Artisanal origin: the craft wine movement

We’re all familiar with the craft beer movement – and accompanying stereotypes – and the way it’s transformed the market and palette of South African beer drinkers. But the new – more exciting – beverage movement is craft wine, and we’re lining up for a taste.

The craft wine movement began in the USA, and local wineries and wine merchants are quickly catching on to the trend. We’re uncorking craft winemaking, and giving you a sip of what to expect from the craft wine movement.

Craft explained

Wine can be classified as ‘craft’ if the farm producing it is under a certain size – usually 60m². The craft wine movement gives these smaller, independent wine producers a whole new, enthusiastic tasting audience to which they’d otherwise not have access.

In the past, independent wineries could only sell their wines directly to the public, or through expensive brokers. The craft wine movement has made it available to everyone and anyone, with smaller boutique wine stores popping up across South Africa, dedicated to marketing and selling this wine.

Craft beer – and now, craft wine – was popularised by shared principles and lifestyles, based largely on a rejection of the consumption of mass-produced anything, amplified by social media. It’s led by the desire to buy locally, be more socio-environmentally aware and to know the story behind the brew.

A new brew

What makes the craft wine movement significant is that it represents a culture of experimentation and, as such, encourages risk taking, forcing its followers to embrace new and unexpected flavours. Craft wine makers can push the boundaries with stronger, fuller flavour notes and distinctive blends.

They don’t have to appeal to every palette, because this isn’t the nature of the craft movement. Craft wineries aren’t limited by tradition – they don’t live in the shadow of their respective farms’ heritage because most of them have been established fairly recently.

Taste-tested

The most appealing characteristic of the craft wine movement is that it’s made taste the hero. Wines no longer have to be expensive, aged or imported to taste delicious, and the craft wine movement celebrates this.

It doesn’t matter what a bottle of wine costs: if it tastes delicious to you, enjoy it – and don’t feel you have to justify your wine choice. We don’t have to be wine connoisseurs to relish a fine glass of wine.

Look out for uniquely named craft wines in your favourite restaurants and wine bars in 2016. Be bold. Taste. Fall in love with a new, small winery and look forward to a whole new generation of inspired winemakers.