Wine Extra - December 2011

FO RM AT NE W

WineExtra ISSUE 1 VOL 3 - DECEMBER 2011

Celebrate with Chenin

Get Naked in the Winelands

WIN!

A VINTURI RED WINE AERATOR & 2 BOTTLES OF VERGENOEGD WINE

Pairing Wine with Glass…

Sasha Martinengo Wine, Radio and Formula1

ISSUE 1 VOL 3 - DECEMBER 2011

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The

Wine Show JO’BURG - PE - DURBAN

www.wineshow.co.za

Letter from the Editor Images: Mark Freeborough

Another year is on its head and the holidays are upon us. Time certainly has flown by. For some of us, 2011 was an epic year with several major changes throughout the world.

Politically, we saw the demise of various dictatorships, recently, the Cop 17 talks were held in Durban, Cape Town won the coveted title of World Design Capital, Table Mountain has been named as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World.

The wine industry, too, has seen many changes, with lots of shifts, some exciting, others downright shocking, the latest of which saw the iconic Quoin Rock Wine Estate being sold for a record R60 million, whilst it was valued at exactly double that.

It is, however, important to focus on the future and to be positive about the year ahead. I have faced many challenges in 2011, one being the Livin' the Life story in this month's issue and am sure that 2012 will continue the trend, however, I always say, what doesn't kill you will make you stronger.

To those going on holiday, have a great time and enjoy several bottles of fantastic wines, but please be careful on the roads and remember: Don't Drink and Drive!

CONTENTS 2 0 1 1

DECEMBER

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

7 12 15 18 19 20

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

24 25 31 37 39

17. Pairing Wine with Glass…

12 Exclusive Interview with Sasha Martinengo

WIN!

AERATOR D, ED WINE R I R U T GENOEG A VIN S OF VER LE T .

T D O N B AND 2 TATE BLE AND 1 ES 1 SHIRAZ

RATOR L WINE AE

ES SE NT IA

19. Get Naked in the Winelands

21. TASTE TEAM - Celebrate with Chenin Blanc

TABLE TALK Or Stench, an Australian sparkler from R Winery, the company that collaborated with the American importer Dan Philips of the Grateful Palate in 2004 to get the postfeminist ball rolling with a grenache named, simply, Bitch.

Like a slap across the face, Bitch grabbed the attention of a certain type of consumer, primarily young women en route to a bachelorette or divorce party, or looking for a special way to say, “I love you” on Mother's Day.

Naughty Labels IT'S peppery and full of fight. The tannins have grip. The nose takes no prisoners. This shiraz is a bitch.

“They can buy it and say, 'Here, bitch, I bought you a present,' ” said John F. Umbach, the owner of Joseph Victori Wines, which distributes Royal Bitch and Sweet Bitch.

(Story courtesy of http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/07/dining/wi th-rude-names-wine-stops-minding-itsmanners.html?_r=1)

Bitch and Fat Bastard are two wine brands that have taken up risqué names to help their lines stand out.

It says so on the label. Royal Bitch is the name of the wine, one of a teeming sisterhood of cabernets and chardonnays from a variety of producers with labels like Sassy Bitch, Jealous Bitch, Tasty Bitch and Sweet Bitch. They're reinforcements for a growing army of rude, budget-priced wines that have shoved their way into wine stores and supermarkets in the past few years — most recently Happy Bitch, a Hudson Valley rosé that made its debut last month.

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, an agency of the Treasury Department, approves about 120,000 applications for wine labels every year. Most names are traditional, often genteel, especially at the lower price points. It's natural for a chardonnay or cabernet priced below $15 or even $10 to buff the image a bit.

Woodbridge, Coastal Estates and Turning Leaf could be suburban subdivisions.

Then there are the others. Wines like the Ball Buster, a beefy shiraz-cabernet-merlot blend from the Barossa Valley in Australia. Or BigAss Red, from Milano Family Winery in California.

Page 6 - December 2011

TABLE TALK

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The sleek attractive shape of the Wine Chill Drop adds a stylish note to your table. · 2 Wine Chill Drops and two holders in each package · Chills a single glass of wine up to 20 times faster than the refrigerator · Fits wine glasses and Champagne flutes · Sleek polished stainless steel finish with convenient holders to protect table surfaces There really is NO excuse to put ice in your glass and water down your wine with this sexy gadget.

Visit www.skybarhome.com to buy yours.

Australia OKs laxative agent as wine additive The Australian government has given the nod to winemakers to begin using a chemical contained in laxatives.

While the chemical, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, has long been prized by the medical world for its anti-bulking and laxative properties, food scientists have discovered that, in small doses, it can be used to stabilize and thicken beverages and foods.

In the case of wine, the chemical prevents crystallization and cloudiness in white and sparkling varieties.

"I don't think the levels that are approved for use in wine in the EU and Australia will give that laxative effect," said Wendell Lee, general counsel for the Wine Institute, the trade group for California's wine industry.

The Winemakers' Federation of Australia appealed to its government to approve the chemical, arguing that the additive would save energy and money. That's because traditional methods for preventing crystallization - cooling and filtration - can be highly energy intensive.

The chemical has not been approved for use in wine produced in the United States. However, an international agreement among several nations - including Australia; the European Union, where it is approved; and the U.S. - means that it is legal in imported wines.

But because there are no labeling requirements for food additives in wine, U.S. drinkers will remain in the dark as to its presence.

"There's nothing you can do," said Roger Boulton, professor of viticulture and enology at UC Davis. "There's no way of knowing. If it's imported and it's an approved additive elsewhere, the consumer won't know."

According to both the EU and Australian government, the chemical does not alter the taste or consistency of wine, and it poses no harm to human health.

(Story courtesy of California Watch.)

Wine Lines™ I.D. tags for your stemware Can't find your Cabernet? Misplaced your Merlot? Don't fret. Wine Lines are here to save the soiree. Insert the band through the slot and tighten around the stem of your glass. Voila your RosÊ is recognizable! Wine Lines are soft, stretchable, washable, reusable synthetic rubber.

Easy to slip onto a wineglass, and unobtrusive once in place.

Drink no wine that is not thine! Visit http://www.coolstuffexpress.com/winelinesreviews.html.

The

Wine Show

Page 8 - November 2011

TABLE TALK Remember this?

Ripple The Lost Dauphin of Pop Wines 1960-1984 E&J Gallo Winery

with twice the pleasure,” and, a bit oddly, “the wine that winks back at you.” The glass of the bottle bore a distinctive ripple pattern but, tellingly, no mention of the E&J Gallo Winery.

Following the booming success of the original Red flavor, Pear and Pagan Pink were introduced in the mid-60s.

