I’m continuing the theme of wines of the year. This year I tasted a lot of very good South African wines, both on my three visits, and also in London….
The remarkable Deconstructed wines of Richard Kershaw, Elgin, South Africa
Richard Kershaw is a British ex-pat and MW who has been making his own wines out of Elgin for a few years now. Previously he was winemaker at Mulderbosch. Richard…
Elgin Ridge, a biodynamic pioneer in South Africa’s Elgin region
Brian and Marion Smith are biodynamic pioneers in the Elgin Valley, with their Elgin Ridge wine estate. I visited them for a look around the vineyards with vineyard manager Taurai…
In Elgin: Corder Wines
I met Ian Corder (above) at Almenkerk, where his wines are made. [As an aside, he kindly offered to take me up in his autogyro to see the Elgin Valley…
Elgin wine region: Almenkerk
Almenkerk began when Joep van Almenkerk moved out to South Africa from Belgium in 2002 and bought a 32 hectare apple farm. He wanted to turn it into a wine…
Elgin wine region: visiting Iona, including a Chardonnay vertical
Iona is one of the leading wineries in Elgin. Currently, there are 60 hectares under vine here on two sites, and 400 tons pass through the winery, which on my…
Video: Elgin from the air
Here’s a short film and some pictures from my gyrocopter flight over Elgin with Ian Corder. It was an amazing experience. But gyrocopters are tiny and it was a little…
In the Elgin Valley, South Africa
I’m in South Africa’s Elgin Valley. The reason for my visit is this weekend’s Chardonnay Colloquium, but I’m spending five days here, aiming to get under the skin of the…
Notes on the 2016 Cape Winemakers Guild Auction wines
Each year, one of the most anticipated events in the South African calendar is the Cape Winemakers Guild annual auction. Ad it’s coming up next weekend. Special lots of wines…