WineExtra ISSUE 5 VOL 3 - APRIL 2012
Win 2 Nights At Alluvia
An Italian Affair
Taste Team Tasting Outside the Comfort Zone
Bring on The Wine Show Jo'burg
Monty World Cup Winning Red Wine Lover
INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRIT COMPETITION
Official S.A. Media Partner
ISSUE 5 VOL 3 - APRIL 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
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Letter from the Editor Images: Mark Freeborough
I can't believe yet another month has passed, Easter has been and gone and so much has happened in just over 4 short weeks. I was lucky enough to have attended the VinItaly trade fair in Verona, which was one awesome experience as I've shared in Livin' the Life. Our cover personality this month is ex-Springbok full back, Percy Montgomery, shares his thoughts on his favourite local wines and tells us about some of his wine-related experiences (including streaking on a wine farm!). An exciting bit of news is the release of the 2012 Wine Laid Bare entries and YOU have the chance to vote and count as a member of the public. This annual photo competition has become a firm favourite amongst local photographers and models alike and we're really excited to share some fabulous images with you.
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 Taste Team sampled some wines produced from 'unusual' cultivars and hopefully their feedback inspires you to try something a little different the next time you're buying a bottle of wine. Of course, we can't ignore the big event that will be coming up in Jo'burg early next month when our sister company, The Wine Show, returns to its home at the Coca Cola Dome, bringing a vast selection of wines for sampling and a whole bunch of new exhibitors. You'll be able to get all of the necessary information from the Special Report, so if you're in Jozi between 4 and 6 May, be sure to diarise this fantastic event and don't be shy to say hi if you spot me sipping a glass of delicious wine. Happy wining,
The
Wine Show JO’BURG - PE - DURBAN
www.wineshow.co.za
Follow us @WineExtra
CONTENTS 2012
A P R I L
Table Talk Special Report Exclusive Interview Competition Now You’re Cooking Living the Life
5 11 15 18 19 21
We’ve Been Drinking The Musings of Polly Fumé Taste Team Get Out Wine Laid Bare
25 26 27 33 40
15. Exclusive Interview with Monty
21. An Italian Affair
11. Bring on The Wine Show Jo'burg
27. Tasting Unusual Varietals
TABLE TALK
A New Way to Drink Wine: The Four-Pack Stack behind-the-back-hand-grab-attempt, they'd crash to the ground without breaking apart or shattering or spilling on the wood surface. And the individual seals mean that if you've got half your wine left there's no need to hunt around for the cork, only to remember that its structural integrity didn't survive your clumsy attempt at removing it.
Musing on a favorite pastime, James Michener once declared that "to dine in harmony with nature is one of the gentlest and loveliest things we can do," concluding that "picnics are the apex of sensible living." "A hundred years ago, beer was sold in bulk containers and poured into glasses to drink," says Matt Zimmer, who founded Stacked Wines with two classmates from UC Irvine's business school. That's still the case, he notes (what better way to drink beer than on draft), but bottles and cans came along, made the product more portable, and are now preferred in many situations. "The stigma against alternative containers for wine is already fading. I don't think the one I've designed is going to win out over a traditional bottle if you're out to dinner at a fancy restaurant," he says. "But on a hike, or a picnic, or the deck of a boat? Sometimes you don't want to mess around with a corkscrew and stemware.� Vinoware is the name Stacked Wines has given to its patent-pending container. Its meant to resemble a stemless wine glass. Made of recyclable plastic, it has a shelf life of 12 to 14 months, comes stacked four to a package, and is impossible to stop playing with when someone hands you a stack because the four individually sealed servings snap apart and back together again. If you waited for your fiance to go on an afternoon run, took them onto the back deck, and threw them high in the air like a baton twirler, successfully catching them three times but fumbling on the inevitable 180-degree-turn-andPage 5 - April 2012
So far Stacked Wines offers a signature Merlot and Chardonnay and is adding a Pinot Grigio and a Cabernet Sauvignon. In the short term, Stacked Wines has settled on trying to surpass in quality other wines that sell for the same price. The long term question looming over the enterprise: to what extent are they a wine company versus a container company? One last advantage the container has, compared to other alternative wine vessels, is how seamlessly it fits into the established distribution system: Stacked Wines come packaged in cases identical to the ones that hold wine bottles (save their lighter weight), and the shape of the stack permits them to sit on store shelves beside other wines - and to replace them in various other venues too. (This full article available online at: http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/20 12/04/a-new-way-to-drink-wine-try-this-fourpack-stack-of-chardonnay/255486/)
SA Wine Selected to be Part of Exclusive White Club Series The G. 2010, by 4G Wines, is unlike any wine you've seen coming out of South Africa. A rare and limited edition wine with an unusual attention to detail, the G. 2010 sets a new benchmark for quality, price and rarity in South Africa and finally brings to the world a 'First Growth' from the Cape. 4G Wines was excited when the G.2010 was recently selected to be part of the Swiss based 'The White Club's' international series of events. The White Club is an 'invitation only' club for connoisseurs and people that are passionate about wine, people who love and appreciate the best and rarest in the world. The members own the club solely. The goal, in one word, is perfection. It is without a doubt one of the finest wine societies in the world and finally South Africa is joining the top international circuit of events. The World of First Growths is a very exclusive series of events taking place around the globe. Together with the international wine press, TWC has selected a range of the best wines from
TABLE TALK around the globe, including South Africa's very own G. 2010 alongside Vin de Constance. TWC members have selected G. to travel the world with them and to be the ambassador for the finest wines made in the Cape. This is a great honor for such a new wine, and is an incredible opportunity to promote South Africa as a relevant wine producing country. The event series will kick off with two major tastings in Johannesburg (April 12th) and Cape Town (April 14th), then going on to Hong Kong on the 27th of May, and Tokyo/Japan on the 2nd of June – an event that was sold out within 36 hours. Parmigiani Fleurier, the Swiss luxury watch producer, will also launch its presence in the African continent at these fantastic events, and will be a brand partner at all the international events. The recently released G.2010 started collecting top international ratings. In René Gabriel – the well-known Swiss wine critic's words - “This new and still completely unknown blend has the potential to become an icon and I will reward it a well-deserved high rating.” With Gabriel's rating of 19 out of 20 points, the G. 2010 is sure to take the international world of wine by storm. Jeff Leve, the renowned US wine critic, rates the wine 94/100 and concludes with his comment, “The wine sets a benchmark for quality, price and rarity in South Africa”. For more information on the G. 2010, visit http://www.peakofexcitement.com
The Winerack every girls best friend! Turn an A cup in to double Ds AND sport your favourite beverage for yourself and your friends! Better than a boob job and much cheaper too! Not to mention the savings on over-priced drinks. The Winerack was developed to “Fill Out” an existing product line, if you will. If you're not that well endowed in the breast department, this can all be a thing of the past – even if only temporarily by investing in a Winerack. Take a bottle of wine, a mixed drink or even a fifth of your favourite hard stuff to the movies, concerts, rugby or cricket matches, even those
WWW.NIELJOUBERT.CO.ZA
boring school meetings. Sporting a rack that will turn heads and serving a beverage that will have guys standing in line for a sip of your secret stash! With a simple blow into the tube it's easy to keep that full look even as you drink from your secret stash, so no-one will even notice the difference as you start to run empty. You can own your very own Winerack for only $29.95 from www.thebeerbelly.com.