The Rise: Gallo's timing, it turned out, was better than they could have imagined. A new generation of drinkers was rising up, and these kids, who the media termed “hippies,” were keenly interested in rebelling against everything their parents stood for, including their choice of adult refreshment. And here was something new and different, even rebellious. The wine snobs said it wasn't really wine and the grown-ups dismissed it as spiked punch in a bottle.

History has unjustly vilified Ripple as a wino wine. Social workers and other assorted handwringers of the day attached so much infamy to its name that one imagines it was some manner of vile high-proof elixir reeking of brimstone. In fact, Ripple was merely an artificially-flavored, lightly-carbonated sweet wine drink weighing in at 11%. It was a wine cooler (before they called it that) with a bit of a bite.

The winos of the day generally preferred Gallo's more high-powered offerings: Night Train and Thunderbird. Ripple found much more acceptance with the younger set; it became the drink of choice for college kids (and their younger siblings) and made headway in the black community as well.

The Name: Some armchair etymologists claim “ripple” was '30s bluesman slang for a type of cocktail, but if that were true it would surely have popped up in at least one old blues song, cocktail manual or slang dictionary, which it didn't. More likely it just seemed like a nice name for a new kind of drink. Ripple is a pleasant word describing, as it does, liquid making a pretty motion.

The Concept: Ripple came to life as a wine maker's attempt to seize a chunk of the youth market. Something light and fizzy that might appeal to novice drinkers who didn't particularly care for the taste of hops, or alcohol for that matter. Early TV and radio spots called it a “new drink for lively people,” “the ice cold refresher Page 9 - December 2011

Ripple's pop culture impact was considerable.

Fred Sanford (Redd Foxx) of the popular sitcom Sanford and Son led the charge, declaring his beverage of choice “the national drink of Watts.”

Fred improvised all sorts of splendid Ripple cocktails, including Mintchipple (mint julep and Ripple), Cripple (cream and Ripple), Champipple (Champagne and Ripple) and Manischipple (Manischewitz and Ripple).

Ripple was also immortalized in song: blues artist Dan Shoemake sang its praises, as did Arlo Guthrie, Gordon Lightfoot, Johnnie Johnson, Loudon Wainwright III, Hanoi Rocks, Motorhead and Easy-E. The Fall: Why Gallo ceased production of Ripple in the mid-'80s is something of a mystery.

The winery never bothered to explain, which isn't

surprising when you remember they refrained from putting their name on the bottle.

Some alcohol historians (hoochstorians, if you will) claim Ripple was ruthlessly purged in an attempt by Gallo to clean up its image. While it's true that the winery was fancying up its product line (in 1974 they even went so far as to start selling wine with actual corks), the theory doesn't ring true. If Gallo was really interested in polishing its name they would have put to bed the much more notorious Night Train and Thunderbird, both of which are produced to this day.

No, it was a shrinking market share that did Ripple in. The niche Ripple had seized was being squeezed on all sides by its Gallo siblings: the kids were turning to the sweeter and lighter Boone's Farm and the aging hippies were graduating to Gallo's cheap jug wines.

Furthermore, Gallo wanted to make room for their new innocuous brand of wine coolers, Bartles & Jaymes, which rolled out the same year Ripple vanished. Ripple was the Gatsby of its day, a shady relative who was tolerated so long as he was raking in the dough, then promptly cast out when he fell on hard times.

Availability: Surviving bottles are extremely rare, to the degree that one optimistic gent attempted to sell an unopened bottle of Red Ripple for $5000 on Ebay. He didn't get any takers, but Ripple can still boast an impressive appreciation in value: unopened bottles (originally going for a buck) generally sell in the $150-$200 range.

Trivia: During their long and bitter boycott of Gallo, the United Farm Workers released buttons claiming “Nixon Drinks Ripple.� Which probably wasn't true.

SPECIAL REPORT

Pairing Wine with Glass‌

I

magine yourself walking into a beautiful ballroom. The tables have been set with the finest silverware. Delicate porcelain and floral arrangements tantalise your eyes under the lights of shimmering chandeliers and wine is served in those cheap, thick glasses you buy at the supermarket‌ Spot the vital flaw?

No, it's not necessarily that the glasses will look a bit off amongst all of the other beautiful objects (even though they probably will), it's that the wine won't taste as good as it potentially could if served in the RIGHT glasses!

We all know that smaller glasses are ideal for white wines whilst red wine should be poured into the larger counterparts. This is totally correct, however, most of us haven't really paid much attention to the overall shape of the glass. Why would this matter?

Austrian crystal glass manufacturer, Riedel has always lead the way, having researched

Page 11 - December 2011

the best glass shape and size to suit most of the main cultivars and blends around.

Professor Claus J. Riedel was the first designer to recognize that the bouquet, taste, balance and finish of wines are affected by the shape of the glass from which they are drunk.

Fifty years ago he began his pioneering work to create stemware that would match and complement different wines and spirits.

In the late 1950s, Riedel started to produce glasses, which at that time were a design revolution. Thin-blown, unadorned, reducing the design to its essence: Bowl, stem, base.

Working with experienced tasters, Riedel discovered that wine enjoyed from his glasses showed more depth and better balance than when served in other glasses.

Claus J. Riedel laid the groundwork for stemware which was functional as well as beautiful, and made according to the continue

Page 34 - November 2011

Bauhaus design principle: form follows function.

In 1961 a revolutionary concept was introduced, when the Riedel catalogue featured the first line of wine glasses created in different sizes and shapes.

Before this, conventional stemware had used a single basic bowl shape, with only the size varying depending on use.

We spent an afternoon putting this theory to the test with Richard Kellond from local Bohemian crystal importer, Crystal Direct, and the results amazed us!

It has to be said that the difference is more notable with fine wines as opposed to the more easy-drinking style wines, however, anyone can try this at home. Take a good, wooded Chardonnay and pour it into a smaller, narrowly shaped glass, then pour it into a rounder and more open glass. Now smell from both glasses.

One can instantly notice that the smell from the larger, more bulbous glass is much

Page 13 - December 2011

more fragrant and complex with more nuances than the wine in the narrower glass.

Taking it to the next level, sip the wine from both glasses. The Chardonnay in the larger glass enters the mouth and covers your entire tongue as opposed to focusing the wine only on the centre of your palate.

A further matrix influencing the way the wine enters your mouth and thus potentially altering the taste is whether the rim of the glass has a smooth rim or a 'fat' one.

Today, Riedel are still the leading lead crystal manufacturers worldwide, but many others are following in their footsteps and producing crystal stemware which complement wine, look fabulous at any table setting and don't cost you a small fortune. As we all know, glass breaks and replacing a R40 crystal glass is a lot less of a smash on your pocket than R250!

