The Wine Show Season 1 Episode 10 Episode 10

In episode 10 of season 1 of The Wine Show, the hosts Matthew Goode and Matthew Rhys head to the Cape Winelands of South Africa. The episode begins with the Matthews being picked up by Cape Town's colorful driver, Thami, who is an incredibly passionate tour guide as well. Thami takes them around different parts of the city, showing them some of South Africa's history and culture. One such stop is at the District Six Museum, which showcases the apartheid-era and its impact on Cape Town's indigenous population. They also sample some local street food and meet some locals before moving on to their wine tour.

Their first stop is the Penhill Wines, owned and run by Matthew's old Oxford schoolmate, Alex Starey. It is 70 hectares of vines growing against the dramatic backdrop of some of Cape Town's highest mountains. The Matthews sample some wines while Alex introduces them to the local grape varieties and explains the unique challenges of viticulture in South Africa. They learn that, just like in many other regions, drought and climate change are significant issues here, and the wine industry is making changes to cope with them.

Next up, the Matthews visit a wine farm called Luddite. The winemaker here, Niels Verburg, is considered a genius in the industry for the work he has done with the Syrah grape. Syrah has always been an underdog grape in South Africa, but Niels' take on it has put it firmly on the map of connoisseurs. The Matthews sample a few of his wines and are blown away by the drinks' intensity and complexity. Niels also cooks them lunch, and they have a lovely chat about how he got into winemaking and his journey so far.

After lunch, the Matthews meet Eben Sadie, who is known as one of the best winemakers in South Africa. Eben is passionate about the Swartland region, where he sources his grapes. The Matthews tour his vineyard and learn about the soil composition and its impact on the grape's final flavor. Eben explains the importance of terroir and how it goes beyond just the soil. He also shows them some of his techniques for winemaking, which he calls "the old way." They taste some of his wines and agree that they are some of the best they've ever had.

The last stop of the episode is at Waterford Estate, where Kevin Arnold, the winemaker, shows the Matthews around. Kevin gives them a unique tour of the vineyards, where they meet the workers and learn about their work and life. The Matthews are impressed by the humanity of the vineyard's management and their care for the workers. Kevin tells them about his philosophy of winemaking, which he calls "quality over quantity." They enjoy the stunning view of the Stellenbosch mountains while sampling Kevin's wines.

Apart from the wine tours, the Matthews also find some time to explore the Cape Winelands' other attractions. They visit an art gallery that exhibits African art and run into a wine expert, Jancis Robinson. Jancis is impressed by their knowledge and passion for wine and shares some tips on wine tasting and wine etiquette.

Overall, the episode is an excellent showcase of the beauty and richness of the Cape Winelands. Beyond the beautiful landscapes, the people, and the wine culture that is continuously developing, the Matthews also learn about South Africa's complex social and political history. It is an episode that leaves you with a profound appreciation for the art and science of making wine and its role in South Africa's identity.