The annual Amphora Wine Day held at Herdade do Rocim winery in Portugal’s Alentejo wine region this year saw Kleine Zalze Wines of Stellenbosch join some 60 producers of amphora wines from Portugal, France, Georgia and California in showcasing their wines made in traditional clay amphorae, Kleine Zalze being the only winery flying the flag for South Africa at this highlight on the Portuguese wine calendar.
The Amphora Wine Day festivities on 16 November coincide with St Martin’s Day, homage to the patron saint of Alentejo where vineyards were first introduced by the Romans and is today one Portugal’s most recognised wine regions.
Instigated by Herdade do Rocim, a winery known for its extensive range of wines fermented and matured in amphora, Amphora Wine Day attracts over 1 600 wine-lovers from Portugal, Spain and other European countries for a day-long immersion in the history, culture and diversity of amphora wines.
According to Carina Gous, general manager of Kleine Zalze Wines who represented the well-known Stellenbosch winery, it was a true privilege to fly the flag for South African wine at this event, specifically wine made in clay amphorae.
“Kleine Zalze is known for our extensive use of amphorae in various wines, and being invited to participate in the Amphora Wine Day event at Herdade do Rocim rekindled my enthusiasm for the attention amphora wines are currently receiving in Europe and other parts of the world,” she says. “Not because these are a novelty, but because the wines are currently being accorded an ever-increasing profile in terms of quality.
“Anyone having the privilege of attending Amphora Day in Alentejo will experience not only the festivities around the 6 000 year-old tradition of making wines in clay vessels, but will also discover the role amphorae play in creating wines of distinction made in a style that is totally unique. Besides the celebration of wine, the regional Alentejo culinary offerings and the local wine traditions, various lectures from prominent wine producers and marketers highlighted these vessels’ ability to deliver wines accurately expressing terroir as well as embodying nuance and textural appeal.”
At this year’s Amphora Wine Day, Carina presented Kleine Zalze’s Skin Contact Chenin Blanc 2022 from the winery’s Project Z label, which was eagerly sampled by the hordes of wine-lovers. And being fermented on the skins as well as aged for nine months in Kleine Zalze’s clay vessels, the wine was as amphora as it could possibly come.
“Although we have a selection of amphora wines at Kleine Zalze, I selected this one as Chenin Blanc is a white variety for which South Africa and Kleine Zalze are known,” she says. “Many of the visitors had never experienced a wine from South Africa before, so for them just the fact that a Cape wine was present created a point of interest.
“More informed guests, especially restaurateurs, sommeliers and retailers, knew where South Africa and Stellenbosch were, but were totally surprised to discover that we had also taken to making wines in amphorae, which they deem a very European thing. I had to remind them that South Africa might be a part of the New World, but in terms of wine we have great respect for the traditions of classical European wine culture.”
For many visitors, Kleine Zalze offered them the first opportunity to taste Chenin Blanc, a variety that despite its origins in France’s Loire Valley is one of Europe’s lesser-known varieties among consumers.
“Most people really liked the wine, especially as it showed fruit and sun, with the touch of salinity especially receiving favourable comments,” says Carina. “The appreciation for our Chenin Blanc spilled over into the inevitable question of ‘where can I buy it in Portugal’, which pretty much sums up the way in which it was received.”
Besides the showcase of amphora wines at the spectacular Herdade do Rocim winery, guests could also visit the nearby towns of Cuba and Vidigueira where small local wineries and family homes filled glasses from their own amphoras. As well as laying on true Portuguese hospitality in the form of an array of traditional dishes.
“This truly is one of the world’s most unique wine events, and it was a true honour for Kleine Zalze to be actively involved,” she says. “And judging by the response we had from our hosts and the attendees, Alentejo is on next year’s calendar.”