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

SASHA MARTINENGO DJ, F1 fanatic, personality extraordinaire...

Images: Mark Freeborough

S

asha Martinengo is arguably one of South Africa's most recognized radio and TV personalities. He recently celebrated his th 5,000 radio show on 5FM and is the Formula 1 man for SuperSport. His love for everything Italian is well documented along with his particular love for anything with the Ferrari ensign on it!

We know you love everything Italian. Which Italian wine do you enjoy?

Correct, I am Italian and I love EVERYTHING Italian.

A nice Chianti is always good and a light white wine – from the movie [Silence of the Lambs], but I like a

good Barolo, but recently, after searching for ages, I've found Jano Trulli's wine! I managed to find a bottle and really enjoyed it. I thought it was awesome, but I am also a huge Jano Trulli fan.

You're a bit of a ladies man. If you were to seduce me with a wine, which one would you choose?

Does that include Champagne? [Oh hell-yeah!]

Then it would definitely be a Champagne… Veuve Clicquot or a Mumm. [Ed – Consider me seduced!]

CONTINUE...

The

Wine Show

Page 14 - December 2011

What is one of the silliest things you've done after consuming a glass too many?

If the Ferrari F1 team were to be sponsored by a wine brand/cultivar/style, which would it be?

It was silly because I'd consumed a tremendous amount of wine, but then decided to pull out a very expensive bottle of Nederburg Reserve and proceeded to drink it with a friend of mine and then threw everything up afterwards! So, my advice is, if you're going to get smashed on wine, rather get smashed on cheap wine, because you know it's going to come up. Don't waste it on expensive stuff!

That's very subjective, because I would sit there and choose my own favourite. Ferrari do actually have their own wine, but I think that's just a manufactured thing and a marketing exercise, but in my opinion, Ferrari would be a really smooth Pinotage, because I think it's classy and it has an element of mystique about it.

When did you start to enjoy wine?

It's funny actually. I grew up with my grandfather who used to have a glass of wine with soda every morning before breakfast [Ed – that's my kinda guy!] but it was always plonk. He thought that it was good for your heart. So, being Italian, I always used to drink wine and my father used to be a white wine drinker. He does however LOVE red wine, but red wine doesn't love him. Then I've also got a Swiss Godfather, very strange guy… He came to our house when I was about 16 years old and he brought along a bottle of 1981 Kanonkop Pinotage and I had a glass of that. That was the day I sat back and realized what wine was all about and what wine should taste like, so that, to me, was my defining moment.

Formula 1 racers always spray each other with Champagne if they make it to the podium.

Have you ever had a Champagne shower?

With who?

I've actually had a few! And the wonderful thing about it is that the colour of Champagne is gold.

Whether it be with racing or in a chaotic club…

Page 15 - December 2011

Where is your favourite place to enjoy a good glass of wine? Poolside, next to a roaring fire, from a belly button?

Ummm… it might take quite a while to drink a whole bottle of bubbly from a belly button, but that could be quite enjoyable… I'd prefer to be outside in the sunshine, enjoying a bit of either red or white wine.

You love tequila, especially Patron. Have you ever mixed an evening of drinks with Patron and red wine? How did you feel the next day?

Not good. Not good at all. The one thing about wine is that it should be enjoyed on its own, in moderation, otherwise it's going to hurt you. If you've had too much wine and you mix it with something else, you WILL feel ghastly. For a few days.

If you, Sasha Martinengo, DJ, F1 fanatic, personality extraordinaire, were a wine, which brand/cultivar/ style would you be?

I think I'd be a blend. A blend of Pinot Noir and Pinotage. I simply love Pinot Noir and Pinotage.

Whilst chatting, Sasha and Maryna enjoyed a bottle of Granite Ridge Reserve from The Winery of Good Hope.

This is what Sasha had to say about the wine: "Light enough to enjoy quite a bit of it.”

Page 16 - December 2011

NOW YOU’RE COOKING Sally Williams It all began in the mysterious souks of Marrakesh. As Sally, a renowned South African chef, wound her way through the maze of narrow alleys, she found herself unable to resist the mounds of flavoured nougat on offer.

Intrigued by the taste, Sally embarked on a quest for the perfect confectionery, drawing on the world's best recipes from Morocco to Tunisia and France to Italy. Upon her return, Sally spent years mastering the art of creating exceptional nougat, insisting upon only the finest ingredients.

Sally's secret recipe and passion for creating the ultimate indulgence is still followed uncompromisingly, and remains closely guarded by our highly skilled nougatiers upon whom Sally bestowed her legacy.

Go on and experience the world of Sally Williams - a world of decadent hand-crafted perfection. A world of luxury, indulgent taste sensations.

A world where you can spoil yourself and those you love every day. A world which we lovingly create just for you.

Visit www.sallywilliamsfinefoods.com.

Sally’s Nougat Ice Cream Ingredients for 8 portions: • 1½ Litres good quality dark chocolate ice cream • 320g Frozen Sally Williams Fine Honey Nougat, finely crushed • 200g Chopped nuts of your choice • A dash of brandy (or your favourite liqueur) to taste

Method: • Mix slightly softened ice cream with frozen nougat working quickly with nougat so it does not become too sticky.

• Add nuts and a touch of liqueur and put into ramekins and freeze.

• If edges of ramekins become messy, wait until frozen and then clean with hot water.

• Just before serving, sprinkle remaining bits of frozen nougat on top.

The Page 17 - December 2011

Wine Show

WIN WITH WINEWEB & VINTURI ANSWER THE TWO EASY QUESTIONS AND STAND A CHANCE TO WIN A VINTURI RED WINE AERATOR AND 2 BOTTLES OF VERGENOEGD WINE. VINTURI successfully combines elegant design with break through function the VINTURI wine aerator will elegantly add a breath of fresh air to your wine. Normally wine lovers would expose their wine to air for 30 minutes or More to get the same effect. VINTURI however instantly gives wine enhanced aromas, flavours, and a smoother finish.

Wine lovers can instantly enjoy their wine the way the wine maker intended. The result is a more authentic and better quality wine experience.

ESSENTIAL WINE AERATOR Entries must be made on the

wall of The Wine Show Jo’burg group.

ANSWER THESE SIMPLE QUESTIONS: 1.Where does crystal glassware originate from?

2.Where would you find the first naturist resort in the Western Cape?

WineExtra

Competition closes on 31 December 2011 The winner will be announced on the Facebook group before the January issue of Wine Extra gets published. Please read the competition rules on the facebook group before you enter.

