Wine Extra March 2012

WineExtra ISSUE 4 VOL 3 - MARCH 2012

BUMPER

ISSUE Exclusive IWSC Supplement

Taste Team

When Too Much Is Too Much

Revving it up with Riesling

Elana Afrika Wants to become a winemaker

INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRIT COMPETITION

Official S.A. Media Partner

ISSUE 4 VOL 3 - MARCH 2012

WineExtra Published by: TWS Media CC 102 Dorp Street, Stellenbosch 7600, Republic of South Africa Tel: +27 21 888 8800 Fax: +27 21 888 8818 Web: wine-extra.co.za , wineshow.co.za Editor: Maryna Strachan / maryna@wine-extra.co.za Design & Production: Rob Taylor Graphic Design / rob@robtaylordesign.co.za

Web Services: Tracey Van Niekerk / tracey@mutsami.co.za Advertising Sales: Vanessa Adendorff / vanessa@wineshow.co.za Advertising Sales Manager: Jolene Jordaan / jolene@wineshow.co.za Publishing Director: John Woodward / jw@pullthecork.co.za Subscribe online at www.wine-extra.co.za Official S.A. Media Partner: INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRIT COMPETITION The publishers regret they cannot accept liability for errors or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the reader's particular circumstances. The ownership of all trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts not exceeding 100 words in total from any one issue to be used for the purpose of fair review.

Letter from the Editor Images: Mark Freeborough

For me this month is all about challenges – both professional and personal. The first challenge was to create another superb edition of Wine Extra, but with that also an equally stunning supplement on all of the South African Gold winners at the 2011 International Wine & Spirits Competition.

This is the first time we've created such a supplement and we're pretty darn excited about it. We are printing several copies this supplement and sending it to two of the large international wine trade fairs, namely VinItaly in Verona later this month and the London International Wine Fair in May. In doing so we'll not only be promoting Wine Extra, but also the extraordinary wines and spirits that are produced in our great country.

On a personal note, I will be taking part in the annual Argus cycle race. This is a first for me and I'm very excited to be taking part on behalf of a very worthy c h a r i t y, n a m e l y G i v e M e A C h a n c e (www.givemeachance.co.za). I'll be the one with the Champagne bottle in the water bottle holder, so please feel free to cheer me along as I'm sure I'll need it.

This month's issue of Wine Extra is once again jampacked with lots of wine-fun. Our cover star is none other than the vibrant Elana Afrika who tells all about her wish to become a golf playing winemaker, the Taste Team indulge in tasting riveting Rieslings and I report back on my visit to Idiom's Italian Harvest Festival.

Enjoy the read and while you're at it, go and 'Like' our Facebook page!

The

Wine Show JO’BURG - PE - DURBAN

www.wineshow.co.za

Follow us @WineExtra

CONTENTS 2012

MARCH

Table Talk Special Report Exclusive Interview Now You’re Cooking Living the Life

21. A Taste of Italy in the Winelands

11. When too much is too much

7 11 15 19 21

We’ve Been Drinking The Musings of Polly Fumé Taste Team Get Out Wine Laid Bare

25 26 27 33 38

15. Exclusive Interview with Elana Afrika

27. Revving it up with Riesling

TABLE TALK

Champagne Producer Strikes Gold

A French champagne producer literally hit gold when workers doing up an old building on his property brought down a shower of US coins hidden in the rafters.

Francois Lange, the head of the Alexandre Bonnet champagne-producing firm, in this eastern French village on Tuesday described the treasure trove as one consisting of 497 gold coins, with a face value of 20 dollars each, minted between 1851 and 1928 and worth today about 750,000 euros (980,000 dollars).

"One of the workers were attacking the building's ceiling with a crowbar when gold coins started to rain down on him, followed by sacks of gold," he said.

Half the find will go to the workers and half to the owner.

The origin of the treasure was not known, but the building, a former grape-drying facility, used to belong to a wine producer who traded with Britain and the United States in the 1930s.

Page 7 - March 2012

Lange said his firm might produce a special vintage to celebrate the find.

(Story courtesy of www.moneyweb.co.za)

Consumers pay more for tongue-twisting wines

Wine tastes better if a winery is difficult to pronounce, according to new research. In a study

by Brock University professor, Dr Antonia Mantonakis, it found English-speaking wine consumers were more likely to buy wine from a winery with a difficult-to-pronounce name.

Participants also rated wine more highly in a blind tasting, and were prepared to pay more money for the same wine, if it had a name that was difficult to say in English. Dr Mantonakis said: ''Wines associated with more difficult-topronounce names are associated with higher ratings.”

“Things that are difficult to pronounce are unfamiliar because they are usually rare,” she added. “Perception of tastes are different if they are associated with a more disfluent winery name and that result is especially pronounced for high wine-knowledge participants.”

Mantonakis admitted the laboratory findings might not be reflected in wine purchases.

“Whether these results would replicate in a more natural setting is something that we don't know.”

(Story courtesy of www.decanter.com)

TABLE TALK

KZN Government in Court over Wine Estate The defunct Stables Wine Estate, which is facing a R3.4-million lawsuit brought by the Economic Development Department, has been provisionally wound up. On Monday, Durban High Court Judge Graham Lopes granted an order provisionally winding up the estate after an application was brought by FirstRand Bank. The matter was adjourned to April 2.

FirstRand's commercial recoveries manager, Shashika Ramtahal, said the estate, located on a property in Nottingham Road in the Midlands, owed the bank about R1.3m plus interest in respect of loans. She said that immovable property owned by Harbour Rocks Properties had been pledged as security for repayment of the debt.

“It (the estate) operated on land owned by Harbour Rocks Properties. The alter ego behind both Harbour Rocks Properties and the respondent (the wine estate) was Ralph van Niekerk, who was the sole director of both companies and in fact ran the wine estate with his wife Judy.”

Ramtahal said Harbour Rocks Properties owed about R2.5m to Standard Bank and R1.6m to Absa, and both banks had instituted foreclosure proceedings to recover the monies. She said FirstRand Bank did not know of the Van Niekerks' whereabouts and they had apparently abandoned their business. “The wine estate ceased trading around June 2011 and both Ralph van Niekerk and his wife appear to have simply abandoned their business and property. I respectfully submit that if the situation is left to continue for any period of time, the equipment will be vandalised or deteriorate.”

Sheriff Ramtahal said the bank's attorney had sent a letter to the wine estate's address on September 23 last year, demanding payment of the amounts owed, but no response had been forthcoming. “It has been several weeks since the Page 9 - March 2012

demand was served on the respondent. The respondent is accordingly deemed to be unable to pay its debts.”

She said it was believed that the wine estate also owed money to other creditors. “I assume that such creditors will no doubt seek to take legal action against the respondent. It would be to the benefit of the general body of creditors if the respondent is wound up in order to ensure an equitable distribution of its assets.”

The FirstRand application comes after the Economic Development Department brought an application against the wine estate in the Pietermaritzburg High Court last year, calling for the court to authorise the sheriff to take possession of the estate's moveable property and assets, and to hold them as security for the debt.

The department is seeking to recover money it lent the wine estate through its Gijima project, which receives its funding from the EU. The money was to be used to make the estate more competitive and sustainable by increasing the number of its vines.

In their responding papers, Ralph van Niekerk said the department owed them about R1.2m. He said the department should have given them R3.4m through the Gijima project, but they had only received three payments totalling R2.2m.

The matter is pending.

(Story courtesy of The Mercury)

Preservation in an Underwater Cellar The ocean floor may be as good as some of the world's great cellars for aging premium wines.

A collection of wines that lay on the ocean floor for nearly 138 years off the Georgia coast were tasted in 1979 and described as "incredibly good.”

The wines came from a British sailing ship that sank near the mouth of the Savannah Channel in 1840.

Professional diver Bill Kinsey salvaged a few cases of various wines in about 30 feet of water in 1978.

He later auctioned some of the wines in the Heublein Premiere National Auction of Rare Wines in the United States.

During the 1979 and 1980 Heublein auction, 10 full bottles and three half bottles were auctioned off by Michael Broadbent, director of wine sales for Christie's in London.

Although the bottles were unmarked, they included what was believed to be some 1839 red Burgundy of Cru quality, 1834 Port and 1830 Madeira. The lowest bid was $200 for a bottle of the 1830 Madeira during the 1980 auction; the highest was $780 for a bottle of 1834 Port.

In the auction catalog, Heublein auction authorities described the wines as being in good and drinkable condition. Broadbent told The Wine Spectator recently that the Madeira he tasted was "in very good condition.”

As in the case of the R.M.S. Republic, the wines salvaged off Savannah in 1978 had been buried in silt on the ocean floor.

The salvage company that recovered the bottles off the Georgia coast believed the sea water helped preserve the quality of the rare wines. The Heublein auction catalog also quoted the International Oceanographic Foundation's magazine as saying that "things such as corks, glass, wood fiber, etc., can be saved by the natural preserving action of salt water and may have an amazing life span once immersed . . .”

(An excerpt from an article on www.rmsrepublic.com by James Suckling.)

SPECIAL REPORT

When Too Much Is Too Much Many of us can remember our first hangovers the headache, the nausea, spinning rooms, the shakes, tiredness and the really unlucky ones amongst us, vomiting. The effects of alcohol on our bodies are pretty well-known and although, for most, these wear off after a few hours (and a few Crème Soda's), there are many factors which are often overlooked when it comes to the bigger picture of overindulging in your favourite tipple.

Alcohol remains the most commonly abused drug in South Africa with consumption well over 5 billion litres of alcoholic beverage per year. The figure could be nearer to 6 billion litres, depending on one's estimate of the amount of Page 11 - March 2012

sorghum beer consumed. Roughly two-thirds of the absolute alcohol consumed in South Africa is malt or sorghum beer. In terms of alcoholic beverage this translates to roughly 4.2 billion litres or roughly 90% of the alcoholic beverage consumed. Roughly 15% of the absolute alcohol consumed is wine.

The overall prevalence of alcohol misuse is likely to be as much as 30% among certain groups and as low as about 5% in others, and is dependent on factors such as age, gender, socio-economic status and degree of urbanisation. Binge drinking among young people, especially males is high (in excess of 25% in many communities). High levels

of alcohol abuse have been reported among persons involved in certain occupations (e.g. farming and mining) and among residents of disadvantaged communities where there is easy access to alcohol.

We all know that most things in life are about 'moderation', however, at which point does one go from being an average consumer to a heavy drinker or ultimately become an alcoholic?

Ongoing alcohol abuse doesn't only affect you physically. It spreads to your family, your job, your overall safety (personal, financial and general) and has even further serious implications when it starts to affect your overall long-term health.

If you're constantly tired, irritable and feeling generally ill, the chances are you're taking them out on your partner or spouse and children – in many cases it turns violent. Your brain can't function optimally after a large dose of alcohol, so your performance at work can be seriously jeopardized and for many, being caught drunk driving could cost them their livelihood and, like a Verimark ad, there's more – try death!

SPECIAL REPORT Some of the more serious physiological effects of continuous binge drinking or alcoholism are: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Any woman who may be pregnant or hopes to become pregnant will want to avoid the consumption of alcohol.

Drinking while pregnant can cause serious birth defects. Many of these birth defects are irreversible and will cause difficulties for the child for the rest of his or her life.

Liver Disease: More than 2 million people living in the United States have problems with liver disease as a result of drinking over a long period of time. The symptoms can include jaundice, abdominal pain, and fever. If a person does not stop drinking, alcoholic hepatitis can cause death

Page 13 - March 2012

but if the drinking ceases, there is a chance that the condition can be reversed.

