Wine Extra May 2012

WineExtra ISSUE 6 VOL 3 - MAY 2012

Taste Team

The Wine Show rocks Jo'burg

Zinful with Blaauwklippen

WIN WITH EVIAN

INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRIT COMPETITION

Official S.A. Media Partner

Unusual Wines: A bunch of greats

Anna-Mart Princess of the stage on her passion for wine and the winelands

ISSUE 6 VOL 3 - MAY 2012

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

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

Letter from the Editor Images: Mark Freeborough

May is one of those funny months for me. The season is definitely turning, the leaves on the vines are browning and the annual Wine Show in Jo'burg takes center stage. It's always one of the highlights of my year and this year was no exception. The third year I've attended the show in my professional capacity and even though I ran myself ragged, I enjoyed it immensely.

The Wine Extra/IWSC Gold Lounge was a raging success with the sommeliers from the South African Sommeliers Association, Miguel Chan, Francis Krone and Mia Martensson doing a superb job in promoting their cause as well as the stunning wines that were hosted in the lounge by producers such as Spier, Kanonkop, Waterford and Constantia Glen, some of which are sold out or exclusively sold to the international markets.

Next up is The Wine Show in the friendly city Port Elizabeth from 8-10 June at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium, which is always so much fun. In the meantime, I hope you have a good glass of wine in hand as this issue of Wine Extra is once again packed full of super wine reading.

Ever-beautiful, South African stage and screen actress Anna-Mart van der Merwe tells us why she loves living in the winelands, the Taste Team sample some 'zinful' wines from Blaauwklippen and perhaps you might even dare to try something a little different after reading the Special Report on Unusual Varietals.

Check out the overall 2012 winners of the Wine Laid Bare competition, whilst I report back on all of the events at The Wine Show Jo'burg. Sjoe! Better get on with that then‌ Happy sipping,

The

Wine Show JO’BURG - PE - DURBAN

www.wineshow.co.za

Follow us @WineExtra

CONTENTS 2012 M

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

5 11 15 19 20 21

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

A Y

25 26 27 33 39

21. Jo'burg This is How We Do It

15. Exclusive Interview with Anna-Mart

11. Unusual Wines: A bunch of greats

27. Taste Team Zinful with Blaauwklippen

TABLE TALK

A Dragon's Den for the wine world An X Factor-style talent show will give wineries the chance to compete for UK listings at this year's London International Wine Fair. Billed as a cross between hit television shows X Factor and Dragons' Den, WineStars is designed to improve communication between wineries and buyers.

Ten finalists will have only minutes to pitch their wines and business plans to judges, as well as to journalists and bloggers, at the annual London International Wine Fair in London's Docklands later this month. Three winners, as chosen by the judges, will get a UK trade listing. Only wineries not already represented in the UK can enter.

Organiser Robert Joseph – who also produces wine – told Decanter.com the aim of the competition was

to encourage wineries to create a point-ofdifference via marketing. 'There's a failure to communicate in the wine industry,' he said. 'When a wine tastes good and it's sold at the appropriate price, all you've done is qualify for the marathon.

Everything else is about how you get round the course.'

Wineries can enter free up to 10 May. A 100-strong shortlist will then be published on social media. Ten wineries will make the final on 24 May. Panel judges include Justin Howard-Sneyd, global buying director for Direct Wines and Laithwaites, and Joan Torrents, wine director at Mitchells & Butlers.

(Story courtesy of www.decanter.com)

Brad Pitt to Star in The Billionaire's Vinegar Based on Benjamin Wallace's book: The Billionaire's Vinegar – The Mystery of the World's Most Expensive Bottle of Wine, the plot is provocative and contentious whilst being full of intrigue, scandal and fraud. What's more it's loosely based on a 'true' story.

Briefly, the book is about the most expensive bottle of wine ever sold: “In 1985, at a heated auction by Christie's of London, a 1787 Chateau Lafite Bordeaux sold for $156,000 to a member of the Forbes family. The discoverer of the bottle was Hardy Rodenstock, a pop-band manager turned wine collector with a knack for finding extremely old and exquisite wines. But rumours about the bottle soon arose. Why wouldn't Rodenstock reveal the exact location where it had been found? Was it part of a smuggled Nazi hoard? Or did his reticence conceal an even darker secret? Pursuing the story from London to Zurich to Munich and beyond, Benjamin Wallace offers a mesmerizing history of wine and of Thomas Jefferson's wine-soaked days in France.

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Suspenseful, witty, and thrillingly strange, this is the vintage tale of what could be the most elaborate con since the Hitler diaries.�

In 2005 William Koch, a billionaire Florida wine collector (and the chairman of Oxbow Corp), bought some of the bottles and subsequently sued Rodenstock (and Christie's) for putting the counterfeit wine bottles into circulation. Koch assembled a team of former FBI and British intelligence agents, wine and glass experts, Sotheby's former head of wine sales, David Molyneux-Berry and even a nuclear physicist to investigate the authenticity of the bottles.

Scientific testing of the 1787 Chateau Lafite wine concluded inconclusively that it had been made before 1945. But after working with glass specialists, Koch holds that the Th. J. initials on the bottles were engraved using 'an electric power tool or tools with a flexible shaft' that did not exist in the 18th Century. Additionally Thomas Jefferson's Virginia museum-home at Monticello said there is no historic evidence that Jefferson ever engraved his initials on any bottles of wine.

Actor Will Smith, as part of a Hollywood consortium, bought the rights to the book and the New York Times has Brad Pitt listed in the Acting Credits. Will Smith is one of the producers and the Director is David Keopp (who was screenwriter on films such as Men In Black III, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, War of the Worlds and The Taking of Pelham 123).

Apart from its undoubted entertainment value the film highlights how fraud relating to historic wines from top producers causes difficulties for collectors. It also opens a door into the rarefied world of billionaires who spend thousands for just a bottle of wine. Once again it proves that you MUST check the provenance of your wine before you commit to buying it. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. ( S t o r y c o u r t e s y o f w w w. b o r d e a u x undiscovered.co.uk)

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TABLE TALK

Music 'can enhance wine taste' Playing a certain type of music can enhance the way wine tastes, research by psychologists suggests.

The Heriot Watt University study found people rated the change in taste by up to 60%, depending on the melody heard. The researchers said Cabernet Sauvignon was most affected by "powerful and heavy" music, and chardonnay by "zingy and refreshing" sounds.

Professor Adrian North said the study could lead retailers to put music recommendations on their wine bottles. The research involved 250 students at the university who were offered a free glass of wine in exchange for their views.

Four types of music were played - Carmina Burana

by Orff ("powerful and heavy"), Waltz of the Flowers from The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky ("subtle and refined"), Just Can't Get Enough by Nouvelle Vague ("zingy and refreshing") and Slow Breakdown by Michael Brook ("mellow and soft").

The white wine was rated 40% more zingy and refreshing when that music was played, but only 26% more mellow and soft when music in that category was heard. The red was altered 25% by mellow and fresh music, yet 60% by powerful and heavy music.

The results were put down to "cognitive priming theory", where the music sets up the brain to respond to the wine in a certain way. "Wine manufacturers could recommend that while drinking a certain wine, you should listen to a certain sort of music," Professor North said.

The research was carried out for Chilean winemaker Aurelio Montes, who plays monastic chants to his maturing wines. Mr Montes said: "It was therefore a natural extension to link with Heriot Watt and to scientifically determine the impact that music has on how wine tastes."

Previously, Professor North conducted supermarket research, which suggested people were five times more likely to buy French wine than German wine if accordion music was played in the background. If an oompah band was played, the German product outsold the French by two to one.

