Know Bordeaux from Burgundy, Rioja from Chanti, Chablis from Chardonnay.

South Africans can easily bore or confuse Europeans with our wine speak  

What is the difference between a Bordeaux and a Burgundy?  

Do you know?  (The Bordeaux shape bottle is the one on the left). 

Do your staff who deal with senior clients know?  They should!  

But there is more to it than just the shape of the bottle.

Anyone who deals with, or has to host English or European business people should know that they look at wine very  differently to the way we do in South Africa. 

Here are just some of the things we all should know. 

• South Africa and the rest of the “new world” countries know wines by their varietal names, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz , Pinot Noir, Chardonnay etc. 
  (The word ‘cultivar’ is a South African word.)
• Europeans, except for Germany, know their best wines mostly by region, such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rioja (pronounced Ree-o-ga), Chianti, Chablis, Rhone, Beaujolais, Champagne, etc.
• Shiraz is a “new world” word.  When Europeans do know the varietal names, they call it Syrah.
• Riesling as we know it in South Africa is really a modest variety called Crouchen Blanc.  So Theuniskraal Riesling, Paarl Riesling, etc are not Riesling at all but actually made from Crouchen Blanc. 
• “Riesling” in Europe refers to the real Riesling, which we in South Africa call Rhine Riesling or Weisser Riesling.  It is in fact a very highly rated ‘noble’ variety, classed as Grand Cru in Alsace , France . 
• “Grand Cru” in France is an official classification allocated to some of the very best wines.  Never confuse this with cheap South African wines using the phrase as a marketing gimmick. (See the next page)
• South African wine is typically higher in alcohol and can be more full bodied.
• European wine is lighter in alcohol and should have more acidity.  
• Because you are not familiar with it, don’t insult a European wine unless you really know what you are talking about! You could be making a big fool or yourself!

So this is a rough guide to some European regional wines:

 Common Phrases you should know:

AOC or AC stands for Appellation Originee Controllee.  The upper 50% of French appellations (wine estates, areas or regions) are designated AOC wines. 

Vin De Pays = “Country wine”, a mid-quality classification.

Vin De Table – Ordinary wine, the lowest classification. Basic French Plonk.

First Growth - Five red First Growths in Bordeaux are considered the crème de la crème.  You hopefully have heard some of the names:  Chateau Margaux, Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, Chateau Lafitte-Rothschild, Chateau Latour, and Chateau Hout-Brion.  If you want to sample some of these, have a fat cheque ready.   Some 80 chateaus in Bordeaux are classed from First Growth status to Fifth Growth status.  They make up less than 3% of Bordeaux wines.

Grand Cru- The classification for the best wines in Burgundy , Chablis, Champagne , Alsace , etc   Easily in the same league as the Bordeaux First Growths are the Burgundy Grand Cru’s .  Ever heard of Romanee-Conti, the most expensive Burgundy in the world?  Think R 23,000 a bottle!  Other red Grand Cru Burgundy names include Gevry-Chambertin, La Tache, Musigny etc. Some white Grand Cru Burgundies include Corton, Charlemagne and Montrachet (arguably the greatest white in the world!).

Premier Cru- Still great, but a lesser classification in Burgundy

Terroir- A phrase covering all elements of soil, slopes, altitude, aspect, surrounding features such as mountains, rivers and forests,  weather and climate that affect the quality of the wine.  The French believe that terroir is the key determinant of the quality of wine, and of course since terroir is unique to each area, region or estate, it can never be copied.

Champagne- French sparkling wine made in Champagne region

Cremant- French sparkling wine made in other regions

Cava- Spanish sparkling wine

Sekt- German sparkling wine

MCC - Method Cap Classic

South African Certified wine – South African wine certification guarantees label correctness and a minimum standard test, (analysis and tasting).  The certification seal guarantees that the label detail is correct in terms of origin, variety, alcohol and volume. Other than the French system which classifies wine estates and regions, any wine made to the minimum standard can be certified in South Africa .

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