Alcoholic Cirrhosis: This is an ailment that scars the liver and if a person suffers from it, he or she should not drink alcohol at all. There is treatment for this condition but a liver transplant may be needed for someone with life-threatening cirrhosis. Death may occur if the drinking continues. Cirrhosis is not reversible but if the person stops drinking, the chances for survival will improve.

Cancer: Cancer of the throat, mouth, esophagus and voice box are types of cancer that may occur at higher rates in those who abuse alcohol over an extended period of time.

Heart Disease: Another condition that may develop when a person drinks too much alcohol for too many years. High blood pressure and some kinds of strokes are other problems that may occur in people who abuse alcohol.

¡Crows Nest:QP

SEE YOU AT THE JOBURG WINE SHOW - 4-6 MAY 2012 Get help if you or someone you love has an alcohol-related problem. Alcoholism is an illness that can be treated. If you have an alcohol dependency problem and have decided to stop drinking, call your doctor for help. Your doctor can advise you and can prescribe medicines to make withdrawal symptoms more tolerable if they occur. Your doctor can also put you in touch with local resources that will help you to stay alcohol free.

There are many web-based platforms to turn to

for help and advice on the topic of which some are listed below: www.stopdrinkingadvice.org www.ara.co.za www.signsofalcoholism.org www.aanonymous.org.za Drinking alcohol should be recreational. It should be something that you enjoy with friends and family – RESPONSIBLY.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

ELANA AFRIKA Wants to become a winemaker Images: Mark Freeborough

Where do you originally come from?

I was born in Cape Town and raised in the Northern suburbs. I left for Jo'burg 10 years ago, which was great for me as I launched my career after studying at Stellenbosch for 3 years.

Who is Elana Afrika?

Someone who's very dynamic. I'm 'Chocolate Face' which is my logo and my brand. I'm someone who loves learning and need to keep busy all the time. I'm extremely nurturing and like to take care of others. I don't quite know why, because I've never really seen myself as a nurturer.

What's on your plate at the moment, project wise?

I have a very full plate and a very exciting one. I'm back in Cape Town because I missed my family Page 15 - March 2012

too much, so decided to move back and now I'm in the process of launching a new and vibrant radio career hosting the lunchtime show on 94.5 KFM. Together with that I'm still on stage.

Effectively I speak for a living. Anything from doing presentations, to MCing at corporate events, being a DJ and hosting TV shows like what I do for M-Net. When did you really start to take note of wine?

I used to have this real problem during winter where my fingers and joints got really sore and painful, so I went to see the doctor about it. He then told me to have a glass of wine every night, which I did and the pain went away! Wine clearly gels with my blood type and it really helps, which is quite handy because I have a genuine love for red wine.

I also fell in love with the Beyerskloof Pinotage when I was a student, but even more so when I went to a “Landbou” event where I was the MC and I had the opportunity to meet mister Beyers himself. He spoke about the land and the people who work in the vineyards and the similarity between the land and its workers, saying how, just as humans have their problems and issues, so does the land and the vines have their challenges. It made such an impact on me that I was totally swayed and knew that I'd always be buying his wines.

Working in the entertainment industry, life isn't always easy, so to hear that there are other people who also deal with their own set of struggles and issues within their chosen career path was very enlightening.

What are your hobbies?

Besides drinking wine, I play golf. It's always been something that I've wanted to do, so I got into it and I've only been taking it seriously for the last 2 years. Even more so for the last 6 months, since I've been playing about once a week.

Have you got any favourite wines?

I do! I'm in love with Vrede & Lust. I don't know why, but I've always enjoyed the farm and going there for tastings. The last time I was there I walked away with some of their Syrah and their Rosé, which is quite unusual for me as I don't usually like Rosé's. I'm a Syrah drinker now, although when I started drinking wine I used to love Merlot.

You're not so much into white wine then?

Well, no. I think it's because I grew up with my parents always drinking white wine and it's something that's always been around, but somehow I feel like I want to dilute white wine or add something to it to make it more appealing and for me that's a little sacrilegious.

If you were out and about and got a last minute invite to a braai, but had to stop at a local supermarket to buy a bottle of wine, what would you pick from the shelf?

The Beyerskloof Pinotage. It's a wine that everyone knows and that I know for sure won't offend my host. Either that or Champagne because it's always easy continue to drink and people always associate with bubbles.

The

Wine Show

Page 16 - March 2012

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Do you enjoy bubbles?

Oh yes I do! When it comes to Champagne, Scotch or Cognac I never order my own. I always get it ordered for me, so I don't really know which brand I particularly enjoy. It's a very recent discovery for me, so I'm still learning.

You mentioned that you would love to become a winemaker?

I had this vision while I was in Jo'burg. Maybe it was because I missed Cape Town and my family.

People have two responses when I say I want to become a winemaker. The first thing they say is “are you crazy, winemakers are struggling” and the second thing is “you need to be in Cape Town”. So, now I'm in Cape Town and maybe I don't want to be a full-time winemaker, but I would like to be able to make my own wine. [We'll hook you up – Ed] Where do you see yourself going forward?

I see myself as someone who will use the

Page 17 - March 2012

opportunities given to me to help others and to instill positive values into our youth. For instance, teaching others that moderation is key. You don't have to be a workaholic to be successful, I don't have to drink copious amounts of wine to prove that I enjoy it. I have the platform of radio to do this and really want to embrace the opportunity. I would also like to become a diplomat. A wine drinking, wine making diplomat.

What are your thoughts on the Thelema 2009 Mountain Red? Easy on the nose and tasty on the palate. Definitely something I would have before a nice dinner. It's the kind of full-bodied wine that I usually enjoy.

Craig Cormack

NOW YOU’RE COOKING

Chef Patron Sofia's at Morgenster

Craig has been in the industry for over 24 years and has worked at most of the Cape's top 5 star properties, heading kitchens in places like: Ellerman House, Cape Grace etc. He has travelled abroad many times both working and also representing South Africa at various food promotions.

He is a member of the South African Chefs Association, of which he has also been chairman for 2 years as well as the Vice Counsellor for the Chaine des Rottisseurs Bailage du Cap along with being on the board of directors of the Culinary Academy.

Craig and his business partner, Bertus Basson, originally started a catering company from their garage and subsequently, through pure determination, hard-work and the unrivalled quality of the products they prepared, became a fundamental part of Helderberg catering as a whole. Craig was approached by Giulio Bertrand to open Sofia's at Morgenster and so it came to be. For bookings at Sophia's please call 021-847 1993.

Grilled Haloumi, hummus and blush tomato Ingredients: Blush Tomato: 1 Tomato sliced in half Sprig each: Rosemary, Thyme, and Oregano: rinsed, leaves picked and chopped.

15ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 Garlic Clove: Thinly sliced Pinch of salt flakes and black pepper Hummus: 150g Chick Peas 10ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Salt and Pepper Juice of half a lemon 10ml Sesame oil Grilled Halloumi: 2 x 100g sticks of haloumi cheese 1 medium sized aubergine Pinch of salt and pepper Garnish: A medium sized Cos lettuce Baby leaves: pak choi, rocket, cress (or a mixed bag)

Method: Heat the oven to 100°C, meanwhile, drizzle the tomato halves with olive oil, and sprinkle with the chopped herbs, salt flakes, black pepper and garlic slices.

Bake in the oven for four hours. Slow cooking ensures the tomato retains a firm texture, yet it is lovely to bite into.

Make the hummus next. Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl, and blitz into a puree with a stab blender.

Adjust the consistency of the hummus using olive oil to thicken/stiffen or water to thin until an easily spreadable consistency is reached, which will retain its shape.

Place in the fridge covered.

Burn the skin of the aubergine over an open flame, until the aubergine is quite charred and it becomes soft to the

Wine Paring: Page 19 - March 2012

Kleine Zalze Pinot Noir

touch. Peel off the skin, and puree the aubergine in a blender. Season to taste with salt and white pepper.

Place in the fridge covered.

Once the tomato is cooked, remove it and set it aside to cool. When you're ready to serve the salad, heat a small non-stick pan and sear the haloumi cheese on all sides until it is golden brown all over. No oil is needed.

Plate the salad with the tomato and haloumi cheese as the centre piece, surrounded by a crescent of hummus, and with a shaped portion of aubergine puree. Drizzle with oil, and garnish with the Cos lettuce and baby leaves.

LIVIN’ THE LIFE!

A Taste of Italy in the Winelands

By MARYNA STRACHAN Images: Mark Freeborough

Magnificent view over False Bay

W

hen I think of all things Italian, I think about pasta, pizza, Ferrari's, Vespa's, fashion, romance and, hell-yes, wine! (Mind you some may argue that I'll make a correlation with wine given any subject). I think I would've made a good Italian because I love all of these things. So, being invited to the Italian harvest festival, Italia in Campagna at Da Capo Vineyards, otherwise known as the home of one of my favourite labels, Idiom, was an invite I wasn't going to miss.

Page 21 - March 2012

Situated within the Sir Lowry's Pass area up against the mountains, the fantastic views of False Bay are one of the first things to notice - breathtaking to say the least. We arrived late morning and it was already bustling with activity. An Italian-style market selling all kinds of foods, cured meats, pastas, sauces and gelato welcomed us in and the audible sound of the sexy Italian language was all around us.

Italian market

The setting was ideal for a relaxing family day, many tables and chairs were set out under trees and tents and there was also a band stand where the band played many of the traditional Italian classics such as O Sole Mio with many of the festival attendants joining in.

The festival drew some of its inspiration from the Italia in Piazza festival held at the outdoor piazza at Monte Casino in June 2011. Organised by the Italian Consulate in Johannesburg, the event was themed Italia 150, a celebration of 150 years of

The

Wine Show

LIVIN’ THE LIFE! Italian unification. Many of the same ingredients were incorporated to make this a true celebration of all things Italian, including elements from the typical medieval village and mountain festivals that take place in Italy such as long tables out in the vineyards.

In another area several of the local Italian restaurants were represented. The intention was to keep as much of the food as authentically Italian as possible. Tastings of finely sliced Prosciutto di San Daniele, Tortellini with prosciutto, Italian Salsiccia and Lamb Chops Scottaditto are just some of the mouthwatering dishes that were served.

wines were so special and unique. Thanks to a new project called Vinotria, a collaboration between Bottega Family Wines (owners and producers of Idiom and Whalehaven) and fellow Italian producer Belbon Hills, a range of these fantastic wines are being imported to South Africa for us to savour and enjoy, many of which form part of the Wine Spectator Top 100 list.

Of course, one of the highlights for me was the amazing selection of Italian wines on offer. A number of Italian producers were on hand to guide visitors and explain to us just why their

Grape stomping with Roberto Bottega Page 23 - March 2012

Italian festival queen handing out “wishes”

At Mellasat Vineyards we reckon we’re a bit different.

Which is why you’ll find a White Pinotage amongst our range of award winning wines.

And to make our wines more accessible we’ve opened a new tasting centre with stunning views of the Paarl valley and the craggy Klein Drakenstein mountains.

Getting my stomp on!

Producers in the portfolio include Donnafugata (Sicily), Feudi di San Gregorio (Campania), Masciarelli (Abruzzo), Chianti Classico producer Badia a Coltibuono and Brunello producer Fattoria dei Barbi (Tuscany), Sardus Pater (Sardinia), Bellenda (prosecco), Ripassa and Amarone producer Zenato (Veneto), Castello di Cigognola (Lombardy), top Barbera producers 'Braida' di Giacomo Bologna and Coppo, Barolo producer Vietti and top grappa producer Berta (all from Piedmont).

I managed to taste my way through a fair few of these and I have to admit I was blown away. Seriously! And I'm the first one to admit that I've become a bit blase about wines. I could just imagine being romanced beneath a beautiful roman fountain with a gorgeous statue and a bottle of amazing Italian wine… OK, well, a girl can dream!

