Thursday, May 24, 2018

The Wade Bales Wine and Malt Whisky Affair 2018

This now very popular annual tasting was held last week at 15 on Orange hotel between 6 and 9 and there were some gems to taste
We began with the Avondale Armilla MCC, crisp and complex
Stopped at the Bon Courage for some bubbly and really liked their unwooded chardonnay
As many people come from work, these two buffet tables full of cheeses, nuts, fruit, chutneys, preserves,  humus and a variety of breads, biscuits and other starches are very popular.  It’s always good to have a base if you are going to taste spirits
Next, to Simonsig at the round bar for a taste of their very popular MCCs
Friendly Wimpie Borman of Groote Post welcomed us with a couple of their newer wines
And then it was time to wander into the Whisky Room for some specials. Glenfarclas  were pouring their 105
And  Hector Macbeth of  Macbeth on Whisky was pouring the Paul John whiskies …
… and a couple of others like Black Oyster and Scally Wag
Lynne thinks the labelling of Timorous Beasties is great fun, the blended whisky is not bad either
Jura whisky is from the island of Jura in the Inner Hebrides off the West Coast of Scotland and Glenbrynth is distilled and matured in Speyside and the Highlands regions and then blended and bottled in Bellshill, Glasgow. Many people have distinct preferences about the whiskies they prefer and the regions they come from, Lowlands, Highlands, Islands. All are good, just take your pick. Some love heavy peat others just a little, some want none. Don’t let someone tell you your choice is not cool, or fashionable, wrong or right. It’s your choice, your palate and your expense. If you come from a Scottish or Irish background, it very often is influenced by what you grew up with. But always keep an open mind, some cannot be dismissed and may surprise and delight you
Glenmorangie was with Ardbeg, the peat monster, which is perfect for those that love them
It was a popular table
Glenlivet certainly had a good selection to taste and some older specials were brought out by most companies when the clock struck the half hour
Lynne does wonder why most whisky lovers are so tall and large. She had a bit of difficulty getting to counters to taste
Back to the wines and to taste some of our favourites like De Wetshof's Limestone Hill and Bateleur Chardonnays and chat to Marketing Manager Bennie Stipp
Delaire Graff came next – we always like their Cabernet Franc Rosé and it was a good palate refresher after the whiskies.  The 2016 Shiraz is looking good too
and the lovely pair on the Creation Stand: Inge Lakey and Eben Bezuidenhoud. We so enjoy Creation's very  special Art of .. wines, especially their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
The man himself, Wade Bales with hairy beer man Martin Tucker
On Avondale’s stand, Tom Mills was on top form, despite recovering from a bad dose of the flu
John enjoyed tasting their recently released Navitas 2009 Rhône blend
Avondale’s winemaker Corné Marais
And then it was time to go home. We need to reassure you that we do spit; we went there on MyCiti buses and took an Uber home. No driving after such a great show

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