Stellenbosch-based Kanu – whose name relates to the legendary African bird of bounteous harvests and not the gangly ex-Arsenal striker – dates from 1692 when German soldier Matthias Greef was gifted the farm by a local governor. At first he used it to raise sheep and grow medicinal herbs, before sensibly switching to grapes. Much later, during the Anglo-Boer war, the estate was used as a horse supply camp, rifle range and hospital.

Fast-forward to modern times and Kanu’s global reputation was cemented in the early part of this century by head winemaker and Chenin Blanc guru Teddy Hall. His successor, and current incumbent, Johan Grimbeek, has continued the tradition of excellence and has a string of awards to his name.

Kanu is a member of the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative, an alliance between South Africa’s conservation and wine sectors that helps to preserve such exotic creatures as the cape leopard and geometric tortoise. It devotes over a third of its land to native wildlife.

Johan and his team focus on South African specialty Chenin (known locally as Steen) and a selection of warm-climate grapes like Shiraz, Chardonnay and Viognier. Though based in swanky Stellenbosch and utilising a high proportion of fruit from that district, Kanu does source from other premium areas too, meaning that its wines bear the more expansive ‘Western Cape’ appellation.

Best buy: Kanu Shiraz 2006 (€13.99) Matured in luxurious new French and American oak, this single-vineyard Shiraz is powerful, polished and loaded with glossy flavours of black cherry, dark chocolate, pepper and mocha.

See the new range from Kanu here.

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p.s. To celebrate the arrival of our African friends we are offering Wine Club Members €2 PER BOTTLE OFF FOR THE NEXT 7 DAYS. Offer applies online and in store but in both cases ends at 3pm Wednesday April 17th. Not a Wine Club member? CLICK HERE.

Vine tendrils enjoy the sunshine at Kanu Estate

When I start talking about a random grape variety or region for no apparent reason (and yes, I’m aware I do that a lot) it’s a pretty sure bet that I’ve recently had my taste buds tickled. Last Thursday evening I produced a bottle of South African Chenin Blanc that made me think why don’t I drink this stuff more often?

The wines of South Africa, for which Chenin Blanc is the country’s flagship white grape variety, are oddly overlooked in Ireland. We don’t buy a lot of South African wine, despite the great value it has to offer. Okay, so there is usually a small enough range to choose from wherever you go, but that’s only because the demand isn’t there. Being a pivotal player in taking Chenin Blanc to the forefront of global recognition, we too often opt for a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc or an Italian Pinot Grigio instead. Chenin doesn’t seem to be a very fashionable variety here and I think our boycott of South African wines has hindered its yearning for appreciation.

So what are we missing? Chenin Blanc produces medium bodied wines of high acidity. In South Africa their crisp acidity complements clean citrus and tropical fruit flavours. Originally hailing from Loire Valley (France), Chenin of the Vouvray appellation is particularly highly regarded. Here the wines can be dry or off-dry, with some of the same citrus and tropical flavours abundant in the South African wines, but with a vegetal edge that can be attributed to the cooler climate. In the vintages when the grapes don’t fully ripen, the grapes can be used with pleasing results in the sparkling Crémant de Loire. In the hotter vintages, they can ripen enough to provide a honeyed sweetness, yet the wines retain a wonderful balance thanks to the naturally high acidity. Chenin is also susceptible to noble rot, so it makes some exceptional dessert wines.

By its nature, the Chenin Blanc vines can be quite vigorous if they go unchecked. They can produce high yields which ultimately leads to a fairly neutral and bland wine, and that’s why we do have some very cheap South African white in the supermarkets that are nothing to write home about. But for the best part, good quality can be and is achieved from lower yields and smart winemaking, and the final product doesn’t have to be expensive. Like Chardonnay and Riesling do so well, Chenin can express the unique characteristics of where it is grown, and if it is handled correctly in the vineyard – vines pruned, harvested at the right time with the necessary care – and in the winery, where the winemaker has to achieve balance and may even reach for the oak barrels, then you’ve got a very fine specimen on your hands.

The wine got me thinking of Chenin again was the Paarl Heights, recently recommended in the Irish Mail on Sunday. For the even more adventourous wine drinker, try the whites of Vouvray or Anjou. The better the vintage the better the wine. Generally speaking that is.

Back in March I stumbled upon an article reporting on how some South African farmers were having to battle the local baboons who had acquired a taste for Chardonnay grapes. Six months on, the situation is spiralling out of control, with some of the baboons taking advantage of partially fermented which have fallen from the vines.

Twenty full-time “baboon monitors” are currently employed to protect and to guide the animals away from exclusive suburban areas and vineyards, but there has been little success. After getting their fill, they retreat to the mountains to catch up on some sleep. To rub everyone’s nose in it, some don’t even make it home, passing out under vines and trees after consuming the fermented grapes.

One vineyard owner, who seems to have exhausted all attempts to rid the baboons, claimed that they are “becoming increasingly bold and destructive”, targeting not just grape vines, but building interiors and exteriors. Home-owners have been forced to live under siege or move out. In one case, a twelve-year-old boy was chased by three male baboons up a flight of stairs in his own home. Surrounded, he made a tearful phone call for help, whilst being perpetually pelted with fruit.