Page 16 - November 2011

LIVIN’ THE LIFE!

Get Naked in the Winelands

By MARYNA STRACHAN Images: John Woodward

“Did you hear? Really? NO WAY!! Are you going? Would you do it? You've got to be kidding!” This was the general direction of a conversation I was having with a friend. The subject matter: The opening of a naturist resort in Somerset West, of all places.

The conversation continued “I didn't know that was your 'thing'?”. To which I replied “it's not”.

The thing is, however, that this was happening on my turf, the winelands, and I simply had to find out for myself what all of the fuss was

about – and, of course, report back to you.

And so it happened that on a sunny Saturday I ended up at the pre-launch event of the allnew Vasnat Naturist Resort high up against the mountain, overlooking False Bay. In the run-up to this, I had several conversations with friends and family about their perception on nudism and, in particular, this type of resort. Strangely enough, having been brought up in South Africa, it's considered The

Page 19 - December 2011

Wine Show

the good weather and the lovely surrounds.

Vasnat is the second resort of its kind for owners Mark, a trained chef, and Samantha.

The first, called Vigla Natura is in Greece and was opened about 5 years ago, and so it was that they decided to open a resort in a location which gives their existing European and American clientele the opportunity to enjoy the naturist lifestyle in a hot location during the winter months.

Boasting several classy suites and stunning penthouse, a large outdoor pool, indoor lap pool, two jaccuzzi's, sauna and steam room and beauty salon offering relaxing massages and treatments, Vasnat is the perfect place to spend a week soaking up the sun – in the buff.

Naturism and good wine – she approves!

to be fairly uncouth, whereas Europe seems to be littered with naturist resorts catering for all walks of life and it's widely accepted.

So, here I was, at Vasnat (not 'Vasvat' as one of my friends called it). Met by English resort owners Mark and Samantha Taylor, I was escorted to where all of the other guests were lounging in the sun on perfectly manicured lawns, the entire garden hidden by large trees and lush shrubbery. And, yes, everyone was nekkid. Starkers.

Ahem… How to go about this then? Well, I took my lead from one of the other guests who'd also just arrived, I simply shed my kit and got on with it. Thank goodness for my David Green sunglasses! Did I feel selfconscious? Hell yes! Did I feel like everyone was staring at me? Too right. Were they?

Totally NOT! They were all minding their own business, chatting, joking, laughing, enjoying

The residents' lounge and bar, decorated Cape-style to help you blend into your new surroundings will be on hand throughout the day to serve drinks and snacks. In the evenings the onsite chef will bring his superb culinary skills to the elegant restaurant to provide a contemporary homely dining experience without needing to leave the resort!

Whilst doing my research, I noticed that a very common association was that naturist resorts go hand in hand with swinging clubs – and no, I'm not referring to the golfing kind.

Samantha was very quick to point out that

Enjoying the Jacuzzi

CONTINUE...

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Wine Show

Page 20 - December 2011

there is a major difference between a 'naturist resort' and a 'lifestyle resort'. The difference being that a naturist resort purely caters to those who like to walk around naked, whereas a lifestyle resort is pretty much a free-for-all.

But, how does one ensure that things don't go awry along the way? Surely people must get turned on when nature takes over? Well, not here. Guests are informed clearly upon booking as well as arrival that no sexual conduct in public spaces will be tolerated and you could risk being kicked off the premises, should you not adhere to the strict rules.

A few other surprises greeted me along the way, such as seeing entire families into the lifestyle, from toddlers to kids, their parents and grandpa and grandma, the whole lot, naked. I kid you not! And, do you want to know what got me even more? Most of the people there were… Afrikaans! So much for “Afrikaans people are sooooo conservative”.

Vasnat’s guest cottages and perfectly manicured lawns The Page 21 - December 2011

Wine Show

Another question I got asked by a male friend prior to my excursion was how the guys react when seeing an attractive woman. As we all know, guys have an uncontrollable and highly visible giveaway when they get aroused. So, in true eye-witness reporter style, I asked a few of the guys on the day what their answer is to the question at hand. “Well, to be honest, I'd get a lot more turned on if I saw a hot girl wearing a sexy bikini.” Huh? Well, it would seem that in this case, more is more.

The age-old adage of leaving something to the imagination seems to ring true in this instance and I can honestly say that I did not spot a single instance of 'excited' behavior all day.

I like the fact that Vasnat is located in the winelands. It gives foreign visitors the opportunity to visit local wine farms – dressed, of course – and experience what South Africa is all about in a way in which they feel most comfortable, their birthday suits. There is also a really good wine selection available from the resort bar and restaurant, featuring wines

from Boschendal, Vergelegen, Graham Beck and Delheim to name a few.

Ideally you'd be a member of one of the various naturist bodies, such as the Western Cape Naturist Association (www.wcna.co.za) or SANFED (www.sanfed.org), however it is not compulsory. If you are not a member of any naturist bodies, you simply need to book in advance.

Times have definitely been changing and owner, Mark, has said that he's been overwhelmed by the support from most of his neighbors. “They all seem pretty ok with it as long as they don't have to see what goes on here”. That's fair enough, I think.

I suppose the final question would have to be whether I'd return to Vasnat for another naturist experience. The answer: I think so.

One of my mottos has always been to try something at least once. If you don't like it, at least you can make an informed decision and if you do, it's a total bonus.

WIN A WEEKEND STAY

(Friday and Saturday nights) in the penthouse at the Vasnat Naturist resort including breakfast and a complimentary massage for 2 people.

Simply answer these questions by emailing maryna@wine-extra.co.za.

Please use the words 'Vasnat competition' in the subject line: 1.Where would you find the other naturist resort owned by Mark and Samantha Taylor?

2.Before reading this story, what was your opinion of Naturism and has it changed?

• Terms and conditions apply (just to cover our own arses!)

• Judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

www.vasnat.com

Vasnat South Africa

From the Laptop of Polly FumÊ Polly's guide to surviving Christmas lunch If your family is normal, Christmas lunches can be a minefield of aging recriminations, judgmental conversations and minor insanities buried in very shallow graves. However, as my family isn't normal and that sounds like a picnic, here are my hard-won tips for getting through the day: Step one: Buy A LOT of champagne There is endless argument about matching wine to foods – I mean, who cares what goes with dry turkey? I prefer to match my drink to the mood, and at Christmas that calls for a small mountain of bubbles!

Step two: Buy some more champagne I mean, you can never really have enough, now can you?

Step three: Develop sudden car trouble This is a key step as it allows you to guilt a lift out of some other member of family, putting you in the position of not having to drive. (Of course, this follows the unwritten step zero which is: ensure lunch is not at yours!)

