NEDERBURG'S IMPRESSIVE LINE-UP FOR 40th NEDERBURG AUCTION

ISSUED BY                           DKC (DE KOCK COMMUNICATIONS)

FOR                                        NEDERBURG WINES

Nederburg Manor House 

Wine collectors will notice that this year's line-up of Nederburg wines selected for September's Nederburg Auction features several venerable whites, demonstrating that the cellar's ability to make enduring wines is not confined to reds or sweet wines.

There is a 12-year-old partially wood-fermented Chenin Blanc Reserve made from Simondium bush vines; a ten-year-old Riesling, the Private Bin S316, also with a Simondium provenance; and the five-year-old II Centuries Sauvignon Blanc, made from individually selected Cape Agulhas and Darling fruit and aged in small French oak.

All produced by the present cellar master, Razvan Macici, they show a finesse and vibrant longevity suggesting they still have quite some cellaring potential ahead of them.

As this year marks the 40th anniversary of the auction, established way back in 1975 as a platform to sell Edelkeur, this iconic noble late harvest wine features prominently. There are three of the cellar's signature Edelkeurs on offer. The amber-coloured 1979 vintage still brims with apricot, marmalade and honey; while the 1993 is lusciously sweet and redolent of mint and caramel; and the 2006 vintage is a refreshing panoply of stone fruits and vanilla.

They are not the only noble late harvest wines represented. Look out for the Private Bin Semillon Noble Late Harvest from the 2000 vintage. What makes this wine such a collectible is that noble rot so seldom occurs in Semillon vineyards.

From the same vintage, there is also an appealingly spicy Private Bin Gewűrztraminer Special Late Harvest.

The other two sweet wines of the line-up are a gracious and still very lively 1989 Eminence - the last vintage made by Gűnter Brȍzel - and the velvety 1990 that ends on a fresh citrus note.

Brȍzel's remarkable 1964 Port has reached its half-century in excellent health and is silky and rich with a hint of spice. Each bottle has been hand-numbered and topped with a wax seal.

The grapes for Macici's debut 2009 Grenache for the Private Bin series were sourced from Paarl bush vines. Fermented in open tanks, it is a big, bold and plush wine with excellent ageing potential.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Nederburg's signature red varietal, dominates the reds to go under the hammer. There are the two vintages of the rich, muscular and layered R163: the 2009 and 2007, while the varietal also appears in the R103 Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz blend of 2009 and in the R109 Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot of both 1999 and 2009.

Shiraz features in the R121 from the 2006 vintage, a dense and opulent wine with concentrated berry and spice and the capacity to age at least another 20 years.

There are two other age-worthy reds from the 2007 vintage, single-vineyard R104 Petit Verdot from Simondium and a bush-vine R172 Pinotage, structured to last a decade or more, in Macici's opinion.

Many of them internationally award-winning wines, they will be auctioned at Nederburg on Friday, September 12 and Saturday, September 13.

For more details of these wines, go to www.nederburgauction.co.za.

Cape Winemakers Guild Auction Shiraz – World No. 1 in France

Issued by GC Communications for Cederberg

Cederberg Teen die Hoog Shiraz 2011, crafted exclusively for the 2013 Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction by winemaker David Nieuwoudt, has been declared the World’s No. 1 Shiraz at the 2014 Syrah du Monde wine competition in France.

Buyers at the record breaking CWG Auction will be thrilled to know that the sought-after Cederberg Teen Die Hoog Shiraz was the overall best performer and one of four South African wines to make the highly contested Top 10 selection. This year’s Syrah du Monde Top 10 ranking comprises 11 wines as some of the scores were described by the competition as “rigorously equal”.

The three other South African wines sharing Top 10 glory are Number One – Constitution Road Shiraz 2011, Cederberg Shiraz 2011, also by David Nieuwoudt for Cederberg Private Cellar, and Terra d’Aria SV Shiraz 2011. 

David's CWG Auction wine, Teen Die Hoog Shiraz 2011 hails from South Africa’s highest vineyard in the Cederberg, shows intense Shiraz fruit and has a distinctive aroma of wild herbs, violets and white pepper. David’s second Gold was awarded to his Cederberg Shiraz 2011.

