Stellenbosch: South Africa's First Growth

Stellenbosch: South Africa's First Growth

Stellenbosch is the historic heart of South African fine wine, the region most responsible for the country's international reputation in serious Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style blends. Today's episode covers the geography of decomposed granite soils at the foot of the Simonsberg Mountain, the cooling influence of False Bay, and the producers, led by the legendary Kanonkop estate, who have built Stellenbosch's case as one of the most exciting fine wine regions outside Europe.

South Africa: The Cape of Good Wine

South Africa has one of the longest continuous winemaking histories outside of Europe, dating back to 1659, and yet remains one of the most underrated wine countries among casual drinkers. Today's episode covers the deep history of the Cape wine industry, the unique geography that makes the Western Cape one of the most climatically diverse wine regions on earth, and lays out the five-day map for the week: Stellenbosch, Swartland, Chenin Blanc, Pinotage and Walker Bay, and the practical buying guide.

Cab Sauv Wrap-Up: One Grape, Four Continents, One Big Lesson

Six episodes, four continents, and a single grape variety that revealed more about the relationship between place and wine than almost any other subject we could have chosen. Sunday's wrap-up brings Cabernet Sauvignon Week together with a recap of Napa, Bordeaux, Tuscany, and Chile, a personal top five bottles across all four regions, a three-sentence cheat sheet, and a look ahead at what's coming next on The Daily Decant.

How to Buy Cabernet Sauvignon Without Wasting Your Money

Cabernet Sauvignon is vintage-sensitive in ways that catch many buyers off guard, and the price range across this single grape variety — from fifteen dollars to several thousand, makes informed buying more important here than almost anywhere else in wine. Saturday's practical episode covers the vintages worth seeking across Napa, Bordeaux, and Tuscany right now, value picks at every price tier across all four regions covered this week, and the exact question to ask a sommelier or wine shop staffer to get a genuinely excellent recommendation.

Chile: The Quiet Cabernet Takeover

Chile has spent the last three decades transforming from a source of inexpensive bulk wine into one of the most exciting and underpriced Cabernet Sauvignon producing countries in the world. Today's episode covers Maipo Valley, Chile's most historic and prestigious red wine region, the unique cooling effect of the Andes Mountains that gives Chilean Cabernet its distinctive freshness, the flagship wine Don Melchor and its recent Wine Spectator recognition, and the producers proving Chile belongs in any serious conversation about world-class Cabernet.