More wines available from Klein Constantia
750ml
Bottle:
$17.94
$19.20
A touch reductive on the nose, this medium-bodied red features flavors of baked black plum, bitter cherry, smoke and...
750ml
Bottle:
$28.95
Light and bright in appearance. Spicy citrus aromas fill the nose supported by saline and green apple notes. The...
750ml
Bottle:
$26.90
$28.80
The 2017 Chardonnay is whole-bunch-pressed and matured in 30% new oak with no malolactic. The tightly wound bouquet...
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Winery
Klein Constantia
Vintage: 2011
The year 2011 was an interesting year for many northern and central European countries, as the weather was more than unpredictable in the spring and summer. However, in most countries, the climatic conditions thankfully settled down in the late summer and fall. The result of this slightly difficult year of weather in France was a set of surprisingly small yields, but overall, these yields were of a higher quality than those harvested in certain previous years. A fantastic set of wines was also made in Italy and Spain, and the Rioja wines - when released - are set to be very good indeed. Austria also had superb year in 2011, with almost fifty percent more grapes being grown and used for their distinctive Gruner Veltliner wines than in the year before. Possibly the European country which had the finest 2011, though, was Portugal, with wineries in the Douro region claiming this year to be one of the best in decades for the production of Port wine, and the bright, young Vinho Verdes wines.
In the New World, the Pacific Northwest saw some of the best weather of 2011, and Washington State and Oregon reportedly had a highly successful year, especially for the cultivation of high quality red wine grapes. Chile and Argentina had a relatively cool year, which certainly helped retain the character of many of their key grape varietals, and should make for some exciting drinking. South Africa had especially good weather for their white wine grape varietals, particularly Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, and many South African wineries are reporting 2011 as one of their best years in recent memory.
Varietal: Muscat
As one of the oldest grape varietals in the world, the Muscat grape has a huge amount of variation in its character, flavors and even color As such, it is a wildly popular grape in several different countries, and its hardiness and reliability, coupled with its excellent characteristics makes it a highly popular grape varietal with wineries looking to produce fine and elegant wines with a wide appeal. One of the key attributes of Muscat varietal grapes is the fact that they have proven themselves to be highly versatile. Indeed, Muscat grapes are used for a vast range of different wines, from superbly aromatic sweet wines typical of eastern Europe, to refined and elegant sparkling wines, dry white wines, and even fortified examples. They are recognized by their bright and sharp fruity taste, and their characteristically floral aroma.
Region: Coastal Region
The coastal region of South Africa is a wonderful place for viticulture. With gorgeously long, hot summer days, tempered by brisk oceanic winds, the grapevines can grow healthily, the fruit can ripen fully, and beautiful wines of great character and flavor can be made. For several hundred years now, the coastal region of South Africa has proven itself to be a highly important wine region, capable of supporting many grape varietals, suitable for still, fortified and sparkling wines. Today, the most popular grapes by far are Chenin Blanc, which produces the most recognizable wines of South Africa. However, also popular are many of the Bordeaux varieties of red and white grape, along with relative newcomers, such as Pinotage, which grow exceptionally well in the coastal terroir.
Country: South Africa
Situated on the very tip of the African continent, South Africa has proved itself over three centuries to be an ideal location for producing a wide range of wines. Benefiting from something not dissimilar to a Mediterranean climate, with long, hot summers complemented by both Atlantic and Indian Ocean winds, the grapes which grow on the valleys, mountainsides and plains of this fascinating country can ripen to their fullest capacity, producing wines packed full of fruity flavors and an array of interesting and enticing aromas. As a former colony, South Africa has long since been home to a range of different nationalities, who each brought something of their wine culture with them. As such, many European grape varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling and others have been given time to flourish in South Africa, allowing the country to develop a diverse group of wine types which are proving increasingly popular around the world.