Paarl WO [PAH-rool]
An important demarcated South Africa wine district that is part of the Coastal region. It’s located around the town of Paarl, 35 to 40 miles northeast of Cape Town. Paarl (Dutch and Afrikaans for “pearl”) has long been one of the country’s largest growing regions, although its share is down slightly and is now between 16 and 17 percent of the nation’s total. It’s also is considered the home of the South African wine industry and headquarters of the giant cooperative wine Growers’ Association (known as the KWV—Kooperatieve Wijnbouwers Vereniging van Zuid-Africa). Paarl is a diverse growing area with a variety of climates—hotter on the lower plains, cooler on the mountain sites. Almost one-quarter of Paarl’s 43,000 acres is planted to Chenin Blanc (called Steen locally). However, this percentage is dwindling as the area shifts to other varieties, primarily red grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, shiraz (Syrah), Merlot, Pinotage, and Ruby Cabernet. Whereas this was once white-wine country, the vineyards are now evenly split between red and white varieties. Other primary white varieties grown here are Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Columbar (Columbard), and Cape or Paarl Riesling (Crouchen). The Paarl district includes the ward of franschhoek, which produces excellent white and red wines.
The New Wine Lovers Companion, 2nd Edition, by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Copyright © (1) 2003, 1995 by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Reprinted by arrangement with Barron's Educational Series, Inc.