A TOAST TO #CHAMPAGNEDAY AND NANNETTE EATON!

Nannette Wins 2012 Champagne Day Label Contest

WASHINGTON –Today, October 26, marks the third annual Champagne Day, where wine lovers around the globe raise a flute to the quintessential wine of celebration, good cheer and toasts everywhere: Champagne. Not only will there be terrific opportunities for Champagne lovers to participate in festivities, but the Champagne Bureau, USA is also hoping to take this one-day online celebratory blitz to new heights this year.

“Champagne, often the selection to mark joyous and special occasions, is a wine that evokes friendship, laughter and enduring memories when enjoyed among friends and family,” said Sam Heitner, director of the Champagne Bureau, USA. “Champagne Day offers the perfect opportunity to pop open a bottle and explore the richness these wines have to offer, remembering that while quality wines are made all over the globe, Champagne only comes from Champagne, France.”

Champagne Day was initially created by Vintuba wine blog to recognize and appreciate the sparkling wine that comes exclusively from Champagne, France. Today, it brings millions of wine lovers worldwide together to celebrate in a host of events, retail opportunities and a large-scale online celebration of all aspects of this unique bubbly.

Consumers across the U.S. will have many special opportunities to enjoy Champagne today with a host of Champagne Day-only deals at retailers, tastings and menu pairings at restaurants and other spontaneous celebrations.
The Champagne Bureau, USA is also aiming to spur an expansive Champagne social media conversation with a large-scale online celebration, and Champagne lovers around the globe are encouraged to blog, tweet, post and share their thoughts about this exceptional wine by using #ChampagneDay hashtag. To find some of the events happening around the world and learn more about how to participate in the online celebrations, visit the official Champagne Day event page: http://bit.ly/N3Xpw5.

To further celebrate Champagne Day and commemorate consumer interest in this unique wine, the Champagne Bureau hosted a contest where individuals submitted photos of authentic Champagne labels in order to win an iPad. The Bureau is pleased to announce Nannette Eaton is the lucky winner. To check out the entire album featuring nearly 400 submissions of Champagne labels, visit the Champagne Bureau’s Facebook page: http://on.fb.me/QjxQus.

“I love Champagne. It is such a special wine to me, and there’s really nothing else like in the world,” said Nannette, who is also creator of the Wine Harlots blog. “Even the everyday becomes extraordinary when you pour a flute of Champagne. Champagne makes everything sparkle.”

For more information about #ChampagneDay or the worldwide effort to protect the Champagne name, please visit http://bit.ly/N3Xpw5 or www.champagne.us.

About The Champagne Bureau, USA
The Champagne Bureau, USA, is the official U.S. representative of the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne, a trade association which represents the grape growers and houses of Champagne, France. The Bureau works to educate U.S. consumers about the uniqueness of the wines of Champagne and expand their understanding of the need to protect the Champagne name. For more information, visit us online at http://www.champagne.us/. Follow us on Twitter at @ChampagneBureau.

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FOOD AND WINE FOR THE CONNOISSEUR

FOOD ANDWINE FOR THE CONNOISSEUR

Foodies and wine enthusiasts are in for a treat when they join the Winemakers Table on 6 November in Durban.  In the wake of the announcement of the 2012 Veritas awards, Durbanites will have a chance to enjoy a variety of double gold and gold Veritas medallists perfectly paired with mouth watering cuisine prepared by Xanthos Giannakopoulos, the executive chef of the Riviera Restaurant at the SunCoast Towers.

The 4 course masterpiece will be accompanied by no less than six superb wines, including some of the country’s best whites, reds and dessert wines.  Bennie Howard, Vice-Chairman of Veritas will introduce the award winning wines at the dinner. Wine lovers agree: a Veritas award symbolises quality excellence. Book your seat at the Winemakers Table and decide for yourself.

Tickets are available at R295 per person. To book your space at the Winemakers Table, contact Allan on 031 314 7878 or email allan.naicker@tsogosun.com

Wine tasting

A tasting of Veritas wines takes place on 7 November from 17:00 to 20:00 at the Function Room, Deloittes Head Office in Umhlanga, at R110 a ticket. Attendees will also be treated to light snacks and a tasting of the 2012 Qualité Cheeses.  Tickets for this event can be obtained from Computicket.

