Ward
Walker Bay is a wine district of South Africa, located on the southern coast of the Western Cape around the town of Hermanus, roughly a hundred kilometres south-east of Cape Town. It belongs to the Cape South Coast wine region, within the Western Cape Geographical Unit. The district comprises seven wards: Bot River, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, Sunday's Glen, Springfontein Rim and Stanford Foothills. Soils are varied, including clay-rich Bokkeveld shale, decomposed granite, Table Mountain sandstone on higher ground, and alluvial deposits on the valley floors. The climate is maritime and among the coolest in South Africa, cooled by currents from the Atlantic Ocean that slow grape ripening. Pinot noir and chardonnay dominate plantings, alongside sauvignon blanc, syrah, pinotage, chenin blanc and cabernet sauvignon. This pronounced coolness sets Walker Bay apart within the Cape South Coast, where other districts experience warmer summers.
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Walker Bay produces mostly still white and red wines, along with a few sparkling wines made using the traditional method. Its chardonnays, in a style close to great white Burgundies, show a pale gold colour, aromas of white fruit and citrus, with buttery or toasted notes where oak-aged, carried by lively acidity. Sauvignon blancs are crisp and taut, marked by citrus and tropical fruit notes. Pinot noirs, light ruby in colour, show aromas of red fruit, forest floor and sweet spice, with silky tannins and good freshness; they can develop over several years in the cellar. Wines made from syrah, pinotage or cabernet sauvignon are fuller-bodied, with firmer tannins and aromas of dark fruit and spice. The whites and sparkling wines pair well with fish, shellfish and fresh cheeses, while the reds suit poultry, roasted white meats and feathered game.
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