Simonsig Estate
Do you LOVE Best South African Wine Simonsig Estate wine from South Africa?
I do!
Until recently, it was hard to find South African wine exported in the USA.
Today, producers like Simonsig Winery Estates are VERY present in the USA market.
Simonsig Estate
You can find South African wines in large boutique supermarkets like Whole Foods, to fine wine stores all over the country.
This evening I had the good fortune to meet Simonsig’s Marketing and Sales Manager Jacques Jordaan.
He led a tasting of several Stellenbosch wines from the Best South African Simonsig Estate.
Simonsig Estate: History of the Malan Family
Jacques began the evening by explaining that Simonsig is family owned by the Malan family.
The family’s winemaking dates back to 1688 when the first Malan arrived in South Africa.
Skip to 1953, when descendent Frans Malan planted vineyards in the foothills of the Simonsberg Mountain outside Stellenbosch.
The first wine was called “Simon’s View” as it was named after Simonsberg Mountain.
Creation of S. African Wine Simonsig Estate
Frans Malan is an innovator who created S. Africa’s first Chardonnay and Rhine Riesling.
Then in 1970 he made a red wine, raising the standard for Pinotage.
In terms of sparklers, he created South Africa’s first Méthode Cap Classique, Kaapse Vonkel (Cape Sparkle). It was bottle fermented in the “traditional method” like French Champagne.
Best South African Wine Simonsig Estate : Wine Tourism
Frans Malan was an early pioneer, like the Robert Mondavi of Stellenbosch, of creating the first “wine route” in 1971.
Frans was named South African Winemaker of the Year in 1977.
Simonsig Today
In 1983, Frans’ sons formed a unique partnership to manage the fast-growing Simonsig Wine Estate.
More than 60 percent of the production exported to more than 35 countries.
The Wines And Why You Must Buy Them
I love wines from South Africa.
There are two key varieties from this region you need to know.
One is Chenin Blanc.
On the high end, it is usually barrel fermented and/or aged in French oak.
If you are blind tasting them, you might think it is an expensive, oaked Chardonnay.
And then there is the unoaked Chenin Blanc for the purist.
Sparkling Wine
One of my favorite wines of the evening was the Simonsig Kaaapse Vonkel Brut.
This is a sparkling wine made in the traditional method like Champagne.
This means that the wine has a second fermentation in the bottle.
I LOVED this wine. It is a “Champagne like” blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and 1% Pinot Meunier for body.
This sparkler went with every dish as it was very versatile.
Oaked Chenin Blanc
Another favorite of the evening was the Simonsig Avec Chene Chenin Blanc.
This can be translated into Chenin Blanc with oak.
This is an ultra premium wine that is much more exciting than any premium Chardonnay with its exotic scent of vanilla and full, rich body.
Best South African Wine Simonsig Estate Syrah!
I love a good Syrah. And the Simonsig Merindol Syrah is an oak matured, single vineyard Syrah from a single vineyard site.
From the elegant aroma of blackberries and vanilla from the oak, to the rich velvet tannins, you will love this wine.
Best South African Wine Simonsig Estate Pinotage
S. Africa is noted for Pinotage and Simonsig makes two styles.
The Simonsig Pinotage is refreshingly simple. A bit more on the fruit side, with a smaller percentage of French oak.
I favored the more expensive Simonsig Redhill Pinotage, with a majority of French oak and some American oak too.
S. African Bordeaux Blends
S. Africa is the perfect climate and terroir for Bordeaux blends.
Grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and others grow well.
I liked the Simonsig Tiara,which is a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and4% Petite Verdot.
Very elegant and can favor your favorite Meritage (or Bordeaux Blend).
Pairing S. African Wines With Food
The Simonsig wines pair remarkably well with many different foods.
The reason is centered on the quality, and also the “balance” of the wine.
Unlike other producers and also other regions, the Simonsig wines are very well balanced.
They have a great structure along with refreshing acidity.
This combination allows them to pair with many dishes.
Best South African Wine Simonsig Estate Choices
The Simonsig Kaaapse Vonkel Brut is a great way to kick off a party.
I LOVED this wine because of the crisp acidity and delicious brioche from long aging on the lees (spent yeast cells)
Next to this favored wine, I LOVED the oaked Simonsig Avec Chene Chenin Blanc.
This is everything you want in your Chenin, and more.
Then that leaves my favorite of the reds, the Simonsig Merindol Syrah.
This is a great choice for meat dishes.
Best South African Wine Simonsig Estate FINAL THOUGHTS
I was very impressed by the range of wines, and also the ability of Jacques Jordaan to present them so well and pair them with the right cuisine.
On this occasion we were at an upscale Korean restaurant with lots of exotic dishes.
The South African Simonsig Estate wines held up to them all.
I very much liked the Sauvignon Blanc – very floral and expressive.
Yet the Sauvignon Blanc, as excellent as it was, was overshadowed by that more assertive oaked Chenin Blanc and of course the structured Syrah.
Simonsig Estate
I had my favorite wines of the evening.
And maybe your favorites will be different.
The key point is that all the wines are very obvious quality wines.
And wow, here’s a cool video of Simonsig Estate!