As for kids' entertainment - there was plenty. A petting zoo with all kinds of baby animals including ducklings, piglets and fluffy white lambs had the kids amused. There were three ponies, which were taking kids on rides as well as a half hour long tractor ride and let's not forget the jumping castle and water slide.

My little ones were in kiddie heaven and the best of all was that all of this was included in the entry to the event. There's nothing that annoys me more than arriving somewhere only to have to pay extra for every little thing the kids want to do.

In all the time I lived in the UK and travelled throughout Europe, the one country I've never visited is Italy and now, more than ever, I am fired up to visit this beautiful country with all its history, fabulous wine, tales of romance, sexy cars and everything that is simply – “BELLISIMO”!

And not content to leave it at that you can experience grape stomping, vinotherapy foot massage, as well as gourmet food & wine pairings at our Ommiberg Festival on Sat 10thMarch.

Why not visit us?

Mellasat Vineyards Klein Drakenstein, Paarl Exit the N1 at J62A (Sonstraal Rd)

Open from Mon to Sat 9.30 am to 5.30pm Sunday 10 am to 4 pm Tel: 021 862 4525 mellasat@mweb.co.za WWW.MELLASAT.COM

WE’VE BEEN DRINKING...

SPIER 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2010 WineExtra was blessed with a VIP invitation this last month to the Spier Harvest Festival. It's tough breaks when you have to spend your Saturday basking under the Cape sunshine, at an historic wine farm, eating a gourmet picnic and sipping superlative wines with great company. But, in the interests of no-nonsense journalism we persevered.

The star of the show was without doubt the Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc.

Long gone are the days when this farm was merely a commercial tourist resort, as opposed to serious fundi destination. If you tried Spier wines years ago and found them wanting… it's well past time to revisit. In fact, if you read on in this magazine to our special supplement on the International Wine & Spirit Competition, you'll see that Spier convincingly walked away with a clutch of accolades: 5 Gold medal or better wines, including 2 Trophies.

samples enough to sink a ship, we think that's saying something.

Chenin enjoys an unfair reputation of being “cheap and cheerful” in South Africa. The reasons are largely historic.

We're a brandy drinking nation, and Chenin is the cultivar for the base wine in most brandy. If you're going to distill a wine, then you tend not to give it too much TLC. The reality, though, is that given the right attention Chenin is behind some of the most exciting white wines in the world.

So whats so great about the 21 Gables Chenin Blanc? Well, for starters, we've gone back to the farm to buy more twice since the Harvest Festival. Granted, it is on the way home, but when “home” is already jam-packed with wine

What: Where: Cost: Web: Page 25 - March 2012

This one has beautiful colour, which paired perfectly with the sunshine. The flavours of apricots, golden delicious apples and fresh toast are delicately balanced ending with a marmalade finish on the palate.

Yes, we said marmalade and it really is there.

We also can't help thinking that whilst this is a super summer white, a box or too carefully stored would allow the owner to release a little bit of summer on a whim through the African winter.

This is certainly one of those gems that should be bought by the case. Nothing would be more irritating to fancy a glass and to find you've run out.

Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2010 Pick 'n Pay, TOPS at Spar and liquor stores nationwide

R125.00 www.spier.co.za

From the Laptop of Polly Fumé I was in dire need of a 'gab and a glass' the other day, so Alana and I decided to take a trip to oh soo larney Melrose Arch to check out WineSense and their DIY winelist.

It was cozier than expected in that leather and cigars way, and would have suited the wet Friday to a T if it weren't for the fact that Alana has a bad habit she hasn't kicked yet. So instead we were seated in a mildly soggy spot outside (although the staff kindly erected a few umbrellas).

This, of course, just fuelled the need to get at that wine quickly! Loading a card took a few minutes and then we were left to twirl our glasses while staring at a nice selection of wines caged in a Frankensteinian contraption of glass and steel with many blinking lights.

Eventually we figured out that you could pour tasters, half-glasses and full-glasses and then it became a lot of fun as we dived into the Chardonnays to pick our first wines of the evening.

Alana had the excellent Hartenberg while I settled on the Dombeya Boulder Road – which I hadn't tried yet and was pretty pleasant, although I think a little young.

Some bitching later… (over pricey seafood tapas) we decided it was time to relent to the wet weather and get some reds. After a few sample tastings Alana settled on the excellent Warwick Pinotage and I had a glass of the gorgeous Tokara Cab – hint of cedar spice and very elegant. I can recommend both as being highly conducive to conversation, as well as general drinking.

WineSense can be a little like a candy store for wino's – you get to try samples before you buy a bigger glass and taste some of the lovelies you can't quite afford to commit to. It'll also tide you over if you're having Wine Show withdrawal.

Although it's not a cheap night out, it was a good twist on the usual wine-bar theme and I'll probably be back (although not on an empty stomach).

Follow me on Twitter @PollyFume

WWW.NIELJOUBERT.CO.ZA

TASTE TEAM

Revving it up with Riesling

Some of the most famous Rieslings in the world hail from the Mosel region in Germany, however South Africa is seeing an uprising in the successful growth and perfect vinification of this grape, so we sent a batch of our local

Rieslings to the Taste Team to sample and get their opinions on this often misunderstood cultivar and we're sure you'll be picking up a bottle or two of these the next time you're strolling through the wine shelves.

MEET THE TEAM Our “Taste Team” are 4 wine lovers drawn from the members of our Facebook group and were all visitors to The Wine Show. They’ve been selected to taste and rate wines every month. Most have no formal wine training, but know what they like and want to tell you all about the goodies!

Click on each team member’s picture to read more about them.

Ellen

Guest Reviewer Noluthando

Pieter

Robyn The

Page 27 - March 2012

Wine Show

READ THESE COMPARATIVE REVIEWS ON OUR SELECTED WINES

TASTE TEAM

Revving it up with Riesling

De Wetshof Rhine Riesling 2009

Howard Booysen Riesling 2010

RRP: R70

RRP: R135

Stockists: Solly Kramer, Picardi Rebel and Liquor Loonies

Stockists: Makro, Liquor City and Bootleggers

Jordan The Real McCoy 2010 RRP: R82

Quote: Robyn – “Underneath all that massive bracing acidity lies a shy damsel.”

Quote: Robyn – “Wow! Tinkerbell came along, waved her magic wand…”

Quote: Noluthando – “I liked it. Like, I really liked it. By which I mean, I loved it.”

www.dewetshof.com

www.howardbooysenwines.com

Pleasant Riesling nose with some green apples, developing into baked apples after some time in the glass. It has a sherbety taste and fresh acidity.

Still very undeveloped for a 2009, which bodes well for the future.

Angular, green Riesling fruit with fresh flowers and soft fruits in the background.

Already complex (is that the merest hint of noble rot?) Big mouthfeel with prominent viscosity and sweetish dried fruits. Great balance and loads of fruit. Really age worthy.

Whoa! Rich, unusual (for Riesling) nose of dried apricots and even a touch of smokiness. The palate is rather full-bodied and rich, with a lovely and balanced palate. Its peaches and dried apricots character evokes the likeness of Viognier and Chenin Blanc. Wonderfully individual and drinkable!

Underneath all that massive bracing acidity lies a shy damsel. A hint of unripe fruit and a light honeyed finish. Delicate and like a light sorbet.

Not actually fragrant, but pleasant in the same way.

Wow! Tinkerbell came along, waved her magic wand and filled what was supposed to be a bottle of wine with lime cordial (and once I'd said those two words, the genie was out the bottle and it was all anyone could taste). The flavour is magic, in spite of being a bit trippy and cartoonish.

Oh, boy, even sniffing this is w e l c o m i n g. Yo u c o u l d possibly put this in the dictionary under the definition of “balance” – offdry, rich, nice acidity. It's somehow got everything going for it and it's really generous. There's too much to it to pinpoint individual aspects, but the overall impression was – fookin' lovely.

Pieter says...

Robyn says...

Stockists: Norman Goodfellows, Bootleggers and Wine Concepts

www.jordanwines.com

The Page 29 - March 2012

Wine Show

READ THESE COMPARATIVE REVIEWS ON OUR SELECTED WINES

De Wetshof Rhine Riesling 2009

Howard Booysen Riesling 2010

RRP: R70

RRP: R135

Stockists: Solly Kramer, Picardi Rebel and Liquor Loonies

Stockists: Makro, Liquor City and Bootleggers

Jordan The Real McCoy 2010 RRP: R82

Quote: Robyn – “Underneath all that massive bracing acidity lies a shy damsel.”

Quote: Robyn – “Wow! Tinkerbell came along, waved her magic wand…”

Stockists: Norman Goodfellows, Bootleggers and Wine Concepts Quote: Noluthando – “I liked it. Like, I really liked it. By which I mean, I loved it.”

www.dewetshof.com

www.howardbooysenwines.com

Ellen says...

This wine has a greenish tinge and aromas of thyme, lime and eucalyptus honey. In the mouth it is full-bodied with an intense flavour of brisk citrus. It is dry with a pleasing minerality and medium to high acidity. It would go well with Greek chicken or a Greek salad.

This lemon yellow wine has a shy nose indicative of minerality. The mediumbodied palate is mediumsweet with a pleasing mouth-feel, high acidity (typical of Riesling and what allows the wine to be made in a sweet style without being cloying) and a degree of astringency. Flavours of sweet lime come through.

Serve with shellfish.

Jordan has always been one of my favourite estates and the Real McCoy does nothing to change my mind. It is quite greenish in colour with an intense nose that speaks of a wine still young, with aromas of nuttiness and dried fruit.

On the palate it is off-dry, well-rounded and extremely balanced. The high acidity is set off nicely by really gorgeous fruit. This was my wine of the evening.

Guest Reviewer

The very pale colour was indicative of the character of this wine. Well, that's how I choose to interpret it anyway. Although the nose was rather sharp and reminiscent of pears, on the palate the De Wetshof is very easy to drink. In other words, this wine is pleasant.

The first thing I said about this wine was that it is perfect for a summer afternoon in Johannesburg. The nose is really gorgeous with overpoweringly pleasant notes of peach and maybe pear as well. On the palate sheer joy. There was this rather weird sensation at the back of my throat with each sip, like being tickled by sugar. I absolutely loved that.

This is a wine I didn't expect I'd have much to say about going by the colour and the nose, both of which were really common. One sip though and I was singing its praises. This wine is really delicate and delicious – an extremely pleasant surprise given the really boring nose.

I liked it. Like, I really liked it.

By which I mean, I loved it.

Noluthando...

www.jordanwines.com

CONTINUE...

The

Wine Show

Page 30 - March 2012

READ THESE COMPARATIVE REVIEWS ON OUR SELECTED WINES

TASTE TEAM

Revving it up with Riesling

Paul Cluver Close Encounter Riesling 2011

Paul Cluver Riesling 2010

Villiera Woolworths Rhine Riesling 2009

RRP: R85

RRP: R45

Stockists: Makro, Pick 'n Pay and WineSense

Stockists: Woolworths

RRP: R85 Stockists: Makro, Pick 'n Pay and WineSense Quote: Pieter – “If spicy food could pray for a companion, much of it would pray for this!”

www.cluver.com

Pieter says...

Robyn says...

Quote: Noluthando – “I think the word is evocative?”

www.cluver.com

Quote: Ellen – “This Riesling has a versatility that will undoubtedly have many fans.”

www.woolworths.co.za

Pleasant flowery notes float gently to my olfactory bulb, where I insist on doing most of my smelling.

A hint of Chenin Blanc-like fruit adds complexity. The palate shows quite a bit of sugar, masked to an extent by riveting acidity. Fruity, balanced and – if you insist on forfeiting greater pleasure down the line – ready to drink. If spicy food could pray for a companion, much of it would pray for this!

