Category: Uncorked Conversations
-
Blanc & Noir: The Grenache Family Reunion
Grenache and Grenache Blanc aren’t just related — they’re the same grape wearing different colours. Koos, Isabella and Octavius trace the story from Spain’s Aragón to the Rhône’s flying-saucer laws to the Swartland’s old bush vines, and uncover why South Africa is having a moment with both sides of this genetic double act.
-
Estate of Mind: Why Great Cheese and Great Wine Come From the Same Place
Two farms. One philosophy. Dalewood Fromage makes cheese the way the great Cape estates make wine — from the ground up, with their own land, their own animals, and an obsession with doing things properly. Koos, Octavius and Isabella pull up a board, open a few bottles, and discover that terroir tastes just as good…
-
Steen, Glorious Steen: The Workhorse That Became a Thoroughbred
It was once the grape nobody talked about — bulk wine, brandy fuel, and boxes with little silver taps. But those forgotten old vines kept growing, quietly and stubbornly, until a handful of maverick winemakers looked at them properly and changed everything. Koos, Octavius and Isabella uncork South Africa’s greatest comeback story — and discover…
-
Oak, Smoke and Subtlety
From barrel fermentation to the angel’s share, discover how oak shapes wine’s flavour, texture and ageing potential through the insights of Koos Grenache and Professor Octavius Pinot.
-
Shiraz or Syrah: Same Grape, Different Stories
Shiraz or Syrah? The same grape tells very different stories across the Rhône, Australia, and South Africa. Discover the history, styles, and why the name matters.
-
Wine − Alcohol ≠ Wine
Is alcohol-free wine really just wine without the alcohol? In this Koos vs Octavius conversation, we unpack why that neat equation doesn’t quite hold. Alcohol isn’t just the buzz in wine — it’s part of the structure. Remove it, and what’s left may still be enjoyable, but it’s something else entirely.
-
Semillon: The Grape That Found Its Voice Far From Home
Semillon is rooted in Europe but found its true identity in the New World. Discover why Australia and South Africa bottle it alone — and Europe rarely did.
-
White Bordeaux: The Blend Everyone Forgets — and Why It Matters
Bordeaux is famous for red wine, but its white blends tell a quieter story. Discover how Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon create depth, balance, and longevity — from Bordeaux to South Africa.
-
Pinotage: South Africa’s Most Argued-About Grape
Pinotage: South Africa’s most argued-about grape or how a professor’s experiment became a national talking point.
-
Season’s Greetings from the Uncorked & Curious Crew
Octavius Pinot insists this message should be “dignified and academically rigorous.” Koos Grenache insists it should be “festive, fun, and possibly slightly chaotic.” Isabella Rioja has wisely taken charge — which is why you’re reading this instead of a 14-page lecture or a recipe for mulled Grenache. Together, we want to thank every reader who…
Uncorked and Curious 