Ward
Durbanville is a ward within the Cape Town district, part of the Coastal Region of the Western Cape, South Africa. The vineyards spread across the Tygerberg Hills north of Cape Town, along a valley running north to south. Vines lie on average about a dozen kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean, with False Bay bordering the area further south. Summers are Mediterranean in character but cooled by ocean mists and south-easterly winds that slow grape ripening; most rainfall falls in winter. The soils, shale-derived, deep and well-drained, are dominated by the Hutton and Glenrosa types, iron-rich and able to retain winter moisture. The rolling terrain multiplies aspects and slopes, creating a range of microclimates within the same area. The most widely planted varieties are Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz and Chardonnay. This ocean-driven coolness sets Durbanville apart from the more continental areas of the Cape winelands.
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Durbanville produces mainly still white and red wines. Sauvignon Blanc, the flagship variety, gives lively, aromatic wines marked by grapefruit, passion fruit, freshly cut grass and sometimes a green, bell-pepper-like note; their acidity is heightened by the vineyards' ocean-driven coolness, and they are best enjoyed young. Red wines, made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz and Pinotage, show a deep colour, aromas of black fruit such as blackcurrant, plum and blackberry, spice and sometimes pepper, with elegant tannins and a natural acidity typical of the cool climate. Some well-structured reds can age for several years in the cellar. The whites pair readily with seafood, grilled fish and salads, while the reds suit red meats, feathered game and spiced dishes.
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