Nice, clear fruit – perhaps a touch of lime on the nose.

Should blossom with some age. Touch of sugar but f i n i s h e s k i n d o f d r y, courtesy of a proper dose of acidity and slight sherbety character. Cool, clean aftertaste with just the slightest touch of (for me, very likeable) austerity.

Deserves more time in the bottle, like all of these.

Very interesting nose indeed: a whiff of banana sweets, replaced later with bread. It has a nice core of acidity running through it, with a medium aftertaste. There's a nice dry twist to the finish, despite some perceptible sugar.

The only hint that I wasn't sniffing Grapetiser was that my nose wasn't tickled by the bubbles. If you're serving curry and you've got some wimps this is the perfect antidote to heat – and if they don't finish the bottle (highly unlikely) it can serve as dessert too!

Smells somehow tangy, in a nice way. Tasting, the Estate Riesling is a bit sharp (like most good Rieslings I'm told – the acidity fans were having a field day at this tasting), but short and mineral. It was pleasantly just off-dry.

Off-dry? This stuff is as dry as a hot slate tile. [Often occurs when a wine is very well balanced, i.e. sugar vs acid – Ed]. It needs food, since anything this 'crisp' needs a buffer. There's some of that typical Riesling lime, and more unripe fruit. Maybe time will tame it…

The Page 31 - March 2012

Wine Show

READ THESE COMPARATIVE REVIEWS ON OUR SELECTED WINES

Paul Cluver Close Encounter Riesling 2011

Paul Cluver Riesling 2010

Villiera Woolworths Rhine Riesling 2009

RRP: R85

RRP: R45

Stockists: Makro, Pick 'n Pay and WineSense

Stockists: Woolworths

RRP: R85 Stockists: Makro, Pick 'n Pay and WineSense Quote: Pieter – “If spicy food could pray for a companion, much of it would pray for this!”

www.cluver.com

Ellen says...

Guest Reviewer

Noluthando...

Quote: Noluthando – “I think the word is evocative?”

www.cluver.com

Quote: Ellen – “This Riesling has a versatility that will undoubtedly have many fans.”

www.woolworths.co.za

This wine is very young and will reward keeping.

It is quite yellow for such youth and the nose lacks the complexity that will surely develop with time.

The wine is sweet, with brisk acidity, apple notes a n d m e d i u m b o d y.

Although it is a well-made wine, for my palate it is too sweet for a table wine and not quite sweet enough for a dessert wine. But then I'm hard to please.

Greenish with a modest nose reminiscent of A p p l e t i s e r, b u t m o r e complex. There's a sort of peaty minerality going on.

The palate is of medium intensity and mediumbodied, with the apple character following through from the nose.

Medium sweet, it will go well with creamy cheeses.

More yellow than green, the nose is not overly intense but steely with floral notes that develop in the glass and a touch of smokiness. The palate is intense, dry, medium-bodied and of medium length. This Riesling has a versatility that will undoubtedly have many fans.

The tinge of green in the colour is explained by the youthfulness of this wine.

On the palate a nice balance between the sugar and the acid – in fact the low acidity given how young the wine is was a rather nice surprise.

I quite enjoyed this and would gladly purchase it.

Heaven is this wine.

The nose of this wine was rather shy and hard to identify, but managed to be appealing at the same time. I think the word is evocative? I found this wine to be a bit dry for my palate but not unpleasantly so. The sugar did balance out the acidity and so even though for me it was a bit on the dry side, I could still enjoy it.

Really pale colour with a hint of greenish-yellow. The nose was really pleasant with the sweetness of, well, sweet things. I'm told that the greenish tinge means low acidity and I immediately pick up apples as an undertone.

Grapples perhaps? The palate tended toward low acidity with a hint of sugar, which I found rather pleasant.

The

Wine Show

Page 32 - March 2012

GET OUT

Cape Town Paarl Ommiberg 'Round the Rock' festival at Laborie

Festivities at Nederburg during the OmmiBerg Festival On 10 March you can taste some young wines from the 2012 vintage straight from the tank or barrel and compare them with Nederburg's market-ready offerings. Onion tarts, to complement the young wines, will be available. Relax and enjoy live music in front of the historic manor house by Newton & Co and Synchronicity. Try the various food and drink options on sale in the lush gardens around the manor house and free cellar tours at 11:00 and 14:00 are also on offer. 50 people will be able to take part in harvesting and stomping grapes or a wine-blending experience in the visitors' centre, which can accommodate 50 people, is another option that must be pre-booked at an additional fee.

Add to all of the above a jumping castle for the kids, games of boule and croquet and more, and what you get is a perfect Saturday at South Africa's most-awarded winery. For Nederburg-related information and bookings, please contact Sunette Rust on 021-862 3104 or email her at nedwines@distell.co.za.

Page 33 - March 2012

Make your way to Laborie on Saturday 10 March for an unforgettable experience for young and old. The focal point of Laborie's festivities will be an exciting pairing of young unfiltered wines with traditional onion. Other fun-filled activities include a blending (with a 9 litre bottle of Laborie Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 awarded to the best blend) as well as grape stomping – with a winning prize for each.

Children can look forward to a special kiddies' area, which will include face painting, balloon modelling and a magic show. The recently launched Harvest at Laborie restaurant will be offering visitors a special breakfast menu, which can be enjoyed on the spacious patio offering breathtaking views of the mountains.

Boules enthusiasts can participate in competition, which will take place at the restaurant. When the feet grow weary and the throat is parched visitors are welcome to relax and unwind whilst enjoying the relaxing sounds of DJ Rene The Frenchman and Newton, as they keep everyone entertained throughout the day. Prepaid tickets, at R60 per person, can be purchased directly from www.computicket.com.

Tickets purchased on the day cost R70 per person. Your ticket includes a tasting glass, access pass and programme.

Celebrate Wellington's Wine Bounty

A festive chapter to the 2012 Woordfees Literary art meets wine legends when the Stellenbosch American ExpressŽ Wine Routes teams up with the 2012 Stellenbosch University Woordfees (Festival of the Word) for a Word-andWine Celebration at participating wine estates on its Greater Simonsberg sub-route from 9-11 March. From Neil Ellis Wines and Sandra Prinsloo to Muratie and Kerneels Breytenbach‌on Friday, 9 March, South Africa's oldest and foremost wine route will add a fresh new chapter to this popular arts festival by sharing the country's best authors and icons in the company of esteemed cellars situated along the foot of the Simonsberg, with literature fanatics. For more information about the Simonsberg Wine Route Market Day and the US Woordfees 'Word-and-Wine' programme contact the Stellenbosch American ExpressŽ Wine Routes at 021-886 8275 or visit www.wineroute.co.za.

Mark 17-18 March on your calendar for a weekend of fine wines, good food, and superb th entertainment for young and old at the 6 Wellington Wine Harvest Festival in the SA Terroir Top Wine Area 2010. Be there when the heart of the Cape Winelands is transformed into a one-stop venue for non-stop fun, including outdoor activities, potjiekos competitions, grape stomping, cellar visits and much more. R80 (under 18's enter free) puts a wine glass in your hand, an entry armband on your arm and the promise of endless enjoyment within easy reach for every member of the family. For more information, the full programme and a list of participating farms contact Peter on 021-864 2479 or email info@wellington.co.za or visit www.harvestfestival.co.za.

Fairtrade Celebration with Arno Carstens at Bosman Steenberg Vineyards' Themed Tasting Featuring unusual and interesting topics around the appreciation of wine, these themed tastings offer a first-hand opportunity to take a delicious tasting journey through some of the wines of the Constantia Valley and beyond. What's In a Glass? will be presented by industry expert Richard Kellond on 14 March at 18:00, focusing on the different shapes of wine glasses and how it affects the taste of the wine, if at all. Kellond is a Consultant at Crystal Direct, one of the top suppliers of fine crystal wine glasses and decanters in South Africa. He will be sharing valuable insight into the journey of the wine to the palate, illustrating the difference in a wine when drunk from glass or crystal, and what the best shape is to show off its full potential.

Participation is R100 pp and bookings are essential. Email Lida van Heerden at lida@steenbrg.co.za or call 021-713 2211.

Bosman Family Vineyards promises a Celebration in Fairtrade set to the mellow acoustic performances by leading SA performer Arno Carstens at their Long Lunch during the annual Wellington Harvest Festival on 17 & 18 March 2012. Enjoy live performances by Arno Carstens daily between 12:00 and 15:00.

Other entertainment includes the beautiful harmonies of the Bosman Farming Choir, a chance to play the ancient game of boules, guided cellar tours and an antique tractor display. A supervised kiddies area is also available. An R80pp Wellington Harvest Festival entry pass allows you entrance to the venue, access to all entertainment, cellar tours and a complimentary tasting glass. The Long Lunch and wine costs are separate and will be determined by the menu available on the day of the event. Buy your ticket at the gate or Computicket website or outlet.

Page 34 - March 2012

GET OUT

Celebrate St. Paddies Day with Durbanville Hills Not Irish? Don't let that stop you from sharing in a day filled with all things green, leprechauns and four-leaf clovers. Find something green to wear and join Durbanville Hills Wines on Saturday, 17 March, in celebrating St Patrick's Day. Get into the spirit of the day with Irish folk and contemporary music, while enjoying a tasting of Durbanville Hills' award-winning wines. The Eatery will be serving fresh fish and chips as well as local tapas under the olive trees. Those best dressed in green stand a chance of winning amazing prizes. For more information or to book a tasting contact Simone Brown at 021558 1300 or send an email to SIBrown@durbanvillehills.co.za.

Fine-wine it up with Diemersfontein's 'Whites on Tap’ Wine lovers still deciding whether to attend the Wellington Wine Harvest Festival have an added incentive this year: Whites on Tap at Diemersfontein; an intimate, family-friendly event from the folk who devised the ßber-popular Pinotage on Tap. Whites on Tap will feature the award-winning range of Diemersfontein white wines: the Carpe Diem Chenin Blanc and Viognier, and the Thokozani White Blend.

The wine, of course, will be on tap with delectable food to pair: a couple of canapĂŠs, a spinach and feta quiche starter, a Thai chicken curry main and an apple pie for dessert. Additional food and wines will be available for purchase, while live music by Gerald Clarke and the Blues Broers band will add to the warmth of the ambience. A jumping castle, slip and slide, face painting and balloon artist are among the children's diversions in the Kids Zone, for serving up with limitless ice cream and hot dogs. Children's tickets are priced at R45, adults' tickets are priced at R270, and both ticket pricings include a complimentary weekend pass to the Wellington Wine Harvest Festival, on 17 and 18 March. Tickets can be purchased at www.computicket.com. For further information visit www.diemersfontein.co.za or telephone 021-864 5050.

Asara Pure Food Harvest Market st

Join us on the 21 of March from 10:00-15:00 as we reap the rewards of the 2012 harvest. On offer will be newly harvested seasonal fruits and vegetables, gourmet meats, local cheeses, Asara's freshly baked breads, handmade macaroons and our celebrated wines. Relax to live music while you take in the breathtaking mountain and vineyard views. There are plenty of activities that will keep the little ones entertained, including face painting. Bring along an empty canister and let your child press their own grape juice on the hand press, courtesy of our winery. Entry is free.