Quite a Revelation!
Back in the days before trendy varietals relegated Cinsaut to making up the part of the cÊpage destined to stretch bin ends volume-wise, no decent South African Cinsaut received small wood treatment. This was reserved for Bordeaux blends or fancy Rhone blends (which never acknowledged Cinsaut as part of that heritage – Shiraz was teamed up with Viognier, Grenache or Mourvedre instead). Revelation 2011 Cinsaut displays a complex red berry fruit succulence supported by an almost tobacco-like texture derived from the barrel
TABLE TALK
aging process. It is a serious wine at 14.5% alcohol and has a structure to support bottle aging for 4 to 5 years. The label was inspired partly by Eugene Delacroix' “Liberty Leading the People”. The paintings for all the labels are be done by Selma Albasini. The brand name refers to the fact that I have been a “dominee” (minister) in an Afrikaans church for almost two decades and was forever interrogated about the “end of times” and the apocalyptic events that were to precede it. The Red Horse of the Apocalypse is indeed only one of the four horses featured in Revelations 6. The other horses (still to be released) are a pitch black Helderberg Cabernet Sauvignon, a luminous Faure Chardonnay and a caramelly Elgin Riesling, dubbed the “Pale Horse” due to the fact that the varietal seems to be terminally out of fashion. The Revelation Cinsaut was recently launched at the VasNat naturist resort in Somerset West where the resort's co-owner, Samantha Taylor entered riding a red horse, sword in hand and, well, yes, naked. It would seem that this rather unconventional launch had the desired effect with the Cinsaut selling out and newspapers picking up on the story from all corners of the world. Can't wait to see the releases of the other horses! The
Wine Show
SPECIAL REPORT
Bring on The Wine Show Jo'burg
G
autengers may not feel like a whole year has passed since The Wine Show 2011. Well, that's because it hasn't. This year the show returns to its home at The Coca Cola Dome in North Riding from 4-6 May. Like previous years, South Africa's favourite Wine Show is jam-packed with a host of activities besides just tasting wine. The boules courts will be back for you to try your hand at the traditional French game, take a swing at the Golf Hub virtual golf stand all the while listening to some great tunes as the super-funky 2 Oceans Vibe Radio will be broadcasting live from the show throughout the three days. The Wine Theatre will see an array of hosts presenting their wines in a fun and informative manner, like Boschendal's “Wines with class, Page 11 - April 2012
elegance and sophistication”, Cape Wine Master Junel Vermeulen will be presenting “Port Epitomizes the Conversational Wine” on behalf of De Krans and you can sample some “Zinsational Zinfandels of South Africa” with Blaauwklippen and much, much more! A new addition to the show lineup this year includes the Wine Extra IWSC Gold Lounge where show visitors will be able to sample some
The
Wine Show Jo’burg
of the Gold and Trophy winners of the 2011 International Wine & Spirits Competition. Entry to this area will cost an additional R20 per person, but you will be able to sample an amazing selection of wines, some of which aren't even available for purchase anywhere, except perhaps at auction. The Gold Lounge will also see members of the South African Sommeliers Association (SASA) present workshops in which they discuss some of the wines at the show in an educational format and these workshops are definitely NOT to be missed. What sets The Wine Show apart from all other wine shows is the fact that show exhibitors see the fun side of wine. The reality is that most people aren't connoisseurs of wine, but rather just enjoy a glass of wine next to a braai or after work without feeling the need to dissect it. It is for this reason that the organisers have embarked on a brand new advertising campaign in which the 'ordinary' wine drinker has been targeted. Says show director John Woodward, “Wine does not choose between class, education, income or race and at The Wine Show we feel exactly the same.” Of course, there's something for everyone, from the total novice to the expert. “If we can attract the learner-drinker at this stage,
educate them and introduce the pleasures of drinking wine, they will soon develop their palates and progress to being discerning wine drinkers”, he adds. The other reason The Wine Show is our favourite consumer show is that visitors are able to purchase wines directly from the producer. If you try it and you like it, you can buy it, then and there. No queues, no additional charges, no minimum purchase limits and no hassles! Many producers also have great show deals on their wines, so you could walk away with a great wine at a superb price.
SPECIAL REPORT
What's more, you don't even have to worry about walking around with heavy boxes of wine. The Wine Show's official title sponsor, Dawn Wing, have a super 'Sip & Ship' stand. You can buy wines from all of the different stands and have it all collated at the Dawn Wing stand's 'Wine Drop'. At the end of the day it will be loaded into your boot for you at no additional cost or make use of the 'Sip & Ship' service where the wine will be delivered conveniently to your door for a small additional charge. Plenty of food is available inside the show, too. Organic CafĂŠ's, Sushi Bars, Thai cuisine and a plethora of snacks and gourmet nibbles are all part of the experience. Keep your eye open for hand-made chocolate, wine infused biltong, charcuterie and even premium nougat.
Tickets for The Wine Show Jo'burg are available through Computicket (www.computicket.co.za) for R100 before the Show, or can be bought for R120 at the door. Groups of 10 or more can get a group discount with tickets for R90 and you can even buy an entire weekend pass for R180. Included in the ticket price is a crystal wine glass, your comprehensive show map, all wines tasted and all Wine Theatre sessions. Goodfellas, the service that gets you home safely in your own car, will be there with a number of teams attending being available to book on a first come, first served basis for the last three hours of the show on all 3 days. So, now there's even more reason to let your hair down, relax and enjoy that extra glass of wine at The Wine Show for everyone.
The Page 13 - April 2012
Wine Show
Wine Extra will be keeping everybody up to date with Show developments via our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/#!/WineExtra) as well as Twitter @WineExtra and you can join The Wine Show's own Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/TheWin eShow/) where there'll be lots of exciting competitions and wine give-aways in the countdown to showtime. If you're not lucky enough to be in Jo'burg for the show, don't fret. The Wine Show will be visiting Port Elizabeth for its 3rd bumper edition at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium from 8-10 June 2012. The Wine Show will also be launching two new exciting regional shows during the course of 2012 and Wine Extra will be first to bring you the news as those exciting fixtures are confirmed. Full details on The Wine Show in all confirmed cities can always be found at www.wineshow.co.za.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Percy Montgomery World Cup Winning Wine Lover Images: Mark Freeborough
O
ne of South Africa's all-time rugby heroes, off the field Percy Montgomery happens to be a red-wine fan, loves adventure and enjoys doing things “off the cuff�. We find out a little more about the ex-Springbok full back and his love of wine. How would you rate your wine knowledge? Being involved with rugby for all these years, I've been subjected to many of my fellow players' winemaking endeavours, like Schalk Burger,
Ernie Els, Hempies du Toit and Beyers. We often got invited to visit the farms as part of team building sessions or just to experience the environment. I'm definitely a red wine lover, especially a good Cabernet. I prefer a stronger and heavier red wine, although not sure whether that might have something to do with all of the antiinflammatories I've taken over the years.
