Paarl & Surroundings
Paarl is the largest and oldest (1720) town in the Winelands and offers a less polished, more authentic wine experience than Stellenbosch or Franschhoek. The town lies at the foot of the Paarl Rock — the second-largest granite rock in the world (after Uluru), which shines like a pearl in the sun (hence the name "Pearl").
Highlights in Paarl
- Fairview Wine & Cheese — A winery with an award-winning cheese factory. Goats climb a tower in the courtyard, and the "Goats do Roam" wines are as good as their name is funny. The wine-and-cheese pairing is one of the best in the region. Tasting: from 50 ZAR (2.50€).
- Babylonstoren — Perhaps the most beautiful winery in the world: a 220-year-old Cape Dutch manor surrounded by a 3.5-hectare garden in the style of the Dutch East India Company, with over 300 plant species. The garden restaurant "Babel" serves the finest farm-to-table cuisine. Entry to the garden: 220 ZAR (11€) — absolutely worth it.
- Drakenstein Prison — Here, Nelson Mandela was released on February 11, 1990 — his bronze statue with a raised fist stands at the gates. A place of great historical significance, freely accessible.
- Paarl Rock & Taal Monument — The hike up Paarl Rock (about 1.5 hours) offers panoramic views over the entire region. The Afrikaans Language Monument (Taal Monument) next to it celebrates the history of the Afrikaans language — controversial but architecturally impressive.
Wine Production at the Cape — What You Should Know
South Africa is the eighth largest wine producer in the world, and the Winelands are the heart of the industry. The main grape varieties:
- Pinotage — The South African national variety, a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. Characteristic: smoke, blackberry, chocolate. Nowhere else as good as here.
- Chenin Blanc — South Africa's most cultivated white grape variety. At the Cape, it achieves a diversity and quality that challenges Loire wines.
- Cabernet Sauvignon & Bordeaux Blends — Stellenbosch produces some of the best Cabernets in the Southern Hemisphere, often in Bordeaux blends with Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
- Méthode Cap Classique (MCC) — South Africa's answer to Champagne: sparkling wines in traditional bottle fermentation, winning international awards and costing a fraction.
