Wine Tastings 2025: Discovering the Elements of Wine
Magazin | Journal Weinkunde, Südafrika
2025 signifies a transformative shift in the South African wine landscape.
The focus of numerous tastings is on cutting-edge techniques, alternative vessels, and a renewed appreciation for the essential elements of winemaking.
Winemakers are diving deeper into the use of glass, clay, concrete, and wood, seeking the most authentic expression of grape and terroir.
The Glass Wine Revolution
The launch of South Africa’s first wines utterly vinified in glass has generated significant excitement.
Diemersdal introduced a Sauvignon Blanc, while De Wetshof highlighted a Chardonnay, both celebrated for their clarity and precision.
Glass maintains a neutral, airtight quality, preserving the fruit’s integrity.
Emphasis lies on purity, clarity, and minerality.
Kleine Zalze and the Fusion of Elements
Kleine Zalze demonstrated through the Z Project how concrete, old oak, and clay amphorae can transform the style of a wine.
The Heritage White Blend 2023 and Grenache Blanc 2024 exhibit a blend of texture, freshness, and complexity.
This project also makes a visual impact with botanical-themed illustrations featured on its labels.
There’s a comprehensive cellar upgrade planned for 2026.
New Trends with Amphorae and Concrete Eggs
Amphorae and concrete eggs have become integral to modern wineries.
They promote freshness, structure, and nuanced texture.
Many winemakers consciously diminish their use of barrels, honing in on terroir, acidity, and clarity of fruit.
Eleven Wineries – One Pinotage
A standout was the Durbanville Pinotage 2024, created in celebration of the varietal’s centenary.
Eleven wineries contributed grapes for a limited Magnum cuvée.
The style is cool, elegant, and a contemporary take on classic Pinotage.
Tradition Reimagined at Allesverloren
Traditional estates are also evolving.
At Allesverloren, wines are still crafted in open concrete tanks but with an enhanced focus on fruit and origin.
Chenin Blanc, Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon showcase greater elegance with reduced wood influence.
GlenWood: Celebrating 25 Years of Wine
GlenWood in Franschhoek marked its 25th anniversary with a vertical tasting showcasing a trend toward increased freshness and balance.
Elegance replaces the former opulent woodiness.
The Amphora Age
2025 is recognized as the year of amphorae.
Clay and Qvevri vessels impart vitality and structure to the wines.
Even small amphora-influenced components can introduce added tension to a blend.
New Amphora Wines Across the Cape
Many estates are launching fresh amphora-influenced wines.
They focus on freshness, texture, minerality, and an authentic expression of terroir.
Conclusion: 2025 – Purity, Innovation, and Reflection
The Cape profoundly illustrates how the choice of vessels shapes a wine’s character.
Whether it’s glass, clay, concrete, or wood, each element impacts style and expression.
2025 is a year that embodies conscious decisions, artisanal precision, and renewed clarity in South African winemaking.