GUIDED BY THE STARS, BLESSED BY THE EARTH ith the rich blessing of earth and elements, the help of a dedicated workforce, the enthusiasm of winemaker Josef Dreyer and the advantages of a modern gravity flow cellar, Piet Dreyer produces his award-winning Raka wines. Tel: 028 3410 676 | Fax: 086 606 5462 www.rakawine.co.za | info@rakawine.co.za Page 15 - April 2012
BUSINESS HOURS: Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm, Saturday l0am - 3pm
Closed Sunday, Good Friday, Christmas Day. Cellar tours and large groups by appointment please. We are located on the R326 17km outside Stanford.
When you ever visit the winelands, do you have certain wine farms that are always on your 'must visit' list? My favourite has always been Beyerskloof. It was very close to our training ground in Belville in my early rugby days, so we would often make a quick stop to the tasting room especially at one stage when they used to have a special where you could order a burger at their restaurant and get a free bottle of wine or something like that. A few of us would go there, order some delicious burgers and get a boat load of wine. A total bonus, especially when you're a student and funds are low. As for other wine farms, there are just so many great ones out there. As Capetonians we are just so lucky to have it all on our doorsteps as part of our lifestyle. The only problem for me is that I live in Camps Bay, so driving all the way out into the winelands, you inevitably have a little too much and have a problem getting back, so I always opt for getting a driver to ensure a safe and enjoyable winelands visit.
Say you were a wine labeled “The Monty”, what kind of wine would you be? Definitely a nice strong Cabernet, possibly with a hint of Merlot to soften it around the edges. If you were to try and seduce me with a bottle of wine, which wine would you choose? I would probably go with a Champagne and pour it all over you. [Nervous laughter “OK, something I can publish?” – Ed]. OK, a good bottle of red and I'll just pour it all over you… You're out and about and one of your mates rings you, inviting you to a braai and asks you to bring a bottle, so you pop into the nearest supermarket. What do you grab off the shelf? I would normally look for a bottle of Beyerskloof Pinotage or the Reserve, and even if I'm overseas I'd still look to see if I can find a nice bottle of South African wine as I continue normally find the French wine a bit too light.
The
Wine Show
Page 16 - April 2012
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Have you visited any wine farms on your international travels? In Australia and New Zealand we visited several farms during Super rugby tours and often brought back a few bottles where possible. I'm sure you've had many evenings of overindulging. Is there any one night that really stands out for you that you remember as a direct result of drinking too much wine? Streaking! A bunch of us decided to take our clothes off and run wild on a visit to a wine farm. I won't say which farm, but it was pretty embarrassing afterwards, however we did have fun at the time, which I suppose is what it's all about. Where is your favourite place to enjoy a good bottle of wine? Next to the braai at my house down the road here in Camps Bay with some mates. Nothing beats that. I bump into a lot of international players and it's always so much fun having a catch-up over a
glass of wine, which almost always ends up in a memorable experience. Do you have a wine collection? Well, I used to have a nice collection, however I have a few super-sized bottles in various sizes that I've collected over the years after cupwinning games and special matches.
Monty's thoughts on the Radford Dale Freedom Pinot Noir: I don't usually drink red wine when I'm out in the sun, but this is such a great setting here and this wine is perfectly suited to the occasion. It is so smooth and definitely a wine I would buy.
The Page 17 - April 2012
Wine Show
WIN WITH Alluvia Estate & Alluvia Spa
ANSWER THE TWO EASY QUESTIONS AND STAND A CHANCE TO
WIN A 2 NIGHT STAY AT ALLUVIA WORTH R 5500!
Specialist Winery and Private Residence Club Set on a working wine estate in the heart of the Stellenbosch Winelands, on Glen Arum Road, Banhoek Valley, Helshoogte Pass, lays a unique cult wine producer called Alluvia Specialist Winery. Alluvia's award winning wine estate and its luxury accommodation provides a match made in heaven…which we simply describe as “the vineyard lifestyle” Alluvia encapsulates the complete spirit of wine, our land blessed with tiny fertile alluvial deposits of Table Mountain Sandstone and Granite which gives us a perfect platform to produce world class wines of integrity.
Entries must be made on The Wine Extra facebook page.
ANSWER THESE SIMPLE QUESTIONS: 1. To which charity will proceeds from the sale of Wine Laid Bare calendars go? 2. Name one of the activities that will be at The Wine Show Jo'burg 2012.
WineExtra
Competition closes on 30 April 2012 The winner will be announced on the Facebook group before the May issue of Wine Extra gets published. Please read the competition rules on the facebook group before you enter.
NOW YOU’RE COOKING
Giorgio Locatelli
At Locanda Locatelli, Giorgio (45) serves traditional Italian dishes, emphasizing the quality and freshness of the produce. That, together with a friendly service and a relaxed atmosphere, has made Locanda Locatelli one of the most sought-after restaurants in London, winning a Michelin star in 2003. His culinary talents have earned him an enviable international reputation as well as a whole host of accolades including 'Best Italian Restaurant' at the London Carlton Restaurant Awards for two consecutive years and his first Michelin star in 1999. The essence of his cooking is to highlight the natural flavors of quality produce, much of which he imports directly from Italy.
Cob in sea salt and herbs Ingredients: (serves 4) 4 Handfuls of spinach Salt and freshly ground black pepper 150g Basil (fresh) 150g Parsley (fresh) 30g Rosemary leaves 30g Sage leaves 750g Sea salt 750g Plain flour 150g Egg whites (6-8 eggs), plus 1 yolk 4 Cob fillets, each about 200g 2 Knobs of butter 1tbsp Olive oil
Dressing: 120ml Balsamic vinegar 5ml Honey 15ml Sugar Juice of ½ lemon 15ml Olive oil 2 Drops of cod sauce
Method: Preheat the oven to 250°C. Blanch the spinach leaves in boiling salted water. Mix the herbs together. Blitz the sea salt into a food processor and add the herbs. Mix the flour and the salt and herb mixture well in a mixing bowl, then transfer to a clean work surface, pile up like a small mountain and make a well in the middle. Beat the egg white lightly, then pour it into the flour well. Put in your hand and slowly and gently turn it, working in a little of the flour mix at a time, so that the egg white is absorbed gradually and forms a dough. Knead the dough for 3-4 minutes. If it feels too hard as you work it, wet your hands with a little water, which should help to loosen it. The dough needs to be firm and elastic enough to enclose the fish without. Wrap the dough in cling film and keep aside. Dressing: put the balsamic vinegar, honey and sugar in a bowl, and leave in a warm place to dissolve. Add the lemon juice, olive oil and cod sauce. Add sugar to taste. Roll the dough out about 3mm thick. Cut this into 8 rough squares of dough – 4 to go beneath the fillets Page 19 - April 2012
(2cm bigger all round than the fish) and another 4 to go over the top of each fillet to enclose them (top squares will need to be 3cm bigger all round than the fish). Each fillet will be slightly different, so use them as a guide when cutting out your dough. Lay out the four bottom squares and place a fillet on top of each, skin side facing upwards then brush the edges with egg yolk and put the top square on top. Seal tightly and trim the edges neatly. Make sure there are no holes in the dough; if there are any, take a piece of the dough trimmings, wet it with water and use it to patch the hole. Brush with more egg yolk. Line a flat ovenproof tray with baking paper, put the cod 'parcels' on it and place in the preheated oven for 7–12 minutes. Take one of the cod out and, with a sharp knife, cut around three sides, so you can lift up the crust like a lid, and check the fish inside. Press your finger against the fillet: if it is soft, then it is ready; if the flesh of the fish is resistant, then replace your 'lid' and put back in the oven until cooked. Heat the spinach, stirring in the butter and olive oil. Season to taste. Cut the crusts, lift out the fish and put on top of the spinach. Finish with the balsamic dressing and serve.
