Ahhh red wine. It’s simply one of our favourite things. The team from Wineology (the fabulous new boutique wine store in Salt Rock) shared a few fun facts about one of our favourite beverages!
- Did you know that the first wine produced in The Cape region in South Africa was made by Jan Van Riebeeck on the 2 February 1659? He produced 15 litres and paved the way for wine making in South Africa. Today South Africa is the eighth largest wine producer globally!
- There are 80 different grape varieties registered for winemaking in South Africa, with Cabernet Sauvignon being the most planted red grape. Other main red grape varieties are Cinsaut (Hermitage), Merlot, Pinotage, Pinot Noir and Shiraz. Pinotage is SA’s own cultivar, created in 1925 by Professor Perold of Stellenbosch University who crossed the Pinot Noir & Cinsaut (Hermitage) varieties.
- In South Africa, the vine roots are grafted onto American root stocks due to the high prevalence of root louse in our soil to which the American root stocks are resistant. Grapes are picked at different stages of maturity, depending on the type of wine that is to be produced. The longer a grape is left on the vine to mature, the sweeter the wine and the higher the alcohol content.
- Red wines are considered ‘still wines’. They are made from black grapes that have a red or blue tint. Rosé wines are typically made from red grapes, but the juice is only left with the grape skin for a short time to give Rosé wines their lighter colour. Rosé’s have lower alcohol levels and are ideal for summer! Light bodied red wines are ruby-like in colour with lower alcohol levels but higher acidity. Medium bodied reds, such as Merlot, are a broad category, with higher alcohol, less acidity and more structure than the lighter bodied reds. Full bodied reds are the richest in colour, and highest in alcohol content, such as Syrah/ Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage.
- It is recommended that you serve your red wine chilled, ideally between 12°C and 17°C as South Africa has a hotter climate than Europe.
About Wineology:
Wineology is a boutique wine store located at Sage Centre in Salt Rock and the only store in KZN to stock the full range of Black Elephant Wines from Franshcoek. Black Elephant wines are exciting and distinctive with a range to suit all pallets and, importantly, Black Elephant Vintners believe that wine should not be about conformity or snobbery, but rather fun and experimental. Enjoy, and please drink responsibly. Wine is not for sale to persons under the age of 18 years. Details: Sage Centre, Salt Rock, @wineologysaltrock (Information sourced from: Cape Wine Academy.)
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