South African port

[Julian old_ac Wiseman]

Another thread mentioned "Boplaas 2002 (South Africa)", which was a new drink to me. And, happily, I'm going on a business trip to ZA later this month.

Do any readers of this forum know enough about South African port to be able to tell what I should try to taste, of the things likely to be available in posh restaurants to which banks take their clients?

[Andy Velebil]

here is a link to a SA tawny that I had recently.

http://fortheloveofport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1096

I have no idea what you will find in a restaurant there, as I've never been to SA.

[Adam F]

I was there a few month ago. I generally drink the Tawny's chilled when its hot De Krans and Boplaas.

I have had a few of the 'vintage port type' wines:
Allesverloren - better value VP style than some
J P Bredell - my favourite VP style and fun to visit in Stellenbosch
Boplaas and De Krans are both reliable

There are numerous small producers you may encounter some better than others.

If the ZAR stays around where it is now it will be better value than when I was there!

[Al B.]

In my experience your choice is also likely to be governed, to some extent, by where you are in South Africa. I have found that in Johannesburg / Sandton most of the restaurants have great South Africa wine lists but I have never come across one that includes South African ports - although I refuse to believe that there aren't any.

However, in Cape Town I had the opposite experience and found it very easy to order a glass / bottle of local port style wine at the end of a meal.

I have tried and enjoyed ports made by KWV, Allesverloren and Boplaas and would recommend all of these. However, I have only drunk 6 South African ports and all came across as being tawny or colheita in style. If you find a VP "lookalike" then please post the details here as I am due back in South Africa in the not too distant future and would love to try a South African port made in the style of a vintage port.

Alex