LIVIN’ THE LIFE!
An Italian Fling By MARYNA STRACHAN
I
got the call at 4pm on a Friday afternoon, “Maryna, book your flights, you're going to Italy”, my director said. Although not totally unexpected, it was always a little up in the air and needless to say, I was over the moon. Italy, land of romance, pizza, art, history, fashion and WINE. And so it was that roughly 10 days later I was on my way to the beautiful city of Verona to attend the largest wine fair in the world, VinItaly. In all my travels throughout Europe, this was the one country that I had never visited, so there was so much to experience, see and learn. As South Africans, the general perception is that the French are the forerunners of the world's wine industry, however this happens to be slightly skewed. The Page 21 - April 2012
Wine Show
Verona, Italy
Italy produces a staggering 20% of the world's wine and, believe me, the wines produced here are sublime. Upon my arrival at the fair on the Sunday morning at 9:30, there were queues of people waiting to enter. Once I made my way through the entrance and thronging masses, I was greeted by a vast expanse consisting of 16 exhibition halls that were packed to the rafters with stands of all shapes and sizes, hosting some of the most amazing wines in the world. My jaw dropped. Literally. I spent the next four days experiencing what the Italian wine industry was about, learning about cultivars I'd never before heard of, the culture and myself. Here are just a few of the things I learnt during my brief trip to Italy: 1.Most Italians know a thing or two about wine. They have a genuine interest in the product and are pretty darn fussy about what they drink. Most of the people I spoke to had a fairly strong opinion of the wines with a definite sense of pride for the fruits of their land. 2.Most restaurants, no matter how small, serve wine from the appropriately shaped glass. That really intrigued me. In my November 2011 issue, I posted a story on the effect that the shape and size of the glass has on the overall
One of the many flashy stands.
The
Wine Show
LIVIN’ THE LIFE! flavour of the wine. On my first two nights there, I dined at two small 'trattorias' where I sampled some of the wines. The lighter reds were served in the longer shaped glasses and a new, fatter shaped glass was brought for the heavier blends. This attention to detail is something that I think most of our restaurateurs could implement to great effect to showcase our local wines. 3.Wine can give me goosebumps. I drink a fair amount of wine – not all at the same time, I might add – and I've sampled some amazing wines over time, however, I was lucky enough to sample an amazing Barolo from Vietti Vineyards, which had just this effect. One sip and I was in heaven. This particular wine has scored an unprecedented 99 points in Wine Spectator and rightly so! I'm told that it retails at a hefty €140 per bottle, but if you're a serious wine lover and collector, this is really one I would highly recommend and, best of all, Vinotria is a local company which imports a range of the Vietti wines! 4.Not ALL Italian wines are good. It's like going from the sublime to the ridiculous and on a 'tannin trip' unlike any other. After sampling the complete range of wines from Falesco, I was presented with a taster of their 2009 Merlot. This is the kind of wine you would pour into your dog's bowl for a laugh – not that I advocate feeding alcohol to animals, but 10ml would do the trick. The tannins were so strong that I could hardly speak for about 5 minutes as any returning saliva was instantly dried up. It was just wrong on every level. Even as I write this I'm reaching for a glass of water. Sadly, I really don't think that even 10 years in the bottle would have the desired effect on this wine.
Sparkling with with 1g of 24 carat gold shavings. Page 23 - April 2012
Italian Pinot Noir to rival Burgundy's best.
5.Learning to drink socially without overindulging is something all South Africans should strive for. Despite over 140,000 visitors to the fair over the 4-day period, I hardly saw any really drunk people. Tipsy? Yes. Slightly silly and enjoying a touch of camaraderie? Totally. But falling all over the show and acting like an idiot? Not even once. To compare that to even the smallest of wine shows we have here in South Africa with only a few hundred attending, there are always the muppets who simply don't know when enough is enough. It's not a race and it's certainly not a competition to see who can drink the most and no, the wine won't dry up any time soon, so you don't have to drown yourself in it in order to ensure you get your money's worth. There were a bunch of other smaller things that I also learnt, like looking LEFT first before crossing the road – or DIE; that horse meat tastes quite good as opposed to donkey meat which has a very 'wild' flavour; that I would gain an insane amount of weight if I lived in Italy; that Italian men are a breed unlike any other (and they hunt in packs); that most SA men would do themselves a huge favour by travelling to Italy for a week or so to gather some personal styling tips; that I would be permanently skint if I were to live there as I'd spend my monthly earnings on the most stunning clothes and shoes. A last mention that I simply have to make is about a fabulous “Face Off” tasting I attended, which was hosted by the IWSC Communicator of the Year for 2012, Charlie Arturaola who did a fantastic job of presenting seamlessly in both Italian and English. In a flight of wines from all over the world where similar cultivars were pitched against each other, including Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand and Tannat from Portugal, the one wine that really stood out for me was a Pinot Noir from Tuscany – quite a long way from Burgundy, I'd say!
Shredded horse meat with rocket and parmesan.
The 99 point scoring Barolo with instant goosebump effect.
Roberto Cavalli's Tenuta Degli Dei and an outstanding Amarone by Allegrini (with an alcohol level of 16%). I think what was most poignant for me was that despite the fact that the Italian wine industry is one of the oldest around, South African wine is very definitely coming along and a few can even compare with the best of what Italy has to offer. In the meantime though, if you're ever faced with the choice between a good Italian Barolo or Amarone, you'd be well advised to pick that over the bottle of French.
Sampling wine from a sommelier's cup.
Other Italian wines and estates that deserve a special mention: Zenato's entire range of wines are absolutely sublime as is the range from Sicilian Donnafugata, the Arruga Carignan with its Gambero Rosso award, fashion designer
Go on a tannin trip with this Merlot.
Allegrini Amarone with its 16% alcohol level.
WE’VE BEEN DRINKING...