Visit www.veritas.co.za for more information and contact details or contact Elsabé Ferreira at tel 021 863 1599 or via email to admin@veritas.co.za. Follow Veritas at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Veritas-Awards/257143924401201 and Twitter at @veritasawards

ELGIN VINTNERS AWARDED DIAMOND STATUS AT THE 2012 WINEMAKERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

ELGIN VINTNERS

Elgin Vintners were overjoyed when their maiden Elgin Vintners The Century 2011 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon blend was awarded Diamond status at the recent Winemakers’ Choice Awards.

Since its creation in 2008, the Winemakers’ Choice Awards has become a key competition within the South African wine industry. These awards are unique in that the wines are judged exclusively by winemakers, who assess the wines on technical excellence as well as their overall impression. Only approximately 10% of the entrants receive an award which demonstrates the strict criteria for selection. The wines can be identified on store shelves by the Diamond Award sticker that they are entitled to carry following their performance.

“We are particularly honoured to receive this significant thumbs-up from our winemaking peers, and delighted to achieve this mark of distinction for a wine dedicated to a highly esteemed gentleman, Douglas Moodie: centenarian, Elgin Valley visionary and pioneer and father of one of our Elgin Vintners partners,” enthused Nicky Wallace, Elgin Vintners business manager.

The grapes for the maiden release of the Elgin Vintners The Century were sourced exclusively from Eikenhof farm which is owned by the Moodie family. A blend of 65% Sauvignon Blanc and 35% Semillon, The Century bursts with intense aromas of guava, jasmine, pickled pear and spicy white peach. The palate completely delivers on expectation and combines both a femininity and core of minerality. It is an intriguing wine, a powerhouse of fresh summer stone fruits, full on the palate with a silky finish. 

Elgin Vintners were also awarded an array of medals at the recent International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC). Eleven Elgin Vintners Wines were entered and ten wines received medals. Once again the Elgin Vintners The Century 2011 performed exceptionally well and received a Silver Outstanding Award as did the Elgin Vintners Chardonnay 2011 and Elgin Vintners Viognier 2011. Both these vintages are yet to be released. The current vintages of Chardonnay 2010 and Viognier 2010 received Silver and Bronze medals respectively. Other medals achieved were Silver medals for Elgin Vintners Agama 2007 and 2008, Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Sauvignon Blanc 2011 and a Bronze medal for the Elgin Vintners Merlot 2009.

“We are so thrilled with these results – although the Gold eluded us at the IWSC, we are encouraged by the strong set of results and believe we are on the right track.  The wines from Elgin just keep getting better and better,” continued Nicky Wallace.

Elgin Vintners

Elgin Vintners, ‘Publishers of Fine Wines’, is a close knit partnership of six dedicated wine growers from the Elgin Valley. Believing in the excellence of the Elgin terroir and diversity of their vineyards, the Elgin Vintners combine their resources to cultivate, produce and market their range of fine quality Elgin Valley wines.

The Elgin Vintners partnership includes: Paul Wallace, highly experienced viticultural consultant to the Elgin Vintners and owner of Wallovale Vineyards in Elgin, Alastair Moodie (Eikenhof farm which is a BWI Champion), Derek Corder (Beaulieu and Southern Cross Farms), James Rawbone-Viljoen (Blauwkrans, Helderfontein and Drumearn farms), Max Hahn (Elgin Orchards which is a BWI Champion) and Rob Semple (Brookelands farm). Paul’s wife, Nicky Wallace, although not officially a partner, is business manager and the glue that holds the Elgin Vintners team together.

Elgin Vintners Tasting Room

Elgin Vintners recently moved to their new home at Morningstar Farm on the Oudebrug Road in Elgin; where they mature their Chardonnay in barrel, store their bottled wines and host wine-tastings in the Elgin Vintners Library.  Wine tastings are by appointment, except on the first Saturday and Sunday of the month when they and 16 other Elgin wine producers are open for tastings from 10am until 4pm as part of the Elgin Open Wine Weekends. 