In the previous baboon blog post we considered solutions, including the introduction of predators to reduce population numbers, erecting signs to tell the baboons to ‘stop monkeying around’, and even having the wine industry employing the beasts for the harvest. It’s a well known fact that jobs bring stability and reduce crime.

Unfortunately it’s looking like the authorities will be taking the heavy handed option. Key troublemakers and ringleaders are being tagged and given three strikes before being humanely destroyed, to the horror of some human residents, and to the joy of others. The first victim of the controversial new rule was fourteen year old William, a large male who had been terrorising the coastal suburb of Scarborough for many years.

News Source: Telegraph.co.uk

Many of you have already noticed some wines sneaking up over the 15% ABV mark. We’ve been here before. Whether you enjoy high-alcohol wines or not, it is a fact that many more countries are struggling to keep alcohol levels down due to climate change.

The South African wine industry has most recently expressed concern, with some proposing for legislation to be passed that will allow producers to water down grape musts. The idea is to give winemakers more flexibility and control over alcohol levels. As it stands, grapes are left hanging on the vines to achieve ripeness, but longer hang-time leads to higher alcohol levels in the final product.

As Decanter reported only last week, the South Africans may run into trouble when it comes to Europe, as it claimed international regulations would prevent the sale of wine within the EU made using grape must which has been diluted with water.

Question 18 of our National Wine Drinkers Survey asked the Irish wine drinker if they had a certain preference for alcohol level.

Only 3% of respondents had a strong position on alcohol, with 2% actively seeking out low alcohol wines, and half that number actively looking for high alcohol.

Almost 6 in 10 people didn’t care what alcohol was in a wine, provided the taste was right.

Of the different age groups, only the Over 60s stood out as actively selecting a particular alcohol level, with almost 7 in 10 choosing wines in the 11-14% bracket.

If more consumers worldwide adopted the Irish attitude, perhaps winemakers wouldn’t be so concerned. Saying that, there could well be a cultural shift in Ireland over the next few decades with a more moderate approach to drinking alcohol, and alcoholic content will naturally play its part in that.

In tune with a hot summer of football and our 20% off South African wine for the month of May, here’s 10 or so random facts on the year’s most talked about nation and her fabulous wine, which is ready to take a surge in demand thanks to the FIFA World Cup.

1. South Africa is the second largest exporter of fruit and the world’s largest producer of macadamia nuts.

2. It is home to the world’s deepest pub. The pub is located on level 5 of a mine known as Shaft 14, which is six kilometres from Johannesburg’s city centre and is 226 metres from the surface.

3. Football is on the tip of everyone’s tongue in South Africa. It is the first country in Africa to host the FIFA World Cup.

4. The oldest remains of modern humans were found in Klasies River Cave in the Eastern Cape. They are well over 100,000 years old.

5. Dr. Christiaan Barnard, at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, performed the first human heart transplant in the world in 1967.

6. South Africa has the longest wine route in the world, so it’s the perfect place for a spot of wine tasting.

7. South Africa has the oldest wine industry outside of Europe and the Mediterranean, with the white Chenin Blanc and the red Pinotage being the signature varietals.

8. Walt Disney serves South African wine exclusively at its 73-acre Animal Kingdom Lodge in the United States.

9. The most widely planted international grape variety is Cabernet Sauvignon, covering around 13% of the nation’s area under vine.

10. South Africa’s biggest single winery, the Vredendal Co-operative, vinifies more than 40,000 tons of grapes every year.

This month, in anticipation of a World Cup frenzy in June, we’re jumping the gun and celebrating the New World’s oft forgotten hero, South Africa. (Ok, ok, we know the South Africans have been producing wine there for around 350 years but we didn’t come up with the classifications!).

This month’s featured prize is the chance to brush up on your knowledge of the regions, the grapes and the winemakers of this astonishingly beautiful country, with The Essential Guide to South African wines: Terroir and Travel, by Elmari Swart and Izak Smit.

Updated in 2009, this stunning guide presents the wine-producing regions in the uncomplicated Wine Pockets system, highlighting a specific terroir unit along with local wine styles, providing insight into the unique qualities of each wine-producing area. Every pocket takes you on a meaningful journey, discovering the terroir, viticulture, winemaking techniques and flagship wines of some of the premium producers. More than 300 commissioned photographs and full-colour illustrations will have you itching to get out there and experience South Africa for yourself.

We’ve one copy of this beautiful book along with two bottles from the outstanding Elgin Vintners to give away in June’s prize draw.

How to Enter: All you have to do is become a fan (or as they say now, “like” us) on our Facebook page. We’ll draw a winner at random in June from all our fans and post it here and on Facebook.

Congratulations to Aisling Dearle, Facebook friend and winner of our May contest. Oz Clarke’s Bordeaux is on its way to you Aisling, along with two lovely bottles of Chateau Bauduc. Enjoy!

With a welcome burst of sunshine, longer days and summer just around the corner, it’s a trio of outstanding value wine deals we bring you in May.

