty thousand spectators. If you are at all interested in equestrian performances make sure to catch their class act. And stop by the Maison du Vin (House of Wine) for more information on this great wine-growing region.

Before reviewing the Loire wine and imported cheeses that we were lucky enough to purchase at a local wine store and a local Italian food store, here are a few suggestions of what to eat with indigenous wines when touring this beautiful region. Start with Rillions (Big chunks of Pork cooked in Pork Fat). For your second course savor Becasse fouree au Foie Gras (Woodcock stuffed with Foie Gras). And as dessert indulge yourself with Tarte Tatin (Upside down Apple Tart).

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines reviewed here have been purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed Domaine de Saint-Just Saumur Blanc 2005 AC 12.5% alcohol about $13

Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. We see very little white Saumur in our market, so this is a rare treat indeed. Made with 100% Chenin Blanc, it shows the aromatic virtues of the grape coupled with racy acidity. The result is a wine that may be enjoyed in its youth with seafood dishes such as grilled prawns, but will definitely age gracefully for 3-5 years.

My first meal included fried chicken-breast scaloppini, with rice and Turkish salad. This wine was very refreshing and pleasantly acidic. It was palate-cleansing with a lot of lime. It was quite present in the face of a strong Turkish salad.

The next meal consisted of slow-cooked chicken legs with a mix of Eastern spices, brown rice, and green beans. The Saumur Blanc was quite forward with plenty of fruit and acidity. It was very pleasant.

The final pairing involved whole-wheat spaghetti and hamburgers but no tomato sauce. The wine was refreshingly acidic with a lot of lime. It was very long. While the wine was somewhat flattened by a fruit-juice candy, it displayed delicate fruit and acidity when paired with a good-quality cheesecake.

The first cheese pairing was with a mild Italian Pecorino Friulano cheese. This was no success; the wine became a bit thin and lost a lot of its fruit. Then I tried a nutty Dutch Edam cheese. The wine was moderately fruity and that combination was OK but not great.

Final verdict. I liked this wine and would definitely buy it again. I feel that it was quite good for the price. And I can’t find much more to say about it.