Syrah du Monde, held at Château d'Ampuis in the northern Rhône Valley, is the only international wine competition dedicated exclusively to Shiraz.  This year 405 wines from 26 countries entered, with 42 attaining Gold.

The Cape Winemakers Guild comprises some of South Africa’s most respected winemakers who share a vision of elevating the standing of the South African wine industry amongst the best in the world, through their ongoing dedication to the production of world-class, quality wines. 

The 30th Nedbank CWG Auction, conducted by Henré Hablutzel of Hofmeyr Mills Auctioneers for the 17th consecutive year, is open to the public and will be held at the Spier Conference Centre in the Stellenbosch Winelands from 09h00 on Saturday, 4 October 2014.

Wine enthusiasts can taste the auction wines at Auction Showcases at the CTICC in Cape Town at 18h00 on Thursday, 21 August and at 18h00 at The Atrium, Nedbank Sandton in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 27 August. Tickets cost R170 and are available from www.WebTickets.co.za.            

For further details and to attend the Auction, visit www.capewinemakersguild.com or contact the Guild Office on Tel: 021 852 0408 or info@capewinemakersguild.com.

Patriarche Chardonnay 2012 72 Points

Varietally correct character with a rather muted profile, unshowy and ungenerous, fresh, elegant, verging on simplistic and bland, highly commercial style, the reds in Patriarche range are way better, available at Ultra Liquors

Alcohol: moderate| 13 %abv

Origin: Vin de France (generic French wines, predominantly sourced from Southern France wine regions)

Notes: lemon| greengage| peach | blanch almonds | seashells

Ideal drinking occasions: anytime

Serve with: lunch time grilled catch of the day (SASSI) with endives salad

Drink: now 

Fleur du Cap Shiraz claims gold in France

Issued by: GC Communications  on behalf of: Cape Legends

Fleur du Cap has hit the ground running in the awards rush this season, raking in a Gold medal for their Bergkelder Selection Shiraz 2012 at the 2014 Syrah du Monde competition in France.

Fleur du Cap’s winning Shiraz was one of only seven South African wines to win a Gold Medal in this respected competition. Crafted from the pick of the crop from the Western Cape’s finest vineyards, this Shiraz is true to its varietal character and offers excellent quality without breaking the bank. 

Syrah du Monde, the only international wine competition dedicated solely to this varietal, rated 405 wines from 26 countries, awarding gold medals to just 42 wines.

“We are in the enviable position to source the best grapes from a diverse range of vineyard sites and micro climates throughout the Western Cape, each imparting special qualities to our wines. This award attests to the passion our whole team puts into each and every Fleur du Cap wine,” says cellarmaster Andrea Freeborough who works closely with Winemaker Wim Truter and Viticulturist Bennie Liebenberg.   

Fleur du Cap Bergkelder Selection Shiraz 2012 is available at leading wine outlets country-wide or the Fleur du Cap cellar door at Die Bergkelder in Stellenbosch for R75 per bottle.

For more information and everything inspired by nature, visit www.fleurducap.co.za, fleurducap.tumblr.com or join the Fleur du Cap Facebook community.

Badsberg Cellar honoured at the 2014 Muskadel SA awards

Badsberg Cellar was crowned king of the Muscadel kingdom at the 12th annual 2014 Muskadel SA awards function, sponsored by Enartis SA and hosted on 22 May at Noop Restaurant in Paarl.  Out of 25  entries, the 2013 Badsberg Red Muscadel won the only platinum award.

‘We are very proud to be associated with Muskadel SA and to have won this prestigious award, as this noble cultivar is one of our flagship wines,’ says Willie Burger, cellar master at Badsberg Wine Cellar.

‘Our Red Muscadel have been a huge success, and is well-known for its quality, eversince we started producing the wine in 2003. We have won several gold medals for this cultivar, including Muskadel SA, Veritas and Michelangelo, but this is the first time we have been honoured with a Platinum award.  We are very proud and it will certainly help strenghen and re-assure our position in a very competative market.

Burger continues to thank his dedicated wine making team, Henri Swiegers and Jaco Booysen, as well as Wyserdrif Farming where the Muscadel grapes are grown.