Step four: Help in the kitchen early I like to help out with the preparation. This has three major benefits: 1) you're conveniently close to the fridge for emergency top-ups, 2) by the time you join the 'celebration' everyone has a mouthful of food and 3) having helped prep, you can sit back and just pour yourself another glass when clean-up time comes. (Also, if you're doing it right, it might be hard to anything other than sit by this time.)

Step five: Share Everyone loves champagne, right? And if they pretend that they don't you can always propose a toast (or five).

Once aunt Retha has enough of the stuff in her, she's certain to start on cousin Natasha about her latest nogood squeeze and you can just sit back to enjoy the entertainment!

Follow me on Twitter@PollyFume

CELEBRATING

TASTE TEAM

THE HOLIDAYS WITH CHENIN! Chenin Blanc has often been named as South Africa's misunderstood varietal. What most people don't know is that it is the most widely planted wine grape variety in this country and is used to make spirits such as Brandy, Vodka, Gin and more.

It is only more recently that winemakers and wine drinkers alike, have started to embrace this grape

and we decided to send the Taste Team a selection of Chenin Blancs to sample and give their unique opinions on. As of this month, we'll be featuring a monthly guest taster. This month, the Team was joined by Tony, who is the swiss-army knife of his IT department, has a passion for driving cars fast and being deeply sarcastic.

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.

Ellen

Tony

Pieter

Robyn

Zukiso

The

Wine Show

Page 24 - December 2011

Page 22 - November 2011

READ THESE COMPARATIVE REVIEWS ON OUR SELECTED WINES

TASTE TEAM

Celebrating with Chenin

Knorhoek Chenin Blanc 2010

Perdeberg Reserve Chenin 2010

Teddy Hall Dr. Jan Katz Chenin Blanc Reserve 2010

RRP: R46

RRP: R47

RRP: R120

Available at: TOPS at Spar, Fruit & Veg City and Liquor City

Available at: Ultra Liquors nationwide

Available at: Norman Goodfellows, Bootleggers and Caroline's Fine Wines

Quote: Zukiso – “…kind of like a Ménage a trois for those lucky enough to have had the experience!”

Quote: Pieter – “Slides down like a Bond girl's silk pyjamas…”

Quote: Zukiso – “…this is the best Chenin that has ever landed on my palate.”

www.knorhoek.co.za

www.perdeberg.co.za

Exuberant, ultra-ripe fruit and sugar candy jumps from the glass. Very nice, albeit not very complex. The palate is fullbodied and fruity. Perhaps a touch of sugar, too? Slides down like a Bond girl's silk pyjamas and should please a variety of differently calibrated palates (especially at the price).

Shy nose, hinting at fruit and boiled sweets. An intriguing whisper... The palate finishes dry, with really bright fruit and an unusual – but very pleasant – nuance reminiscent of sherry (probably a combination of wood and yeast contact working its magic). Quite full-bodied, without losing much elegance and just outside the box – where one finds things worthy of contemplation.

Pieter says...

Very enjoyable, ripe nose of dried apricots with overripe pineapple after a while. A yummy, tangy but balanced palate, showing some minerality and a cool, almost European fruit profile. I'm guessing that, like most good SA Chenin, this should age well too.

Really lekker stuff at a good price – I approve!

Tasting the Perdeberg reserve is like watching a good highschool ballet – the talent is unmistakable and you're pleasantly surprised to find this quality of performance in such an unexpected place, plus entrance was cheap! I could happily spend my summer pirouetting in a cloud of this.

Presently the Teddy Hall is making promises that it's not quite keeping – lovely toffeeapple scented promises. He's tight like a tiger, but a bit too young to consummate the relationship (unless you like that kind of thing, but then why would you buy this wine?) Patience will yield serious rewards to the romantic big-wine lover.

Robyn says...

Like a casual acquaintance that you're pleased to bump into in an event full of strangers, but still not really someone you'd invite out for coffee “just to catch up”; the Knorhoek Chenin is nice enough to spend some time with, but not one who's number you'll take down. That said, to my personal taste, I rate it higher than the Fairview.

A wine that makes me really appreciate being a taster!

This is one for the collection.

A softer palate that has a memorable finish, kind of like a Ménage a trois for those lucky enough to have had the experience! But try having it with your clothes on especially in a restaurant…PLEASE!

A nice dry Chenin, which I found a bit more complex than the others - my way of saying I could not tell what I picked up on the nose, but certainly fruity and sweet. A gorgeously composed palate, like a symphony orchestra of flavour, expertly put together to produce a magical taste.

Few wines come along and leave a lasting impression; this is the best Chenin that has ever landed on my palate. This is truly an excellent, well rounded wine. Hints of butterscotch on the nose and a palate to match with divine, lingering vanilla flavour aftertaste. Simply stunning!

Zukiso says...

www.teddyhallwines.com

Page 26 - December 2011

READ THESE COMPARATIVE REVIEWS ON OUR SELECTED WINES

TASTE TEAM

Ellen says...

Celebrating with Chenin

Knorhoek Chenin Blanc 2010

Perdeberg Reserve Chenin 2010

Teddy Hall Dr. Jan Katz Chenin Blanc Reserve 2010

RRP: R46

RRP: R47

RRP: R120

Available at: TOPS at Spar, Fruit & Veg City and Liquor City

Available at: Ultra Liquors nationwide

Available at: Norman Goodfellows, Bootleggers and Caroline's Fine Wines

Quote: Zukiso – “…kind of like a Ménage a trois for those lucky enough to have had the experience!”

Quote: Pieter – “Slides down like a Bond girl's silk pyjamas…”

Quote: Zukiso – “…this is the best Chenin that has ever landed on my palate.”

www.knorhoek.co.za

www.perdeberg.co.za

www.teddyhallwines.com

Hmmm…this nose is unusual. It has a slightly musty tinge, perfumed with some ripe pineapple and green fruit. But all will be well…the palate is refreshingly nutty with brisk acidity. It has lovely wood and apricot and kiwi notes, but almost seems a bit too young. Buy it and forget about it for a while.

This wine has a more typical Chenin nose than others in the flight, with good fruit, no wood and green apple notes. The palate is also typical South African Chenin with a rounded mouth-feel and medium to high acidity. I get some grapefruit on the mediumbodied palate and sweet almond notes, with medium length. A very appealing wine.

I am seduced by this nose, which speaks to me of oak with delectable vanilla notes and hints of good malt whisky.

The palate is off-dry with a lovely rounded mouth feel. It reminds me of Loire Valley Chenin from Vouvray. Acidity is vibrant but restrained, in balance. Finishes dry. This is my favourite wine of the flight.

