May 30, 2024
Wine Talks was honored to speak with Danielle Coetzee, who is coaxing elegant sparkling wines from the Cap Town appelation in South Africa using the traditional Champagne method and grapes.
1. Cap Classiques is the South African version of traditional
method sparkling wines with specific legal requirements.
2. Danielle's family background influenced her passion for
winemaking, particularly her uncle's stories of harvest and
vineyard work.
3. Nsiki Biela is a notable black winemaker celebrated within the
South African wine community.
4. South Africa's Cape Winelands feature a diverse landscape in a
condensed area, contributing to a wide variety of wine flavors
Utterly charming and humble. Meet Danielle Coetzee.
In this episode of "Wine Talks," hosts Danielle Coetzee and Paul
K delve deep into the intricacies and charm of the South African
wine industry. They highlight the shift toward site-specific wines
and quality production, emphasizing how wines can tell stories and
embody personalities. Danielle shares her personal journey into
winemaking, inspired by her uncle, and explains the complexities of
Cap Classiques, South Africa's sparkling wines. They also discuss
the impact of soil and region on the taste of wines, especially
sparkling varieties.
The hosts explore inclusivity and diversity within the wine
industry, spotlighting trailblazers like Nsiki Biela. Insights into
pregnancy and motherhood within the field are provided, with
Danielle sharing her own experiences. Paul K introduces a fun
trivia question on wine's curative value, and they reflect on the
need to make wine more accessible and inclusive to younger
generations. Throughout the conversation, the importance of
balancing innovation with tradition and maintaining high-quality,
ethical, and sustainable production practices is underscored. The
episode is a mix of personal anecdotes, technical wine discussions,
and a celebration of the vibrant South African wine landscape.