Other winners
Other winners from the Breede River Valley are Nuy Cellar with two gold awards for their 2013 Rooi and 2013 Wit Muskadel, while Bon Courage won gold for their 2013 Red Muscadel.

Orange River Cellars built on their 2013 Muskadel SA success by winning gold medal for their 2013 White Muscadel.

KWV won gold with a very special entry - a 1968 White Muscadel Jerepigo.

According to Henri Swiegers, chairperson of Muskadel SA the 2013 harvest year were exceptionally dry, thus high sugar levels resultant.  This led to rich raison flavours and delightful, full bodied muscat aromas.

Judging
Tasted blind, the wines are judged and scored according to a tried and tested points system.  The uniqueness of the packaging also contributes to the final points tally and often means the difference between a gold or platinum award. Consumers can identify winning Muscats by the Gold or Platinum Muskadel SA stickers on the bottle.

Lolly Louwrens, a judge at this year’s Muskadel SA awards says: ‘2013 saw superb wines and delivered great quality Muscats.  It was also elating to witness fine aging in the 1968 KWV White Muscadel Jerepigo, just proof once again that our country delivers top class fortified wines.’

Sponsorship
‘Enartis South Africa is proud to sponsor the Muscadel Association for the seventh year and wants to congratulate the winners,’ says Murray Giggins, CEO/General Manager of Enartis South Africa.  “This long association confirms our commitment to Muscadel producers.  As a dedicated supplier of speciality wine chemicals, Enartis is focused on ensuring winemakers achieve superior end product quality.”

Winemakers know they can rely on the global knowledge gained from the extensive reach of the Enartis brand and people, who provide products of international repute and applications that can be relied upon vintage after vintage says Giggins.

For more information contact Henri Swiegers at 082 829 6010 or winemaker@badsberg.co.za

Danie de Wet Nature in Concert Pinot Noir 2010 90+ Points

Worthy successor to the excellent 2009 (90 Points) with marginally less alcohol, more approachable and more nuanced, yet still a full bodied offering, structured freshness with savory edges, the red fruits are delicately ripe, there is no oak aesthetics here and  far better integrations than 2009 vintage lending greater definitions and a sense of seamlessness, with just the perfect mid palate stuffing, it is clear that site specific Pinot Noir in Roberston district have the potential to rival with the best Pinot regions,districts and wards of South Africa.

I am confident we should see this transformation within the next 3 to 5 years and De Wetshof Estate leading the pack in the valley, already the 2012 Nature in Concert tasted out of barrels (conservative 91 points at this stage) is indeed seductive and outstanding and I reckoned will be an even better drops once final blend made and when it will hit the market by 2016+

Alcohol: high | 14 %abv

Origin: Robertson

Notes: strawberries | currants | cranberry | cherry pip | roasted pinenuts 

Ideal drinking occasions: wintertime and romantic dinner

Serve with: roasted venison loin with sweet potato mash, mushrooms medley, truffle oil

Drink: now until 2022+

Lace by Almenkerk Vineyard Blend 2011 89 Points

Judicious blend of Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, with an upbringing of 23 months in French barriques, showcasing a bright and savory profile with tangy and mouth watering acidity perfect for tapas style offerings, delicate with chalky tannins, best served aerated, this will gain in velocity as time spent in bottle, I reckoned the natural acidity gave the wine a solid structure to evolved for at least another 6 to 8 years, good now, but should really start to unfold from 2016+, great value.

Alcohol: moderate plus | 13.5 %abv

Origin: Elgin

Notes: red fruits | plums | dark cherries | earthy | tobacco ash

Ideal drinking occasions: anytime

Serve with: Spanish Chorizo with spring onions sweat in extra virgin South African olive oil

Drink: now until 2022

Sorso di Bianco OgniGiorno 70 Points

Produced by Zonin in the Veneto region from a blend of Garganega and Trebbiano, fairly neutral with faintest hints of tropical fruit and lemon note, fleshy though on texture aided by brush of residual sugar with honeyed mid palate, uncomplicated offering perfect as a light white wine to accompany a crispy calamari with Limoncello sauce.
R35 per 250 ml at Ciao Baby Cucina in Cedar Square