Page 35 - March 2012

R270 All Inclusive Ticket OR R80 Entry Ticket/ Harvest Festival Pass and Pay per Item thereafter

Mont Rochelle Harvest Festival 2012 Mont Rochelle in Franschhoek is abuzz with activity in preparation of its fourth annual Harvest Festival on Saturday 24 March. Offering a fun-filled day in the breathtaking setting of a working wine farm, this harvesting experience will appeal to those wine enthusiasts who prefer a more personal harvesting experience, spending the day hosted by winemaker Darran Stone. Delicious gourmet cuisine, loads of handson activity and a special gift to take home, add up to an unforgettable day at R490 per person. Activities kick off at 8:00 when guests will be welcomed with a gift of their own Mont Rochelle T-shirt and a hearty breakfast. Then it's time to enter into the spirit of the season with a stint of grape picking among the vineyards. The fun slides into high gear with traditional grape stomping and the chance to get knee-deep in grape juice, along with a bevy of new friends. After washing down a tasting of the freshly pressed grape must (juice that has already started fermenting), it's off on a fascinating tour of the wine cellar to taste Mont Rochelle's latest vintages. A delicious, al fresco lunch, in the magical garden setting of the Country Kitchen terrace, where a live band will provide the vibe, will allow guests to refuel before a round of traditional French boules, with teams competing for the winners' title, to end off a perfect day. Advance booking is essential. Reservations on 021-876 2770 or email info@montrochelle.co.za.

Perdeberg's Weisser Riesling Reserve was nurtured to perfection in the most sacred part of the cellar, in anticipation of Perdeberg's 70th year celebration last year. This natural sweet Weisser Riesling Reserve forms part of the hand crafted family in Perdeberg's Reserve range. Cellar Door price is R75 per bottle & R210 for a beautifully crafted gift pack of 3 (R70 per bottle when purchasing 3).

Gourmet evening at Clos Malvern Join us for a really incredible evening of world-class cuisine, award winning wine and a relaxing ambience. The food will be prepared by our executive chef Nadia Louw Smith and the wines to be paired with the dishes by winemaker Suzanne Coetzee. 5 Course dinner including the wine costs R268pp on the
 30th of March 2012 at 19h00. Bookings are essential on 021-865 2022 or email us at info@closmalverne.co.za.

Nabygelegen turns 300!

Join us for an evening of wining, dining, live musc and dancing to th st celebrate our 300 birthday on Saturday, the 31 of March 2012 at 19:00. Tickets cost R390 per person and include a 3-course feast, wine with each course and live music. Book a table for 10 and pay only R3,800. Booking is essential by calling Catherine on 021-873 7534 or email marketing@nabygelegen.co.za.

CONTACT DETAILS: Tel: +27 (21) 869 8244/8112 Fax: +27 (21) 869 8245 E-mail: info@perdeberg.co.za Website: www.perdeberg.co.za Business hours: Monday-Friday 08:00-17:00 and Saturday 09:30-14:00

NOT FOR SALE TO PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18.

GET OUT Franschhoek summer wines Head off to Leopard's Leap Vineyards on 31 March, set in the picturesque Franschhoek Wine Valley, for the inaugural Franschhoek Summer Wines. Participating wineries include La Bri, Morena, Colmant, Môreson, Anthonji Rupert's Cape of Good Hope and Terra del Capo, Franschhoek Cellars, Bellingham, Noble Hill, Leopard's Leap, La Motte, Solms-Delta and Haut Espoir. Relax and unwind, taking in the scenery of the valley as live entertainment ensures an unforgettable experience throughout the day.

Taking full advantage of the glorious summer days the festival will be open from 12:00-17:00. Tickets cost R180pp, which includes a tasting of all the wines on show. Celebrity chef Liam Tomlin will ensure you don't go hungry as he prepares sumptuous food to purchase whilst enjoying the day. Tickets can be purchased directly from www.webtickets.co.za and booking is essential.

For more information contact Darielle Robertson on 021-876 2861 or events@franschhoek.org.za.

The Food and Wine Evening at The Bay Hotel Commencing with the first event being held on the 30th March, the host for the evening will be Rijk Melck from Muratie. Rijk and our chef from Tides restaurant have compiled a 5-course spread, pairing 5 fantastic wines with mouth watering tasting dishes. The evening starts at 19:00 with sundowners in the whiskey bar then moving over to Tides where the first course will be served at 19:30. The cost is R320 per person. To book, email coordinator1@thebay.co.za or call 021-430 4444.

Cheré Botha charity dinner at Nelson's Creek Estate th

On the 13 of April, the Cheré Botha School for learners with special educational needs are arranging a gourmet dinner to raise funds to buy a new school bus to transport their learners to and from school. There will be a celebrity cook-off between renowned chef Sonia Cabano and award winning food-blogger Nina Timm. The cost is R500 per head or R4500 per corporate table of 10. Exclusive estate wines will be on sale by Frogitt & Vonkel Private Wine Merchants who will be sponsoring a percentage of takings to the charity.

For more info or to book, contact Marty Loubser on 021-949 3339 or email funding@cherebotha.co.za.

Page 37 - March 2012

Jo’burg

Wine Tasting with Glen Carlou Wines - A wine tasting with the Brand Manager of Glen Carlou Wines. Great company, good food and a top-notch atmosphere at TSG Fourways, Corner of William Nicol Drive and Mulbarton Road on 28 March at 19:00. The tasting is free, but seating is limited, so get there early. Call 011-465 7270 for more info.

Nedbank Green Wine Awards Johannesburg Public Tasting - On 29 March 2012 at 18:30 you can join Getaway Magazine for a tasting of the best organically grown red and white wines from the 2011 Nedbank Green Wine Awards and learn more about what goes into producing a 'green' wine at the Sandton Sun Hotel. Whatever your taste in wine, if you care about the environment you'll be interested to know that there are wine farmers in South Africa who are going the extra mile to farm for the future, using environmentally friendly, organic farming methods that put our well-being and the well-being of the land first. The tastings will be presented by leading bio-dynamic producer Johan Reyneke of Reyneke Wines. Tickets cost R150pp (Getaway subscribers pay R100). To book, call 0860-100 203 or email subs@ramsaymedia.co.za. For more information, contact Kathryn Frew on 021-530 3308. kathryn.frew@ramsaymedia.co.za.

TO ANNOUNCE YOUR WINE RELATED EVENTS HERE, PLEASE CONTACT US WITH THE DETAILS AT: info@wine-extra.co.za

WINE LAID BARE

Dare to Bare?

The 2012 round of Wine Laid Bare launched last month, and entries are flowing in already. Now in its fourth year, this round certainly looks to be the best and most hotly contested!

This months featured entry from 2011 was submitted

by Robert Russell, a Sandton based professional photographer who has built a solid reputation worldwide for exacting and brilliant nude and fine art images.

Whilst Robert failed to make the cut for the final 12 featured in the Wine Laid Bare calendar last year, he placed in the top selection in each of the previous years. For this entry he was aiming to bring a “new technical quality” to the competition, and chose Yolandi Wigget as the model. “Yolandi has a special quality, and has blossomed in this genre” said Robert.

It seems Robert has a good eye, too, as Yolandi has since gone on to be SA Playboy's Playmate of the Month for February 2012. “I met Robert Russell, who told me about the competition and it being a cause close to my heart I was more than willing to support it.

Haven't looked back since” says Yolandi who added “Not many girls can say they've had a bucket of wine thrown at them in the middle of winter for charity”.

However Yolandi's generosity towards Wine Laid Bare hasn't always been rewarded. She told us “My family has never been supportive, so they didn't react well. As for friends, my true friends still stick by me and support me”. We're glad she persevered. Yolandi has a dedicated facebook page following her success with Playboy and is looking to grow her modelling career still further. We wish her, and Robert, all the success and can't wait to se what the two of them come up with for this years competition.

The 2012 round of Wine Laid Bare closes at midnight on March 31st. To enter, you must first register by emailing samantha@wineshow.co.za. Entries cost R50 per image, with all proceeds from the competition and calendar going to breast cancer charities.

Full details including rules and terms are available at www.wine-extra.co.za along with a gallery of all the 2011 entries.

Limited copies of the current 2012 calendar (from the 2011 competition) are still available via mail order and cost just R100 each. To show your support for fighting breast cancer you can purchase a calendar by emailing samantha@wineshow.co.za

The

Wine Show

Page 38 - March 2012

NEXT MONTH IN WINE-EXTRA Percy Montgomery - Wine and World Cup

Like our Facebook page

Follow us on Twitter

WineExtra

RIB C S B SU

E

E E R F R O F NOW! o.za xtra.c e e n wi www.

WineExtra 2011 IWSC WINNERS - SPECIAL EDITION

SA GOLD ENJOYING THE 2011 WINNERS

INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRIT COMPETITION

Official S.A. Media Partner

WineExtra 2011 IWSC WINNERS - SPECIAL EDITION

Published by: TWS Media CC 102 Dorp Street, Stellenbosch 7600, Republic of South Africa Tel: +27 21 888 8800 Fax: +27 21 888 8818 Web: wine-extra.co.za , wineshow.co.za Editor: Maryna Strachan / maryna@wine-extra.co.za Design & Production: Rob Taylor Graphic Design / rob@robtaylordesign.co.za

Web Services: Tracey Van Niekerk / tracey@mutsami.co.za Advertising Sales: Vanessa Adendorff / vanessa@wineshow.co.za Advertising Sales Manager: Jolene Jordaan / jolene@wineshow.co.za Publishing Director: John Woodward / jw@pullthecork.co.za Subscribe online at www.wine-extra.co.za Official S.A. Media Partner: INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRIT COMPETITION The publishers regret they cannot accept liability for errors or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the reader's particular circumstances. The ownership of all trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts not exceeding 100 words in total from any one issue to be used for the purpose of fair review.

The

Wine Show

Letter from the Editor Images: Mark Freeborough

It is with much excitement and anticipation that we have published this special supplement, which highlights the South African Trophy and Gold winners in the 2011 International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC).

Many of you will have the privilege of reading a printed version of this supplement, which is quite unusual for us as Wine Extra is a digital magazine.

What's even better is that you can subscribe absolutely free of charge anywhere in the world and you will receive your monthly digi-zine straight into your inbox simply by visiting www.wine-extra.co.za.

As the official South African Media Partner of the IWSC, we have compiled this supplement to focus on the outstanding South African wines that won top prizes in the 2011 competition.

Read quotes from the trophy-winning winemakers and find out why they think their products won the ultimate prize. We invited internationally renowned chef, Bertus Basson to pair the 5 products with mouthwatering creations and share his opinion on the wines and brandy. There is also a comprehensive list of the Gold (Best in Class) and Gold medal winners.

Want to know a little more on the history of winemaking in South Africa or how our country's brandy distilling started? Well, it's all in this supplement for you to enjoy – preferably over a glass of your favourite tipple.

As a proudly South African publication, we feel very privileged to be able to share this supplement with our readers both locally and abroad. We believe that the South African wine and spirits industry is capable of competing with the best in the world and the amount of top awards at the world's most prestigious wine and spirits competition emphatically confirms this.

Happy wining,

JO’BURG - PE - DURBAN

www.wineshow.co.za

Follow us @WineExtra

CONTENTS SPECIAL EDITION

Introduction to the IWSC - Competition History - Judging in South Africa Judging Process South African Wine - Worthy Of Top Honours Experts in Quality 2011 Trophy Winners - The IWSC Worldwide Brandy Trophy - The Mission Hill Trophy

5

6 7 9 10 11 12

- The IWSC Trophy - The Abraham Perold Trophy - Trophy for Fortified Wine (Worldwide) Nederburg - Dripping with Gold Brandy - Shimmering Gold 2011 Gold (Best In Class) winners 2011 Gold winners Gold at The Wine Show

13 14 15 17 21 23 29 32

7. South African Wine

10. Trophy Winners

21. Brandy - shimmering gold

32. Gold at The Wine Show

What is the IWSC?

INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRIT COMPETITION

T

he International Wine and Spirit Competition was founded in 1969 and is the premier competition of its kind in the world. Its aim is to promote the quality and excellence of the world's best wines, spirits and liqueurs.

The IWSC receives entries from nearly 90 countries worldwide. No matter where the entry originates, whether it is youthful or aged, it is judged according to its class and treated with respect and consideration.