Dalla Cia Giorgio 2006
N
ow here's a truly wonderful addition to the line-up of wines you'll be able to enjoy if you are coming to The Wine Show (May 4-6th, Coca-Cola Dome, North Riding). This will be Dalla Cia's first time participating in the Show, and we're convinced the public are going to love their wines. Dalla Cia is the family owned/run winery of Gorgio Dalla Cia, the man many credit (with good reason) to be behind the international success of Meerlust Estate, and notably Meerlust Rubicon. A good few years back Giorgio retired from Meerlust and set about making wine under his own steam together with his children. The result is a winery and distillery nestled in Bosman's Crossing in Stellenbosch. Worth noting the distillery, too, as Dalla Cia also produce a great range of grappas and, more recently, Dalla Cia Grappa Chocolates were added. What's not to like? The “Giorgio” is our favourite from the Dalla Cia stable.
What: Where: Cost: Web:
Named after the man himself, it is an excellent example of perfect balance and intrigue in a smooth and silky red wine. One could argue it is still a little young, especially at the price (R180) but that's really just arguing for arguments sake. Will it improve with age? Probably, but then it is also an indulgent delight as it is. So what's actually in the bottle? Well it's a Bordeaux blend with mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, a generous dollop of Merlot, a splash of Petit Verdot and just a kiss of Shiraz. Tannins are dry, very much in the Italian style. The 80/20 split between new and old oak strikes the perfect balance. At R180 a bottle this is certainly a wine to take your time over, and we found that it works best if you are on a budget to start the evening with before moving on to lesser priced wine. If you want to keep it “in the family” then the range also includes a Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and a Cabernet Sauvignon.
Dalla Cia Giorgio 2006 Makro Stores R 208.00 www.dallacia.com The
Page 25 - April 2012
Wine Show
From the Laptop of Polly Fumé
S
ince it seems that Elegantly Elgin did a runner and ditched their usual 'first quarter' show in Jozi (which is a real pest, since they have the best tasting glasses and my butter-fingers let a couple slip and they need replacing, damnit!), us Gautengers have been feeling a serious lack of love from the Cape. Oh, sure, they want us to buy their wine, but they're just tired of actually promoting it up here – with our thin air, lack of sea or mountains and that disgusting fact that any form of advertising costs. I imagine they struggle to figure out why the entire economy hasn't just packed up and moved to the Cape to leave poor Gauteng to eke out a living as a set of dusty mining towns? That aside, over the last few months the occasional tasting table at Makro and the odd visit to a wine bar has only served to hone my appetite for a really decent wine show, rather than sate it. It's been getting so bad that it's only through sheer willpower (and succumbing to a buying a couple of cases of the faves) that I've managed to avoid hopping on a plane destined for 'the flats' this Easter.
So it is through gently clenched teeth that I'm contemplating that it's only one month until The Wine Show Jo'burg throws open its doors and I get to succumb to the glittering array of shiny, open wine bottles that stretch as far as the eye can see. Thinking about it gives me a little shiver of delight. It's like Christmas and my birthday rolled into one. I've already been haunting the exhibitors' list, salivating gently at the thought of getting an early taste of the freshest Sauvies and sipping some of the now gentled red. Mmm… Eagle's Nest, Gabrielskloof, Glen Carlou, Ross Gower and more. Of course, this has also meant managing the budget a little. Three days of tasting with the ability to buy on the spot can lay waste to the credit limit, juuust a little. But my excitement will not be contained. So, au revoir – and see you all there!
Follow me on Twitter @PollyFume
TASTE TEAM
Tasting Unusual Varietals
Change is one of the things that us humans are most afraid of, which is why we tend to stick to the things we know. When it comes to drinking wine, this is no different. This month we sent the Taste Team an interesting selection of wines made from 'unusual' cultivars. When we say 'unusual', it relates more specifically to the traditional wines that are made in South Africa, however in recent years, more winemakers have been experimenting with these
cultivars – and with great success. So, next time you're out in the shops and see a wine with a strange name or something that makes you think twice, why not just try it? You might just be pleasantly surprised. This month's guest taster is Grant Charlton, a Chartered Accountant who decided to escape from corporate bureaucracy and paperwork by starting his own business and considers himself to be a cheap wine connoisseur and red wine fanatic.
MEET THE TEAM Our “Taste Team” are 5 wine lovers drawn from the members of our Facebook group and were all visitors to the 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.
Guest Reviewer Grant
Robyn
Pieter
Ellen The
Page 27 - April 2012
Wine Show
SPIER AD
READ THESE COMPARATIVE REVIEWS ON OUR SELECTED WINES
TASTE TEAM
Tasting Unusual Varietals
Painted Wolf Rousanne 2011 RRP: R90 Stockists: Direct from the cellar Quote: Ellen – “Ah, a visit to the Rhone valley courtesy of my glass.”
www.paintedwolfwines.com
Pieter says...
Robyn says...
KWV The Mentors Grenache Blanc 2010
Collaboration Cinsaut 2011
RRP: R120 Stockists: Ultra Liquors and Makro
Stockists: Wine Concepts, Bootleggers and Norman Goodfellows
Quote: Pieter – “Very surprising, like a taxi driver using an indicator, but nice.”
Quote: Grant – “…a fresh, bubbly and active taste, with lots of young fruit.”
RRP: R95
www.kwv.co.za
www.louiswines.com
Like a nun on Nebbiolo, the nose opens up after a shy start, showing canned pears and a certain biscuity/yeastiness. It's fullbodied and flavoursome (including definite peach) with a creamy, substantial mouthfeel. Fair balance. A really good and interesting wine. One of my two favourites on this tasting.
Very different indeed from the last time I tasted it, it smells almost like Riesling – there are dried fruits and even a whiff of typical Riesling turpene! Very surprising, like a taxi driver using an indicator, but nice. The palate is Jack Russelllively, with zippy acidity, persistent fruit, nice minerality and it deserves more time. My other favourite here.
Bright red fruit and a touch of tea leaves. Very nice nose with quite wonderful, typical Cinsaut flavours on the palate. It's not nearly as awkwardly inelegant as, let's say Jeremy Clarkson, but the wine doesn't quite have the structure to balance its imposing alcohol.
A swirl and a sniff of the first wine of the evening revealed a light, almost floral fragrance. To taste, it retained that perfumed fragrance but with a good mineral kick to go with it. Due to some barrel fermentation, it was pretty mellow, but without being fat. A great wine for a hot afternoon and those looking to try something different, but not too wild.
“Grenache Blanc is often flabby,” says Ellen with a hint of apprehension. Really? If that's the norm then this Grenache Blanc read it too often in Grape magazine and was driven to an eating disorder. A little boney for my taste at the moment, although I've been charmed by it at shows, it has a nice savoury finish and will kick some foodpairing butt in a year or two.
Tasted like the label should say “contains real fruit juice”… and some added booze, but this was so light that I felt almost like I was sobering up while drinking it. Very quaffable, but maybe it should celebrate a birthday or two before you use it to celebrate your own.
The Page 29 - April 2012
Wine Show
READ THESE COMPARATIVE REVIEWS ON OUR SELECTED WINES
Painted Wolf Rousanne 2011 RRP: R90 Stockists: Direct from the cellar Quote: Ellen – “Ah, a visit to the Rhone valley courtesy of my glass.”
www.paintedwolfwines.com
Ellen says...
Guest Reviewer
Grant Says...