Singha Lager Beer 88 Points

Malty and rich offerings, lots of flavour with bright hops notes, intriguing in a way as it shows some characteristics of craft beers!? Could it be the warm fermenting climate of Thailand or just uncontrolled fermentations as in many craft beers? Nevertheless perfect in this wintery weather with a warm and clear free range chicken broth with chinese cabbage, fresh tofu, spring onions and coriander

Let loose at 5th Cellar2Cellar Trail Run & Wine Experience

Saturday, 6 September 2014, Stellenbosch

Issued by:      GCCommunications   On behalf of:  Cellar2Cellar Trail Run & Wine Experience   

Put on your best fancy dress outfit for the Cellar2Cellar Trail Run & Wine Experience

On your marks… get set…GO! Dust off those trainers and let your imagination run wild in striking fancy dress as you wine your way through the picturesque Paradyskloof vineyards on Saturday, 6 September 2014, when Cellar2Cellar brings you the ultimate Trail Run and Wine experience.

Starting and finishing at Blaauwklippen off the R44 between Stellenbosch and Somerset West, the 12km Wine Experience meanders through eight wine farms, all renowned for their exceptional wines. Blaauwklippen, Vriesenhof, Mont Marie, Dornier, Kleinood, Waterford, Stellenzicht and Stellenrust invite you to linger and sample some of their speciality wines en route along with tantalising tasters of Portobello cheese and Wedgewood nougat. Waterford Wine Estate is a must stop for their ever popular chocolate and wine pairings.

Adding to all the excitement, the best dressed male and female fun seekers will win their “weight in wine” with an additional R2 500 cash prize for the most dazzling outfit. The fun filled Wine Experience kicks off at 08h15 with a staggered start every 15 minutes until 09h30 to ensure a leisurely and jovial atmosphere at the cellar tastings.

The more serious participants opting for the Trail Run over either 12km or 20km, will race to the finish line through spectacular vineyard surroundings without the wine tasting pit stops. The formal Trail Run starts a little earlier at 08h00 with noteworthy wine prizes from participating wine estates up for grabs.

All Wine Experience participants will be able to buy wine en route and have the wine delivered to them at the finish line, where the festivities will continue with a farmers market and entertainment. Moms with little ones need not worry on the day as crèche facilities will be provided. Parents can leave their children at the start at Blaauwklippen and collect them once they have completed the circular route.

The Wine Experience costs R315 (including wine tastings) whilst the Trail Run without the wine tastings costs R150 per person for the 12km and R190 for the 20km distance.

For bookings, email entries@iqela-events.co.za or go online at www.iqela-events.co.za.

Visit Iqela Events on Facebook at www.facebook.com/iqelae for regular Cellar2Cellar updates.

Fleur du Cap wines meet exotic salts at Angela Day Kitchen

Unique salt and wine experience - Wednesday, 28 May 2014, Randburg

Issued by: GC Communications  On behalf of: Cape Legends

Experience the elegance of Fleur du Cap wines paired with artisanal salts from around the globe at the Angela Day Kitchen in Randburg on Wednesday, 28 May 2014, with salt aficionado Chef Craig Cormack.

Chef Craig and the Angela Day Team will join hands to bring a world of flavours to Gauteng foodies and wine lovers with a signature Fleur du Cap Wine & Salt food demonstration that will illustrate just how a pinch of salt can awaken the senses.

Guests will be welcomed with Fleur du Cap Bergkelder Selection Sauvignon Blanc, followed by Winemaker Jaco van der Walt giving handy pointers on Fleur du Cap wine pairings with Chef Craig revealing some of his exotic salts. As part of the demonstration, the evening’s chopping block will see Craig preparing Pizzadaliere as a starter, followed by trout pastrami with oryx salt, an olive emulsion, cocotte potatoes and baby greens. The evening will end on a high note with chocolate mousse, roasted bananas and ice cream unusually seasoned with pink Murray River salt. 

The close affinity to nature inherent in Fleur du Cap wines makes them a natural fit for Craig’s love of rare artisanal salts from around the world.  His knowledge of salt in cooking, preserving coupled with his mastery of the art of matching salt with wine, offer ways of unlocking the expression of the wine to its fullest potential, resulting in an enriched culinary experience.

