How to taste wine like a local in the Swartland
A few simple tips to get more out of a tasting in the Riebeek Valley.
Wine tasting in the Swartland is relaxed and personal. You don't need to be an expert, but a few tips help you enjoy it more.
Book ahead, especially at weekends and for smaller estates. Some cellars receive visitors by appointment only, and a booking guarantees attention from someone who knows the wines.
Start early in the day and plan two or three estates rather than five. It leaves time for conversation, lunch and perhaps a walk on the farm. Taste from light to full: white, rosé, then red, and fortified wines last.
Don't be shy about spitting. Everyone does it, especially the person driving. Ask questions: how old are the vines, are they irrigated, what soil do they grow on? Swartland winemakers love to talk about their vineyards.
Buy at the cellar door if you like a wine. Some small-production wines are hard to find elsewhere. And try the olives where you can: many estates in the valley also grow olives and make their own oil.
Finally, take your time. The Swartland is not a place to rush. Two or three nights in the valley give you room to taste properly, and to come back to the one bottle you couldn't stop thinking about.
