Wine of the Week 68: Afrikaans Vol. VIII 2024 by The Stellenbosch Collection

Language in a glass… When Jean Englebrecht of Rust en Vrede and The Stellenbosch Collection launched the first vintage of Afrikaans in 2019, it was a personal project with a clear intention: to celebrate a language through something meant to be shared. “Wine brings people together,” he says. “When you share a glass of wine with someone it brings you closer. It helps to improve communication between people. Wine builds bridges.”

These wines are welcoming, expressive and rooted in South African identity. As one of South Africa’s 12 official languages, Afrikaans is rich with warmth, rhythm, humour and poetry, as are the wines that carry its name. “For me, Afrikaans is a wine to talk about,” says winemaker Danielle le Roux. “It loosens the tongue in much the same way that language does.” You may not be able to speak Afrikaans, but you can drink it around the table over a conversation (in any language) and feel its warmth and connection. 

A structured yet approachable blend

With grapes selected for quality and carefully blended, this is a wine shaped by heritage but made for modern drinking. ”The beauty of the wine lies in its balance,” says Danielle. “Stellenbosch cabernet sauvignon brings structure, longevity and seriousness, while cinsault from Piekenierskloof makes it more accessible, rounded and ultimately more versatile. It’s a wine that has depth without being intimidating.”

These are bold wines made without pretension and with people in mind. Approachable, generous, and full of character, Afrikaans wines are equally at home at a dinner party, a braai, or a quiet evening with friends. “They’re truly South African, something we can all be proud of, and something to share with visitors from other parts of the world,” says Danielle. “And for South Africans living abroad, it’s a little slice of home that they can enjoy even in much colder climes.” 

Poetry in the pour

Each Afrikaans vintage carries a new poem entitled “My Taal” (“My Language”) on the label. Previous volumes have featured odes by South African wordsmiths such as Willem van der Colff, Elvis Blue, Coenie de Villiers and Deon Meyer among others. The label becomes a talking point, adding a layer of cultural storytelling that reflects the generous spirit of the wine. 

Volume VIII 2024 features a poem by Steve Hofmeyr, honouring the Afrikaans language and evoking the wines of the Cape…  “my woorde gis in vate diep verouderd” (my words ferment in barrels deeply aged) and are “soet op die lippe soos ’n laatoes druif” (sweet on the lips like a late-harvest grape).

Afrikaans Vol. VIII Cabernet Sauvignon/Cinsault 2024

Deep ruby in colour, with aromas of cassis, dark chocolate and sandalwood. The palate is dry and full-bodied, supported by firm yet well-integrated tannins and fresh acidity that keeps the wine lifted and balanced. Layers of blackberry and blackcurrant are complemented by red cherry, cinnamon and subtle graphite. Classic Stellenbosch cabernet sauvignon provides structure and depth, while cinsault softens the profile with a gentle lift of red fruit. The finish is long and refined.
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