·                     Tel: 021 859 2779 / 021 848 9587

·                     Cell: 083 255 1884

·                     Email: elginvintner@mweb.co.za

·                     www.elginvintners.co.za

Seven Springs Vineyards Overberg Young Vines 1 Pinot Noir 90 Points

Seven Springs Vineyards 

Bright, ruby cherry red with slight garnet/brown rim.

Slight reductiveness, probably due to the screw cap closure, however with aeration/decanting and tasting over 26 hours, reveals clean, medium plus Intensity, delicately ripe cherries, raspberries and strawberries, smoky, stony mineral, light toast, oak still integrating, more prominent when just opened, alcohol slightly noticeable.

Dry with dash of residual sugar? probably somewhere between 2 and 3 rs, moderate plus acidity, moderate plus alcohol, 13.5% abv, medium tannin, crunchy and ripe, savory texture, long and persistent with long mineral complexity.

Much more vibrant than majority of generic “Bourgogne”, available locally (R130 – R160) better fruit definition, yet not overly “New World”, i.e in your face character, this maiden vintage subtle Pinot Noir from Seven Springs young vines, highly promising debut and certainly a Pinot Noir from Overberg, to follow, very well priced for that quality level, expect  more as vine matures.

Follow them on www.twitter.com/@7springswine

Swartland Winery Idelia 2008 83+ Points

Swartland Winery 

Undisclosed red blend, which I suspect to be Shiraz base with possibly a high predominance of other Rhone varieties, possibly dollop of Pinotage, Cabernet and Tinta? Showing garnet with slight brown rim, quite translucent.

Clean, high intensity, very ripe dark red fruits with equally high alcohol noticeable, jammy with some raisin note, spicy and oaky and showy.

Dry with some residual sugar, Christmas fruitcake note, rich and vibrant, savory mid palate, leathery richness, powerful aftertaste, plush tannins, but alcohol is still noticeable, slight bitterness on aftertaste distract.

A style and blend that shows potential, there were some exciting trait!

Now until 2020

Sensi Prosecco DOC Extra Dry 80 Points

Here is a good quality carbonated Italian sparkling wine, known as Prosecco that must be on your purchase lists for the build up and during the festive season this year.

Available only from Checkers and Checkers Hyper, at an amazing R 65 per bottle, in fact cheaper than most local bottle fermented MCC, in these tough economic times, a bargain is a bargain and when supported with good quality, even more reasons to stock up and make this your bubbly of choice, not only perfect as an aperitif, but also the sparkling of choice if you want to make a real peach Bellini, now peaches are in seasons!

Fresh and vibrant, with consistent bubbles and a persistent mousse, it is fruity and captivating with notes of ripe lemon, pears, white peaches and hints of jasmine/rose petal, juicy and crisp with livening acidity, low alcohol of only 11% abv, make it a sexy offerings for copious enjoyment!

Served at the table it will be the perfect companion to Parma ham wrapped in honeydew/green melon slices!

Bottle purchase at Checkers Hyper Sandton City

PERFECT BALANCE SOUGHT IN NEW GOLDEN TRIANGLE RANGE

Stellenzicht Vineyards

Golden Triangle Cabernet Sauvignon

Golden Triangle Pinotage

Golden Triangle Sauvignon Blanc

Golden Triangle Shiraz

Guy Webber, Stellenzicht winemaker

Some claim – and Guy Webber of Stellenzicht is one of them – that the small area between the Stellenbosch and Helderberg mountains down to where the R44 runs between Stellenbosch and Somerset West, produces some of the very best wines in South Africa.

Forming a triangular shape, this prime wine-growing area that includes the Stellenzicht farm, has become known amongst aficionados as the Golden Triangle.

To celebrate the uniqueness of the area, the winery has decided to create stand-alone branding for four of its wines. These are a 2009 Shiraz, a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Pinotage, both from the 2010 vintage, and a 2012 Sauvignon Blanc.

“We’ve made wines, in the past, under the Golden Triangle name, but the upgraded new range is much more clearly defined, with an identity all its own,” says Guy, winemaker at Stellenzicht. “It is indeed intended as a tribute to the area.

