This is the first episode in our mini-series on South African wines. The goal with this series is to highlight the key regions, grapes, winemakers, and stories of the South African wine industry to distill this huge category into bite sized, educational pieces. Joining me for this episode about the Stellenbosch is our in-house South African wine expert, Aaron Meeker.

In the next 15 minutes or so, you’ll hear about the Swartland’s rise to prominence with the Great Swartland Revolution initiated by five key winemakers in the early 2000s. You’ll learn about the unique geographical and climatic factors contributing to the region's viticulture, the dominant grape varieties like Chenin Blanc and Syrah, and the distinct soils that influence the flavor profiles of these wines. You’ll also hear the names of important winemakers from the Swartland, and we’ll finish by talking about what’s new in the world of Swartland wine.

00:16 The Swartland Revolution: Pioneers and Their Impact

01:33 Geography and Climate: The Backbone of Swartland Viticulture

03:02 Key Grape Varieties: Chenin Blanc and Syrah

04:09 Unique Terroirs: Granite, Shale, and Beyond

07:22 The People Behind the Wines: Personalities and Community

09:11 Natural Wine Movement: Swartland's Role and Evolution

11:07 Notable Producers: Must-Try Wines and Winemakers

12:19 Future Prospects: Emerging Regions and Innovations

Hosted by Charlotte Alsaadi.

Special thanks to SNACKTIME for the music!

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