Possibly the simplest and most easily approachable wine of the evening, simple and drinkable, a Chenin for the reasonable man.

A good all-rounder - good everywhere with everything.

Have it at a braai or at a formal dinner, a wedding and even at a picnic. A good white for all occasions.

If you are not intimidated by the bottle, its contents are delicious, something special for only welcome company. I think this would be good in almost any setting.

Guest Reviewer Tony says...

The Page 27 - December 2011

Wine Show

READ THESE COMPARATIVE REVIEWS ON OUR SELECTED WINES

TASTE TEAM

Celebrating with Chenin

Fairview Darling Chenin 2011

Raka Chenin Blanc 2010

RRP: R50

Winery of Good Hope Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2011

RRP: R55 RRP: R49

Available at: TOPS at Spar nationwide

Available at: Makro

Quote: Robyn – “…a pleasant lemony wine – this is what an unwooded Chardonnay wishes it was.”

Quote: Tony – “Something tasty to impress, which also won't damage the wallet just in case things don't work out...”

Pieter says...

Available at: Norman Goodfellows, Caroline's Fine Wine and La Cave in La Lucia Mall.

Quote: Pieter – “Smells like an unfaithful baker in an orchard…”

www.fairview.co.za

www.rakawine.co.za

Overt fermentation character on the nose, but not too much else. The palate is also very young and primary. There's a measure of pleasant fruit too, but somehow the wine doesn't seem particularly substantial overall. Not my favourite, but maybe time will reveal it was just a Lolita of a wine at an awkward stage, opened before its prime...

Racy, attractive nose of dried apricot, wood-smoke, peaches, lime and – later on – guava. The palate starts out more woody than expected, takes a slight dip on the back palate, but follows through with a nice fruity aftertaste.

Good supporting acid and balance. Great value, plus it should keep well for a few years to come!

Smells like an unfaithful baker in an orchard (bread, perfume and peaches), however unlike said baker, this Chenin is subtle and interesting. Nicely balanced, though a fairly uncomplicated palate. Very enjoyable stuff!

Fortunately this doesn't taste anywhere near as 'killer attack' as it smells. Smells like lemonade, but tasted like a pleasant lemony wine – this is what an unwooded Chardonnay wishes it was. Makes for a fair lunch wine and should go down reasonably well with the Sauvvie crowd who've realised their usual pick is going out of fashion.

Like a fat girl who still thinks she's skinny, the Raka Chenin swirls a cloud of sweet wood smoke and toast around a tight core of dried apple and heavy acidity. I'd consider keeping it for a while until it becomes less awkwardly body conscious, but it's still fair value for money at present.

You know when you get poured a glass of wine and, picking it up, you don't really note much.

Yet, somehow there you are, sipping slowly, conversation flowing, and you realize that all is in fact good? This Chenin does just that – really simple, but in a way that it's easy to forget the time, the day and that you're on your third glass.

For a Chenin it had destinctive Sauvignon Blanc flavours - green peppers and lemon. I found it quite youthful, like a naïve teenager. Keep it for at least another 2 years as I'm sure a bit of incarceration in the cellar will do this juvenile a lot of good!

I happen to enjoy Chenin Blanc and this Raka does not disappoint. This is what a Chenin should taste like. A decidedly fruity nose with hints of apple and peach on the palate with a smooth and an extended woody finish. Pair it with a glass and “Santé, mon ami”.

What I really enjoyed about this wine is its simplicity, this is right up my alley. The nose is very fragrant, leaning more to the herbier than fruity side.

Smoky on the palate, I will not hesitate having this one with fish - smoked trout to be precise.

www.thewineryofgoodhope.co.za

Robyn says...

Zukiso says...

Page 28 - December 2011

READ THESE COMPARATIVE REVIEWS ON OUR SELECTED WINES

TASTE TEAM

Celebrating with Chenin

Fairview Darling Chenin 2011

Raka Chenin Blanc 2010

RRP: R50

Winery of Good Hope Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2011

RRP: R55 RRP: R49

Available at: TOPS at Spar nationwide

Available at: Makro

Quote: Robyn – “…a pleasant lemony wine – this is what an unwooded Chardonnay wishes it was.”

Quote: Tony – “Something tasty to impress, which also won't damage the wallet just in case things don't work out...”

Ellen says...

Available at: Norman Goodfellows, Caroline's Fine Wine and La Cave in La Lucia Mall.

Quote: Pieter – “Smells like an unfaithful baker in an orchard…”

www.fairview.co.za

www.rakawine.co.za

www.thewineryofgoodhope.co.za

If I hadn't known that we were tasting Chenins this evening, I might have thought this was a Sauvignon Blanc. Without meaning any harm, my first whiff reminds me of paint stripper, but it becomes more aromatic with nuttiness as it warms in the glass. The palate is young, with high acidity and citrus notes. A good food wine.

This wine has a rich nose, with aromas of ripe banana, sweet pear and peach. Yum! So will the palate live up to these expectations?

Thankfully, yes! Very fullbodied with good length.

There is obvious wood and a whiff of sulphur, but this grows on me. Fruit is mixed with warm, buttery notes – I rate this wine highly. But then this is MY style of white wine.

A slightly perfumed nose, which I'd call 'gentle', with white flower and slightly herbal notes. This all leads to a playful palate, playing hide-and-seek that is…I'm struggling to define it. It is medium-bodied and the flavours are of medium intensity, with medium to high acidity and lemon-lime notes mingled with some richer qualities – Cape gooseberry perhaps?

Lemons! A wine that conjures Mom's lemonade.

A good option for a picnic or sun-downers on Northcliff or in Kirstenbosch. I would recommend serving throughout summer, as crushingly cold as possible.

I found this white to be smooth and approachable. A very nice quaffable Chenin. I would recommend this to be enjoyed at a first date, getting to know you wine. Something tasty to impress, which also won't damage the wallet just in case things don't work out...

Something I would drink with a nice creamy pasta. The acid makes it tangy and sharp. This Chenin is definitely the kind of wine I like to end a long, hot, sweaty day.

Guest Reviewer Tony says...

The Page 29 - December 2011

Wine Show

GET OUT

Cape Town

prizes plus the Carp Cull and Barble Bash for fishing enthusiasts. The Funduro Motorcycle Track will be open to entertain adrenalin junkies! Entry forms for all the above can be found on www.slaley.co.za. Visit the website to view photographs from previous markets and to find out more about new activities/water sports. For more info or to exhibit contact Sue Rowe on 021865 2123 or info@slaley.co.za.

Asara Food Market Family Day at Zandwijk 15 December from 10:00 to 15:00. A variety of food and crafts set in breath taking surrounds.