“It is difficult to identify exactly what makes the area so special. There are, of course, a number of factors contributing to its uniqueness. The soils are relatively poor. That makes the vines put all their energy into producing fruit as opposed to foliage, and helps to create wine of considerable character. 

The yields are low, lower than the average for the Stellenbosch area which is, in turn, lower than that for the rest of the Winelands. Again, a low yield is, in my view, beneficial for the quality of the grapes we harvest.

“Add to that a range of other factors: the area’s closeness to False Bay and the benefit of its cooling breezes in summer, the great variation in height above sea level, in slopes and aspects, meso-climates produced by the folds and angles of the mountains. All of these contribute to the quality and complexity of the wines produced here.

“The old saying goes that the proof of the pudding is in the eating. When WINE magazine celebrated its tenth anniversary, it published a list of the 20 top producers its team had rated  during that time. Five of them were from this miniscule area.

“In my view, what all the wines from around here have in common is balance. That is why the name we have chosen refers to a triangle in mathematics which is in perfect balance in that its three angles are in a 2:2:1 proportion. 

The observant will recognise this symbol, known in mathematics as an isosceles triangle, as the one depicted on the labels of the new range.”

“This obsession with balance, the Golden Ratio, as found in nature and the greater world around us, has for centuries occupied mathematicians, philosophers and artists such as Leonardo da Vinci. The quest for perfect balance is also what motivated us in creating the four wines in our new series.

The revamped Golden Triangle range of wines will be available in stores countrywide from the end of October. They are expected to retail for around R50 for the Sauvignon Blanc and around R80 for the reds.

Constantia Glen welcomes new wooded Bordeaux-style white wine to its collection

Constantia Glen 

Constantia Glen TWO 2011

Taste pure elegance this summer with the all new Constantia Glen Two 2011, a beautifully balanced blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon from this magnificently appointed boutique estate known for cool climate Bordeaux-style wines.

The new Constantia Glen Two 2011, composed of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon, has a vibrant intensity and remarkable fruit concentration with uplifting aromas of grapefruit and elderberry that integrate beautifully with the slight hints of oak imparted during barrel fermentation. The individual wine components were fermented and matured on the lees for 6 months in new, 2^nd and 3^rd fill oak barrels before blending and lightly filtered prior to bottling.

“This is the first year that we have produced a wooded Bordeaux-style white wine. We have been experimenting with fermentations in large 600 litre barrels since 2008 and  after much deliberation, we felt that the wine made in these barrels during the 2011 vintage was of such a high standard and incredibly unique that we bottled the wine on its own. 

Sémillon is a variety that we have been playing with for a few years and it adds a wonderful richness to the mouthfeel of the wine and lends enormous capacity for ageing,” says winemaker Justin van Wyk.

“The Sémillon contributes largely to the weighty texture of the Constantia Glen Two, a classic Constantia wine that has outstanding ageing potential and will integrate beautifully for 5 to 10 years from harvest,” adds Justin who recommends enjoying the wine with fresh tuna and caper crostini or salmon sashimi.

Constantia Glen has also just released the new 2009 vintage of the Bordeaux red, Constantia Glen Three. Full-bodied with a juicy texture, this classic Bordeaux-style wine comprising Merlot (41%), Cabernet Sauvignon (33%) and Cabernet Franc (26%), has a long, soft finish, making it extremely refined with excellent ageing potential, yet delicious to drink now.

“The striking dark fruit aromas follow seamlessly onto a mouth-filling palate with incredible texture from ripe, velvety tannins. 

This graceful wine has minerality to balance the rich dark fruit aromas and silky round tannins,” is how Justin describes this perfect companion for rosemary grilled lamb chops, or tea smoked duck breast with oven roasted pears and a blackberry jus.

The Constantia Glen Two 2011 is available exclusively at the cellar door, selling for R175. Constantia Glen Three 2009 is available at boutique wine shops, and sells for R150 at the cellar door.

One of the jewels of the Constantia Wine Valley, Constantia Glen is open daily from 10h00 till 17h00 on week days and from 10h00 till 16h00 on Saturdays and Sundays. 

Look out for the Constantia Glen signs towards the top of Constantia Main road. Call 021 7956100,

e-mail wine@constantiaglen.co.za, visit www.constantiaglen.com or www.facebook.com/ConstantiaGlen for further information. 