(Story courtesy of www.news.bbc.co.uk)

A New Twist for Sparkling Wines

Would sparkling wine be as popular without the pop? That was the question on many minds at the launch of the world's first high-pressure sparkling wine under screw cap in Sydney, on May 8. With a look and feel much like a traditional aluminium screw cap, the new heavy-duty Viiva closure has been engineered for high-pressure sparkling wines. Until now, screw caps have been deemed reliable only for very lightly carbonated sparkling wines.

Guala Closures, Australia and glass manufacturer O-I spent five years developing a closure rated to withstand five atmospheres of pressure. De Bortoli Wines, a large Australian producer, introduced two wines with the new closure at the press conference. But the bottle is not strong enough to withstand wine made in the traditional method, the technique made famous

by Champagne. And while the closures offer some advantages over corks - no risk of cork taint and an easily re-sealable bottle - overcoming the romance of popping a cork from a bottle of bubbly may be a big hurdle.

The developers cited convenience as the primary motive for the innovation, in contrast to the shift to screw caps on Australian still wines over the past decade, which was prompted largely by

TABLE TALK complaints of cork taint and oxidation. “This closure system is perfectly suited to sparkling wines, which are popular among women, who often report difficulties in opening cork-closures and resealing a bottle,” said Simon Yudelvich, sales and marketing manager for Guala.

Yudelvich also cited safety of opening (no flying corks) and an ability to maintain carbonation days after resealing as key advantages of the closure. “This technology appeals to on-premise customers because it reduces time staff spend opening sparkling wines,” he added.

The companies' internal testing has reported promising results in pressure retention after 12 months storage and found that the closures were able to withstand 10 atmospheres of pressure.

There's also a liner similar to that of a traditional screw cap, which should provide a reliable seal and oxygen barrier.

While sparkling wine drinkers may rejoice in any progress toward eradicating cork taint and bottle variation, don't expect to be unscrewing your favourite Champagne any time soon. Sparkling wine is a particularly challenging sector of the market in which to launch an alternative closure.

The romance of the pop of a cork is a powerful motivator and the winemaking technical considerations are complex.

The disgorgement process of ejecting the lees of bottle-fermented sparkling wines currently relies upon the easy removal and resealing of a crown seal or cork. “Viiva has been proven to 10

atmospheres of pressure but the bottle hasn't yet been tested for wines beyond five atmospheres,” explained Yudelvich. “Even if we were to produce a closure and glass combination for seven atmosphere sparkling wines, we are yet to figure out how it would work for the disgorgement process.” The companies plan to tackle these challenges in the next stage of development.

In the meantime, De Bortoli will see how the caps are received by customers. Screw caps gained favour 10 years ago, driven by leading winemakers prepared to commit premium wines to the closure. More than 85 percent of Australian wine is now sealed with screw caps.

“With continued improvement of the bottle, I would expect that we will be able to introduce Viiva on our more premium sparkling wines in the future,” said Steve Webber, De Bortoli's chief winemaker.

(Story courtesy of www.winespectator.com)

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SPECIAL REPORT

Unusual Wines: A bunch of greats

A

cross the world there are thousands of varieties of grape lovingly cultivated and turned into wine. How many obscure wines do you reckon you've tried?

Depending upon what you read, there are anywhere from 500 to 5,000 different grape varieties being made into wine. Look along the rows of most supermarket wine aisles and you could be convinced otherwise with row upon row of identikit red and white wines.

Forget that Sauvignon Blanc, the latest hot ticket is Cinsaut or maybe Lugana and even Riesling is making a comeback. Or if you're after a red, hunt down a hearty MourvĂŠdre, Rousanne or Nebbiolo to go with your barbecue.

Wines made from Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot or Shiraz are just SO last year. Add Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and may be even Viognier to the list and you might well be wondering exactly what Page 11 - May 2012

is left. So perhaps it is time that the more adventurous amongst us decreed that this year is to be the year of different grapes, ditch the tried and tested and hunt out something a little different.

For 'new world' wine lovers, the likes of Zinfandel (a uniquely American variety but often linked to Italian Primitivo) and South America's CarmenĂŠre (the red varietal that disappeared from European vineyards in the mid-19th century and reappeared among Chile's Merlot vines a hundred years later) are about as extreme as they are willing to go, but slipping back to the old world there are plenty of delicious nonmainstream wines to get excited about.

Here in South Africa, there's a distinct move by wine producers to incorporate cultivars, which are a little less known by the local market. These days, young winemakers have the opportunity to travel to other wine producing countries, spend time on the farms abroad and in their cellars. Not

only does this mean that they gain a wealth of experience in various cellar techniques and learn more about the influence of terroir on the grape, but they're also being exposed to varietals that are otherwise unknown here at the tip of Africa and seemingly, the more clever (or ballsy) ones amongst them are importing the vines, which is in itself quite a lengthy and painstaking exercise.

Gary Jordan, owner of the renowned, Jordan Wine Estate sees the value of this, saying “Worldwide, consumers are taking much more interest in aromatic or fruit-driven varieties. In South Africa growers are ready to plant more than Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon just as consumers too are ready to experiment with these more unusual, exotic wines. Global warming is forcing us to look at top quality varieties that do well in warmer and drier climates, producing interesting, savoury wines that pair well with our world-class South African cuisine.”

According to Gary there are a few more cultivars we need to be on the lookout for in coming years such as Assyrtico, which is widely grown in Greece and does particularly well in Santorini.

This grape variety shows good acidity and minerality, is Riesling-like and adapts well to hot,

dry, windy conditions. Tempranillo, which is best known in Rioja, with its intense black fruit and very good structure and Grenache, which is well adapted to granitic and clayey soils, needs hotter, dry conditions and adds body and raspberry fruit sweetness. Also be sure to look out for the white version of this variety in Grenache Blanc form. He adds “I think that Cinsaut and Riesling (such as the Real McCoy from Jordan) will both make a comeback too.”

Many non-mainstream varieties are 'hidden' in blends rather than being offered in single varietal (i.e. one grape) bottles. You are unlikely to find

SPECIAL REPORT many on the list printed on the front label, but they're definitely around, so be sure to check the composition on the back labels to see if you can spot one.

Some of the most affordable 'unusual' cultivar wines around can be found in the fun range from Bovlei, The Mad Hatters, which features Sangiovese, Barbera, Carignan, MourvĂŠdre, Malbec and a white blend made from Rousanne and Grenache Blanc. On the higher end of the market, check out Idiom's Sangiovese and Nebbiolo, also, the Rousanne from Painted Wolf is very unique, do try De Krans' Tempranillo and be sure to look out for the imported CarmenĂŠre

by Chilean producer Concha y Toro or the Lugana from Sicilian producer Donnafugata as imported

by Vinotria.

There are, of course, a handful of other local producers who are making these interesting wines and several more have planted the vines and anxiously awaiting their first vintages to see how the South African terroir lends itself to the grape in question.

For the South African wine industry as a whole, these are exciting times, however the reality is that it is up to the consumers out there to get out there and buy these wines. So, go on, try it! You might even find that you like it.

The

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Anna-Mart van der Merwe ”...celebrating life, family and special occasions with a good glass of wine...”

Images: Mark Freeborough

S

outh Africa's screen and stage sweetheart, Anna-Mart van der Merwe, considers herself to be a typical Afrikaans, 'plattelandse' (small-town) girl who had a very privileged upbringing in Vredendal with her biggest concerns being about what games she was going to play after school each day and with whom. Being close to nature, she considers her embodiment to be that of the earth.

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When did you realize that you wanted to become an actress?

It was only during my matric year that I realized that I wanted to do something creative, but it also had to be functional and had to serve a real purpose. Art and singing weren't really an option and so I decided on acting, as in story telling within a community – your paintbrush being emotion. Fortunately my Dad exposed us to the arts from a very young age and I suppose it is that exposure that nudged me in this direction, however I had a definite vision of acting on stage as opposed to television.