The Competition has the support of many of the world's top wine and spirit producers, because it sets the international benchmark for quality. The unique combination of detailed technical analysis and specialist judging panels means that gaining a Competition Award is an exceptional achievement.

The History When the original Club Oenologique was launched in 1969, its founder, the wine chemist Anton Massel, could scarcely have imagined the impact that his initiative would have on today's wine and spirit industry, nor the far-reaching commercial implications for those who find themselves rewarded for their excellence. He had the idea of creating a competition, which was based not just on organoleptic judgement, but where all entries also had to undergo chemical analysis.

In 1978 the name of the venture was changed to the International Wine and Spirit Competition and, within a short space of time, the disciplines of the Competition were redefined. A set of technical controls was implemented in order to ensure that the highest quality standards were achieved and maintained year after year. The original aim of the IWSC was to award excellence to wines and spirits worldwide. This remains the aim today, encouraging consumer and trade recognition for quality products.

Judging in South Africa 2011 Was the first year in which a local complement of judges was selected to complete an initial round of regional judging. According to Frances Horder, the IWSC competition director this decision had been coming a long time. “Allowing the first part of the judging process to be held in South Africa expands the market for us but also reduces the financial costs for SA wine producers to ship wines to the UK.�

Previously all SA wines were judged at the home base near Guildford in Surry, UK but unfortunately the transportation of samples made it quite expensive for local producers to enter.

Judging is however still very much on par with that of the rest of the world. The top winners from the first part of the judging process will be shipped to the UK for the chemical analysis and final judging.

The

Page 5

Wine Show

Judging Process Initially all judging is by region/area/variety/ style/type/vintage/age etc. Wines and spirits that win awards may then go forward to the appropriate trophy category, where they compete at national or international level with the best. Tastings are conducted under strict conditions as laid down in the IWSC Rules.

Samples are presented in flights of numbered glasses to avoid the possibility of judges being influenced by the shape of a bottle. Judges are provided with a score sheet and given the basic parameters of the class being assessed. Samples are assessed quietly and without comment; marks are recorded and collected by the panel

chairman who may then open discussions in respect of judges comments/scores.

Judges are prohibited from entering the preparation area and cellar before or during Competition judging sessions. Where judges are unable to reach a majority decision, flights will be referred to another panel. An auditor is available at each session to handle any queries. All results remain confidential until officially released.

Provided the required minimum score is reached gold, silver and bronze awards are given in each tasting category or flight. Products with the highest mark in their respective category are awarded "Outstanding" and are re-tasted for national and international trophies.

Dave Hughes Distiller; winemaker; wine auctioneer; international wine and spirit judge; writer on drink and allied subjects, Dave Hughes has had a long and varied career including a long spell with the Stellenbosch Farmers Winery.

Dave is a widely published author, who regularly contributes to local and international wine, spirit and travel magazines and has travelled the world presenting tastings; talks and papers on the South African wine industry.

He has also been involved with the International Wine & Spirit Competition since its inception nearly 40 years ago.

Says Hughes, “South Africa has ALWAYS been a keen competitor at this, the world's oldest International Wine and Spirit Competition of the market ready product.”

“The IWSC predates most other wine and spirit competitions with our own Young Wine Show being one of the world's earliest competitions that has survived to this day. South Africa has always been an important contribution to the entries of the IWSC because the producers recognize the credibility of the competition.

Their own successes were relayed to the consumers by their own PR efforts. South Africa has a very proud record over the years that out of the major countries entering, South Africa has almost always had a better ratio of awards to entries than other countries.”

IWSC Judge, Dave Hughes

“With the plethora of wine competitions it is refreshing to see the oldest market ready competition moving to keep with the times and bringing the judging to our own shores and still proving it is the major competition of choice.”

Page 6

SOUTH AFRICAN WINE

Worthy of Top Honours At the southern tip of the African continent, where two oceans meet lies the Western Cape home to the South African winelands. For over 350 years, the cultures of Africa, Europe and the East have met and mingled in the shadow of the world-famous landmark, Table Mountain.

A winemaking tradition and history dating back more than three centuries blends the restrained elegance of the Old World with the accessible fruit-driven styles of the New World, making for varied and exciting wines which eloquently express the unique terroir, extraordinary diversity and fascinating people of South Africa.

From modest beginnings in the Dutch East India th Company's 17 century gardens below Table Mountain, South Africa's vineyards now cover 101,016ha and close to 100 official appellations.

In 1973 legislation was introduced to recognise and protect the distinctive qualities, which wines derive not only from certain areas, but also from specific grape varieties and vintages. South Africa's winegrowing areas have been classified by region, each of which is broken down into smaller districts, wards and units for the production of estate and single vineyard wines. his classification is administered by the Wine and Spirit Board, which is appointed by the Department of Agriculture. Wine which has been certified by the Wine and Spirit Board carries a seal, guaranteeing the reliability of all information relating to origin, grape variety and vintage as stated on the label.

Over the past few years, South Africa's red wine plantings have increased dramatically, shifting the profile from predominantly white to red in line with international demands. Red wine plantings now constitute 45% of the national vineyard, with white wine varieties accounting for 55%.

Traditionally, South Africans are beer lovers, but with the estimated domestic per-capita wine consumption steadily increasing to roughly 7 litres, this is indeed a growing market. From the most planted to the least planted, the 5 top red and white varieties are Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Page 7

Jan van Riebeeck

Sauvignon, Colombard, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinotage, Muscat d'Alexandrie and Cinsaut.

In more recent times we have started to see major interest arising in the cultivation of varietals that are seen to be unusual within the country, such as Grenache, Barbera, Riesling, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir. Many of our winemakers spend their offseason time in Northern hemisphere vineyards where they are exposed to these cultivars and believe that the South African terroir is fit to produce exceptional samples of wines from these grapes.

There is no doubt that the South African wine industry is undergoing a major revolution and moving in the right direction. This is clearly seen in the amount of wines taking the top honours at the prestigious international wine shows and competitions. The consumer is becoming more educated and our winemakers are experimenting and finding new and better ways of producing top-quality wines, making the South African wine market the one to watch.

Experts in Quality

Guardians of Quality The Technical and Judging Committee gives independent assurance to the IWSC Board of the quality, integrity, accuracy and impartiality of the assessment of products entered for the Competition each year.

Members provide expertise in all the Competition's product categories and disciplines and must be independent of the Competition, as is the Chair, to avoid the potential for conflicts of interest.

Technical (Chemical) Analysis Top winning products are analysed before going on to compete further at National or International Trophy level. Technical analysis is conducted by Corkwise, one of the UK's leading independent laboratories. The Competition believes that this is the only way to ensure products recommended by its judges are exactly what they claim to be and will maintain their quality when they reach the consumer. In addition the IWSC reserves the right to carry out random testing.

Wine Analysis Wine analysis includes: free and total sulphur dioxide, iron, copper, total acidity, volatile acidity (acetic acid), pH, ascorbic acid, sugar, sugar free

Chemical wine analysis

extract and microbiology. In addition, certain wines will be screened by gas chromatography for methanol, sorbitol, potential contaminants and other illegal additives (GCMs).

Spirit Analysis Spirit analysis includes: alcohol and sugar content, as well as screening for possible illegal additives by gas chromatography techniques. Spirits are assumed to be bright unless otherwise advised by the entrant.

Why carry out a Technical Analysis?

A white wine which has only recently been bottled with free sulphur dioxide of 5mg/l may be organoleptically attractive now, but within three months this wine will begin to oxidise.

A red wine with high volatile acid and some residual sugar could taste quite attractive (a sweet and sour effect). Over the months this level of volatile acid would rise, creating an overly sour and unattractive wine.

In some instances the results of analysis may lead to marks being deducted, or even outright rejection, because what is blind tasted may not be the product which appears on retailers' shelves.

Image Courtesy of Western Cape Dept of Agriculture | By Cornelius M Muller

2011 TROPHY WINNERS

A further 5 product trophies were awarded to South African products as detailed in the following pages. We asked internationally renowned chef, Bertus Basson to pair the 5 products with gastronomical delights and he has come up with some creative and delectable dishes.

As a special addition to this supplement, Wine Extra will be hosting an extra-special SA Gold dinner at Bertus' Top 10 restaurant, Overture th near Stellenbosch on the 18 of April where these dishes will be prepared and served with the trophy winning wines and brandy. Tickets to the dinner are limited and can be secured by emailing Samantha@wineshow.co.za.

If you're a South African rugby supporter, you'll no doubt be familiar with the Curry Cup and how much it means to be the winner of that cup. The IWSC is the equivalent of the World Cup. Wines and spirits compete on an international level with the best of the rest and to win an award in this competition is pretty impressive. To furthermore be a Trophy winner is nothing short of immense.

Initially all judging is by region/area/ variety/style/type/vintage/age etc. Wines and spirits that win awards may then go forward to the appropriate trophy category, where they compete at national or international level with the best.

In the 2011 competition, South African producers walked away with no less than 7 of these trophies, which is indeed a fantastic achievement.

Two of the trophies were awarded to iconic producers, Spier and Distell. Winning the prestigious trophy for 'Africa Spirits Producer', Distell once again takes the top spot with the famous Spier Wine Estate winning the trophy for 'South African Producer', sponsored by Dave Hughes.

Chef Bertus Basson in action at Overture

The

Wine Show

Page 10

The IWSC Trophy for Chenin Blanc

Awarded to Kanu Vineyards (Pty) Ltd Kanu KCB Chenin Blanc 2007 Kanu winemaker, Johan Grimbeek's opinion on this wine: “What stands out most about this wine is the balance. With a residual sugal of just over 11g/l, it is possible for the sugar to completely overwhelm the overall mouthfeel of the wine, however the balanced acidity is what allows the wine to come across fairly dry on the palate. This wine was fermented in 100% new oak, but very well integrated without obscuring the natural fruit flavours. This style of Chenin makes it an easy wine to pair with a wide selection of foods.”

Why do you think that the Kanu KCB Chenin Blanc 2007 was the overall Trophy winner?

“As I mentioned above, the balance of the wine really allowed for the perfect result. Some of the grapes were Botritis infected which added a further dimension that was very much present on the palate. This wine was made in a very full style, resulting in a very elegant drinker.”

The Kanu KCB Chenin Blanc 2007 retails at R85 (ZAR) from main national distributors, Nicholson Smith, Vasco, Distri-Liquor, Wine of the Month Club and Prestons Liquors.

Kanu winemaker, Johan Grimbeek

Bertus Basson’s pairing suggestion: Beetroot Salad, Smoked Goats Cheese, Pine Oil and Pine Nut Puree Why did you feel this was a good pairing?

“The wine is rich, smooth and well wooded.

It needs to be off-set with earthy flavours.”

Bertus' thoughts on this wine: “I dig Chenin! This one in particular is amazing.

Definitely one to feature in every cellar.”

The

Page 11

Wine Show

The Mission Hill Trophy for Chardonnay

Awarded To Spier Wines Spier Private Collection Chardonnay 2009 Spier winemaker, Frans Smit's opinion on this wine: “This is a good example of two terrific terriors: Stellenbosch (faure area) and Durbanville. Carefully managed throughout the growing season and then a lot of attention to detail given during processing. Picked in 10kg lugs, hand sorted before crushing and then fermentation followed by maturation of 14 months in barrel. The wine shows great balance between citrus/lime fruit and vanilla/wood flavours on the

wine strongly reflects the two growing areas.”

Why do you think that the Spier Private Collection Chardonnay 2009 was the overall Trophy winner?

