Wines of South Africa, a non-profit company owned by wine producers, recently conducted educational workshops at The Peninsula-Chicago that revealed some of the newer wines from the Cape winelands, many of which are not yet exported to the U.S. Although I already was familiar with a few good South African imports, particularly Sauvignon Blancs, I learned that red wine plantings have grown to make up nearly half of the production.
Two that I particulary liked were the Thandi Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, drinkable now due to its less-powerful tannins, and Nederburg's Ingenuity Red 2008, a blend of Italian grapes--Sangiovese, Barbera and Nebbiolo. This big wine will be even better in six-to-nine years.
Vernon Henn of Thandi Wines related an uplifting history of the company, the first in South Africa to be Fair Trade certified in 2003. In addition to using sustainable agricultural practices, Thandi employs local laborers previously excluded from the nation's formal economy who have become owners. The winery also sponsors day care centers, schools and other programs.
Thandi's corporate social investments are setting an example for the rest of South Africa's growing wine industry, which currently makes up three percent of the world's vineyards. "We borrowed the land from our children and will try to leave it in a better state," Henn stated.
No comments:
Post a Comment