South African Wine of Origin. With Cape Wine And Leisure Tours-Stellenbosch

STELLENBOSCH, SOUTH AFRICA, April 11, 2011 (Press-News.org) It's a country with a long and rich history of making wine, dating back to the end of the 17th century. Its most famous wine, a Muscat based dessert wine called Vin de Constance, can lay claim to being one of the world's first superstar wines.

South Africa is the place to be if you are in the market for world class wines, new-world or old-world. CapeWineAndLeisure a Stellenbosch based registered Tour Operator that specializes in small groups up to 7 people. Will take you on a South African wine experience you will never forget.

Where the grapes groove.

Much of South Africa's wine regions are in the southern part of the country, within a few hundred kilometers of Cape Town. The latitude is between 30 -33S which, if it were in the Northern Hemisphere, would put it approximately in the southern Mediterranean. But because of the cold waters of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, which surround the southern tip of the African continent, those regions on the coast are cooled by almost constant onshore winds moderating the summer heat.

And this is the first key to understanding South Africa's regions. Those that hug the coastline have much cooler climates. So, in a sense, there are two South African styles. In the warmer interior, riper and more New World-styled wines, and those on the coast, with a more European touch

For coastal Stellenbosch, chenin blanc seems to do best, though I tasted some interesting viognier from Waterkloof and Idiom. For red, it was by far the best place for the Bordeaux red varieties, with Meerlust's 2003 merlot being one of the highlights of the trip.

Farther inland, the wines have a riper feel. Much like neighbouring Paarl and Franschhoek, there is some good cabernet, but the future might be more in the Rhône varietals. But no matter which red I tasted, most were along a riper style, so if you are a fan, this is where you go for your wines. Find Allee Bleue wine estate in Franschoek.

BILL ZACHARKIW, a freelancer said.
"I spent two weeks in mid-March in South Africa. I was invited by Wines of South Africa, a not-forprofit organization that promotes the exports of the country's wine. During the early 19th century, it was a favourite among the courts of European royalty and of Napoleon I while he was in exile on the island of St. Helèna"

Willem Swanepoel "Whether you are visiting personally chosen boutique wineries or enjoying the grandeur fine historical estates our expert wine guides will guarantee you a feast for the eyes, intellect and soul."

You can get more information on our website @ http://www.capewineandleisuretours.co.za

Cape Wine And Leisure Tours, a Stellenbosch based registered Tour Operator that specializes in small groups up to 7 people. Will take you on a South African wine experience you will never forget. For further information, please contact us at 27(0)82 956 8104 -During working hours or after.