Tel: 021 869 8712 Mobile: 082 920 4788 www.dereuckwines.co.za If you had to highlight one role throughout your career that really affected/influenced you as a person, which one would that be?

I've really been so privileged to have played so many parts, which has been great as I've been challenged as a performer, but I think the one that really challenged me on more levels was a play that I did with Janet Honeyman, which was called 'Begeerte'. It was a translation of the Eugene O'Neill play 'Desire Under the Elms' and I had this extraordinary opportunity to play a woman, so completely opposite to me and I had to understand a mother who would kill her own child. So, in terms of a character that you really had to go and analyze, become and learn to love and accept that what she did was actually possible, that was definitely not the easiest or most enjoyable thing to do, but that role was by far the most challenging.

You moved to the winelands not too long ago. Why Franschhoek?

My husband and I knew that we wanted to come to the Cape at some point, but since we both have to work and travel a lot, we needed to be close to an airport, but we didn't want to move from

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Jo'burg to another city. Franschhoek just embodies and captures everything you need. If you live there, you realize that it is in fact only a small 'dorpie' (town) and you've got a wonderful community where everyone knows everyone.

Also, it has all this beauty and the best of both worlds with the most amazing restaurants and lots of tourists passing through. Artistically it's very alive, which is glorious. For me it's a real home and I feel like when I get here I just put my bottom into the corner between the mountains and simply relax.

Do you prefer white or red wine?

I have to start by saying to you that I LOVE wine!

[Hear-hear! – Ed] For me it depends on my mood, the weather and the circumstances I'm in. I love to seasonally explore. This past summer season I've really enjoyed Vrede & Lust's Jess RosÊ and I love all of the white wines straight through from Hemel en Aarde across the Overberg and all the way through to Cape Point. In particular I've enjoyed Thelema's Sutherland Sauvignon Blanc too. Then, when it comes to red wines, the Cederburg Shiraz is absolutely incredible.

Ultimately when it comes to reds I must admit to being a bit of a blend lover. The La Bri Affinity has

been a firm favourite of late and the Haute Cabriere 2001 wooded Pinot Noir recently blew me away.

Where did your love for wine begin?

My Dad used to give us baby-glasses of sweet wine with Sunday lunch. From there on I've always associated good times, celebrating life, family and special occasions with a good glass of wine. I think it's a pity nowadays with the amount of alcohol abuse that goes on that we seem to have lost a bit of the culture associated with wine drinking and I really hope we can get that back.

Do you visit wine farms when you have some free time?

Yes, we do. The nice thing with a lot of the wine farms is that they bring in the more lifestyle approach by having restaurants. Even though previously it was lovely to visit the individual farms and sample their wines, when there's a restaurant on the beautiful farms, it makes it much more of an overall experience for us normal people to enjoy the amazing space that is created.

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Any favourite farms that you tend to return to over and over again?

I tend to try to visit different farms every time. I'm a bit of a kid when it comes to that. It's like being a tourist in your own country.

If a bottle of wine called the “Anna-Mart” were to be produced, what would its makeup be?

Definitely a good red along the lines of a Bordeaux blend. It must definitely have some Cabernet Franc in it just to give it some kick.

What's next on your programme work-wise?

I'm going into rehearsals for the Innie-Bos Festival in Nelspruit in June where we'll be paying tribute to Pieter-Dirk Uys. The festival has commissioned Albert Maritz to direct the play and do a production of the classic 'Die Aarde van Groot Oor'. I remember doing scenes from this play to practice various skills. Politically it makes an incredible statement and captures Pieter at his humorous best. What was most interesting was when I read it again so many years later, thinking that since there has been so much political change in South Africa, it would've change, but everything is still so relevant. I think Pieter is a bit of a prophet actually and can see into the future as everything is absolutely spot-on to this day.

We drank the Boschendal Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon from the 1685 range: “The Cabernet Sauvignon in this wine is like a Playtex bra, it lifts and separates and for me, this means that it adds an amazing character to the Shiraz, which is absolutely lovely.”

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ANSWER THESE SIMPLE QUESTIONS:

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1. Name one of the more 'unusual' grape varietals that is available in South Africa.

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Competition closes on 31 May 2012 The winner will be announced on the Facebook group before the March issue of Wine Extra gets published.

Please read the competition rules on the facebook group before you enter.

Reza Mahammad

NOW YOU’RE COOKING

Reza Mahammad's passion and unstoppable enthusiasm for Indian flavours are irresistible. Raised in London, the scion of a family of Indian restaurateurs, educated in India, and with a home in France, Reza is a true global citizen. His unique culinary perspective means he combines familiar western ingredients with Indian flavours to stunning effect, reinventing French, Persian, American and British recipes, though there is also a chapter of classic curries. With his informal style and free-thinking attitude to food, Reza plays with the spices of India as only a cook with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the country's authentic food can.

Beetroot Samoosa Ingredients: (serves 6-8) 125g Cooked beetroot 15g Raisins 15g Coconut (finely grated) 2-3tbsp Castor sugar 15g Ricotta cheese ¼tsp Ground cardamom

75g Unsalted butter 125g Phyllo pastry 1tbsp Poppy seeds 1tbsp Sesame seeds Icing sugar for dusting

Method: Finely grate the beetroot and strain off the juices.

Heat a frying pan and add the grated beetroot along with half the ground cardamom. Cook until there is no moisture in the beetroot. Add the raisins, coconut and the sugar and continue to cook for a few more minutes. Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool in a mixing bowl. Now crumble in the ricotta and add the remaining cardamom. Mix well and set aside.

Melt half the butter. Lay a sheet of phyllo pastry onto a clear work surface and brush the sheet with melted butter. Place a second sheet on top to fit exactly over the first. Now cut the phyllo pastry into strips approximately 5cms wide, then spoon enough filling into one corner of the strip (a heaped teaspoon will do). Fold the right corner of the strip over to the left side to create a triangle.

Continue to fold the triangle along the strip until you reach the end and cut off any surplus pastry.

The

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Brush the samoosas liberally with butter and sprinkle some poppy seeds and sesame seeds on the top side of the samooas. Bake in the oven at 200°C for 10-12 minutes, until pastry is cooked and golden. Finally dust with some icing sugar.

Pair this dish with: Pax Verbatim Viognier.

Available from Frogitt & Vonkel on 021-888 8800.

See Reza live at the Good Food and Wine Show in Cape Town later this month.

LIVIN’ THE LIFE!

Jo'burg This is How We Do It

By MARYNA STRACHAN Images: Connie de Melo Baiao from Turtlephin Photography

T

he Wine Show in Johannesburg is one of the big annual events on my calendar, least not because it takes a full week out of my schedule, but also because it's the most anticipated one in my office and since being Editor of Wine Extra is the hat I'm seen to wear most of the time, I also happen to be the Communications Manager for the Show. st

On Tuesday the 1 of May, while most of you were enjoying the public holiday, the show-team set off to Jo'burg to get the Coca-Cola Dome set up for the many wine producers and thousands of show visitors that were due to descend on us by the Friday and over the weekend.

Leading up to the Show there was a lot of hype over our brand new advertising campaign (you might remember seeing some of the ads in last month's issue). We took photos of everyday people with catchy strap-lines that could just as easily have been mistaken for a description of the person in the picture as for the wine in one's glass. The overriding message, however, was that The Wine Show was for everyone, not just the connoisseur.

And so it was that The Wine Show opened its th doors at 6pm on Friday the 4 of August to the rather thirsty Jo'burg public with more than 100 producers chomping at the bit to pour their wines.

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First off, the winners of the annual Wine Laid Bare photo competition were announced and you can read all about it and see some of the winning images towards the back of this issue.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the Dome, the Wine Extra/IWSC Gold Lounge was in full swing with SASA (South African Sommeliers Association) Miguel Chan and Francis Krone kick-starting the tasting sessions to a full house with Gold medal and Trophy winning wines from Spier, Kanonkop, Waterford, Constantia Glen and Southern Cape Vineyards. Considering that this was the first time the lounge was hosted at The Wine Show, we were delighted to see the high levels of interest with the lounge being packed out for all of the sessions and visitors taking a keen interest in the fabulous wines on show.

