Fun under the big TOPS!
THE SCOOP
Twisting & turning Innovation in packaging usually involves bottles or labels – seldom the closure. Franschhoek wine valley’s Anthonij Rupert Wyne, the makers of the popular Protea range of wines, has adopted an exciting new closure for its range of eight wines. Already recognised for being uncompromising in its commitment to quality, the Protea range’s bottles were designed with upcycling in mind. The beautiful bottles are intended to be reused for water, oils, vinegars or even cut in half and remodelled as wine glasses. So utilising the latest available method of cork closure was not a big stretch for the award-winning estate. The Helix closure combines tradition with convenience since this unique, ergonomically-designed cork- and glass packaging solution is a marriage between the benefits of traditional cork with a userfriendly, re-sealable closure. It has a broad top – almost like a Champagne stopper – and is easily twisted out of the bottle neck ... so no mechanical tools are required. And better yet, you can pop the Helix cork back in! Simple twist of the wrist – both in and out. Research has shown that consumers prefer cork and associate it with quality, even though screwcaps are extremely effective. Helix retains the tradition of cork, while at the same time providing functionality. The Protea, found in the Cape’s floral kingdom, appears in stunning graphic prints on the bottles.
08 w w w .t o p s a t s p a r. c o . z a
Society has become a little jaded with technology enabling instant access to anything at the press of a button. TOPS at SPAR’s Wine Show harks back to a different time: a time when the circus came to town and the hurdy-gurdy music mingled with the smell of popcorn in the air and sawdust in the ring. There are no elephants or lions – except perhaps on a label or two – but the TOPS wine show hits Nelspruit in November and Cape Town in December. Organisers have dubbed it “The Greatest Show on Earth!” and are eager for as many people to attend – and have fun – as possible. Nelspruit’s event takes place from 30 November to 2 December while the Mother City gets a chance to sip and sample a host of wine styles and top producers from 14 to 16 December. For ticket prices and more info: www.wineshow.co.za
Hennessy Special Limited Edition with JonOne Hennessy is proud to announce the latest art-inspired packaging of the classic Hennessy Very Special Limited Edition collaboration with New York’s Harlem born graffiti artist-turned-art world phenomenon urban artist, JonOne. The creation of the design itself mirrors the elaboration process of the cognac. “JonOne is a unique talent who shares many traits with Hennessy,” notes Bernard Peillon, Chairman and CEO of Maison Hennessy. “JonOne has an open spirit, he stays curious. His passion lies in constantly pushing his work to new heights, new territories, even though he is already a true master, and has nothing left to prove. Like Hennessy, he never stops and never settles.” With an energy that has come to define his style, JonOne applied layer upon layer of splashes of colour, intermixed with Hennessy’s own imagery – thus echoing the complex layers of flavors and aromas the Master Blender creates during the blending process. Over the course of several days and nights, JonOne painted layer upon layer to create a canvas that would become the bottle design itself, and in doing so, established a rich visual language for the collaboration. This Hennessy Very Special Limited Edition by JonOne is the latest addition to an ongoing series of collaborations between Hennessy and internationally renowned urban artists, including Scott Campbell, Ryan McGinness, Shepard Fairey, Os Gemeos and Futura.