“One of the challenges when pairing salt and wine is to create food that will enhance the wine without dominating it. The natural process of crafting Fleur du Cap wines by allowing the style inherent in the grapes to guide the winemaking team, works particularly well with unrefined, artisanal salts, reverting back to nature in both the food and the wines,” says Craig.

The Fleur du Cap Wine & Salt food demonstration costs R150 per person including the wine, salt and food tasting and begins at 18h30 on Wednesday, 28 May 2014 at the Angela Day Kitchen at the Lifestyle Garden Centre in Randpark Ridge. For bookings, contact Lesley Hamlyn on 011 791 1304.  

Dom Perignon 2000 95+ Points

Impressively youthful with pin point precision and freshness starting to reveal lemony bouquet with bright toasty, nutty character, roast element, captivating and persistent, word not enough to describe such a perfect drop, had it side by side with a Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin La Grande Dame 1998 at 54 on Bath Hotel

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin La Grande Dame 1998 94+ Points

La Grande Dame, hommage to a great lady, prestige cuvee of VCP, seldom made and only in vintages that exceeds all expectations, in fact so rare that only two vintages were released in the last decade, with the 2001 and 2004.

This 1998 is starting to reach it’s full potential with a captivating bouquet and profound maturity with richness and plush ripe Pinot character, caramelized stone fruit, citrus burst and porcini dust, broad and full bodied, light dosage keeps it’s bracing freshness, on a tight energetic line, This is one of the greatest Champagne ever crafted!

I had this side by side with a 2000 vintage DomPerignon, lunchtime at 54 on Bath hotel, detail on a separate post

Abraham Perold Insignis 2011 94 Points

Northern Rhone inspired, 100% Shiraz with impressive purity and confidence, fragrant with perfectly ripe plums, blackberries and hints of floral note, delicately juicy booming with finesse and elegance rarely found in South African Shiraz, characterful and engaging with bright structure and freshness and just the right amount of peppery note, crunchy chalky tannins, would be rewarding if more Shiraz locally can seek this airy style. 
Now until 2025+
10,000 bottles productions

Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blanc 2010 91+ Points

Still youthful with pale bright straw and slight green reflections, surprisingly fresh and spicy peppery note, ripe gooseberries, passion fruit flower and candied kiwi, the slight honey on the texture give some indication of it's evolution, this is a stayer and will reward many more years of sipping, best enjoyed with food, very Sancerre like, smart wine.
Marginally better than the 2011 vintage with clearer precision, see separate post.

Rupert & Rothschild Classique 2011 90+ Points

Great to see they have maintain the quality they started and there is continuity and would say it is marginally brighter and crunchier than the excellent 2010 (90 Points) and they have maintained their moderate alcohol too, it is clear Schalk-Willem Joubert and Yvonne Lester have found the winning formula in their blends for this table and food friendly offering.

If there is one premium red wine that is a must on any restaurant wine lists, irrespective of the food concepts, this is it, R&R Classique is certainly now a very powerful brand ontrade and the demand are so good that any food & beverage operations that does not have it on the selections are losing substantial revenue!

Alcohol: moderate | 13 %abv

Origin: Western Cape blends

Notes: cassis | blackcurrant| plums | cedar | tobacco

Ideal drinking occasions: anytime

Serve with: your favourite food

Drink: now until 2019+

Corder Chardonnay 2012 90 Points

Elgin have firmly established itself as a top quality Chardonnay district, in fact many of the top 20 Chardonnay's in South Africa are either made or source from Elgin fruit, with possibly over 95% are solid but not over the top oaked examples and it is about time and refreshing when I discovered this wine, with the faintest hints of oak, in fact it took me 7 days to finally dissect the brush of oak as all the way I was convinced it was unoaked, due to the fruit intensity, yet delicate and totally unshowy at the same time, Chablis like with magnificent restraint, bright and textural complexity that will only amplify with time in bottle, this is a serious drop to seek out, confident style with great food pairings affinity.