With only 37 days to go to the greatest sporting event on the planet, we turn our focus to South Africa this month, with 20% off all our wines from the 2010 World Cup hosts. We’ve a fifth off every bottle from the sun-soaked Cape, and with everything from friendly giraffes to private cellars, South Africa is the HOT ticket this summer.

Our second focus in May is more of a reward to our loyal customers than a plug to try something new. Three-time Italian Winery of the Year Farnese has been a top-seller for us since we opened, so we’ve stocked to the warehouse roof on this one: normally the lowest price in the country at €9.69, its now €7.99 when you buy two or more on the regular range, and €6.99 on the entry-level Ortonese.

Last but not least, we head to the south of France and the Languedoc. Funky and accessible labelling, easy to approach styles and outstanding value for money, its no wonder some people call it France’s New World. We’ve already got some of the best value wines out there, but for the month of May it’s 6 for 5: buy 5 of any Languedoc wine, we’ll give you a sixth absolutely free!

We’ve even extended the offer to our house wines Cuvee Jean-Paul (not quite the Languedoc but close enough, and we figured who’s going to argue!), bringing the average price to our lowest ever €6.24 per bottle, or €74.90 for a case of 12.

Finally, our May Case of the Month is our recommended picks from the month’s specials. We’ve four South African, four from Farnese and four from the Languedoc for €110 delivered, saving you €21 and giving you a Curious mix to grace any patio or dining table.

As ever, free, free, FREE delivery on everything, all offers run until 31st May or while stocks last.

Winemakers have a tough enough job when it comes to preparing their crop for harvest, but when the local baboons start to acquire a taste for your Chardonnay grapes, things might just get out of hand.

Farmers in South Africa’s Franschhoek Valley have recently reported how groups of Chachma baboons have been wondering into their vineyards and munching on the tasty grapes when the sugar content begins to increase in the run up to harvest. Apparently they have a particular taste for Chardonnay.

A Franschhoek farmer, Mark Dendy-Young, claims that he lost up to 40% of his yield last month, which amounted to the equivalent of 1500 – 2000 bottles worth of wine. On a lighter note, the remaining grapes should benefit as the vine can concentrate on better nourishing the survivors. Who knows, as the babydoll sheep have replaced lawnmowers in some vineyards, perhaps baboons could replace humans and find themselves on the payroll of South Africa’s top wineries in the near future.

Seriously though, what’s the solution? Barriers have been used and guards have been deployed, but the baboons still manage to escape with their bellies full. This lot are notorious for getting up to no good in Cape Town, so don’t be surprised if you hear reports of the ringleaders finding themselves in police custody. There would be a few priceless mugshots, that’s for sure.

News Source: timeslive.co.za

Long Neck Wines have been with us from the beginning. The instantly recognisable packaging is only the start, as they are wines that genuinely live up to their price tag and help keep South Africa’s reputation as a trustworthy producer of quality wines firmly intact.

Credit must go to the purchasing expertise of head wine boffin Duncan McEuen, one of the ‘three amigos’ at Long Neck. Another man behind the giraffe, and another of the three amigos, is Archie Cameron. He tells us that while the USA remains an important market for Long Neck, the migration to other parts of the world have helped turn it into a truly successful global brand. They have even made it to the Antarctic!

1. What is the highlight of making your own wine and what part of the process do you most enjoy?

The highlight for me is walking into the winery and smelling that unique musky and heady combination of wood and grape. It is quite literally, intoxicating!

Not wishing to sound overly capitalistic but I do love watching a container depart for some far away place. That’s always exciting. Sending our wine to Australia, where they make their own very fine wines, is doubly so!

I got a real buzz when I was told that our wines were very popular in one of the Antarctic research stations. Can’t get much further away than that! Check out the photos.

2. Is there a grape variety (perhaps more than one) that you believe is the worlds best when grown in South Africa?

We grow most of the various grape varietals here in South Africa, but to single out one and say it is the best in the world would be presumptuous. My personal favorite is Chardonnay, although our best seller is Shiraz.

3. If you couldn’t make wine in South Africa any more, where would you go?

I suspect South America. I have never visited Argentina or Chile but I think I could enjoy the ‘Hispanic’ way of life more so than say Oz or NZ. Europe is too crowded for me! Needless to say they are great countries for wine production.

4. What was the inspiration for the Long Neck brand?

When we came up with the idea of the label, we wanted to say ‘young, trendy, cool, hip and South African’ all in one go! I think we have succeeded.

5. What do you feel is the long-term outlook for the South African wine industry?

Excellent! More people will experience South African wines this year than ever before, because of the World Cup. I reckon that our wines will become regular items on everyday shopping lists.

Thanks to Archie Cameron and Lucy Godfrey at Long Neck Wines.

Our range from Long Neck.

When it comes to quality inexpensive wine, South Africa is hard to beat. The Long Neck range, starting with the Sauvignon Blanc, delivers just that. If you tasted a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc at the same price against this, it may well struggle to hold its own.

To view product page and for more details, click on Long Neck Sauvignon Blanc.