KWV The Mentors Grenache Blanc 2010
Collaboration Cinsaut 2011
RRP: R120 Stockists: Ultra Liquors and Makro
Stockists: Wine Concepts, Bootleggers and Norman Goodfellows
Quote: Pieter – “Very surprising, like a taxi driver using an indicator, but nice.”
Quote: Grant – “…a fresh, bubbly and active taste, with lots of young fruit.”
RRP: R95
www.kwv.co.za
www.louiswines.com
Ah, a visit to the Rhone valley courtesy of my glass. The nose is intense, buttery and aromatic, full of stone fruit and a slight smokiness. Like the nose, the palate is full-bodied and intense, with medium acidity and good length and flavours of sweet almonds. The alcohol is on the high side, as you would expect with fruit this ripe, so have it with food. My favourite wine of the flight.
Pale straw in colour, this wine has a Riesling-esque nose of medium intensity, smelling of Turkish delight and baked goods. Intriguing… In the mouth it is dry but gives the appearance of sweetness. It is medium-bodied but with high acidity, not at all what I expect of Grenache Blanc, which can be flabby. It has apricot flavours and a slight astringency. A nice change from the ordinary, but definitely needs food.
In the glass this wine is light in colour - almost transparent. The nose is gentle, with red fruit and white pepper caressing my nostrils rather than assaulting them. The palate is off-dry, or is it just a sense of sweetness that I pick up due to the abundant fruit? It's a bit of a poor man's pinot noir, light-bodied with low acidity and lovely raspberry flavours. Cinsaut as a single varietal is not generally anything special, but I rather like this wine.
The first white I have sniffed in a while, being nearly exclusively a red wine quaffer. A pleasant light fruity bouquet with a slight metallic smell like the inside of a tinned peach can – without the sweetness. This white has nearly as much body and is as dry as most reds. Although pleasant, the slightly acidic taste is not enough to win my favour.
This wine was nearly as good to look at as to taste. A lovely golden-green colour that makes the glass sparkle. It has a great full-bodied, fruity aroma and a whiff of sweetness (honey?). Lightly wooded, dry, sharp and acidic with hard tannins and a fullbodied taste. Sounds like a red – no wonder it was my second favourite of the night. Like most of the other unusual vintages we tasted, I was surprised that I enjoyed it quite as much as I did.
Even after repeatedly taking deep sniffs I failed to unearth any strong impression on the nose, however a fresh, bubbly and active taste, with lots of young fruit. Light tannins, but nothing lingered around on the tongue. I suspect that this was a new style wine that just did not appeal to an old school drinker like me.
CONTINUE...
The
Wine Show
Page 30 - April 2012
READ THESE COMPARATIVE REVIEWS ON OUR SELECTED WINES
TASTE TEAM
Tasting Unusual Varietals
Bovlei Mad Hatters' Barbera 2010
De Krans Tempranillo 2010
Du Toitskloof Dimension Nebbiolo 2009
RRP: R40 RRP: R80
RRP: R39 Stockists: Pick 'n Pay, Checkers, TOPS at Spar Quote: Pieter – “Great value like this makes any excuse not to try something new absolutely null and void.”
www.bovlei.com
Quote: Robyn – “…rounded, mellow, rich and super drinkable.”
Stockists: Liquor City, Picardi Rebel and Bootleggers Quote: Robyn – “This is the hubbly bubbly of wines… breathe deeply and relax.”
www.dekrans.co.za
www.dutoitskloof.co.za
Tea leaves, compost, nuts and dark red fruits lead the nasal welcoming party. The palate offers juicy fruit, offset by ever so slightly gruff tannins – rustic in a good way. Great value like this makes any excuse not to try something new absolutely null and void.
This nose is dominated by attractive perfumy wood. The palate offers refreshing respite from high alcohol, which is about as satisfying as swiping a mosquito with one of those electrified racquets. A proper meeting of Old World and New World styles. Some would love the sweet impression of the wood, but I prefer the grapes on the pedestal. Still, the best red of this flight for me.
Open, imposing, extracted and jammy nose, showing ample wood influence. About as shy and subtle as a porn star – quite different from the brooding austerity of the great Piedmont Nebbiolos. The palate is fairly full-bodied and shows nice aniseed and a touch of minerality. Many will love its extravagant personality.
“Twinkle Twinkle little hat, how I wonder what you're at?” And so it was that I finally got to taste one of the anticipated Bovlei Mad Hatters wines. Nosing the brim of my glass I detected rooibos and liquorish. And tipping a little bit of the rabbit down the hole revealed a remarkably good wine at the price – fresh berry compote slathered over caramelised toast. Really nice, although tasted still a bit boozy, I think if you stash this for 6 months you'll be in Wonderland.
This wine could be utterly magic, but instead, it's merely 'pretty damn yummy'. A little too much wood manipulation has infused this with a bit of a bitter burnt caramel finish, but aside from that it's rounded, mellow, rich and super drinkable. But for next year: De Krans, I'm watching you.
Do do Du Toitskloof. No really, do. This bunch are the champions of good value, and they've delivered once more. Wafts of vanilla chai draws you into a juicy red wine that goes down real smooth with a whole dollop more of that vanilla wood and some tight, sweet cranberry juice. This is the hubbly bubbly of wines, so don't resist, breathe deeply and relax.
Pieter says...
Robyn says...
Stockists: Directly from the cellar
The Page 31 - April 2012
Wine Show
READ THESE COMPARATIVE REVIEWS ON OUR SELECTED WINES
Bovlei Mad Hatters' Barbera 2010
De Krans Tempranillo 2010
Du Toitskloof Dimension Nebbiolo 2009
RRP: R40 RRP: R80
RRP: R39 Stockists: Pick 'n Pay, Checkers, TOPS at Spar Quote: Pieter – “Great value like this makes any excuse not to try something new absolutely null and void.”
www.bovlei.com
Ellen says...
Guest Reviewer
Grant Says...
Stockists: Directly from the cellar Quote: Robyn – “…rounded, mellow, rich and super drinkable.”
Stockists: Liquor City, Picardi Rebel and Bootleggers Quote: Robyn – “This is the hubbly bubbly of wines… breathe deeply and relax.”
www.dekrans.co.za
www.dutoitskloof.co.za
With a ruby core and paling at the rim, this wine is shy on the nose with herbal notes. It is a lightbodied wine of medium intensity and medium length. Barbera is a cultivar from northern Italy and, like many Italian wines, it is high in acidity, making it good with food. With its flavours of late summer berries, it's an ideal wine for drinking this time of year.
This wine is dark from core to rim with a medium nose of red fruit and vanilla. It is fairly light-bodied, which is often typical of Tempranillo, the grape of Spanish Rioja, and it has black cherry flavours, medium acidity and tannins that could do with softening a bit. Wood is a bit dominant, but will integrate with time. Would be good with grilled meat.
Sheer garnet in colour, the nose is bordering on intense with spicy notes of clove and star anise, tinged with vanilla. In the mouth it is mediumbodied but lacking in texture. There are really juicy flavours of red fruit and it is eminently quaffable. It may not be a serious wine, but is definitely a crowd-pleaser.
