So better than french !

Wednesday as an interest to wine tourism I did tour the winelands to check on visiting facilities. It is in fact impressive and french have a lot to learn from south african on this point !

When you take Fairview and the marketing genious Black family, every visitor is about to spend for the wine tasting, then for the cheese tasting and is probably gonna purchase a little souvenirs....Disneyland in the Winelands.

KWV in Paarl, more old fashionned and in a desperate attempt to change is labels to find some more market, is also quite well organise and tasting fees of 15R are very affordable, then you can buy a T-shirt or some bottles to take away.

Smaller wineries in Stellenbosch are also very organised, they are most of the time opened from 9 to 5 and are welcoming any visitors. I must say that the charm of a chimney fire when its pouring outside is a treat such as the one in Tokara.

Wine side, one of the master of Cabernet Sauvignon in the country is probably Etienne Le Riche that mastered from bought grapes a amazing elegant, suttle and charming Reserve 2005 that doesn't need to have this eucalyptus aromas that so many show around.

Then, the high security Rupert and Rothschild Winery is very consitant within its range and even if the Classique Cuvée 2007(65CS 35Merlot)has nothing to dream about, the Baron 2005 is really a must. Pencil, earthy character yet restrained and elegant, its for sure one of the best they released since their first vintage in 1998.

To finish with my favourite red grape, Boekenhoutskloof and its marvelous Syrah 2006, silky, blueberry and peperry, my desert island bottle ! The winery is also producing a very limited released of an hectare NLH Semillon 2006, incredebly dense and balanced with some 160 g residual sugar ! only three barrels produced.

Ah yes if you have one Restaurant to do before you die, it must be Terroir in Stellenbosch.

Cheers

Benjamin