Of course, the Saturday was the big day with the doors opening at 12:00 and a full day lay ahead until we were able to finish up at 21:00. That is A LOT of wine drinking. I was fortunate enough to be involved in the Avusa VIP lunch which was a

sublime pairing of great food prepared by wellknown chef, Charles Hannay and the stunning wines from Land of Hope and Radford Dale, presented by sommelier Mia Martensson in her very unique, yet entertaining Swedish way.

The isles were busy, the wine was flowing and the atmosphere was abuzz. A few of the visitors tried out the virtual golf stand and even I had a go.

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LIVIN’ THE LIFE! Admittedly, I had a few glasses of wine by then, but the good news is that I actually managed to hit the ball! Even better news is that I managed not to kill anyone at the same time. Phew!

Others tried their hands at Boules (or Petanque) and the general vibey atmosphere that is synonymous with The Wine Show was quite contagious.

The Sunday was slightly more quiet than the Saturday, however people took their time to meander through the show and sample wines that they'd never even heard of. I made some time to chat to a few of the show visitors and the overall feeling was that they loved the variety of wines on show. Many visitors had never sampled

international wines before and they enjoyed tasting several imports at the show from all over the world including Italy, Spain, Chile and France, to name a few.

Another comment that visitors made was that they loved the fact that they could buy wine right there and then and that they didn't have to buy sealed cases at a time. One other standout recurring comment was the 'Sip and Ship' service offered to visitors by title sponsor Dawn Wing.

“Being able to simply buy the wines we want and drop the boxes at the Dawn Wing area while we continue to sample was a total bonus”, commented visitor Alison du Preez.

With that, another successful Wine Show in Jo'burg has been and gone and the team is already planning for next year's show. However, in the meantime, the Port Elizabeth show is

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almost upon us. The third PE show will be taking place from 8 to10 June at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (check out www.wineshow.co.za for more information). The PE show will be bigger

than the previous 2 years with an additional 9 stands and it promises to be another cracker! And yes, as ever, I'll be there, sipping and enjoying the wines and the atmosphere of 'the friendly city' and its people.

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

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.

From the Laptop of Polly Fumé

I

'm already pre-emptively putting on my sunglasses, as I work my way to the front door – both to prevent that sudden burst of pain that will come from last night's party meeting this morning's sunshine, and so I don't have to notice the extent of the cleanup job I will have to face later.

Faith's asleep on the couch, and Mark and Kate are in the spare bedroom. They were the early faders.

Everyone else got booted out some time around 3 a.m. after I pumped them full of water and espresso. But – the booze cabinet looks like it's been on a crash diet, and I've got the rest of a long weekend ahead of me, so it's time to go shopping (that, and I'm clean out of bacon and eggs, too!)

In this mad season when we chase the last dregs of summer with enough braais, picnics and parties to tide us over for the winter, there's only one place to go to restock. (Sorry, Checkers Wine Route: you're not it – somehow your '80 top estates' isn't always enough.) I'm suddenly even more glad for the safety of my oversized sunnies, I didn't pay enough attention to the state of my hair or what I threw on and we are not 'the people of Walmart'.

So, entering this wonderland of booze I intend on heading straight for the Mulderbosch Chardonnay – a case of this 5-star baby is coming home with me, mummy needs something rich and loaded to warm her on cold nights – but that never quite happens as planned… Invariably there's a trestle table with a smiley student offering tastings or a lonely trolley containing some discounted stock. (Stoli for R60!

Stoli doesn't have a sell-by date and have you seen the prices they sell old Whisky at?). Even then, the temptation to just roam the shelves and remember the great times that accompanied some of these great wines (or not so great) is far too tempting – plus there are always one or two new faces from familiar places just begging to be brought home and tasted on a quiet night, and how's a girl to say no?

So, thank you Makro, you're the best.

Follow me on Twitter @PollyFume

102 Dorp Street, Stellenbosch 7600 Tel: 021 888 8800 Web: www.pullthecork.co.za

WE’VE BEEN DRINKING...

Welgemeend Douelle 2003

W

e love the wines from the historic farm of Welgemeend, and the Douelle 2003 is no exception. In a world populated by younger wines eager to reach their final destination (our throats!) as quickly as possible to reduce the financial implications of aging, it is rewarding to find a wine that's been allowed to develop through the virtue of patience.

Welgemeend is a tiny farm situated in the Klapmuts area of Paarl. This historic producer has a cool claim to fame, too.

They were the first South African farm to produce a Bordeaux blend all the way back in 1979. The '79 was much applauded and sought after in its day, and Welgemeend's current offerings are fitting decendants with The Douelle '03 boasting a full 4 Platter stars.

So why are we telling you about it?

Well for starters the wine is silky smooth with a freshness that belies its age. But what we really enjoyed is that over half the recipe is Malbec, complimented seamlessly with a generous dollop of Cabernet Sauvignon and finished with a seductive kiss of Merlot. *Mwah* Here in SA we like to eat a lot of red meat, and Malbec is a beefy accompaniment to strong flavoured meat dishes. Argentina, that other m a c h o s t e a k- e a t i n g s o u t h e r n hemisphere wine producer, has made the varietal famous on the world stage and Wine Extra is curious why we don't What: Where: How: Cost: Web:

have more of it here in SA. Only time will tell if producers will plant more of it, but until then Douelle is a superb vehicle for getting a “Malbec fix” in a sophisticated fashion.

At 13.9% the alcohol is pleasingly lower than the current fashion on SA reds, allowing you an extra glass whilst still drinking responsibly. Being lighter in alcohol also has the added bonus of allowing the fruit flavours to come to the front without the often dulling effect higher alcohol can cause. We feel this rewards all the patience and investment from aging for 9 years.

Readers who attended The Wine Show (JHB) this year will hopefully have also had the pleasure of tasting the up and coming 2005 vintage*, which is a reassuring follow on given the limited quantities left of the '03.

What we like best is that this wine epitomises the saying that good wine improves with age. If you fancy enjoying a glass of something well matured, structured and sophisticated then you need a few cases of this wine… and leave space for complimenting it with the 2005!

If you find the Douelle ding-dongs your gong then there're 3 other blends to enjoy from Welgemeend, all built to the same exacting standards including the Estate Reserve which holds the crown for being the first commercially produced SA Bordeaux blend.

Welgemeend Douelle 2003 Frogitt & Vonkel Private Wine Merchants ™ Call 021-888 8800 or email gsm@pullthecork.co.za R110 per bottle www.pullthecork.co.za

* For the Douelle 2005 visit www.welgemeend.co.za or call 021-875 5210.

The

Wine Show

Page 26 - May 2012

TASTE TEAM

Zinful with Blaauwklippen

For over 300 years, the people of Blaauwklippen have combined traditional values with innovative ideas to create one of South Africa's top wine tourism destinations. Proud of their heritage, spectacular setting, fertile soil and awardwinning wines, the people of Blaauwklippen

share a philosophy that the winemaker merely finishes what nature has begun. This month's guest taster is steam locomotive and train fanatic Bernard Pieterse, who enjoys good food and wine, "I do not consider myself a wine expert of sorts, but I know when something is really good.”

