May 2026:

May’s meeting topic was Wines of South Africa, presented by Chris Russell. All wines were purchased from Sainsbury’s.

We started with a Western Cape Rose, followed by a Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc and finally a Western Cape Sauvignon Blanc before the trio of reds. These were a Stellenbosch Pinotage, a Stellenbosch Merlot and a Western Cape Cabernet Sauvignon.

There were interesting stories provided for each wine, the most notable being the origin of the Stellenbosch Pinotage. The Pinotage grape variety was created in South Africa in 1924 by Abraham Izak Perold, the first Professor of Viticulture at Stellenbosch University. Perold was attempting to combine the best qualities of the robust Hermitage (South African name for Cinsault) with Pinot Noir, which can be difficult to grow.

Perold planted the four seeds from his cross in the garden of his official residence and then apparently forgot about them. In 1928 he left the university to take up a job with KWV co-operative and the garden became overgrown. During a clean-up at his previous residence, a young academic named Dr. Charlie Neihaus found the seedlings in a drawer and replanted them at Stellenbosch. Pinotage is now the red wine grape that is South Africa's signature variety. The Monday group enjoyed as usual bread, meats and cheeses and all had their own favourite wine