A deep, dark red that smells of fruity compost redolent in peat. Not as pleasant on the nose as I expected at first sniff. Young and bold tannins that left a long fruity aftertaste, but I found it difficult to identify any familiar flavours. Nicely wooded, I suspect it will improve with age, but there are a lot of people out there who like a young, in your face wine. I am not one of them.
A lovely sweet caramel smell, with a prolonged hint of dark fruit. The sweetness carries over to the taste. The mild tannins leave a dry aftertaste that lingers on the palate and provides a great counterpoint to the sweetness. My favourite wine of the evening! Probably had a lot to do with the strong oak wood in the aroma and taste. My first Tempranillo – I will make sure it's not my last!
Aaah! Wondrous aroma! An earthy vanilla spice with a hint of mushroom, which lingers... Full bodied and smooth with lots of fruit and very light tannins, although you can definitely taste the wood. Unfortunately not much length on the palate, but definitely an easy sipping wine. My choice for a Sunday afternoon picnic.
The
Wine Show
Page 32 - April 2012
GET OUT
Cape Town Blaauwklippen Vineyards Family Market: Fig Day
Come and enjoy a 'thrilling' evening to remember at Nabygelegen Wine Estate, Wellington. Bring your own picnic (no drinks please) and settle on the lawn from 18:00. The movie of the night is 'The Thomas Crown Affair' with Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo and will start at sunset. There will be plenty of wine, soft drinks and popcorn for sale. Please bring your own ice bucket and picnic blankets as well as something warm for when the chill sets in. Please note: This event is weather permitting. Tickets cost R60pp and bookings can be made by emailing Catherine at marketing@nabygelegen.co.za.
15 April 2012 from 10:00 to 15:00 You can join us for a celebration of the fantastic fruit that is fig. All the food traders will be selling at least on food product on their menu with this delicious fruit as an ingredient. Expect anything from a chicken and fig burger, fig and brie filled pancakes, fig tartin, fig jams, fig relishes, fig vanilla and cinnamon nougat artisan ice cream and much more! Live music, excellent wine, arts and crafts and more will be on offer to ensure that you will enjoy a figtastic day! For more info contact Hugo Le Roux on 084 608 6325 or info.themarketarchitects@gmail.com.
Art & Life at Val de Vie
Mysteries and Pleasures of Pinot Noir at The Vineyard
On Sunday 15 April from 14:00 catch the likes of Ard Matthews, Louise Day, Mark Palmer and Jenni Button along with a polo game, art exhibition and much more. Art & Life is a private philanthropic arts initiative with the dual purposes of supporting and developing arts and culture in a dynamic way, while raising funds for selected charities. Five child centred charity beneficiaries are being supported through this initiative. Tickets cost R150 each from www.webtickets.co.za and children under 12 can attend free of charge. For more information visit www.artandlife.co.za.
To make the most of the pleasant early autumn temperatures, the Pinot Noir Festival will be hosted in the gardens of the hotel, from 14:0017:00. R165 per person includes a souvenir Vineyard tasting glass. Many of the more established Pinot Noir producing wine farms in and around the Western Cape will be showcasing selective vintages on the day. Guests can enjoy light music and canapĂŠs while they go on a viticultural journey, tasting some of South Africa's finest Pinot Noir wines from the farms. Booking essential 021-657 4500 or eat@vineyard.co.za.
Page 33 - April 2012
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.
IWSC Trophy dinner at Overture th
On the 18 of April, you can delight your senses with an amazing pairing of the 5 International Wine & Spirits Competition's 2011 Trophy winners from South Africa paired with a specially developed menu by award-winning chef, Bertus Basson. For more information on the wines, brandy and dishes, take a look at the SA Gold Supplement in the March issue of Wine Extra at www.wineextra.co.za or to book your seat at this amazing dinner for only R650pp (all included), email Samantha@wineshow.co.za. 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. 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)
Bot River's Barrels & Beards Harvest Celebration On 21 April 2012 from 17:00 Celebrate the 2012 harvest with the wineries of Botriver - taste new vintages, enjoy a true winemaker's feast and vote for the biggest beard... Share the exclusive taste of true Bot River hospitality, which includes a sumptuous, homegrown feast ranging from a Luddite pig on a spit; artisan breads baked by Beaumont Estate, Anysbos goat's cheese, and hearty side dishes. The local 'boereorkes', Die Stoepsitters, will get this grapes and gourmet vibe going with live, foot-stomping music to end your Saturday evening on a high, all for R150pp. For more info and bookings, call Nicolene Heyns on 082 852 6547, email her at nicolene@botriverwines.co.za or visit www.botriverwines.co.za. The
Wine Show
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 Page 34 - March 2012 WWW.MELLASAT.COM
GET OUT
Vineyard Hotel & Spa's wine paired dinners The Vineyard Hotel & Spa will again host their popular wine-paired dinner evenings during the months of April through to October 2012. The series of wine-paired events will launch with the five-course Partners' Dinner on 27 April. The hotel's five wine partners, Waterford, Meerlust, Simonsig, Warwick and Klein Constantia will showcase their favourite wines on the evening, which will be expertly paired to various culinary delights by the hotel's experienced Sous Chef, Chris Law. Diners can enjoy live light entertainment throughout the evening, and lucky draws are held at each event to add to the experience. So whether you are looking for a romantic evening out, or a night spent with a group of friends – the experience is bound to be a memorable one. The cost of the dinners is R265pp for the four-course and R315pp for the five-course. Exclusive stay-over packages that include the dinner for guests attending the events are also available. For the five-course dinner, a single room is R950, while a double room is R800 per person sharing. For the four-course paired dinner, a single room is R900 and a double room is R750 per person sharing. For more information or to make a reservation, please contact 021-657 4500 or e-mail eat@vineyard.co.za.
Page 35 - April 2012
Franschhoek Mystery Weekend On 27 and 28 April 2012 add a dash of intrigue and spice to your life with the Franschhoek Mystery Weekend. For a mere R1,850 per couple, for the weekend, you'll be able to experience the finest Franschhoek offerings in this 'once-in-a-blue-moon' opportunity. Representatives at the Franschhoek Wine Valley offices will randomly select a range of fabulous Franschhoek adventures and create your unique couple Mystery Weekend Package. This means that you have no idea where you're staying, where you're eating or what other experiences are in store for you. A truly unique experience! Every Franschhoek Mystery Weekend Package includes the following: Two nights of accommodation (for two people sharing) at one of Franschhoek's superb four or five star hotels, B&B's or guesthouses; A meal voucher (for two) to one of Franschhoek's renowned fine dining establishments; Two breakfasts (for two); Two tickets to The Screening Room at Le Quartier Français ; A R50 voucher (per couple) to use at one of the participating retail outlets located in and around Franschhoek; A wine tasting (per couple) at one of the award-winning participating Franschhoek wine farms; One other surprise Franschhoek experience (per couple). With ample time on your hands during this weekend why not include the Franschhoek Wine Valley Food & Wine Route as part of your journey of discovery. Tailor-make your trip and take the concept of a bespoke food and wine experience to a new level. For bookings or queries please contact Carmen on 021-876 2861 or email: office@franschhoek.org.za.