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 Bernard

Robyn

Pieter

Ellen The

Page 27 - May 2012

Wine Show

READ THESE COMPARATIVE REVIEWS ON OUR SELECTED WINES

TASTE TEAM

Zinful with Blaauwklippen

Rosé 2010

Chenin Blanc 2011

White Zinfandel 2010

RRP: R40

RRP: R40

RRP: R95

Stockists: Liquor City, Prestons and Blue Bottle Liquors

Stockists: Liquor City, Prestons and Blue Bottle Liquors

Stockists: Liquor City, Prestons and Blue Bottle Liquors

Quote: Robyn – “A hint of lipstick and apples slid gently out of my swirling glass”

Quote: Ellen – “This is a Goldilocks wine… for most people it will be 'just right'.”

Quote: Bernard – “an interestingly refreshing alcoholic beverage made from grapes.”

www.blaauwklippen.co.za

www.blaauwklippen.co.za

www.blaauwklippen.co.za

Red fruits on the nose, not particularly complex.

Technically, there's nothing much wrong with the palate, but I was really yearning for more character and excitement.

Time to pour the red wine, I say!

Very gentle aromas of peach and banana on the nose, plus what I can only describe as a wooden bookshelf (I realize I'm ridiculous). The palate still shows a bit of sulphur at this young age and has some sugar to soften the palate. Not overly fresh or exciting.

A shy nose that reveals some citrus and raspberry. Like trying to figure out when a soccer player really gets hurt, I couldn't be sure if there was just a hint of wood or not. The palate was fairly balanced with a touch residual sugar, some steeliness and a fair aftertaste.

Fairly expensive for what you get.

A hint of lipstick and apples slid gently out of my swirling glass, but like lipstick, a sip of this slid, smoothly and quickly over my tongue, leaving only a faint smudge in its wake.

There's a wintery bite to the air that means I'm enjoy settling back into the comfort of reds (especially those I've been keeping since spring), but if that's not your thing you'll be pleased to know the slight offdry note, medium body and juicy fruit on this pleasant Chenin means it'll match those chilly evenings almost as well.

I really love tasting the local Blanc de Noirs, especially the weirder ones – and this is one of the weirder ones. A good friend of mine is a huge fan.

This was worth drinking for the sake of curiosity – tangy through and through.

Pieter says...

Robyn says...

The Page 29 - May 2012

Wine Show

READ THESE COMPARATIVE REVIEWS ON OUR SELECTED WINES

Rosé 2010

Chenin Blanc 2011

White Zinfandel 2010

RRP: R40

RRP: R40

RRP: R95

Stockists: Liquor City, Prestons and Blue Bottle Liquors

Stockists: Liquor City, Prestons and Blue Bottle Liquors

Stockists: Liquor City, Prestons and Blue Bottle Liquors

Quote: Robyn – “A hint of lipstick and apples slid gently out of my swirling glass”

Quote: Ellen – “This is a Goldilocks wine… for most people it will be 'just right'.”

Quote: Bernard – “an interestingly refreshing alcoholic beverage made from grapes.”

www.blaauwklippen.co.za

Ellen says...

Guest Reviewer

Bernard Says...

www.blaauwklippen.co.za

www.blaauwklippen.co.za

This wine has a nice pinky salmon colour (gotta love rosé for that if nothing else!). It smells…well, it smells like a rosé – vaguely raspberries and strawberries. In fact it has a slightly yeasty aroma, like raspberries with a bit of 'bloom' on them, which is not unpleasant. The palate is agreeable – the flavour is of medium intensity as is the acidity. Great for summer lunchtime drinking. Sadly summer is over.

Although straw-coloured and lacking a greenish tinge, there is no mistaking the youth of this wine. The medium-intense nose is fruity and full of green apple and boiled sweets. The palate gives an impression of sweetness with pineapple and lime notes, though it is a dry wine. This is a Goldilocks wine – neither too light nor too fullbodied, neither too short nor too long, neither too sharp nor too flabby. It is not an exceptional wine, but for most people it will be 'just right'.

We didn't taste this blind, but if we had, we might have struggled to identify this cultivar. The only clue came from the slightest hint of a blush, typical of white Zinfandel, a white wine made from a black grape. In fact Californian white Zinfandels blush much more than their South African counterpart – who would have thought the Yanks would be coy?! This wine has an unusual nose of sherbet, red fruit and white pepper. In the mouth it is full-bodied and of medium intensity, with medium to high acidity. Off-dry, it lingers on the back palate. A change from the standard cultivars if you want to try something different.

A pleasant fruity nose with an equally pleasant, sweet, fruity palate. I would regard this as an everyday, very likable white that would certainly be a crowd pleaser at any gathering.

However, if you expect more from a Chenin Blanc you may be disappointed.

At the reasonable price it offers good value for money.

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.

Has a feint rosewater appearance with a pleasant fruity nose and interesting palate. There is no contest between this and the Chenin.

It is, however, just another crowd pleaser and an interestingly refreshing alcoholic beverage made from grapes.

CONTINUE...

The

Wine Show

Page 30 - May 2012

TASTE TEAM

Zinful with Blaauwklippen

READ THESE COMPARATIVE REVIEWS ON OUR SELECTED WINES

Malbec 2008

Zinfandel Reserve 2009

RRP: R62 RRP: R289 Stockists: Liquor City, Prestons and Blue Bottle Liquors Quote: Pieter – “…it's quirky and interesting, but with some balls!”

Before & After Aperitif RRP: R205

Quote: Ellen – “I'd easily fall for a man who smelled like this…”

Stockists: Liquor City, Prestons and Blue Bottle Liquors Quote: Pieter – “The palate is sweet, rounded, balanced, very unique and easy-drinking…”

www.blaauwklippen.co.za

www.blaauwklippen.co.za

www.blaauwklippen.co.za

An open, concentrated and individual nose of tar, deep, dark fruit and smoky meat.

The palate also showed (perhaps some non-French) wood influence, fair grip and balance, with just a touch of bitterness on the aftertaste.

Like Tom Waits, it's quirky and interesting, but with some balls!

Very deep colour, hinting at super extraction. Nose: smoke, spices and savoury red cherries. Palate: anise and other spices, a touch of tobacco and fine, integrated tannins. The balance is not perfect – finishing a bit hot – but the wine manages to absorb its massive alcohol better than I would have expected. Great packaging, but very expensive.

This is like when you hear Knersus's false teeth speak from the washing line for the first time – much unexpected.

The nose is an onslaught of complex spices with medicinal notes, reminiscent of Angostura bitters. The palate is sweet, rounded, balanced, very unique and easy-drinking, despite the fortification. Should mature well. More an “after” than “before” drink, IMHO.

The nose is interesting, but a little intimidating – a prizefighter flexing his muscles.

Like that first Malbec from our very first tasting (and boy does it bring back memories), this is dry and dusty like asphalt before the rain. Really drinkable and will pair fantastically well with a good steak.

Redolent of raspberry juice and freshly crushed mulberries, this had instant nose appeal. Really rich and yummy, although maybe a little overcooked, this was like slightly charred raspberry compote with a hint of spicy sawdust. Good enough to chew gently on for a while.

Jagermeister! The smell hit me like an anvil, and part of me started to cower like a small child fearing a spanking.

Valiantly, I blocked my nose and took a sip. Vague relief. It doesn't taste the same – in fact it's crazy sweet, but in a still slightly repelling fashion. It tastes like Christmas without the cake – special torture for me, but could be utterly heavenly for others.

Pieter says...

Robyn says...

Stockists: Liquor City, Prestons and Blue Bottle Liquors

The Page 31 - May 2012

Wine Show

READ THESE COMPARATIVE REVIEWS ON OUR SELECTED WINES

Malbec 2008

Zinfandel Reserve 2009

RRP: R62 RRP: R289 Stockists: Liquor City, Prestons and Blue Bottle Liquors Quote: Pieter – “…it's quirky and interesting, but with some balls!”

Guest Reviewer

Bernard Says...

Before & After Aperitif RRP: R205

Quote: Ellen – “I'd easily fall for a man who smelled like this…”

Stockists: Liquor City, Prestons and Blue Bottle Liquors Quote: Pieter – “The palate is sweet, rounded, balanced, very unique and easy-drinking…”

www.blaauwklippen.co.za

Ellen says...