The GPS co-ordinates are S 34º 0’39.6” E 18º 24’30.6”.

Pongrácz Rosé wins Best Pink Cap Classique in 2012 FAIRLADY Consumer Awards

Pongrácz Rosé 

Pongracz Brut Rose

Pongrácz Rosé, the blushing stunner of South Africa’s leading Méthode Cap Classique range, has been crowned Best Pink Cap Classique in the FAIRLADY Consumer Awards 2012.

Described by FAIRLADY editor Suzy Brokensha as “light, flavourful and full of tiny bubbles – a perfect summer drink at a good price,” in the November issue of the magazine, Pongrácz Rosé boasts great elegance and complexity. Delicate yeasty tones, layered with toast and ripe fruit are enlivened by a firm mousse and persistent bead that make it particularly attractive. It imparts a wonderful foamy mouthful of black berry fruit flavours with a lingering brut aftertaste.

“This stunning Cap Classique delights the mind as much as the eye and evokes an air of romance with its delicate salmon pink hue. It is perfect for any occasion and I definitely recommend enjoying it with chicken, seafood and oysters,” says winemaker Elunda Basson.

Sophisticated and graceful, Pongrácz Rosé will enliven and add extra glamour to any occasion. It is available at fine wine shops, selling at about R115.

For more information, visit Facebook or www.pongracz.co.za.

KWV Concordia Classic White Blend Western Cape 2012 85 Points

KWV Concordia Classic White Blend 

Clear with pale yellow reflections and some c02.

Clean, bursting with tropical fruit, ripe peaches and red apples, citrus medley with stony mineral, white flowers.

Zesty profile, citrusy freshness, juicy, delicate structure lifted by the c02 spritz, charming dry white with lots going on, moderate alcohol of 13% abv, peppery spices, long.

KWV Concordia Classic Red Blend Western Cape 2010 83 Points

KWV Concordia Classic Red

Ruby with slight garnet/brown rim.

Clean, ripe plums, red berries, spicy black olives, dry herbal note, peppery, earthy note, subtle oaking with hints of cedar wood

Dry with savory cherries, delicate extraction, crunchy ripe tannins, spicy texture, earthy, fresh and vibrant, full bodied with high alcohol, 14% abv, long and persistent.

Now until 2017

Bonne Esperance Select White NV 78+ Points

Bonne Esperance 

Pale with green yellow reflections.

Clean, shy, slight Muscat note?, lemony and hints of bell pepper spiciness , talc, pure and delicate

Dry with dash of residual sugar, juicier on texture than nose may suggest, quite fleshy with saline / stony mineral, fresh, elegant, peachy note follows through, good honest glass of dry white, perfect served well chilled as an aperitif or to wash down oysters or a seafood and shellfish platter.

If you like Graca, you will enjoy this wine!

KWV Classic Collection Western Cape Shiraz Rose 2012 83 Points

KWV Classic Collection 

Pale raspberry red with pink coppery reflections on rim.

Clean, delicately ripe cranberries, strawberries and plums, candy floss, brush of white pepper spiciness.

Dry to off dry with just the perfect dash of sugar, very refreshing with crunchy red berries follows through, vibrant and zesty, perfect anytime tipple for this summer and festive season with or without food, shared with friends, perfect alcohol of 12.5% abv.

Will be a great match with salmon or fresh water trout sushi.

If you like Boschendal Blanc de Noir, Nederburg Rose, Graca Rose or Pierre Jourdan Tranquille, you will like this Rose, except the KWV is one notch above in terms of quality.

Less than +/- R 35 retail

KWV Contemporary Collection Cabernet Sauvignon – Merlot 2011 81+ Points

KWV Contemporary Collection 

Ruby red with slight purple rim.

Clean, ripe cassis, black plums, spicy and peppery, with slight Cabernet herbaceous note, but not green, subtle delicate oaking.

Dry with dash of residual sugar, round and full texture, juicy with smooth tannins, fairly full bodied with moderate plus alcohol of 13.5% abv.

Pocket friendly red, with character to go with simple Sunday lunch roast or beef prego roll.

