South Africa - Variety is in our Nature

I have always had a soft spot for South Africa. My first time there was in 1996. After a few weeks on the road driving around the canyons, Kruger and the Garden Route, we finally arrived at Stellenbosch where we spent a week tasting wine every day, duly starting at 9:00am when the cellar doors opened. Since then, I have been back to the Stellenbosch area five times and have had the privilege of doing vintages at Ashanti and Thelema.


Therefore it was great news that Wines of South Africa (WOSA), was finally organising a long overdue South African wine tasting in Hong Kong recently. 29 wines from Cap Classique and Chenin Blanc to Bordeaux blends and Pinotage were presented to packed audiences in two sessions: the trade masterclass with tutored tasting in the afternoon and a consumer walk-around tasting in the evening.

Yalumba The Virgilius Eden Valley Viognier 2007, Australia

This is the flagship Viognier of Yalumba. Unlike most New World Viogniers which are powerful on the front palate but lack the length to balance it, the Virgilius is concentrated yet restrained. The aroma is complex with spices, grapefruit and stone fruits. It is rich with a creamy mouthfeel and a long finish. The secret? Grapes are from the oldest vines with low yield. Barrel fermentation, lees stirring and ageing in barrels add complexity and that creamy mouthfeel. Brian Walsh, chief winemaker at Yalumba, is proud of the achievement. Yalumba is widely recognised as one of the best Viogniers in the southern hemisphere.

Hong Kong distributor: Fine Vintage