Stockists: Liquor City, Prestons and Blue Bottle Liquors

www.blaauwklippen.co.za

www.blaauwklippen.co.za

Tasting this wine makes me think the folk at Blaauwklippen are red wine fans at heart. There is evidence of commitment here that was only halfhearted in the lighter-hued wines. This Malbec is deep purple and opaque, only paling slightly at the rim.

The intense nose is smoky and complex with blueberry, loganberry and biltong – yum! In the mouth it is dry, with a meaty palate, prominent tannins and a slight bitter fruit aftertaste. It cries out for steak!

THIS is what this grape was meant to achieve. Inky to the rim (I love wines that are 'inky', don't you?), this has a nose worthy of bottling. I'd easily fall for a man who smelled like this…spicy, winter fruit, vanilla and a slight nuttiness. Mmmm, very enjoyable. Typical of Zinfandel, this wine assaults the palate. The tannins are big with Christmas cake fruit. The wine softens in the glass but there is no mistaking the alcohol content. A wine with a big personality. My favourite of the night (no surprises there!).

Hmmm…before and after what, you may ask. I'm still asking. This wine is too sweet to have as an aperitif. The nose is peppery and spicy and a bit herbal too – reminiscent of Floradix, an iron tonic prescribed after illness (don't sneer – this is not a bad thing; Floradix is delicious!). Sadly, for me the palate is just too sweet, even for 'after', without the essential counter-balancing acidity. But then I don't take sugar in my tea either. If you have a sweet tooth, you may just love this.

Deep milky red appearance. Initially, a strong shoe polish nose that eventually develops into a pleasant, dusty hint of vanilla. A not-sodifficult-to-drink dry red with a slightly bitter aftertaste. This wine is good friends with a medium-to-rare flamegrilled “blue bull” steak. A word of warning though: this is not for the feint hearted.

A deep red appearance with a strange but pleasant smoky nose and palate. Of all the wines tasted this was my personal favourite. Presented in a very impressive and expensive packaging, one wonders whether it is really worth the price it retails for. It's good but not that good...

Unless, of course, you are a Zinfandel fanatic.

It has a dusty red appearance with an overpowering cinnamon and Christmas spice nose. In contrast the surprisingly sweet and pleasant palate skillfully conceals the high alcohol. Let's be honest: not everyone will like this syrupy Glühwein and most decoupage artists would only care for the unique bottle it comes in. You'll either love it, or love to hate it.

The

Wine Show

Page 32 - May 2012

GET OUT

Cape Town

Monthly movie magic at Steenberg Vineyards Tickets are R100 per person (R80 for Wine Club members) and movie-goers are requested to arrive at the venue from 18:30, with the movie starting promptly at 19:00 in the Steenberg Vineyards' boardroom, 'cinema style'. Included in the ticket price, guests can look forward to a special Movie Night meal prepared by Bistro Sixteen82, to be savoured while the movie is playing. The menu will change every month and some dishes may be themed with the particular movie selected on the night. Of course no movie experience is complete without a bag of popcorn, and this authentic experience includes the gourmet kind, with a choice of delicious seasonings hand-mixed by Bistro Sixteen82 Chef Brad Ball himself. The complimentary wine gums too are hand-crafted gourmet sweets containing a delicious hint of selected Steenberg wines. Guests may also purchase Steenberg wines to enjoy while watching the movie, which will be available at cellar door prices.

Movies on Tuesday nights Tortilla Soup –15 May A Good Year – 29 May Julie and Julia – 5 June Bookings are essential as only 30 people can be accommodated. For reservations contact Lida on 021-713 2211 or lida@steenbrg.co.za.

Page 33 - May 2012

Four cellars showcase Merlot at Holden Manz An evening of exquisite food paired with some of the country's finest Merlot wines from four cellars awaits guests at the Franschhoek Kitchen, on Wednesday 16 May. Karl Lambour and Schalk Opperman of the Holden Manz winemaking team will be joined by the winemakers of Haskell Vineyards, Meerlust and Thelema for a memorable evening showcasing their flagship Merlots. Newly appointed Executive Chef Cheyne Morrisby, has put together an irresistable menu, with dishes prepared using fresh, seasonal ingredients from the estate's own fruit orchard and vegetable garden. The Holden Manz Merlot evening on Wednesday, 16 May begins at 19h00 for 19h30 and costs R300 per person. For bookings call 021-8762729 or e-mail wayne@holdenmanz.com. For more information visit www.holdenmanz.com or visit Holden Manz on Facebook.

Ruebens at the One & Only Cape Town May sees the turn of the erudite, ebullient and always entertaining Pieter 'Bubbles' Ferreira of Graham Beck Wines. Pieter is a renowned 'foodie' himself and he will be showing some of his favourite food-friendly wines including his range of award-winning Cap Classiques – now the tipple of choice for James Bond, according to the latest book, 'Carte Blanche'! Join Pieter for an th evening of bubbles and bonhomie on the 30 May. The dinner is limited as to numbers, and is priced at R325pp offering a high quality and excellent value evening out. Whether you are a wine 'fundi', or simply enjoy a convivial evening of good food, wine and company, these dinners offer something for everybody. To reserve your table at Reuben's One & Only Cape Town, call 021-431 4511 or mail to restaurant.reservations@oneandonlycapetown.com

ABSA Calitzdorp Port & Wine Festival Get ready for the best wine and lifestyle festival in the Klein Karoo! Calitzdorp, the Port Capital of South Africa, is the place to be over the weekend of 18 to 20 May. Renowned Port producers, Axe Hill, Boplaas, Calitzdorp Cellar, De Krans, Du'SwaRoo, Peter Bayly, TTT and Withoek will all be showcasing their produce.

New and not-to-be-missed events include: · Barrel samples of the unique Calitzdorp Blend · A unique cooking demonstration with Emile Joubert and Jan Braai (Scanell) using Tinta Barocca, Touriga Nacional and Port wines from Calitzdorp · The first ever ostrich on the spit braai! · A Cheese & Wine Celebration hosted by Food Guru Francois Ferreira and Cape Wine Academy Master Junel Vermeulen · A special journey into the past with “Stoep Stories” will be hosted by locals and a wellknown guest · A cabaret with a surprise artist will add a touch of excitement to the ever-popular and fabulous Port Dance · Lazy, late afternoon classics and Port and wine sun-downers · A Mediterranean themed menu on offer at participating restaurants · A fun-filled informal Wine Blending workshop – blend your own bottle · A demonstration of mixing, blending and tasting of delectable Port cocktails by Chef Marc Lorenz.

For more details on the festival, as well as tourism and accommodation information visit www.portwinefestival.co.za, which is updated regularly. Programme event details will be added to the website and all tickets can be booked through Computicket.

‘Comfort food' at the Vineyard Hotel & Spa The Square's series of acclaimed gourmet wine dinners will this month feature family-owned and celebrated wine farms from the Stellenbosch region. On Friday 25 May, owner and wine maker Ernst Gouws will showcase his wines at a four-course wine-paired dinner. Ernst and his wife Gwenda are the soul and drive behind the family-owned wine company. Booking is essential and guests are encouraged to make a reservation early to avoid disappointment. The cost of the four-course dinners is R265pp. To make a booking, please contact the Square on 021-657 4500 or eat@vineyard.co.za. For those guests who'd like to make a night of it, the Vineyard Hotel & Spa is offering a special rate which includes the four-course wine paired dinner, accommodation and breakfast the following morning. Single rooms are available at R900 and double rooms at R1,500 per room per night.