Create your own picnic basket or pre-book a superior picnic basket or kiddies hamper. Entry is free. Kiddies activities include, jumping castle, sand art, face painting and a water slide (bring cossies and towels). For menu go to www.kleinedraken.co.za Please Note: NO CREDIT CARD OR ATM FACILITIES For more info contact Stephanie Swart 021-863 2368 or email zandwijk@capegate.co.za.

16 December 2011 from 10:00-15:00. This year, top up the larder in style at the Asara Food Market, located on the beautiful wine estate in Stellenbosch. Elected food purveyors will be selling their seasonal delights. On offer will be Asara's home-grown organic vegetables, gourmet sausages, local cheeses, artisan beers, Asara's freshly baked breads and cakes, handmade chocolates, fresh oysters, salmon trout, exotic spices and Asara's award winning wines. Live music, a mischievous jester and facepainting for the little ones, you will definitely want to bring the whole family. Free entry. Please call 021-888 8000 for more information.

Nianell & Romanz at Rhebokskloof 15 December 2011 at 19:00. The musical highlight of the year with Romanz and Nianell at Rhebokskloof's Theatre on the lake. Tickets cost R130 per person and are available from Computicket. Pack your family, friends and picnic basket for a concert at Rhebokskloof which will blow you away! For more info visit www.rhebokskloof.co.za.

Slaley Farm Market 16 December 2011 from 10:00 to 15:00. Don't miss the Slaley Farm Market with activities for the whole family! Fresh farm produce such as freshly baked breads and pastries, homemade jams, preserves and relishes, honey, game biltong, local cheeses and sushi to take home or enjoy on the lawns washed down with a glass of Slaley premium wine, end with a cup of freshly brewed gourmet coffee by Simply Coffee. A full cash bar will be open on site. New additions to the market include crafts, antiques and collectables. The popular Potjie Competition is back with generous

Page 30 - December 2011

The Parlotones at Paul Cluver On 16 December 2011 you can visit Paul Cluver wine estate in the purpose built forest amphitheatre and enjoy a music-filled evening listening to your favourite Parlotones songs.

Tickets cost R350 per person from Computicket and delicious picnic baskets are available for R120. For more information visit www.cluver.com.

Summer in Stellenbosch Valley 16-18 December 2011 Wineries in the Stellenbosch Valley are offering a jam-packed programme of events with award winning wines, mouth-watering food and exciting entertainment for the whole family. Participating wine producers in the valley offer exclusive wine experiences, ranging from small boutique wineries tasting rare wines to iconic wine brands showcasing scores of local and international accolades for their prized wines. Wine enthusiasts, fun seekers and holiday-makers are invited to enjoy the enthusiasm and hospitality of this lush valley, its

fabulous offerings and breathtakingly beautiful scenery. Children are catered for specifically with fun activities to keep them occupied while parents enjoy the fruit of the valley's vineyards.

Serious wine lovers will also have the opportunity to taste rare vintages during exclusive private tastings. For more information, visit www.wineroute.co.za or call 021-886 4310.

Kloovenburg Christmas Market Day 17 December 2011 from 09:30-15:00. It's a showcase of the finest produce from the Riebeek Valley and surrounding areas and allows locals and visitors to this region the opportunity to taste, sample and buy all these wonderful products in one convenient location. Don't miss out on the fabulous range of Kloovenburg Festive Season Hampers, which include products from their popular luxury body product range, delicious olives and olive oils as well as of course the estate's superb wines. Visit www.kloovenburg.com for more details.

Now exclusively available at Frogitt & Vonkel - Tel:021 888 8800 Page 28 - November 2011

purchase (at a special 20% discount for this event) throughout the evening's festivities. To book please contact Christa Naude at 021-881 3677 or email marketing@peterfalkewines.co.za.

Joubert-Tradauw Food & Wine pairing lunch and Heather Mac Enjoy a day full of Christmas spirit on the 17th of December at Joubert-Tradauw for a food-andwine pairing lunch, which starts at 13:00 under the veranda followed by Heather Mac performing in Klankhuijs62 at 18:00. Tickets cost R280 per person. Visit www.unplugged62.co.za for details.

FOR CONCERT ONLY: 16:00 taxi leaves the Barrydale Hotel for people only coming to the concert, R100 per person, children under 15 free for concert. Booking essential at beate@jouberttradauw.co.za. For accommodation call 028 572 1572 or bring your own tent in beautiful setting, limited facilities. Booking is essential with beate@joubert-tradauw.co.za or 082 304 9000.

Wine Blending @ Overhex Private Cellar 17 December 2011 The perfect special gift!

Blend, bottle and label your very own wine at Overhex Private Cellar for only R50 per bottle.

For more info call 023-347 5012 or email elizmari@overhex.com.

Picnic and Live Music at Peter Falke Wines On 17 December 2011 bring your family and friends, pick your perfect spot, and then lie back and listen to the sounds of popular music group "Brawou", featuring Werner Denner, in the warm evening air. Tickets cost R180 per person and include a sumptuous gourmet picnic box for one, filled with a mini caprese salad, cheese sticks, red pepper hummus, plump olives, creamy smoked salmon pâtÊ, a selection of local cheeses, crunchy biscuits, tangy watermelon preserve and assorted roasted nuts. The entire range of Peter Falke wines will be available for

Page 32 - December 2011

Blaauwklippen Vineyards Family Market From 18 to 20 December 2011. What better way to do your Christmas shopping than on this beautiful wine estate in the heart of the Cape winelands. The Annual Christmas fair will prove to be great fun for everybody. An excellent variety of gifts will be on offer and even somebody to wrap it for you. From hand crafted jewelry and clothing to knives for the gents to name a few, you will be assured of finding something special for that special person.

18 December: 10h00 - 15h00 19 December: 16h00 - 21h00 20 December: 16h00 - 21h00 (Carols by candle light) Be sure to visit the wine centre and inquire about the Before and After Aperitif - the perfect gift for somebody special. Whilst shopping, enjoy the live music and be sure to come with an appetite as deliciously prepared foods such as German sausages, pancakes, Italian cuisine, handmade organic gourmet ice cream and much more. Visit the carriage museum for preserves, cheese, Christmas cakes and other treats to stock up on for that big lunch. Enjoy a delicious cocktail or craft beer while you watch the sun set behind the vineyards. A children's entertainment facility will be available, so everybody is most welcome! For more info call Hugo Le Roux on 084 608 6325.

