Via Second Glass’ Facebook page
Q: Do you have wines that are to be better with age or should they be consumed young
Blue Crane Imports: Good morning Danielle. The oldest vintage we carry is 2009, which is generally regarded as a superior year. Some, such as The Max, a Bordeaux-style blend from Stony Brook Vineyards (which we will be pouring in NYC) is definitely age-worthy. I also think that some of the whites benefit from bottle aging as well; the Iona 2010 Chardonnay, for example, is drinking beautifully now and can certainly go longer.
Q: What is the vinification style of South Africa? Old World/ New World?
Blue Crane Imports: best be described as a blend of the two Samantha. With nearly four hundred years of winemaking history, that’s Old World. But the last two decades have been marked by a surge in youth, investment, innovation, and quality, which is part of what we are trying to help create awareness about. A number of the winemakers we represent have also trained and worked in Europe and the US, and their personal backgrounds are certainly reflected in the wines that we see from them today.
Reply: That’s actually very interesting. I don’t recall knowing too many wines that can be classified as both. That’s great that South African wines have an Old World connection, since geographically speaking they’d be considered New World.
Blue Crane Imports: We’d be happy to pour you some in NY to see for yourself. Eight wines on hand, from a Sauvignon Blanc with tropical notes made by a pioneer in female winemaking, to a classically styled Bordeaux blend.
Reply: Wow. Sounds like something for every wine palate to enjoy! I’d love to come and try these out!
Blue Crane Imports: That’s how we see it!
Q: Which types of wine are most popular in South Africa right now?
Blue Crane Imports: Good afternoon David – On an export basis from South Africa, we’re seeing Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah clustered at the top followed closely by Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Thanks for your question!
Q: What do you think are the defining differences between a South African wine and Western European wines that make it shine?
Blue Crane Imports: Hi Julianna. Well, the first vine cuttings arrived from France in the 1650s, so to a certain extent the history is intertwined. What shines for me is the diversity; not only within one country, but also within one portfolio you can find the terroir, structure-driven wines in an Old World style, adjacent to wines emphasizing New World techniques and a fruit-driven approach. I never tire of reaching for something in the cellar from our producers. Never dull, always full of ambition and inspiration.
Reply: Very interesting – thank you!
Q: How has politics played a role in the history of importing wine from South Africa? What challenges still exist today?
Blue Crane Imports: Ah, Amanda let me count the ways. The Blue Crane history doesn’t go back that far, and when we conceived the idea for the business we armed ourselves with approximately half of the required information and said let’s do it. Glad we did, but it has its challenges. After you build the portfolio and get through the regulators, then it’s time to sell; and if you’re in the South African end of the market you are faced with: general market headwind toward the country and lack of awareness, virtually no political and financial muscle behind the export which helps account for being dwarfed by Australia, Chile, Argentina, NZ, etc. Once in the US (we are a distributor as well in Illinois) you have to navigate the byzantine interstate shipping regs to try and stitch together a network to establish a national presence. Very tough for small production family-owned boutique vineyards that we represent to catch on with a large, national distributor, so we align market-by-market with those that dig what we have to offer. But it’s fun.
Q: What is your favorite food pairing with a South African Pinotage?
Blue Crane Imports: Edie, I would have to say pizza. Seriously. But that’s me. Or a Cape Malay curry, or Bobotie.
Q: What are the distinguishing characteristics of South African wines?
Blue Crane Imports: Thanks for the question Bobby. Hard to capture in a few words, but here goes: 350 years of winemaking history, unique soil structure, vast differences in microclimates and topography, technological advancement in viticulture, young, dynamic winemakers producing wines of exceptional quality and value, all coming from one of Earth’s gems. Best-of-all? It just tastes great.
Q: South Africa’s wine growing areas are broken down into regions, districts and wards. What difference does it make in the taste and which one is better?
Blue Crane Imports: Very tough to make the call on what tastes better Akanksha. Tremendous differences in terrain and climate account for over 100 different appellations. Over short distances you see a wide variety of altitude, rainfall, temperature, proximity to oceans, and soil (one of the great reasons for visiting the country – it’s breathtakingly beautiful), and the flavor profiles reflect those circumstances. Our producers represent four different regions of the country, and the portfolio is designed to give our customers a tasty, diverse, interesting drinking experience. I love the high elevation Sauvignon Blanc from the Elgin Valley, the Syrah from Walker Bay – also cool and high – as well as the Semillon from the much warmer Franschhoek. Always comes down to personal preference. Come to Wine Riot NY and check them out.
Q: What region of South Africa is the primary producer of the indigenous Pinotage variety?
Blue Crane Imports: Hi Tatiana. Pinotage is planted throughout the Western Cape, with a concentration of it in Stellenbosch. We carry a bit from Vriesenhof, which is my personal favorite. But it is still a low single-digit percentage of total plantings in the country.
Q: Hi guys! hey, do you offer anything comparable to a Beaujolais?
Blue Crane Imports: Thank you for that interesting question Patrick. The wine that we carry that would be most akin to Beaujolais, and maybe this is a stretch, would be the 2010 Catherine Marshall Pinot Noir. Light in body, low in tannins. Refreshingly bright.