Page 34 - May 2012

GET OUT

Slanghoek Wine Valley's Winter Winemaker Weekend The Gugulethu Wine Festival 2012 Raise your Glass at the 2nd annual TOPS Gugulethu Wine Festival on Friday 25th May th 2012 – 16:00 to 21:00 and Saturday 26 May 2012 – 15:00 to 21:00 and have fun tasting over 300 wines, enjoying food and live entertainment with panoramic views over Table Mountain posing the perfect backdrop to the sunset and the festival. Join a free wine class and learn to pair wine and food like a pro!

There are other exciting surprises happening at the festival, details will emerge closer to the time. Make your way to the rooftop at Gugulethu Square Mall, cnr NY1 and NY, Gugulethu. Tickets cost R80 per person and are available at the door on the night or online at www.webtickets.co.za. For more info visit www.gugulethuwinefestival.co.za.

Burgundy Festival Hosts Wine Concepts will again stage the prestigious event at the Vineyard Hotel and Spa in Newlands, Cape Town on Sunday 27th May 2012 from 14:00-17:00. Guests will be treated to one of the most impressive selections of Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs ever seen in the country. More than 30 of the country's top producers have been invited to showcase their fine wines complimented by delicious snacks suited to the style of wines. As an added bonus all wines presented at both Festivals will be on offer at a 10% discount for guests wishing to purchase. Entry to the festival will be R150pp for pre-booked tickets and R170 at the door subject to availability. The ticket price allows guests to taste the wines on offer at the festivals and includes light snacks as well as a chance to win wonderful prizes in a lucky draw.

Tickets are available from Wine Concepts Newlands 021-671 9030, corlien@wineconcepts.co.za and Wine Concepts on Kloof 021-426 4401, as well as through www.webtickets.co.za.

Page 35 - May 2012

Friday, 1st June 2012 until Sunday, 3rd June 2012 you can enjoy excellent wine, glorious food and good company, not to mention some of the most picturesque surroundings and hospitality second to none. With its rugged beauty, this small valley is fast becoming a draw card to visitors for whom its gorgeous scenery, surrounding Winelands and family-run cellars are all very appealing. Join us as we celebrate winter with a travelling dinner, a small intimate affair hosted by the quartet of Slanghoek Mountain Resort, Slanghoek Cellar, Jason's Hill and Opstal Wines which will introduce you to the wines, their winemakers and the hospitality that they have become famous for.

Included in the weekend package is: · Accommodation at Slanghoek Mountain Resort. This includes dinner on Friday evening, as well as breakfast on Saturday and Sunday morning. · A visit to Slanghoek Cellar for their Blend & Bottle has been arranged affording visitors the opportunity to make their own wine in their own style, using a combination of three varieties. Wines are bottled under guests own personalised label and will most definitely impress family, friends and colleagues. · Sundowners, canapés and a wine tasting at Slanghoek Cellar hosted by cellar master, Pieter Carstens. · The main course will be hosted by Stanley Louw, resident sixth generation owner and vintner of Opstal Estate which has a wine history dating back to 1847. · Finally join Ivy du Toit of Jason's Hill Private Cellar, where the tradition of vine growing and wine making for the fifth generation is kept alive, for dessert and coffee.

Full cost of package is R1,250pp. A detailed itinerary will be provided upon booking your weekend away. Booking is essential as space is limited to five couples. The closing date for bookings is 21 May. To book this memorable experience contact Jenny at Slanghoek Mountain Resort on 023-344 3138 or info@slanghoekresort.co.za.

Warm up for winter with Durbanville Hills Wines As part of the Durbanville Wine Valley's annual Soup, Sip and Bread Festival to be held on the weekend of 2 and 3 June, The Eatery at Durbanville Hills Wines will offer a soup buffet at lunch time on the Saturday and the Sunday. The menu includes four different soups each paired with Durbanville Hills' wines and served with a selection of oven-fresh breads. The weekends' festivities include the first 'Chase the Sunset' Trail Run, which will take place on the Saturday evening. Treat yourself to a healthy dose of fresh air while running through the scenic vineyards that surround the Durbanville Hills' cellar. Take part in either a 5 km or a 10 km trail run and enjoy the jog with friends or challenge yourself to the finish line. After the run participants will warm up with soup to enjoy at the finish line. KWay and New Balance are two of the sponsors providing prizes for the first three runners across the line. All participants are automatically entered for a lucky draw. An evening of live music, seasonal soups and wines will take place after the race. · Chase the Sunset Trail Run on 2 June at 17:00 from Durbanville Hills wine cellar - R75 for 10 km; R60 for 5 km (Entrance fee includes a cup of soup to enjoy at the finish line and entry into the lucky draw). Pre-entries are essential and can be booked at www.roag.co.za. Space is limited to 100 runners per race. For more information contact Michael Taylor on 082 453 1175. · Chase the Sunset Dinner on 2 June from 18:30-21:00 - R160pp, R80 for children under the age of 12. · Soup, Sip and Bread Buffet on 2 and 3 June from 12:00-15:00 - R150pp and R80 for children under the age of 12.

Booking for the buffets are essential because of limited space. Please contact The Eatery on 021558 1337 or send an e-mail to info@dheatery.co.za.

Feast of Shiraz & Charcuterie at Hartenberg Head down to Hartenberg Wine Estate on Saturday, 2 June 2012, and enjoy some of the finest flagship Syrahs from leading cellars paired with superb artisanal fare at the Feast of Shiraz & Charcuterie. Besides Hartenberg's own standout Shiraz wines from the ever popular Hartenberg Estate Shiraz to the exclusive Gravel Hill and the more upfront The Stork, other iconic cellars who will be sharing their exceptional renditions of this spicy varietal on the day include Boekenhoutskloof Winery, Boschkloof Wines, Cederberg Private Cellar, de Trafford Wines, Eagle's Nest, Kleinood, La Motte, Luddite Wines, Mullineux Family Wines, Nico van der Merwe Wines, Raka, Rust en Vrede Estate, Sadie Family Wines, Saxenburg and Thelema Mountain Vineyards. Chefs from various restaurants, bistros and cafés will bring foods to life to entice palates and complement this hardy varietal. Carnivores will be spoiled for choice with a wide variety of charcuterie by Bread & Wine vineyard restaurant, Jason Lucas Jamon, Joostenberg Bistro and Deli, Richard Bosman and The Charcuterie. Cheese lovers can indulge in gourmet offerings from Anura Cheese, Dalewood Fromagerie, Fromage de France and La Petite France. There will also be a great selection of bread and olives by Café des Arts, De Oude Bank Bakkerij, La Motte and Chrisna's Olives. The Feast of Shiraz & Charcuterie at Hartenberg takes place on Saturday, 2 June 2012 from 12:00 until 17:00.

Tickets cost R180 per person, including food and wine tastings, are available online at www.webtickets.co.za. For more information, call 021-8652541, email info@hartenbergestate.com or visit www.hartenbergestate.com.

GET OUT

Top 100 SA Wines Public Tasting

9th Annual Wacky Wine Weekend This year marks the ninth anniversary of the Robertson Wine Valley's biggest annual wine festival, with the ever-popular Wacky Wine Weekend taking place from 7 – 10 June 2012.

With 48 wineries showcasing their wines, visitors can expect even more festivity and celebration!

And with a myriad of key attractions, both old favourites and novel delights, this well-loved event is a 'must-do' on the annual social calendar. So, join the Robertson Wine Valley clan for an indulgently Wacky Weekend.... Whether you are a fun-seeker, novice or a wine connoisseur, there is something for everyone with: 'Seriously Wine Thursday', 'Wine Up Friday', 'Full On Wacky Saturday' or 'Wine Down Sunday'.

