Wine Tumbler began in April 2012 as a personal project for founder and editor, 'kola. The site aims to be one of the most influential wine blogs on the Internet and a respected "go to" source for wine produced in Africa (except for South Africa).
CONTACT: winetumbler@gmail.com
Zimbabwe Red
“Just for a change. Mukuyu Cabernet Sauvignon. I actually prefer dryer wines but this offered a nice change. This one was smooth, velvety. No bite. The body could be fuller but perhaps that is just my taste comparing it to Shiraz or Merlot.”
— http://jabberclarks.blogspot.com/2007/12/wine-of-week-mukuyu-sauvignon.html
Zimbabwe White Wine - Mukuyu Colombard
Zimbabwe Wine-man
(… but still in South Africa)
Since 1952, other countries have decided to start planting Pinotage grapes. Zimbabwe and New Zealand have the largest wineries for this type of wine besides South Africa.” ——-Bivio
— http://blog.welmoed.co.za/index.php/2012/03/22/interesting-facts-about-pinotage/
Zimbabwe Wine
Nov 10, 2011
African Wine Bible
“A vinous voyage across the length and breadth of Africa, a continent more renowned for its famine, drought and deserts. This book reveals that the desire by man to grow vines and produce wine is far greater than environmental constraints. Wine writer John Platter and his wife Erica travel around this vast continent, exploring countries as diverse as Egypt and Ethiopia, Morocco and Mauritius, Algeria and East Africa, tasting their way through an eclectic array of viteous offerings. Engagingly written and hilarious in places, the Platters describe their safari in detail, drawing in the reader and making them feel a part of their great adventure. A must for all wine lovers and travel enthusiasts.”
— Lucy Watson on “Africa Uncorked”
Introduction
The pioneers brought vines to Rhodesia, as Zimbabwe was then called, in about 1890, but grape growing was not undertaken commercially until about 1960. Rene Paynter, among other determined men, tested a variety of vines at Arlington in Umwinsdale, New Salisbury. Paynter eventually produced and marketed a white wine (St Christopher) and a light red (Rosa Maria) from isabella grapes in 1963.
Trade sanctions imposed by Britain after the Rhodesian government declared its independence in 1965 forced farmers to diversify and some, encouraged by Paynter’s success, planted vines. David Hughes, distiller and wine production manager of African Distillers, imported 6,000 vines: clairette blanche, white french, pinotage (a pinot/hermitage cross), steen (chenin blanc) and red muscadel. These were distributed to the Eastern Districts, Hippo Valley, Marandellas and the Mazoe Valley. A group of farmers in Essexvale, Matabeleland, found the area promising. With ideal soil and low summer rainfall, there would be few problems from rain during ripening and harvesting, and irrigation would make up for the lack of winter rain. In Bulawayo, Monis Wineries established a winery that has since become one of the country’s leaders. Both Monis and African Distillers, with vineyards near Odzi, helped local farmers by acquiring the best vines for them and guaranteeing to buy their crops at realistic prices.
When Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980, the wine industry was integrated under the control of three wineries: African Distillers (AFDIS), Cairns Wineries and Meadows Estate.
When it started in 1944, African Distillers (Rhodesia) Ltd was known as P. J. Joubert (Bulawayo) Ltd. Initially, it was a distributor of imported spirits, liquors and wine, but after acquiring its own distillery in Mutare and changing its name in 1946, it produced a range of spirits. In 1974 the company moved to its 100-acre (40-ha) headquarters at Stapleford with distribution centers at Bulawayo, Harare, Kweke, Masuingo, Mutare and Victoria Falls. High-quality wines are produced here under the supervision of New Zealand wine consultant Clive Hartnell for the Stapleford labels. AFDIS now owns three wine estates (Worringham Vineyard, Green Valley Vineyards and Bertrams Vineyards) producing 350,000 cases annually.
Worringham Vineyards was purchased in 1970, in the hills of Esigodoni, New Bulawayo, with 110 acres (45 ha) under vines on shale, slate and granite soil: chenin blanc, sauvignon, semillon, merlot, pinotage and cabernet sauvignon. Green Valley Vineyards was purchased in 1975, in the foothills of the Eastern Highlands about 15 miles (25 km) from Mutare. This 620-acre (250-ha) estate has 135 acres (55 ha) under vines on sandy loam soil: chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, clairette blanche, colombard and ruby cabernet. Bertrams Vineyards was purchased in 1980, just outside Gweru with 100 acres (40 ha) under vines on deep red loam soil: sauvignon, colombard, chenin blanc, pinotage, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, crouchen, muscat d’alexandrie.
In 1977 Cairns Holdings acquired full control of the Baoceas family’s Monis Wineries. As production increased, a new winery, Mikuyu, was built in Marondera and placed under the direction of Australian winemaker Stuart Blackwell. In 1980 Cairns acquired Mateppe Estate and Ian Sieg took over as winemaker. Within a decade, new warehouses had been built and new bottling lines were installed at Mikuyu winery. Today, under the supervision of talented winemaker Sam Pfidayi, Cairns grows chardonnay, chenin blanc, semillon, sauvignon, merlot, pinot noir, shiraz, gamay, cabernet sauvignon, colombard and pinot blanc. Wines from Mikuyu vineyards are of excellent quality. The vineyard area is about 143 acres (58 ha) with an annual production of 140,000 cases.
The original Meadows Estate vineyard was originally hacked out of virgin bush in 1899 by Englishman, Harold Christian. The Simleit family then acquired and owned Meadows Estate for three generations, but it was not until 1986 that it began producing very fine chardonnay, buckentraube, chenin blanc, gewuerztraminer and colombard in beautiful surroundings about 22 miles (36 km) north of Harare. In 1955, David Simleit sold Meadows Estate vineyards to Rosanna Rose Farms and the brand name was acquired by Cairns, who produce specially selected wines under this label. A vineyard area of 120 acres (50 ha) produces about 4,000 cases per year.
Culled fromFrom “Encyclopedia of Wine”
©Global Book Publishing Pty Limited 2000
Zimbabwe Whites
The 2003 Mukuyu Chenin Blanc is a vintage produced by Mukuyu Wineries which claims to be the largest local wine producer in Zimbabwe.
A tasting review by Veni, Vidi, Vino states that “The wine’s color is a very pale straw. I noticed a very light aroma of honeysuckle when I first poured the wine. Between the pale color and very light bouquet, I was surprised that this wine was so tasty. The wine begins with the taste of sweet green apple which suddenly drops away to an acidic rush (tartness), and then moves to crisp dryness. This wine is the perfect accompaniment to a hot summer’s day, outside while sitting under the shade of a tree, or under a bistro umbrella. Of course, this wine should be chilled for a couple of hours before opening.”