“The wine has a remarkably rich palate with a good balance between acidity and fruit and a good reflection of the quality of the grapes and the area (terrior). A wine that is showing well and with a very good maturation ability of maybe 8 to 10 years.

nose with a well balanced (rich middle palate with good acidity) palate. The

The Spier Private Collection Chardonnay 2009 retails at approximately €10 (Euro) from various international distributors and is not available in South Africa.

Winemaker, Frans Smit

Bertus Basson’s pairing suggestion: Mussels in Pernod cream with Fennel Why did you feel this was a good pairing?

“A delicate and approachable Chardonnay, it belongs with classical, rich flavors, which will refresh the palate as you eat.”

Bertus' thoughts on this wine: “Fresh and surprisingly crisp with a very well balanced acidity, this Chardonnay is perfect with richer dishes.”

The

Wine Show

Page 12

The Abraham Perold Trophy for Pinotage

Awarded To Spier Wines Savanha Naledi Pinotage 2009 Spier winemaker, Frans Smit's opinion on this wine: “This is very much a single terrior wine from Paarl: The grapes are picked in 10kg lugs and pre-cooled to about 8°C before the processing starts. The bunches are hand sorted and destemmed before the berries are again hand sorted. Fermentation is in stainless steel followed by malo-lactic fermentation in the barrel for a total of 20 months before bottling. The fruit in this wine really reflects the terroir. Lots of ripe berry fruits are well integrated with notes of vanilla, dark chocolate and toast. A rich creamy palate with good acidity balances this youthful wine.”

Why do you think that the Savanha Naledi Pinotage 2009 was the overall Trophy winner?

“The 'Agter-Paarl' area is well known for its exceptionally high quality Pinotage. The terroir is very much one that produces this upfront berry fruit flavour spectrum. The wine has rich, soft tannins with a long lingering finish. Once again, the rich middle palate of the wine with superb balance on the palate makes it quite exceptional.”

The Savanha Naledi Pinotage 2009 retails at approximately €10 (Euro) from various international distributors and is not available in South Africa.

Winemaker, Frans Smit

Bertus Basson’s pairing suggestion: Karoo Lamb Rump, Provençal herbs, Olives and Tomato Why did you feel this was a good pairing?

“The wine has beautiful herbaceous tones, which pairs perfectly with the particular flavor of real Karoo lamb.”

Bertus' thoughts on this wine: “I have always been a fan of Frans' wines. I found it to be a very different Pinotage - in a good way. It opens up new possibilities for food pairing with Pinotage.”

The

Page 13

Wine Show

Trophy for Fortified Wine (Worldwide)

Awarded To Distell Ltd Wood Matured Muscadel 2004 Monis winemaker, Dirkie Christowitz's opinion on this wine: “The wine was matured for five years in 500-litre French oak barrels, resulting in a delicious combination of raisins, Christmas cake, cinnamon and subtle citrus, culminating in a velvety smooth and lingering mocha aftertaste.”

“The terroir of the Breede River Valley from where we source our grapes, is ideally suited to produce the finest Muscat de Frontignan grapes, allowing us to make Muscadel that regularly receives awards at international competitions.”

Why do you think that the Monis Wood Matured Muscadel 2004 was the overall Trophy winner?

The Monis Wood Matured Muscadel 2004 retails at approximately R80 (ZAR) from leading liquor outlets nationwide.

Winemaker, Dirkie Christowitz

Bertus Basson’s pairing suggestion: Gorgonzola Mousse, Muscadel Grape Sorbet, Almonds and Grappa Why did you feel this was a good pairing?

“The Muscadel is sweet, with clean fruit and good acidity. Paired with richer cheese it will result in a balanced mouthful.”

Bertus' thoughts on this wine: “A celebration of sweet wine!”

The

Wine Show

Page 14

The IWSC Worldwide Brandy Trophy

Sponsored by Distell Awarded To Distell Ltd Van Ryn's 20 YO Collectors Reserve Van Ryn's Distiller, Marlene Bester's opinion on this brandy: “On the nose, the Van Ryn's 20 Year Old Collectors Reserve is vibrantly alive with fragrances of dried fruit, especially pear. Also evident are raisin, prune and spice flavours, as well as a subtle port character. On the palate you get walnuts and other nuts combined with fruit and oak to produce the softest finish imaginable.

It is supremely rich with a decadent, satiny texture.”

Why do you think that the Van Ryn's 20 YO Collectors Reserve was the overall Trophy winner?

“We employ traditional French techniques, but with a uniquely South African interpretation that expresses an unmistakable and distinctive taste of place. This brandy's marvelous nutty character derives from gentle perfection over 20 years' maturation in French oak confirming founder, Jan van Ryn's belief that the secret of a great brandy lies in its maturation. The harmony of fruit and wood, as well as the smooth palate offers and exciting taste profile for the spirits connoisseurs and judges alike and makes it a worthy winner of the 2011 Worldwide Best Brandy Trophy.”

Van Ryn's 20 Year Old Collectors Reserve is available from the Van Ryn Brandy Cellar tasting room in Stellenbosch for R1,040 a bottle. It can also be found at specialist wine and spirits shops and retails for approximately R1,100. It's also available for tasting, in addition to the other three top performers, in pairings with food, including charcuterie, chocolate and florentines.

Distiller, Marlene Bester

Bertus Basson’s pairing suggestion: Roast Pineapple with Vanilla Ice-cream, Cardamom and Coconut Why did you feel this was a good pairing?

“Chocolate will be too rich - this brandy has a delicate vanilla nose. Caramelizing pineapple with vanilla brings out similar delicate tropical flavors.”

Bertus' thoughts on this brandy: “A fantastic brandy that will round off any dinner beautifully.”

The

Page 15

Wine Show

EXCLUSIVE WINE DINNER Taste the 5 IWSC Trophy winners at the SA Top 10 award winning ,restaurant, Overture

Date: 18 April 2012 at 19:00 Seats are limited and cost R650pp. Experience the dishes as set out in this supplement paired with the award winning wines and brandy.

For reservations email samantha@wineshow.co.za.

KAn U WineExtra

Nederburg

Dripping with Gold Tradition and talent blend with passion, precision and patience at Nederburg, where classically structured wines are made with vibrant flavours.

Their hallmark combination of fruit & finesse continues to be rewarded around the world. They brought home six Gold and six Best-In-Class awards from the 2011 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), making them the producer with the most Gold and above medals from South Africa.

Nederburg is exported to key global markets in the UK, Europe and North America, where it is steadily building a reputation for classically styled wines. Its growing success as a lifestyle brand is the result of an extensive infrastructure that includes viticultural research, pioneering vineyard practices, sourcing of top-quality grapes, investment in cellar facilities and an international marketing and distribution network.

Razvan Macici heads the team as Cellarmaster, supported by two winemakers, Wilhelm Pienaar & Tariro Masayiti, who work closely under his direction.

relationships with growers across the Cape. In partnership with them we have identified ideal sites and established vineyards and together we monitor their progress.”

“In the cellar, we have the flexibility to vinify according to individual vineyard block and create our wines in a nuanced way, whatever the size of the eventual blends. Our mantra is to make wines of finesse that are well structured and food-friendly and we are very judicious with oaking.”

“We are fortunate to have the opportunity to experiment with new varietals, new cross-varietal blends and wood regimes. We are continually bringing fruit into the cellars from new sites, such as Alhambra, a block in what is one of the highest-lying vineyard locations in the Western Cape. Situated 1,060m above sea level in sandstone soils, our Sauvignon Blanc here has produced amazing fruit. We have just produced a white wine that includes a portion that underwent carbonic maceration, a technique usually applied to red wines. We are getting excellent results from ageing in very large, old,

We asked Razvan: Why do you think Nederburg won so many top IWSC medals?

“We always stress that while we are enormously proud of the recognition, we don't make wines to win awards. We do it to give pleasure to people who love wine. This is not to be coy. We apply an enormous attention to detail in all our wines, from the entry-level to our most select. We have four dedicated farms and we enjoy long-standing The

Page 17

Wine Show

2009 Private Bin D253 Sauvignon Blanc/Chardonnay - Brilliant lime-green colour follows through with aromas of asparagus, green figs and tropical fruit with toasty notes on the nose and complex aromas and a creamy texture on the palate.Very deserving of its Gold (Best in Class) award. The Private Bin label is for specialist, limited-edition wines, sold exclusively at the annual Nederburg Auction.

reconditioned vats. These are just some examples that illustrate the extent we are always trying to find better ways of doing things.”

“We are continually reviewing what we do, and we benchmark ourselves against local and international producers all the time. It's how we stay fit!”

What are your thoughts on the perception in markets like the UK, where cheap wines and big brands dominate SA's space on shelves, and so little of our good stuff?

“The more accessibly priced wines are those carried by the mainstream retailers. However, the UK does have specialty shops and e-retailers offering more select wines. Many of the UK's critics also champion interesting and unusual wines in their columns, blogs and on their websites. The UK remains a very important market for us and our wines.”

Many are put off SA wines in the UK, because the entry level is so poor. What would you say to cheer us up on that one?

“It depends who you talk to. South Africa still features in the top 20 brands offered by retailers.

The enduring popularity of these wines suggests that they are well received by many UK wine drinkers. At the same time, there is a strong effort on the part of Wines of South Africa and individual producers to highlight SA's premium wines. SA is one of the first wine-producing countries to focus its marketing on how terroir impacts on wine style. Our abundant biodiversity and its impact on our wines is a strong competitive advantage over many other countries.”

Here's the six Gold and Gold (Best In Class) Nederburg winners from the 2011 IWSC Challenge: The

Wine Show

2010 Winemaster's Reserve Noble Late Harvest -. Chenin Blanc and Muscat de Frontignan. Brilliant yellow, with hints of gold, aromas of honey and tangerine supported by apricot and dried peach flavours. Awarded Gold (Best in Class). Nederburg's super-premium wines are accommodated in The Winemaster's Reserve ensemble.

2005 Private Bin R163 Cabernet Sauvignon – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep purple-ruby and captivatingly fruity with a prominent blackcurrant, cassis, mint and coffee character.

Smooth and aromatic, with a pleasing sense of ripeness and intensity. Well-structured and wellbalanced with an unmistakable elegance.

2009 Nederburg Private Bin D234 Sauvignon Blanc - 100% Sauvignon Blanc.

Brilliant green, complemented by an intense herbaceous aroma. A fresh palate of capsicum, gooseberry and citrus is lifted by lively acidity.

Awarded Gold.

2010 Nederburg Winemaster's Reserve Special Late Harvest - Chenin Blanc, Weisser Riesling, Muscat d'Frontignan and Gewürztraminer. Fresh and rich with apricot and raisin flavours supported by a welcoming acidity.

Awarded Gold.

2007 Nederburg Private Bin Edelkeur – 100% Chenin Blanc. Brilliant specs of green & gold with exotic aromas of dried peaches and honey. Mouth-filling and perfectly balanced sugar/acid ratio. On the palate, dried fruit & vanilla spice flavours are supported by a fresh aftertaste.

SOUTH AFRICAN BRANDY

Shimmering Gold The evolution of brandy in South Africa encompasses a proud heritage, a storied present and a future full of growth and development. Brandy is now; its world-class quality commands attention and its richness of substance and versatility of style continues to accommodate ever-new trends in lifestyle and taste.

Yet, the iconic golden elixirs produced in the modern era of the South African brandy industry is a far cry from the first brandy distillation by an assistant cook on board a Dutch ship De Pijl, lying at anchor in Table Bay in 1672.

Centuries on brandy has earned its place as a true national product and South Africa's most treasured spirit, distilled according to arguably among the most stringent regulations in the world. Now, foreign markets are also beginning to learn of our world-class brandy, as international awards continue to confirm its consistently outstanding quality and connoisseurs.

In fact, a South African brandy has won the coveted 'Worldwide Best Brandy' accolade at the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) in London ten times in the past thirteen years.

