Glass Collection Syrah 2021

The Glenelly Estate Glass Collection Syrah cuvée is an emblematic cuvée from Stellenbosch , a prestigious wine-growing region in South Africa renowned for its characterful red wines. Located on the slopes of Simonsberg Mountain, the Syrah vines benefit from a granite terroir and a Mediterranean climate tempered by Atlantic breezes , promoting a slow and harmonious ripening of the grapes. The vinification of this Syrah highlights the purity of the fruit. The grapes are harvested by hand , then vinified with meticulous care: spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel vats with indigenous yeasts, gentle extractions, and 10 months of aging in French barrels (mainly from the 2nd and 3rd wines) in order to preserve the aromatic brightness while providing complexity and structure. This method allows the Syrah grape variety to be enhanced without masking its identity with excessive oak. On tasting, this wine seduces with its intense purple color and its expressive bouquet mixing ripe black fruits (blackberry, blackcurrant), floral notes of violet , peppery spices and a subtle touch of black olive . On the palate, the attack is ample and velvety, supported by fine tannins and a beautiful mineral freshness. The finish is marked by notes of liquorice, graphite and garrigue , signature of the Syrah du Cap.

The first grape vines were planted in South Africa by Dutch settlers in the 1650s, although wine production did not really take off until the arrival of French Protestants in the 1680s with their skills and knowledge of viticulture. Stellenbosch is also a historic wine region, with the first vineyards being planted there in the 1690s. Today, South Africa is one of the most important wine producing countries in the Southern Hemisphere. With over 300 years of winemaking history, it is often described as a bridge between the Old and New Worlds. The majority of wines are produced using New World winemaking techniques, but they often share more in common stylistically with their Old World counterparts. Since the end of apartheid, South African wine has received international attention and acclaim for its wide variety of styles. South Africa's wine industry is spread across the lush and rugged landscape of the Western Cape. Here, the abundance of mountains, valleys and plateaus allows winemakers to produce a wide variety of styles. Vineyards are also found in the Orange River region of the Northern Cape, where the flat, arid landscape is dominated by the Kalahari Desert. Most of South Africa's wine regions have a Mediterranean climate, heavily influenced by the meeting of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The country's signature grape variety is Pinotage, an indigenous cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault that is rarely found in quantity in other wine-producing countries. Shiraz (Syrah) is also widely planted, as are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (often combined in a Bordeaux blend). South African Chardonnay, Chenin and Sauvignon Blanc have become popular internationally in recent years.