Story of the New World: USA & South Africa

Join us for an evening of spectacular New World showstoppers! South Africa is has a long and distinguished history of wine production going back over 400 years - it is a old 'New World' wine country! Since the abolition of apartheid the quality of its wine-making has risen to showcase the talent which its history deserves.

USA = California when it comes to wine but the commercial success of Gallo and Blossom Hill mean few supermarkets have room to stock anything else from California - tonight its time to uncover the truth!

Part 1: South Africa

South African winemakers have never been making such exciting wines in a such a broad range of styles. Clobbered by Covid this country's small band of winemakers (many of whom do not own their own vineyards) are crafting juicy reds, classic oaky reds, full bodied ripe whites and linear, fresh whites from grpae varieties like Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, white Rhone grapes, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauzignon and Syrah amnogst mant others.

Part 2: USA

The USA and it's viticultural engine room, California, offer two seemingly contradictory wine images. Firstly there is the world of cheap, sweet, soft, pink wines, served by the glass in the pub and sold by the container-load in the supermarket. Secondly there is the super-premium, super-exclusive, super-expensive world of boutique Napa Valley wineries, as shown on the film Sideways. So which is the 'real' Californian wine? Tonight we will explore everything in the middle: discover strawberry scented Zinfandel (the red wine, not the pink stuff!), earthy Pinot Noir and creamy soft Chardonnay. Californian wines are elusive and often expensive, but they are able to compete with some of the best in the world - come along and taste for yourself.

Please note that this evening is part of our 3 week wine course which you can book here.

Your tasting will include: a tasting samples of six carefully selected wines, tasting samples of artisan cheeses, full wine notes & handouts, a 2 hour interactive presentation, with Q&A, led by our wine tutor.