If you like Ken Forrester Petit Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot or NederburgEdelrood you will enjoy this wine.

Bonne Esperance Western Cape Red 78 points

Bonne Esperance

A non vintage red blends from KWV Wines at less than R 28 retail, also known as "Bonnies" 

Slight garnet red in color, clean with ripe plums, cassis, hints of spicy / smoky blackcurrant, light toast, juicy with fairly soft tannins, rounded by dash of residual sugar, quite full bodied with high alcohol of 14% abv, uncomplicated good honest red, perfect for your night out at Spur or whenever you have a burger or simply grilled T Bone steak.

If you like Drostdy Hof Claret red, Chateau Libertas, Nederburg Baronne, Ribshack red, you will like this wine!

Morgenster Estate Nabucco Stellenbosch Nebbiolo 2010 92 Points

Morgenster Estate

From 12 years old vineyard, sparsely planted at 2700/2800 vines per hectare, yielding a mere 4 tons / 3000 bottles. Average of 15 months in oak, only 5% new barrels.

Evolved ruby red with garnet hue and brown towards the rim, typical of Nebbiolo, but on a slightly darker side.

Clean, ripe plums, blackcurrant, cassis, red rose petals, nutty, almond pips, spicy black olives, tar note, impressive purity of fruit.

Dry with plush ripe tannins, high alcohol of just over 14% abv, elegant structure, linear with crunchy cherries note, fresh, graphite mineral, persistent.

Best from 2016

Morgenster Estate Tosca Stellenbosch 2010 91+ Points

Morgenster Estate

2010 vintage was Henry Kotze first Tosca, cleverly though blend of 63% Sangiovese, 25% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, matured for 15/16 months in only 5% new French oak with the balanced in 3^rd and 4^th fill, only 5500 bottles were produced, with no acidification in this particular vintage!

Ruby red with purple rim.

Clean, ripe plums, cherries, impressive purity of fruit, floral, earthy, almond kernel, subtle oaking lending graphite, cedar note.

Dry, savory with black olives and tobacco note, pure and long, now preferably aerated / decanted prior to service, until 2019, very well made, but X factor of 2008 vintage missing (92 points).

Morgenster Estate Caruso Stellenbosch Sangiovese Dry Rose 2012 89+ Points

Morgenster Estate 

Tiny production of around 3000 bottles.

Paler hue than previous vintages, more Provencal, pale cherry/onion skin.

Clean, subtle raspberries, strawberries and candyfloss, herbaceous / grassy, stony minerals.

Dry, fresh, very good acid, structured mid palate, serious, perfect 12.5% abv, now until next winter

Morgenster Italian Collection new vintages review

Morgenster Estate

A recent tasting of Morgenster Estate new vintages of Italian Collection, with winemaker Henry Kotze at The Butchers Grill and Shop in Sandton, reveals for the first time his imprint in the “Tosca” Sangiovese blends 2010, as well as his first “Nabucco” Nebbiolo 2010, as well as the dry Sangiovese Rose “Caruso” 2012.

The range shows how Tuscan and Piedmontese varieties grown under South African climate conditions fared, with very fine fruit purity and natural freshness, limited productions offerings, they are hard to criticized, besides the high alcohol.

Henry only acidifies in hot vintages and only if it’s necessary, the focus is on vineyard management, coaxing the best possible fruit and vibrant freshness with as little intervention as possible in the cellar!

The oaked are well judged, with less and less new oak being used, the regime contributed to just the right amount of savory and spicy in the wines.

Morgenster Italian Collection range, is a sexy selections to work with, though they usually start showing their best from 4 years in the bottles, except for the rose of course! Which is best enjoyed within 3 years of vintage, it should be noted however, especially when considering pairings with food that the alcohol is still high at around 14% abv and over, which create some challenge, quickly rectified if the reds are served slightly and given prior aeration/decanting.

Pierre Lurton of Chateau Yquem and Cheval Blanc famed consults to the estate.

