In the 18th and 19th centuries “the sweet, luscious and excellent wine of Constantia” (South Africa) was recognized as one of the great wines of the world. Towards the end of the 19th century phylloxera arrived at the Cape, causing devastation in the vineyards and bankruptcy amongst the winemaking families. The famous sweet Constantia wine was gone. Since 1980, a renaissance of the Vin de Constance has started and a few winemakers are trying to produce a nectar reminiscent of the old glories.
The wine appears with an amber color. The smell is dominated by orange marmalade, with an accent of apricot. Young and fresh with a nice acidity, that compensates for the sweetness and keeps the wine in balance. Very enjoyable. The apricot’s aftertaste seems to last forever.
This 50cl bottle sells at ARVI for 65 CHF, is made with Muscat de Frontignan grapes. It is worth trying and should hold up for decades.
Country: South Africa
Region: Cape Town
Grapes: Muscat de Frontignan
Type: Sweet
Vintage: 2013
Producer: Klein Constantia
Price range: Luxury (>100 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 3/5