South Africa is exotic to Americans. We envision honeymoons, dramatic landscapes, the World Cup, safaris, diving with sharks. We don’t really think of it as a top wine producing country or the home of many sustainable movements that are so important to us as we strive to buy more eco-friendly.
My college roommate, Lauren, lived there for 6 months in 2011 and it literally changed her life. Her experience living in Johannesburg and traveling throughout South Africa with her now husband, Alex, made South Africa less foreign to me. While there she gushed about the natural beauty of the ecosystems, the sustainable way the South Africans ate, and would talk about HOW GOOD AND INEXPENSIVE South African wine is. These two Americans were struck by the way South Africans approached their connection with the Earth and their initiatives for more sustainable agriculture. So much so that their 6 month stint literally has changed their life forever.
Impacted by the popularity, sustainability, and taste of ostrich meat that they ate frequently while living in South Africa, they relocated to Boise, Idaho and started American Ostrich Farms. After two years of building and raising their first herd, American Ostrich Farms started selling their burgers and steaks in November 2015 which are available through their online store. American Ostrich Farms Website
“Pound for pound, ostrich production requires dramatically less water, less feed, less land, and creates less methane and less waste than any other red meat on the market.”
Living more sustainably is a deep concern of my own family. My husband has pursued professional degrees in this topic, it is a large part of his career, we are active in many nature organizations, and we even compost in our urban home. To learn about a healthier, sustainable red meat and also about how sustainable South Africa’s wineries are has been the breaking news of my 2015. In 2015, I tried many great South African wines in wine school. There, I learned about the Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) which encourages sustainable viticultural practices and is widely common in South Africa (http://www.swsa.co.za). Each bottle that has been certified carries an “Integrity & Sustainability Certified” Seal. In January 2016, Lauren came to Hoboken to visit and ostrich has been the breaking news of my 2016.
To have a fun girls night, I served ostrich steaks that Lauren prepared and surprised my friends with a South African wine tasting. All of this was new stuff for most of us and it was such fun to discover. South Africa is known for it’s Pinotage (a varietal that only exists there!), Cabernet sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay.
We tasted a 2014 Stowne Town Sauvignon Blanc from W.O. Darling ($12) and a 2013 Hidden Valley Pinotage from W.O. Stellenbosch ($22).The Stowne Town Sauvignon Blanc was true to its terroir. Darling is a little further inland where the temperatures are hotter, but moderated by the altitude of the hills and the large temperature variance between day and night. This expressed itself by having a wine that was both relatively high in alcohol (13.5%) yet high in acid with aromas of lemon, grapefruit, grass, and white blossom. For $12 I thought it was a unique wine that opened up after 10 minutes in the glass. Something different and good but not exceptional.
The Hidden Valley Pinotage was just divine!! I am definitely going back to buy more! Stellenbosch is home to many top wineries in South Africa. Right up against the mountains, cooled by the False Bay, it is home for top class reds. This wine is no exception and at $22 it drinks wonderfully. The wine is filled with layers of aromas starting with blackberries, herbal notes of rosemary, black pepper, some chocolate and the classic hint of Pinotage – a little burnt rubber. It is well balanced and a crowd pleaser.
Our night ended around midnight with our plates empty and souls full. If you want to try out South African wine I suggest these two or if you are up for trying a South African Chenin Blanc, the Indaba 2014 offers good value and good values. A portion of the $12 a bottle price goes towards the Indaba Education Fund, which supports early education for wineland workers’ children. The goal is to provide teacher training, infrastructure and learning materials, all based on an AMI Montessori approach, at schools established for wine farm workers’ children in the Cape Winelands.
If you want to try ostrich, I suggest ordering it to your doorstep because it still is not easy to find in supermarkets and preparing it with this simple recipe that Lauren shared: Click Here to Read.
Swirl, sip, sigh and do so with a clean conscience. #sustainability #wine #sustainablewine #ostrich #sustainablemeat
Images of wine and ostrich dinner are personal photographs. Image of Delaire Graff Winery in South Africa is property of Lauren McCoy.
