South Africa, part 7 (the last part): Other grape varieties – there is more!

There is a lot of different grape varieties in the South African vineyards. At Anura, for example, you can taste wines made from viognier, grenache and petit verdot. In their Viognier Barrel Selection 2006 there is a mix of spiciness and smokiness together with some honey. Dry, full-bodied and very nice. Grenache Signature 2007 (ZAR 120) made from grapes from the hot wine region Swartland. It is easy to drink, with aromas of herbs (did anyone say Languedoc?) and elegant. Petit Verdot 2007 (ZAR 90) is well balanced and very nice with a pronounced and refreshing acidity and red fruit. “A pure petit verdot is unusual”, says winemaker Johnnie Calitz, “but that variety goes very well with the climate and soil that we have”.