Alcohol: ideal | 12.5 %abv

Origin: Elgin

Notes: lemon | citrus | orange blossom |  cheese rind | salt

Ideal drinking occasions: anytime

Serve with: simple lemon and herb roasted chicken and green beans in garlic butter

Drink: now until 2021+

Klein Constantia MCC Brut 2006 90+ Points

Klein Constantia MCC right from their beginning shows lots of potential and one of Constantia valley and South Africa's best bottle fermeneted sparkling wine, without having to rely on brought in fruit, great for site specificity expression!

This 2006 was completely forgotten in my wine rack amongst hundreds of bottles until recently when I was pleasantly surprised that I still have 5 bottles!

Always a perfect excuse for a glass of bubbly, this was a magnificent revelation how this Chardonnay driven (if my memory serve me correct there was about 4% Pinot Noir in the blend) MCC have transformed over the years, still bright with precise citrussy / lemony note, nutty, especially grilled hazelnuts, the texture have fill out, feels richer compare to the tightness on release, it almost shows the "gout anglaise" of bubbly, this was just perfect for me with my favorite wood fired pizza (spinach, bacon, feta and fresh chillies) on a sunday afternoon.

Anyone having Klein Constantia MCC or have never tried, buy a few cases and drink it over the years, you will be more than rewarded.

Corder Sauvignon Blanc 2012 89+ Points

Subtly fragrant with delicate ripeness and layered aromatics, fresh and elegant, fleshy considering the alcohol of only 12.5% abv, is another testament that ultra ripe fruit is seriously yesteryear, table friendly, will reward cellaring.

Alcohol: ideal | 12.5 %abv

Origin: Elgin

Notes: gooseberries | pears| quince | lemon verbena | mint freshness

Ideal drinking occasions: anytime

Serve with: crunchy leafy greens, preserved figs and goat cheese

Drink: now until 2017+

Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blanc 2011 89 Points

Color still pale with straw reflections, youthful but that where the comparison with 2010 stops, more vegetal than 2010, quite a drastic shift in style with subtle white flower note, peppery spice, delicately juicy, but have somehow plateau and may stay that way for the next 2 years, as the hints of white mushroom notes, indicates it is not going further!

Three Ships Premium Select Whisky 5 years 91 Points

Select South African Whisky and Scotch Whisky blends, with just the perfect amount of peaty character, lifted aromatics with bright tobacco and spicy dried fruits, complete,  there is finesse, perfect on it's own or with a dash of water, excellent value.
This is a local product that any Food and Beverage operations, irrespective of the concepts, should stock as a pouring brand / whisky!

Hansa Pilsener 85 Points

Light offering with only 4.5% abv, yet have character and substance delicate bitterness derived from Saaz Hop, juicy, refreshing and crisp, perfect with a pork rump and calabash curry

Sitejiu 79 Points

Distilled rice wine, widely available in Chinese groceries stores in Johannesburg, the perfumed, earthy and spicy note bring back childhood memories, I remember sneaking into my grand parent kitchen cupboard, my grand father was from South East China, and use it predominantly for cooking or marinating meat, with it's potent 52% abv, SiteJiu gives amazing flavour especially pork when grilled (shoulder) or roasted (belly).

Can also be consumed as shots, but only for the brave ones!

Slowine Pinotage 2013 74 Points

A Pinotage on steroids, made in an expressive and powerful style denuded of any elegance, rich slightly sweet and extracted, show stopper, will have it's followers!

Alcohol: Irresponsibly very high | 15 %abv

Origin: Western Cape blends

Notes: dark plums| blueberries | raisin | chocolate | prune

Ideal drinking occasions: winter time

Serve with: not food friendly

Drink: now until 2016+

Simonsig Labyrinth Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 90+ Points

From an exceptional vintage, this newly released 2009, tick all the right box with near textbook Cabernet Character, in time for our winter, delicately juicy with plush savoury tannin, full bodied

Alcohol: high | 14 %abv

Origin: Stellenbosch

Notes: cassis | blackcurrant| plums | cedar | tobacco

Ideal drinking occasions: winter time

Serve with: braai lamb riblets rubbed with fresh rosemary, garlic and fresh chillies

Drink: now until 2024+

Muratie George Paul Canitz Pinot Noir 2011 86 Points

Current release is definitely the best expression of Pinot released to date by Muratie, following somewhat uninspiring 2009 (79+ Points) and 2010 (80 Points), 2011 shows significant improvement in being truer to Pinot typicity with a tangy and fresh core, the alcohol is slightly down but nevertheless still high at 14% for Pinot and the color though there have been improvement, tends to still be slightly on the darker side for a light skin variety! They are on the right track with some fine tuning it will be one of the Stellenbosch Pinot to watch over the next 3 to 5 years

Seek it out as it is approachable now, yet have stamina for the next 10 years.