Morgenster Estate Caruso Stellenbosch Sangiovese Dry Rose 2012 89+ Points

Morgenster Estate Tosca Stellenbosch 2010 91+ Points

Morgenster Estate Nabucco Stellenbosch Nebbiolo 2010 92 Points

Ken Forrester Wines Western Cape The Gypsy 2009 89+ Points

Ken Forrester Wines 

2009 is a blend of 52% Grenache Noir, 29% Syrah and 19% Mourvedre, ruby red with slight brown rim.

Clean, moderate intensity, ripe plums, red berries, spicy cloves, black pepper, mineral earthy note, animal and gamey note.

Dry with dash residual sugar, pure, earthy, delicate good length, now until 2020+

Theuniskraal Estate Tulbagh Cape Riesling 2011 77 Points

Theuniskraal Estate 

100 % Crouchen Blanc, aka Cape Riesling!! Pale straw with yellow reflections.

Clean, shy, rather neutral with delicately ripe green lemon, hay, clay mineral, other than that not not going there!

Dry with medium plus acidity, crunchy steely freshness, low alcohol of 12% abv, perfect for anytime sipping, great aperitif, whenever a glass of crisp dry white wine is require, alternatively add a dash of crème decassis for a local version of Kir.

Best drink in flush of youth or within 2 years of vintage.

OBiKWA capped SA’s Best Value Chardonnay in the USA

OBiKWA 

Obikwa Chardonnay

OBiKWA has once again kicked up a storm in the world of best value wines by scooping the Best South African Chardonnay title for wines priced under $20 in the 2012 World Value Wine Challenge run by the Beverage Testing Institute in the USA.

Impressing the judges with America’s favourite white varietal, the fruity, best value OBiKWA Chardonnay 2011 with its easy drinking palate is described as “well made,” by the Chicago based tasting panel. Available at a mere $7.99 per bottle this wine is a real steel for American consumers. 

“As quality varietal wines that don’t take themselves too seriously, OBiKWA has evolved into a global brand associated with adventure and a sense of fun. It is excellent to be recognised for creating a quality, pocket friendly wine in this category which represents 90% of all wines sold in the United States,” says OBiKWA Global Marketing Manager, Tania Kotze.

Taking a fresh look at what value wines are, the USA based World Value Wine Challenge, provides a comprehensive guide for wines retailing at $20 and under, but that reflect the quality of higher priced wines for value-conscious American consumers in search of the best wines for their budget.

Boasting various Best Value accolades on local and international turf, you know that OBiKWA is not just a quality cultivar wine with an exuberant sense of adventure, but it is also friendly on your pocket. The OBiKWA Chardonnay sticks its neck out in leading supermarkets and liquor outlets country-wide at around R28 per bottle.

For more information on the wide range of OBiKWA wines visit www.obikwa.com and join the OBiKWA tribe on Facebook.

Holden Manz goes solo at food and wine evening in Franschhoek

Holden Manz 

Holden Manz Rose

Saturday, 17 November, 19h00 for 19h30

Get ready for the festive season and book your seat for a not-to-be-missed highlight on the Franschhoek social calendar with the next Holden Manz winemaker dinner on Saturday, 17 November. Visit the wine estate’s signature Franschhoek Kitchen restaurant and join the in-crowd for a gourmet evening where you will sip on signature wines, enjoy delicious food and mingle with great company.

Winemaker Schalk Opperman’s newly launched and ultra-quaffable Holden Manz Rosé 2012, a blushing maiden vintage for the young winemaker, the Holden Manz Shiraz 2010, the flagship Decanter Gold medal winner, Big G 2009, the silky Merlot 2010, the full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc 2010 and finally, the port-style Good Sport 2009 will all be paired to bring out the best in each of the five courses.

Just ahead of the summer holidays, the winemaker dinner marks the start of festive Holden Manz events. Make sure to keep an eye on the estate’s Facebook and Twitter pages, as summer celebrations are taking centre stage this season.

The winemaker dinner on Saturday, 17 November begins at 19h00 for 19h30 and costs R350 per person. For bookings, call 021-8762729 or e-mail restaurant@holdenmanz.com

To reach Holden Manz, turn right at the Huguenot Monument in Franschhoek and follow the signs for two kilometres. For more information, visit us on Facebook or Holden Manz GPS coordinates: Latitude: 33° 56’ 7” S; Longitude: 19° 6’ 54” E.