As part of the Robertson Wine Valley's commitment to ensure a safe festival, a Zero Tolerance Policy is implemented towards 'drinking and driving'. Visitors are requested to make use of the Buddy Bus or the Designated Driver Programme. The Buddy Bus facility enables groups of seven or more visitors to hire a chauffeur-driven mini-bus. Drivers who register for the Designated Driver Programme will be rewarded with a whole host of 'complimentaries' including: free coffee, soft drinks, coupons and special deals. A R90.00 passport, valid for the whole weekend, must be purchased at one's first port-of-call, i.e. at any of the participating wineries. The passport includes: a stylish tasting glass, free 25ml wine-tasting samples, and a 'goodie' bag with some great surprises, as well as the programme highlighting some special offers.

All other activities during the Wacky Wine Weekend will be 'pay-as-you-go', with many of the activities free of charge. Visitors will also be able to purchase wine-by-the-glass or a bottle of wine to share amongst friends. Many of the activities need to be pre-booked directly with the respective wineries. Contact the Robertson Wine Valley on 023-626 3167 or email manager@robertsonwinevalley.com, alternatively visit the Wacky Wine Weekend website. www.wackywineweekend.com.

Join us at the beautiful setting of the Hyatt Regency in Rosebank, bring your friends, mingle with the winemakers, enjoy their finest wines! th Taste SA's Top 100 wines on the 17 of May from 17:30-20:30 for R175pp. Book online now at www.webtickets.co.za and for more information email info@top100sawines.co.za or call 021-787 9880.

Jo’burg

The Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2012 public tastings Make your way to the Sandton Sun's Maroela th room on Friday, 8 June between 18:00 and 21:00 where Trophy Wine Show patrons can expect to sample the very best wines entered into the 40 different categories. Since these tastings include an array of the top achievers in both regular and lesser-known grape varieties, they serve to showcase the best of South African wines. Both events are held shortly after the announcement of results and while there are still stocks of the top wines for collectors seeking to add the best of current release Cape wines to their cellars. The list of wines and producers in attendance at the public tastings are kept under wraps until 30 May when the Most Successful Producer and the full results of the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2012 will be announced on www.trophywineshow.co.za. Ticket sales via www.computicket.com or call 083 915 8000 or 011-340 8000. 'Early bird' tickets bought by 27 May will cost R100 each and tickets sold thereafter and at the door (subject to availability) are R120 per person.

Burgundy Festival Hosts Wine Concepts will stage the prestigious event for the first time in Johannesburg at the trendy Fire and Ice Hotel in Melrose Arch on Thursday 7th June 2012. Guests will be treated to one of the most impressive selections of Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs ever seen in the country. More than 30 of the country's top producers have been invited to showcase their fine wines complimented by delicious snacks suited to the style of wines. As an added bonus all wines presented at both Festivals will be on offer at a 10% discount for guests wishing to purchase. The Thursday event in Johannesburg at The Fire and Ice Hotel will be held early evening from 17.00 to 20.00. Gauteng wine lovers will be able to relax while tasting and discussing their favorite wines with the representatives of the farms. Melrose Arch offers many restaurants where guests will be able to dine after the Festival. Entry to the festival will be R150 per person for pre-booked tickets and R170 at the door subject to availability. The ticket price allows guests to taste the wines on offer at the festivals and includes light snacks as well as a chance to win wonderful prizes in a lucky draw. Tickets are available from Wine Concepts Newlands 021-671 9030, corlien@wineconcepts.co.za and Wine Concepts on Kloof 021-426 4401, as well as through www.webtickets.co.za.

Port Elizabeth The Wine Show P.E. is back and it's bigger! – Don't miss out on this year's installment at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium from 8-10 June 2012. Doors will be opening on the Friday evening at 17:00 until 21:00, Saturday from 12:00-21:00 and Sunday between 12:00 and 16:00. Tickets cost R90 per person with full weekend passes for R150 and group booking discounts for 10 or more. As usual there will be several informal tasting sessions in the Wine Theatre (included in the cost of your ticket). This year's event is bigger than before with a total of 65 stands from a range of wine producers, big and small to entice and titillate your taste buds.

For more information, visit www.wineshow.co.za or call Samantha on 021-888 8800.

UK

Pinotage on Tap (West Sussex) Pinotage on Tap has in the past been called many wonderful things, though more commonly referred to as "the best party on the wine event calendar!" This event will be the first ever major South African wine festival in the UK, and it's going to be a party to remember!

Our advice therefore for those planning to join in on this festival is to get your tickets in good time!" The festival will take place on 26 and 27 May 2012 at Poynings Grange farm, Henfield Road, Poynings, West Sussex - itself with vineyards and panoramic views of the South Downs. It will be a two-day festival, and visitors can choose to buy a ticket for either one day or both! Promising to be an "Authentic South African party" in every possible way, with typical South African cuisine and entertainment by South African musicians, Lonesome Dave Ferguson, Robin Auld and Albert Frost. Tickets are ÂŁ65.00 each, and will include your goodie bag on arrival, light lunch and snacks, endless wine - on tap, chocolate fountains and live music entertainment - you will also get to meet the Diemersfontein team from South Africa!

Tickets are available through Computicket at www.computicket.com (Please note that the ticket price is converted to SA Rand value, due to this being a proudly South African ticket agent). More information about this event can be found on the Diemersfontein website at www.diemersfontein.co.za, as well as Facebook and Twitter. For enquiries, email online@diemersfontein.co.za.

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

WINE LAID BARE

2012 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

OVERALL WINNER Photo: Randall Spruit

The Page 39 - May 2012

Wine Show

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he results of the fourth exciting Wine Laid Bare competition were announced on May 4th at The Wine Show Jo'burg. Locally based Rapid Studio sponsored the gallery area, consisting of the 12 winners and a further selection of the many fantastic entries submitted this year.

Overall winner, Randall Spruit, was unable to attend The Wine Show due to pressing business back home in Paarl. His absence didn't detract from visitors' enjoyment of his beautiful sepiatoned portrait of a lady walking nude through a cellar pouring wine from a bottle to the floor.

Second place was tied this year, with two submissions both receiving exactly the same points score from the judges as each other.

Sandton based Robert Russell shared his place with Northern Cape resident Graphic Art. Both photographers have featured in past Wine Laid Bare calendars, and the rivalry between the two is palpable. Unfortunately, despite trying our best we were unable to get a photo of the two togs whilst at the Gallery. Robert impressed the judges with a stunning image of a nude hanging horizontally from a pole, clutching a glass of red

THIRD PLACE Photo: Gunther Swart. Model: Bernelee

and thankfully not spilling a drop. Graphic Art delivered his usual magic with an eye-grabbing black and white composition of a nude seemingly levitating above a glass and bottle.

Gunther Swart captured Third Place convincingly with a vibrant image of model Bernelee reclining while clutching a full bottle between her thighs, spilling wine onto her stomach. A second image of the same style and model placed fourth and follows the winning image from April into May in the calendar.

There was a noted increase in the variety of images submitted this year, especially those which featured either couples or male nudes.

With the number of male nudes being entered now increasing year on year, the competition will reconsider its current judging panel to ensure a strong female presence. The current panel of 4 judges plus the facebook vote includes just one lady, Tanya Goodman of Playboy magazine SA.

JOINT SECOND PLACE Photo: Graphic Art

JOINT SECOND PLACE Photo: Robert Russell The

Wine Show

Our thanks go to Mark Freeborough, Tanya Goodman, John Woodward and Percy Montgomery for judging. Further thanks go to Card Shark, Rapid Studio, SA Expo Solutions, The Wine Show and Wine Extra for sponsoring this years competition.

Wine Laid Bare is a charity competition aimed at raising awareness and, more importantly, funds for breast cancer charities. The main way in which we raise funds is through the sale of the WLB Calendars both at The Wine Show and via mailorder. Please show your support for our fund raising and order a calendar today by emailing Samantha at Samantha@wineshow.co.za .

Calendars cost just R100 plus postage & packaging.

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E E R F R FO NOW! o.za tra.c x e e win www.

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