Vintage Vinos

The evening of 11 March, fourteen members of Vintage Vinos gathered at the home of Linda and Bill H to explore wines from South Africa. These wines are significantly under represented in BC liquor stores (certainly here in Nanoose Bay region) however three offerings were sourced in Victoria. An excellent article from Anthony Gismondi Wine (Nov 2025) “The Exciting Wines of South Africa Now” was the reference base for the presentation. This article succinctly summarizes why SA wines currently command only minimum shelf space; the article also heralded the beginning of a “golden age” for SA wines.

The three wines selected, Craven Chardonnay, Bellingham Old Vine Chenin Blanc and Swearer Red, a blend of cinsault, grenache and tinta barroca grapes, were well received and generated wide-ranging assessments by the group. A second tasting, paired with a wonderful array of appetizers complimentary to the wines, again elicited a variety of responses, contrasting in part with published on-line assessments of the wines. Clearly, we each have unique taste buds and preferences.

Appetizers were carefully selected and presented by guests to reflect SA recipes. The decor and table setting along with other memorabilia artfully presented the colours of the SA flag; this was appreciated by all. The evening concluded with an unscheduled tasting of an old (or not so old) Ferreira Family Reserve port….not from South Africa. The evening was a very enjoyable fusion of unique wines, excellent appetizers and the most important component, great friends. We all look forward to our next tasting. 

Submitted by Bill Hamilton