Grande Provence Christmas & New Year's Eve Celebrations 2011 On 24, 25 and 31 December 2011 Executive Chef, Darren Roberts, and his team will be presenting award-winning cuisine over the festive season that will amply demonstrate just why The Restaurant has received so many accolades and awards. Christmas Eve/Christmas Day and New Year's Eve menus reflect the season as well as paying homage to many traditional festive favourites. Award-winning Grande Provence wines are also a feature of dining at The Restaurant and will be skillfully matched to the superb cuisine. Visit www.grandeprovence.co.za for detailed menus. Reservations are essential so please contact us at 021-876 8600 to avoid disappointment.

Christmas Buffet Lunch Sunday 25 December. Reduce festive-season stress by joining Asara for a Christmas Day buffet lunch in the Asara Ballroom and leave the cooking up to the experts while you indulge in quality time with your loved ones. Cost is R275 per person and R125 for children under 10 years of age. Please call 021-888 8000 to book now.

Christmas Lunch at Raphaels, Asara Sunday 25 December: Enjoy a glass of bubbly and a delicious five- course meal prepared by world-class chefs at Raphael's, Asara's fine dining restaurant, for R450 per guest. Please call 021888 8000 to book now

Christmas Lunch at Rickety Bridge 25 December 2011 A sumptuous 4 course Christmas lunch for R325 per person + 10% service fee. Contact Klarisa on 021-876 2129 or 083 377 4103 or functions@ricketybridge.com for bookings and more information.

Boxing Day Blues Boogie On 26 December 2011 from 13:00 please join us for an outdoor concert under the oak trees at Saronsberg Cellar with a rocking line up on boxing day. Boogie to blues in the gorgeous vineyard setting of Saronsberg Cellar. The line-up boasts a variety of blues artists such as Rolling Thunder, Red Robins, Harpdog Frost Duo (Albert Frost/Rob Nagel) and the legendary Blues Broers performing tracks from their newly released album. Tickets cost R150 per person. Bring your own picnic, cash bar available. A great event for the whole family. Contact us for more information and bookings on 023-230 1782 or info@saronsberg-theatre.com.

New Years Eve Buffet with Dancing Saturday 31 December: Party the night away and not have to clean up the next day! Join Asara for a New Years dance in the Ballroom, with a delicious buffet dinner, good music and a glass of bubbly at midnight. R295 per person and R125 for children under 10 years of age. Please call 021-888 8000 to book now.

New Years Eve Saturday 31 December: Say 'Bon Voyage' to 2011 and welcome in 2012 at Asara's elegant Raphael's restaurant. A fantastic five course meal with perhaps a little dancing and a celebratory glass of bubbly to toast the New Year are the magic ingredients to a memorable evening. R950 per person. Please call 021-888 8000 to book now.

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

WE’VE BEEN DRINKING...

Bartinney Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

W

ine Extra readers tend to turn to us for recommendations of what to try rather than snooze-a-thon wine reviews. So, in the spirit of sharing, we've decided to highlight our own favourite vinous tipple we've enjoyed the most here at Extra HQ. Bartinney Private Cellar is one of those wine brands that one “discovers”. In fact, that's exactly what owners Rose and Michael Jordaan want you to do. Marketing is direct and understated, centering around exhibitions and tastings rather than flashy adverts, which is completely in keeping with the minute production levels at this mountain-top estate in the Helshoogte Pass.

The estate also produces a popular shop-shelf brand, Noble Savage.

However the 3 current releases under the “Bartinney” label have all impressed. First came the Chardonnay which was packed full of tropical fruits and layer upon layer of flavours (definitely a Chardonnay for those who claim they don't like the cultivar) closely followed by their Sauvignon Blanc. Both whites quickly found loyal followers and at the time of writing the estate is refusing to release anymore of the Chardonnay

What: Where: Cost: Web:

due to commitments to restaurants and a need to see them through the season.

The extra wait for their maiden red release was well worth it. This Cab leans more towards the European style of restrained finess and complexity, as opposed to the more “rugby player” style of bold and muscled so prevelant in SA premium reds.

The result is something of an irresistibly smooth Cabernet that slips down all too easily. There's cigar-box and black fruit, plentiful yet balanced tannins and the 40% new oak adds character without over-powering. A total winner for summer, especially if you pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes to drive out the African heat (remember, it often pays to refridgerate reds in our hot summers, if only for a few minutes).

This is certainly one of those wines you get a “thing” for, and our “thing” lasted us all the way through November and we're still opening it regularly now December has arrived!

If you're still assembling your Holiday Hit List of wines then why not order a box of the Sauvignon Blanc to accompany the Cabernet?

Bartinney Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Frogitt & Vonkel Private Wine Merchants ™ on 021 888 8800 (Exclusive service, home or office delivery) R156 Inc. VAT. p/bottle, sold by the case www.pullthecork.co.za Page 36 - December 2011

Page 37 - December 2011

WINE LAID BARE

NOTHING FISHY HERE

T

he annual Wine Laid Bare photographic competition has become a firm favourite amongst photographers and models alike. Brought to you by The Wine Show and Wine Extra, photographers are invited to submit images that they feel represent the phrase 'Wine Laid Bare'.

The competition, already in its third year, generates over 130 entries annually, however there can only be 12 winners. Each winner represents a month in the Wine Laid Bare calendar, which gets sold and proceeds going to Breast Cancer Awareness.

One entry that caught our attention was the one sent in by hobbyist photographer Denise Goldsworthy from Johannesburg. Denise studied photography at college for approximately two years and has found that her passion lies in shooting the beauty of fine art nude.

Model, Vicky Gunkel is a very good friend of Denise, so shooting together in the buff wasn't too big a deal. “At first I was very nervous, but then got so comfortable that I basically forgot that I was not wearing any clothes”, recalls Vicky.

There weren't too many challenges, although both ladies remember the fish smell being rather revolting! Most importantly, they had a lot of fun shooting together.

Vicky, who had never before posed nude reckons she'd definitely do it again, however would only pose naked for tasteful shots and says that her family and friends loved the photos and were very proud of her. She had the following message to all our readers and aspiring Wine Laid Bare entrants: “Be comfortable in your skin!

Confidence brings out beauty.”

What gave you the idea behind the 'fish' shot? “It took me quite a long time to find a concept that I thought was good enough for Wine Laid Bare. After going over lots and lots of ideas in my head, I finally established this one and am happy with the way it turned out.”

“The idea around it was a take on the different foods you eat with the different kinds of wine, i.e. white wine is usually served with fish. I did have other images; red wine with meat and pudding with rosé, but this shot with Vicky definitely stood out and worked the best with the concept.”

Wine Laid Bare calendars cost only R100.

To support our cause and purchase a calendar, please email wlb@wineshow.co.za.

LIEZEL VAN DER WESTHUIZEN SA's own Champagne personality RIB C S B SU

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