SOUTH AFRICAN CABERNET A HIT IN THE USA
March 2009

The US is the world's largest wine consumer market so it is terrific news for South Africa that a growing segment of US wine drinkers have taken a liking to the style of Cabernet Sauvignon produced by the country's top winemakers.

"There is a large and growing US market for the style of Cabernet Sauvignon crafted by South Africa's top producers like Rustenberg, Kanonkop and Thelema," said Andre Shearer, the CEO of Cape Classics - the largest importer of fine South African wines into the US market.

New York-based Cape Classics carries the following South African Cabernet Sauvignons: Kanonkop, Rustenberg "Peter Barlow", Brampton, Excelsior, Thelema "The Mint" Cabernet Sauvignon and Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon.

"Our top-seller is the Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon, which offers consumers a delicious, well-crafted wine, for considerably less than you'd find from other regions such as California at the same entry-level price point of $9.99," Shearer said.

American wine critics are in agreement with the public taste for South African Cabernet Sauvignon: James Molesworth, of the Wine Spectator, and Eric Asimov, of the similarly influential New York Times, have both recently penned articles which include ringing endorsements of the country's ability to produce quality wines with this noble red cultivar.

"Though it might be news to some, South Africa has been making world-class wines for more than a few years now," Molesworth wrote after tasting the 1994, 1997 and 1999 vintages of the Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon.

"Part of the country's steady rise in quality has been due to the efforts of winemakers like Gyles Webb, whose Thelema property has one of the country's longest track records for quality … If you're looking to start exploring South African wine, Thelema is a good place to start," he wrote.

Asimov, in a piece titled "South African Wines Step Onto The Stage" wrote that South Africa is one of the greatest sources for moderately priced Cabernet Sauvignon.

Having tasted 25 South African Cabernet Sauvignons, he concluded that South Africa has "the potential for greatness".

Cape Classics, which has been importing fine South African wines into the US for 16 years, is also the largest importer of fine South African wine into the USA and represents 18 premium labels. The company supplies restaurants and retail outlets in 49 states across the USA.

Visit www.capeclassics.com or email for more information.

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