Alcohol: high | 14 %abv

Origin: Stellenbosch

Notes: dark cherries| strawberry jam| candied raspberry | olive | earthy

Ideal drinking occasions: winter time

  

Serve with: duck rillettes and crusty baguette

Drink: now until 2024+

Put your feet up with OBiKWA at the Gauteng Outdoor Expo

Kyalami – Friday, 30 May to Sunday, 1 June 2014

Issued by: GC Communications  On behalf of: Distell

    

Embrace your inner explorer and chill out in the OBiKWA Wine Garden at the Gauteng Outdoor Eco Adventure and Travel Expo taking place at the Waterfall Polo Estate in Kyalami.

The Expo has everything an intrepid adventurer could want - from extreme 4x4 action to boat and caravan exhibitions, as well as all the latest high tech outdoor gadgets.

When the excitement gets too much be sure to take a stroll to the OBiKWA Wine Garden and experience this range of affordable, adventure loving wines with some delicious nibbles. With a different OBiKWA variety for every day of the week, there will be plenty to choose from. Besides the ever popular, value for money varietal wines such as Shiraz, Pinotage and Merlot amongst the reds, and Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay amongst the whites, you may want to give OBiKWA Moscato a try if you prefer something a little sweeter. While you are there, why not stock up on your wine for the week and get your hands on some cool OBiKWA merchandise too.

The Gauteng Outdoor Eco Adventure and Travel Expo takes place from Friday, 30 May to Sunday, 1 June at the Waterfall Polo Estate in Kyalami. Tickets at R60 for adults, R30 for pensioners and students, and R20 for children aged 7-16 are available at the gate. Children under 7 have free entry. Visit www.gauteng.outdoorexpo.co.za for more general event information.

ROT IN GRAPES WINS SA'S NEDERBURG INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM

Nederburg's 2011Winemaster's Reserve Noble Late Harvest has won an International Wine Challenge trophy in London.

ISSUED BY                           DKC (DE KOCK COMMUNICATIONS)

FOR                                        NEDERBURG WINES

The 2011 Nederburg Noble Late Harvest is made from grapes attacked by noble rot (botrytis cinerea), an ugly-looking fungus that occurs under very specific climatic conditions. It can appear in vineyards where early morning mists create an environment of humidity, followed by dry, warm afternoons.

Grapes affected by the noble rot fungus become dehydrated, losing more than half their moisture content, resulting in an intense concentration of flavours. The berries first turn golden and then pink or purple, eventually browning and shrivelling. The rot consumes some of the sugar and the acid present in the grapes but their nectar-like intensity and zesty acidity remain.

This is not the first time a Nederburg noble late harvest wine has been acclaimed. The richly aromatic wine, with delicious tastes of honey, apricots and ginger, is regularly lauded on international and local forums. 

The 2012 vintage was also South Africa's only trophy winner at the International Sweet Challenge in Australia and a gold medallist at the 2013 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC).

Nederburg pioneered noble late harvest wines in South Africa with the 1969 Edelkeur, sold on the Nederburg Auction in 1975. Prized buy connoisseurs, Edelkeur is still available exclusively via this channel.

The more accessible Winemaster's Reserve wine, however, is available from specialty wine shops, selected grocers and from the Nederburg farm. It retails for around just R82 a 375ml bottle. 

Cellar master Razvan Macici, who has earned many leading awards for his dessert and other wines, including the title of Diners Club Winemaker of the Year, suggests serving it with fruit-based desserts, liver patés and blue cheeses. "It's terrific on its own and even makes a delicious substitute for dessert."