The Riebeek Valley Olive Festival Make your way to the picturesque Swartland towns of Riebeek Kasteel and Riebeek West for their annual Riebeek Valley Olive Festival, which takes place over the weekend of 5 and 6 May. A past winner of the West Coast Tourism Awards in the 'Tourism Event' category, the Riebeek Valley Olive Festival focuses its attention on this popular fruit during this time, showcasing the diversity of olives. Visitors to the Olive Emporium can stock up on a wide selection of olives, delicious olive oils, preserves, tapenades, as well a vast selection of olive-based beauty products. Whilst in the area visitors are welcome to visit the wineries where they will have the opportunity to sit in on tutored tastings or simply sample the wines at their leisure. Live entertainment at these establishments will ensure a truly relaxing experience. An R80 passport, valid for the entire festival weekend allows you entry to the various wine farms, the town based marquees, a complimentary tasting glass and a free tasting of olives or wine. The value for money passports can be purchased online at www.webtickets.co.za or on the day at participating establishments as well as the two centralised marquees. For more information and a full list of participants email olivefestival@gmail.com or phone 082 909 1116 / 084 207 3820.
The Table of Peace and Unity One of the most lauded, must attend events on the South African social calendar, one which is not only a sensational gourmet feast of the senses, but a feast for the eyes and ears with superb entertainment with some of South Africa's finest talent - The Parlotones, DannyK, PJ Powers, Sterling EQ and the Gugulethu Tenors. Not only an unforgettable and humbling experience for those who attend, but a lifesaving charitable occasion which has, over the years, raised a staggering R12 million, changing the lives of many of our fragile, vulnerable children in South Africa. All proceeds go to the designated children's charities. 13 May 2012 is the date to diarise – make a difference on Mothers Day! For corporate concessions, bookings, as well as how to host a Table in your own community go to www.tableofpeaceandunity.co.za or contact shona@gourmentsa.com.
GET OUT
Jo’burg Single Varietal Guided Wine Tasting th
OBiKWA Paddling Day Round up your friends and enjoy the OBiKWA Paddling Day on the spectacular Lake Heritage, nestled below the Swartkop Mountains on the 15th of April. The adventure is set to start at 8:00 at Heia Safari Ranch in Muldersdrift, where you'll be shown the basics before setting off for a leisurely morning of canoeing amid the beauty of the tranquil lake's surroundings. Round off the day by rewarding your efforts on the water with a scrumptious lunch and an adventurous OBiKWA wine tasting. You don't need any experience nor will you have to by any fancy equipment. Held in conjunction with Getaway, The OBiKWA Paddling Day costs only R250 per person, including lunch, refreshments, canoe hire and the wine tasting. For bookings and enquiries contact Sasha van Zyle on 01-530 3151 or email sasha.vanzyl@ramsaymedia.co.za.
A special tutored tasting Tasted against a backdrop of international examples, our next tasting's theme is "Aged Chardonnays". An opportunity not to be missed, as knowledge is shared and this cultivar explored as it ages with appealing composure! On Wednesday the 18th of April at 18h00 at HQ restaurant, Sandton. After the tasting, you are welcome to stay for dinner at the restaurant on your own account. Please notify the restaurant on 011-783 0924. Please RSVP to info@bouchardfinlayson.co.za or 028-312 3515. For more information on this tasting, please visit our blog: www.bouchardfinlayson.co.za/blog. Page 37 - April 2012
th
On Thursday the 19 of April at 6 Avenue, Edenvale. Starting at 19:00, you will receive bubbly and canapĂŠ's on arrival, a guided tasting of 6 single varietal wines, main course and dessert. The experience costs R340 per person and booking is essential. To book or for more info, call 073 333 8424.
J.C. Le Roux and GoodLuck present the Le Good Life Tour Taking place at five venues across South Africa, music fans can enjoy the captivating electro jazz of production duo Juliet Harding and Ben Peters, whose combination of jazz and dance influences will definitely make for an exciting live music experience. This not-to-be-missed tour kicks off on 30 March at the Living Room in Belville, Cape Town, with Isolomzi Place at Palm Ridge in Johannesburg on 7 April, followed by Menlyn Piazza in Pretoria on 26 April, and SET nightclub in Rosebank, Johannesburg, on 27 April. Get your first taste of the Le Good Life Tour with the brand new "Le Good Life" track, a swinging celebration of joy, leisure and luxury that will be yours to keep by SMSing the unique code printed on J.C. Le Roux neck tags available in participating stores in March and April, or liking J.C. Le Roux's Le Good Life page on Facebook. Elected bottles will also have a stylish limited edition flash drive attached, containing a link to the download page. For more information on the Le Good Life Tour, call Natasha Burger at 011-438 7000. Watch the music video for "Le Good Life" on YouTube. TO ANNOUNCE YOUR WINE RELATED EVENTS HERE, PLEASE CONTACT US WITH THE DETAILS AT: info@wine-extra.co.za
Come and visit us at The Wine Show Jo'burg, 4-6 May See you at stand C21! Tel: 021 888 8817 - www.pullthecork.co.za
WINE LAID BARE
Dare to Bare?
T
he entries are in. The judges are deliberating and deciding. 102 photographs were submitted. Many from old stalwarts in the WLB history, but also an encouraging amount from brand new photographers and models who are debuting this year. Again there are many great stories of breast cancer survivors using the platform to express themselves and offer hope to those who may still have to stand the test of cancer in their lifetimes. Those who follow the multitude of wine blogs and wine writers may even, if they take a close look, recognise some of their comrades in arms amongst the models…
interpretations of the theme, they also might just be minded to check themselves for tell-tale signs of cancer. What's not to like?
The premise of the annual Wine Laid Bare competition is simple. The Wine Show has since the beginning aimed to “strip away the snobbishness surrounding wine” [As does Wine Extra – Ed] whilst at the same time wishing to do good and not only raise money for worthy charities, but also keep the wine loving public conscious of their health. It is the organisers hope that whilst people enjoy perusing the artistic
The
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Page 40 - April 2012
So, how can you get involved? Well, firstly we need your help picking the 12 lucky winners who will appear in the WLB 2013 Calendar. To do so take a look at all the entries at:
http://www.wineextra.co.za/htm/wlb_2012_entries.ht ml and vote or “like� your favourite photos (via Facebook). Those votes/likes will make up fully 20% of the judges final decisions. The winners th will be announced at 19:00 on Friday 4 May at The Wine Show at the Coca-Cola Dome, North Riding. Shortly afterwards we will also publish the 12 winners on the Wine Laid Bare and Wine Extra Facebook pages. The calendar will also go on sale at The Wine Show for R100 a copy, and there-after via mail-order. If you believe in what they're doing, and support their wishes to raise more money for breast cancer charities then please do buy a calendar. Without calendar sales, they cannot raise further funds. There are still a limited amount of the 2012 calendars left for sale. To secure yours please email samantha@wineshow.co.za .
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