Moving forward in establishing itself on the Bulgarian market as an importer of top world wines, Vinopoli hosted a tasting of South Africa vintages on October 2 at Uno BBQ Garden in Sofia.

At the event, which drew sommeliers, wine journalists, and restaurant and hotel industry figures from around Bulgaria, South African ambassador Gerhard Visser talked about the history and the significance of wine in his country. Records of winemaking in South Africa date to February 2 1659, when Jan van Riebeeck, an early commander of the Cape, marked down the vinting of his first wine, a product of the vineyards he had planted in 1655.

In 1906, following centuries - already - of desirable exports, the first wine co-operative - Drostdy in Tulbagh - was founded. KWV, which has since become something of a privately owned governing body in the South African wine industry, was created in 1918 to counterbalance the negatives of phylloxera (arrived in 1885) and over-production.

Sommelier Mihail Markovski led the Vinopoli tasting, at which were presented wines from Babylon's Peak, a boutique winery in the foothills of Paardeberg, between Malmesbury and Paarl; Sterhuis, whose name dates back to the 17th century and is in the Stellenbosch region; and Pulpit Rock, found in the foothills of Kasteelberg.

A 2007 chenin blanc from Babylon's Peak started off the dégustation. Delicate bubbles around the inside of the glass highlighted the light yellow-green of the wine. Aromas of dried fruit, peach and apricot and nuances of honey gave way to a medium-bodied, round wine with a good freshness and long finish. Markovski recommended it served chilled (12˚С) as an aperitif, or, given its flexibility, with lighter to "more serious" foods.

Second up was a pale gold 2007 sauvignon blanc from Sterhuis. Lemon, peach, fig, pepper and tomato in the nose complemented the somewhat light wine, which started out with a fresh bite and finished warm and minerally in the mouth. Its acidity means that it would work well with salads, even shopska.

Perhaps the best wine at the event was the 2007 viognier from Babylon's Peak. Golden with slight bubbles forming along the base of the glass, the wine smelled of sugared fruits, raisins and cantaloupe melon, with aromas of dried leaves showing themselves a bit later. A good freshness belied the 15 per cent alcohol, which, however, was evident in its full, round warmth.

Reds presented were a 2006 pinotage reserve from Pulpit Rock, with aromas of strawberry jam, spices and cinnamon and good oak characteristics, soft in the mouth with a long, slightly dry finish, recommended with roast pork or beef knuckle; and a 2005 Cape coupage from Babylon's Peak.

The Babylon's Peak coupage was a blend of 35 per cent pinotage (a grape variety specific to South Africa, a cross between cinsault and pinot noir), 35 cabernet sauvignon and 30 per cent merlot from Swarthland-region vineyards. The dark ruby-brown wine gave off scents of butter, red fruits, confiture, honey and vanilla, its pleasant freshness allowing for a rich, juicy mouth. "A big wine," Markovski said, that would match perfectly with dark chocolate, steak or cheese.

Vinopoli, an arm of Todoroff AD, specialises in importing wines from the New World. The wines tasted at Uno BBQ are available in Bulgaria at specialised wine shops and from the Todoroff boutique on Vassil Levski Boulevard in Sofia.