Cape Winelands: a Feast for the Eyes and the Spirit

Cape Town’s Cape Winelands is a must-see place for tourists, not for the wines alone but for the majestic panorama of sweeping vineyards and soft rolling hills. The hues of this wonderful stage change with the time of day, flaunting the vibrancy of nature’s palette, crimson and lavender of dusk to the velvety soft hues of deep starry nights. In the daytime, the startling blue of the skies lends a lovely contrast to the colors of mother earth.

Top Wine Routes

In the western province of South Africa lies the Cape Winelands region. This is only an hour drive from Cape Town, so there is no excuse why you cannot spend a night in the wine-producing region. Cape Town accommodation in this part of the province are varied and cater to the big shots in politics and Hollywood, yuppies, and backpackers who crave a respite from their extreme adventures.

The region produces the world’s best wines, 10 billion liters annually. The grape wines flood the coffers of the economy and employ 300,000 workers. The famous wine-producing places here are Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Franschhoek. But other places like Constantia, Robertson, and Wellington should not be dismissed. These are equally picturesque and produce quality wines—Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.

Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are the two oldest vineyards with their history dating back to the seventeenth century when the Dutch and the French settled in the area and started growing grapes for wine. The industry grew to become one of the top export earners for the country today.

From July to August, Stellenbosch celebrates the wine festival. This is a big festival attracting hordes of tourists from all over the world. Among the other must-join activities are the mountain biking challenge, trail trekking, and visiting the vast vineyards. Just walking the tree-lined avenues can send you to nirvana.

Paarl is another Dutch settlement and the third oldest in Cape Winelands. Other than its vineyards, Paarl offers mountain climbers and bikers the thrill of conquering Paarl Rock or trek the lovely trails in the woods just below the mountain. Just make sure you are loaded with drinking water because the excursion can get you thirsty.

Constantia is another place you must not ignore. Facing the False Bay, and just 20 minutes from the city center, the place is teeming with sights to see and explore. Still standing and as beautiful as they were first built, stand the manors constructed Dutch style. Picnic under the shade of ancient oak trees in the lawns or have sumptuous meals in the numerous restaurants or shop in the center. There is always something for tourists of all inclinations.

Tourists and guest laze around and drop in the estates, enjoy the breathtaking scenery, sip wine, or have a grand tour of the places. It takes a day or two to see all of one place so be ready to camp out in one of those wonderful boutique hotels and guesthouses that provide the same comfort and convenience of Cape Town hotels.

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South Africa Wine Estate Accommodation

How to Buy the Best Wines

Many wine buyers and collectors prefer to go to wineries to ensure that they make the right purchase of fine wines. You may find experts and wine critics where you travel. They know everything about the most popular wine brands, quality fine wines, and the vintage wines.

However, there are professional wine critics that have their own personal judgment on the taste and quality of a wine. You may rate it differently according to your preferred flavor and taste. It is important to read wine reviews to serve as your guide in buying quality fine wines. Learn the art of Wine Tasting

You may also get advice from your friends and local wine traders. Don't be intimidated to ask for advice and suggestions on what brands and types of wines that will match your taste in collecting and drinking wine. Here are some helpful tips on how to purchase the right wine for you.

1. You may attend tradeshows that offer free taste tests and try out new releases. You can then make a list of the wines that you think taste the best and have good quality.

2. Compare prices from different stores and look for stores that offer discounts when you buy wine by the case. Don't assume that all vintage wines are expensive. There are aged wines that are also sold as bargains as long you buy them in cases.

3. Accept special offers from wine shops. The wine industry has always been highly competitive for sellers and businesses because of the increasing number of wine shops.

4. It isn't advisable to buy wine without their bottles having signs and wrong labeling. They could only be products of wine smuggling and fraud.

5. Check the ullage on vintage wines. You can find seepage if there is a gap between the cork and the wine. You may even find trails of crystals on the seal of the bottle.

6. Do not buy those bottles that have shown signs of seeped wine through the corks. You could find traces of spills and trails on the glass of the bottle.

7. Always be updated on the new releases and sudden favorites like those wines that are high in demand in nightclubs and bars. Look for those lists of wines that have been recognized and have won at tradeshows and competitions.

Always make sure that the wine you purchase has an undamaged label. You shouldn't buy those wines that have faded labels. It might mean that the bottle may have been exposed to sunlight and wasn't properly stored in coolers.

Wine making is an easy, cost-efficient way to stock up on your favorite vintages. Although the wine-making process is fairly simple, it�'s important to follow the steps carefully to ensure you don�'t miss any elements. These steps will be crucial to the success of your batch.

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South African Wine Estate Accommodation