Wine in East-Africa: something for everyone
If you search well, you might just stumble upon the tastiest wine of East Africa during your travels in Africa. At the supermarket, you can always grab a nice wine from South Africa, Italy, or Argentina for a bargain – but in East Africa, wine enthusiasts might find it a bit more challenging. Few vineyards, limited wine imports, and consequently, less stocked supermarket shelves.
Fun fact! In South Africa, the first wine grape was planted in 1655 by the Dutchman Jan van Riebeeck.
Although I don’t fully understand the difference between square or round wine, I tried locally brewed wine from Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. I sniffed, sipped, and swirled all the wines from East Africa to discover the finest wine from each country in East Africa.
The history of wine: ancient Egypt
When we talk about the history of African wine, many of us immediately think of South Africa. However, wine was already present much earlier in another place in Africa. In ancient Egypt, they were already drinking wine around 3000 BC. We know this from paintings on walls depicting the wine-making process.
In ancient Egypt, they were already drinking wine around 3000 BC.
The first wine in the history of South Africa, thanks to a Dutchman.
In South Africa, the first wine grape was planted in 1655, by the Dutchman Jan van Riebeeck. South Africa now ranks eighth in the largest wine industries in the world and has made it possible for us to buy a bottle of ‘Mooi Kaap’ for two euros.
The rise of wine cultivation in East Africa
If you’re wondering why North and South Africa excel in winemaking while the rest of Africa didn’t really participate, it’s actually quite simple. Wine experts always say that for good wine cultivation, you need to be far from both the North and South Poles and the equator. That’s because it’s too warm there, year-round, without much variation. The best vineyards are located between the 30th and 50th parallels, far from the equator. East Africa sits right on the equator, so wine growers didn’t see that area as favorable. But… times have changed!
Wine in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda: an abundance of sweet wine.
Wine in the countries of East Africa
Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda are three countries in East Africa with a growing middle class. With that, the demand for good quality wine – made from real wine grapes – is also increasing. Consequently, supermarket shelves are becoming more filled with imported wine from South Africa, Italy, or Chile. So, if you’re a wine lover traveling to East Africa, you won’t be lacking anything as long as you have a supermarket nearby.
The wine from East Africa proves that you can indeed make delicious wine at the equator!
Wine in Kenya: Leleshwa wine
In Kenya, the popular Leleshwa wine is produced. The first vineyards were planted in the Rift Valley, at an altitude of 1900 to 2100 meters, right on the equator, in the early 1990s. After a decade of experimenting with the possibilities that this unique location offers, the first bottles hit the market. I tasted it for you! Here’s my review of the Leleshwa wine.
- Taste: Balanced, lightly sweet, and refreshing.
- Aroma: Blackberry and violets.
- Composition: Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.
- Perfect pairing with: Local barbecue, Nyama Choma.
- Production: 60,000 wine bottles in various varieties: white, red, rosé, dry, sweet, round, square… you name it.
Leleshwa wine: one of the top five wines in Africa
The Leleshwa white wine from 2015 won the Michelangelo International Wine and Spirit Gold Award. Emma Nderitu, the driving force behind Leleshwa Wines, proudly speaks of ‘New Latitude Wine’. They have convincingly demonstrated that winemaking is possible at the equator. According to Emma, the significant temperature differences are crucial. It’s hot during the day, but at night it can get icy cold due to the altitude. This temperature contrast ensures that the grapes do not become too sweet, which is ideal for wine production.
Wine in Uganda: Bella Wines
Bella Wines is the most famous and top-selling wine brand in Uganda, run by Prudence Ukkonika, an inspiring woman whose passion for wine was ignited by her late son. Prudence started making red wine from passion fruit, but as the demand for white wine grew, she discovered a creative solution: pineapple.
- Taste: Lightly acidic with a hint of vinegar and a powerful alcoholic taste.
- Aroma: Tropical fruits, especially pineapple.
- Composition: A surprising approach using almost any imaginable ingredient except grapes. In supermarket shelves, you’ll come across Ugandan wines made from a mix of tropical fruits to even mushrooms.
Bella Wines is the most famous and top-selling wine brand in Uganda.
Bella Wines has now produced around 5000 liters of wine and they even receive orders from Europe and America! Their flavorful range includes as many as five different wines, including a sweet red wine made from hibiscus.
Wine in Tanzania: Dodoma Dry Red
Tanzanian wine often doesn’t hog the spotlight, which is surprising considering Tanzania is the second-largest wine producer in Sub-Saharan Africa after South Africa! However, one of the biggest wine companies in Tanzania, Dodoma, definitely deserves attention. This wine has also been included in CNN’s list of the top five African wines. The grapes thrive in the Dodoma region, and their history dates back to the time of Italian monks who traveled through Tanzania.
- Taste: Full-bodied, round, and balanced.
- Aroma: Strikingly spicy, with hints of berries and a touch of cinnamon.
- Unexpected elements: Subtle notes of wood.
Wine in Tanzania: Boost to Employment
After independence in 1961, the government established the Dodoma Wine Company, which was not only a treat for fans of Tanzanian wine but also provided a boost to employment and productivity. The company purchased grapes from local farmers and invested in research to find the best grapes. Dodoma now offers three wines: dry white wine, dry red wine, and a ‘natural sweet’ wine.
Traveling in Africa: Where are we going to drink wine?
Conclusion of this article? If you’re looking to immerse yourself in a culinary wine journey, you might immediately think of traditional wine countries like Italy, France, or Spain. But if you feel the urge to spot the Big Five while enjoying a delightful glass of wine, then you really should take a look at Kenya or Tanzania. Despite their tropical location on the equator, these countries in East Africa produce surprisingly tasty wine!