This triumph also represents the fifth consecutive year that a South African brandy has ruled the roost at this prestigious international competition.

“We see this as no mean feat for our country's winning brandies, as the IWSC is hailed as the gold standard among global competitions; the use of the Olympic principle when awarding medals ensuring that IWSC medals and trophies are the most prestigious honours of all,” says Christelle Reade-Jahn, director of the South African Brandy Foundation.

The most recent 'Best Brandy in the World' titleholder is Van Ryn's Collectors Reserve 20 Year Old from Distell's stable of premium brandies which had the judges at the 2011 IWSC in

raptures. Other trophy-winning brandies that did South Africa proud at the IWSC include KWV 15 Year Old Brandy (2007), Van Ryn's 20 Year Old Collectors Reserve (2008), Joseph Barry 10 Year Cape Pot Still Brandy (2009) and Laborie Alambic (2010).

Says Dr Caroline Snyman, chairperson of the South African Brandy Foundation, “our brandies perform at IWSC across the style spectrum – blended and pot-stilled. Furthermore the winners are not only from the big distilleries, but also the smaller distilleries and wine cellars, confirming the spread of quality and depth of passion for and skill in brandy-making in this country.”

What has also emerged is that the international panels of judges, predominantly leading UK and European spirits buyers and distillers from across the world – including Cognac – are particularly enjoying the new, distinctive style of modern South African brandies said to be more fruity and elegant …. a distinctive product of the vines warmed under the South African sun.

Visit www.sabrandy.co.za for information. Story compiled for The South African Brandy Foundation.

The

Page 21

Wine Show

INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRIT COMPETITION

2011 Gold Winners Best in Class Alvi's Drift Chenin Blanc Viognier Chardonnay 2010 RRP - R95 info@alvisdrift.co.za

Alvi's Drift Wines

Boland Boland Cellar Reserve Nยบ1 Shiraz 2008 RRP - R77 www.bolandwines.co.za

Boland Kelder

Constantia Glen Constantia Glen Five 2008 RRP - R245 www.constantiaglen.com www.facebook.com/ConstantiaGlen

Constantia Glen

Distell Ltd Fleur Du Cape Noble Late Harvest 2010 RRP - R 115 www.fleurducap.co.za Distell Uitkyk 10 YO Estate Brandy

Distell Ltd Monis Wood Matured Muscadel 2004 RRP - R80 www.moniswines.co.za

Page 23

Distell Ltd

Distell Ltd

Distell Ltd

Distell Ltd Fleur Du Cap Merlot 2009 RRP - R 110 www.fleurducap.co.za

Distell Ltd

Van Ryn's 10 YO Vintage Brandy

Distell Ltd

Van Ryn's 20 YO Collectors Reserve

Distell Ltd Distell Ltd

Mainstay Premium Original

Distell Ltd

Klipdrift Gold Pot-still Brandy

Distell Ltd

Flagstone Flagstone Treaty Tree Reserve 2010 RRP - R140 www.flagstonewines.com/wines/ treaty-tree-reserve/

Flagstone Winery

Groote Post Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Groote Post Vineyards

Kaapzicht Estate Steytler Pentagon 2007

Kaapzicht Estate

Kaapzicht Estate Steytler Vision 2007

Kaapzicht Estate

Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Kanonkop Wine Estate

Kanonkop Paul Sauer 2005

Kanonkop Wine Estate

Kanonkop Paul Sauer 2007

Kanonkop Wine Estate

Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Kanonkop Wine Estate

Mary Le Bow 2007

Kenneth Frater / Appelsdrift

Cape Tawny Port NV

KWV SA

KWV Laborie Jean Taillefort Shiraz 2009

KWV SA

Lomond Lomond Snowbush 2009 RRP - R142 www.lomond.co.za

Lomond Winery

The

Wine Show Page 24

INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRIT COMPETITION

2011 Gold Winners Best in Class Nederburg Private Bin D253 Sauvignon Blanc/ Chardonnay 2009 Contact us for enquiries www.nederburg.co.za or telephone number 021-862 3104

Nederburg Wines

Nederburg Winemaster's Reserve Noble Late Harvest 2010 Contact us for enquiries www.nederburg.co.za or telephone number 021-862 3104

Nederburg Wines

Nederburg Private Bin R163 Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Contact us for enquiries www.nederburg.co.za or telephone number 021-862 3104

Nederburg Wines

Oude Molen Oude Molen VOV

RRP - R420 www.oudemolen.co.za

Rietvallei Rietvallei Select Sauvignon Blanc 2010 RRP - R100 www.rietvallei.co.za

Rijk's Pinotage Private Cellar 2007

Oude Molen Distillery

Rietvallei Wine Estate

Rijk's Private Cellar

Spier Private Collection Chardonnay 2009 RRP - Not Available in RSA www.spier.co.za

Spier Wines

Spier Naledi Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 RRP - Not Available in RSA www.spier.co.za

Spier Wines

Spier Spier Creative Block 5 2009 RRP - R 115 www.spier.co.za

Spier Wines

Spier Savanha Naledi Pinotage 2009 RRP - Not Available in RSA www.spier.co.za

Spier Wines

Spier Spier Private Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 RRP - Not Available in RSA www.spier.co.za

Spier Wines

Strandveld Strandveld Sauvignon Blanc 2010 RRP - R100 www.strandveld.co.za

Strandveld Wines

Page 26

INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRIT COMPETITION

2011 Gold Winners Best in Class Thelema Sutherland Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot 2008 RRP - R100 www.thelema.co.za

Thelema Mountain Vineyards

Villiera Monro Brut 2006 RRP - R 150 www.villiera.co.za

Villiera Wine

Waterford Estate Kevin Arnold Shiraz 2008 RRP - R165 www.waterfordestate.co.za

Waterford Estate

N

ederburg is South Africa's most awarded winery, appreciated the world over for its hallmark blend of lively and refreshing fruit, elegance and structure, evident in all its wines. The multi-tiered range spans a rich and varied spectrum from the specialist Private Bin wines sold exclusively on the prestigious annual Nederburg Auction to other connoisseur offerings and those for everyday drinking.

Behind Nederburg's success lies a very sophisticated infrastructure, supported by worldclass viticultural research and long-term relationships with wine-growers selected for their prime sites and outstanding quality fruit. Location is ideally matched with varietal to bring out the very best in flavour. The winery even has its own

dedicated nursery that propagates superior vine material for its own use and its supplier-growers.

The cellar has been designed with the flexibility to accommodate small-edition and more popular wines. Individually vinifying each vineyard block to create the components for wines with nuanced detailing is an essential part of the process. So is the use of a broad spectrum of oak, from reconditioned large old vats to boutique barriques from coopers across the world.

Working with an international network of agents and distributors, Nederburg is able to bring the pleasure of delicious, well-made wines to people all over the world.

A proud member of the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative.

INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRIT COMPETITION

2011 Gold Winners Bramton Brampton Shiraz 2008 RRP - R59 www.bramptonwines.co.za

Brampton Wines

Ghost Corner Semillon 2009

Cederberg Private Cellars

Three Ships Single Malt 10 YO Whisky

Distell Ltd

Oude Molen VOV Oude Meester 12 YO Reserve Pot-Still Brandy RRP - R420 www.oudemolen.co.za

Distell Ltd

Oude Molen Oude Meester Peppermint Liqueur RRP - R420 www.oudemolen.co.za

Distell Ltd

Van Ryn's 12 YO Distillers Reserve

Distell Ltd

Van Ryn's 15 YO Old Fine Cask Reserve

Distell Ltd

Bain's Single Grain Whiskey

Distell Ltd

Ernie Els Signature 2007

Ernie Els Wines

Grande Provance The Grande Provence 2006 RRP - SOLD OUT www.grandeprovence.co.za

Grande Provence

The

Page 29

Wine Show

Hamilton Russel Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2010 RRP - R290 www.hamiltonrussellvineyards.co.za

Hamilton Russell

Olof Bergh Solera Brandy

Henry Tayler & Ries Ltd

Three Ships Single Malt 10 YO Whisky

Distell Ltd

Kanonkop Paul Sauer 2008

Kanonkop Wine Estate

KANU Kanu KCB Chenin Blanc 2007 RRP - R85 2007 VINTAGE SOLD OUT PLS REQUEST NEW VINTAGE

Kanu Vineyards

http://websites.wine.co.za/Wine.aspx?WINEID=27534&C LIENTID=3166&BRANDID=1112&MENU=17510&Archive

Ken Forrester The Gypsy 2007

Ken Forrester Wines

KWV Vodka

KWV SA

Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2006

Mentzendorff & Co Ltd

Nederburg Private Bin D234 Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Contact us for enquiries www.nederburg.co.za and telephone number 021-862 3104

Nederburg Wines

Nederburg Winemaster's Reserve Special Late Harvest 2010 Contact us for enquiries www.nederburg.co.za and telephone number 021-862 3104

Nederburg Wines

Nederburg Private Bin Edelkeur 2007 Contact us for enquiries www.nederburg.co.za and telephone number 021-862 3104

Nederburg Wines

Page 30

INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRIT COMPETITION

2011 Gold Winners Val de Vie Val de Vie 1783 2007 RRP - R250 www.valdevie.co.za/wine.html

Val De Vie Wines

Southern Cape Vineyards Ladismith Klein Karoo Pot Still Brandy 8 YO RRP - R380 www.barrydalewines.co.za

Southern Cape Vineyards

2011 Page 31

The

Wine Show

GOLD AT THE WINE SHOW

So What Does Gold Taste Like?

Reading about award winning wines is all very well and good, but tasting them for yourself is even better. South African wine lovers are in for a treat at The Wine Show Joburg 2012.

Notwithstanding the 150+ producers pouring close to 1,000 wines throughout the exhibition, those intent on tasting the very best that SA has to offer are in for a treat. The WineExtra & IWSC Gold Lounge is a dedicated tasting lounge where many of the Gold medal (and higher) winning wines & spirits will be on show. Producers will be pouring their Gold medal winners alongside an interactive theatre area where both the wine makers and members of the South African Sommeliers Association (SASA) will be

conducting tutored tastings and comparative tasting sessions with other gold winning wines & spirits from across the globe.

Created as a haven to focus on, learn and enjoy about SA's best, visitors to The Wine Show who wish to indulge themselves will need to pay an additional R20 to enter the lounge, but all the tastings and theatre sessions are free once inside.

Many of the 2011 Gold wines & spirits have either sold out or been taken off sale, however those wishing to purchase available winners will be able to do so from the relevant producers stands within the main exhibition hall.

John Woodward, Publisher of WineExtra and Organiser of The Wine Show said “The Wine to Page 33

Show has quickly established itself as the show platform for producers wishing to do good business at the premium end of the market. Since its inception 7 years ago, The Wine Show has consistently delivered the highest “per head” visitor spend of any other consumer wine show in SA (R1500 per head). We felt it only fitting, therefore, that this audience be afforded the opportunity to taste and buy South African wines identified as amongst the best in the world by the IWSC”.

Reflecting on the scale of SA's achievements in the 2011 competition, Woodward adds “With over 60 different wines and spirits achieving Gold Medal or higher, the potential for tasting Gold within the Gold Lounge is immense. Visitors would be well advised to consider buying a Weekend Pass as they may wish to dedicate one full day to the lounge, and the balance to the rest of the jam-packed show”.

The Wine Show Joburg 2012 is on at the CocaCola Dome in Northriding, May 4th-6th. Full details will be published in WineExtra magazine, or visit www.wineshow.co.za. Tickets and Weekend Passes are available from Computicket.

FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO

SOUTH AFRICA’S FAVOURITE WINE MAGAZINE at www.wine-extra.co.za

@WineExtra “Like” us at Wine Extra