Wednesday, September 07, 2022

The 2022 Trophy Wine Show Public Tasting

A few weeks ago, we wrote about the results of the Trophy Wine show, sponsored by Investec
and on August 24th, we were able to taste some of the winning wines (Trophy winners, Gold and Silver) at the Westin hotel
 We were keen to sample the Trophy wines which were available to taste and to chat to the representatives of the farms
The tasting was open to the public

So good to see the team that arranges the tastings, Outsorceress Marketing led by Janice Fridjhon
It has been a long gap

The tasting was well attended and attracted a good crowd of buyers and enthusiasts

Piekenierskloof won a Silver with their Bergendal 2021 Old Vine Chenin Blanc,
so complex and mellow, perfumed vanilla nose with stone fruit,
grown on soil that does not need vines to be grafted onto Phylloxera resistant rootstocks

Old Road Wine had won the Best Semillon Trophy for their 2018 Grand-Mère Semillon,
an absolutely classic expression of the heights the Semillon can reach in the Cape,
with superb depth of complex flavours, crisp acidity of limes, ripe pear, candied citrus, spice, minerality
with soft chalky tannins and then golden oak on the long end. From old vines planted in 1936

Morgenster Lourens River Valley 2016 being poured for One&Only Head Sommelier Luvo Ntezo

Morgenster revealed their rather elegant new labels at the tasting

Deon Oliver enjoying the evening

Colin Frith and his Sunday Times Trophy for the Best Sauvignon Blanc: 2021 Trade Winds Sauvignon Blanc

Murray Barlow of Rustenberg was awarded a Silver for the 2020 Rustenberg Stellenbosch Merlot
The wine is a classic Cape Merlot with a lovely intense nose of rich berry fruit which follows through on the palate,
with finesse and well supported by good French oak, no mint, no faults

Brother and sister Paul Cluver and Liesl Cluver Rust celebrating with the Miele Trophy
for the best Chardonnay on show, the 2020 Paul Cluver Estate Chardonnay
which also won the Investec Trophy for the best White Wine Overall
It is also one of Lynne’s all-time favourite Chardonnays; wild fermented, classy and elegant
with lovely crisp citrus and stone fruit in layers, accessible with subtle oak support. So good with food

Benguela Cove Assistant Winemaker Michelle Waldeck
 was showing their 2018 Joie de Vivre Cap Classique Vintage Brut which was awarded a silver

Bon Courage Cap Classiques have jointly and deservedly won many awards
They won the Sowetan Trophy for the Best Cap Classique
with their 2013 Jacques Bruère Brut Reserve Vintage Cap Classique and it is well deserved
the wine is a blend of Chardonnay/Pinot Noir and is so full and layered, has kept its crisp mousse
and lingers on the intense palate, a triumph

Winemaker Philip Viljoen and Michelle Elford, Bon Courage National Sales and Marketing Manager

Shelley Sandell, owner of Tierhoek in Piekenierskloof was showing her old vines 2021 Chenin Blanc
which won a Silver with 92 points. Not long ago, this score would have earned a Trophy!

Buitenverwachting cellarmaster Brad Paton had his excellent '1769'
Noble Late Harvest Muscat de Frontignan 2020 vintage, from unirrigated vines planted in 2003
In our opinion this is one of the very best Constantia muscat wines, layers of rich honey,
spiced ripe and cooked apple, apricot, melon and almond, with perfume on the nose
The honey sweetness is well balanced with good crisp acidity. 5 stars in Platter, it scored a silver

Heinrich Bothman of De Wetshof. The elegant Finesse Chardonnay scored a silver

Winemakers Morné Vrey of Delaire Graff and Lukas Wentzel of Groote Post

Nicky Wallace and LRJ chatting about Elgin

Tom Orpen talks about Warwick wines
The First Lady Pinotage won the Trophy for the best Pinotage
It is very approachable, floral on the nose, lighter in style than many,
showing more Pinot character and very easy to drink and enjoy

Marcho Benjamin, assistant winemaker at MAN Vintners and marketing man AJ Nel,
who handles the marketing for MAN and Lievland
MAN won the Investec Trophy for the Discovery of the show with their 2020 Skaapveld Shiraz
Delicious plums and cassis, rounded on the palate with some licorice notes and spice
100% of the wine was matured in older American oak barrels for 12 months. Very good value too
Lievland scored a Gold for the 2021 Old Vine Chenin Blanc

Cellarmaster Johan Jordaan talks about Spier wines who have had a stellar year
They were awarded three trophies, the Investec Trophy for Best Merlot’ for the Spier Woolworths Signature Series Merlot 2018
the Harold Eedes Trophy for Best Chenin Blanc which went to the Spier Woolworths Private Collection Chenin Blanc 2020
and the coveted top Trophy for the ‘Most Successful Producer Overall’
This is the second time they have received both of the last two trophies

Paul, Nicky and Bobby Wallace. Bobby has joined his father as a winemaker at Paul Wallace Wines

Jeremy Borg of Painted Wolf wines and Nicky Wallace

Jeremy Borg and his Painted Wolf wines. Jeremy told us that containers for shipping are very scarce;
he has good orders to go overseas but logistics are a nightmare. Can anyone help?


All our stories can be seen in the Blog Archive near the top of the column on the right

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Thursday, August 25, 2022

In MENU This Week - Mukanya Cap Classique, Cape Wine Masters induction, Return to The Lab, Independent producers Trade Show

Brightly coloured koi fish in a pond

Life is a series of stops and starts, with some exciting events and some personal challenges, finalising insurance claims and dealing with some other issues,  which should soon be resolved as well. Onward, as they say, and upward. There are more very good wine tasting events in our immediate future, the Trophy Wine Show and the Cape Winemakers Guild public and tutored tastings. A major trade event next week as well. So, we hope you enjoy reading about today’s stories and we look forward to showing you some more soon.

Mukanya Cap Classique

We had a visit recently from an old friend whom we have known in the wine and hospitality industry for quite a few years. After several years working as Sommelier at the Cape Grace, Tinashe Marlvin Gwese is now Group Sommelier of the three hotels within The Liz McGrath Collection, which includes The Cellars-Hohenort, The Marine and The Plettenberg. He wanted us to taste the sparkling wine he has made. We are very honoured. If you are wondering about the name, it is the name of Marlvin’s Totem. Read on…

2022 Graduation lunch at Van Loveren of two new Cape Wine Masters

Friday the 12th of August was a cold, wet and stormy day, but we drove willingly to Robertson to celebrate the induction of two new Cape Wine Masters at van Loveren wine estate on the banks of the Breede River. A warm welcome was awaiting all the guests in the very modern tasting hall at van Loveren. Read on…

Return to The Lab boutique hotel, near Robertson

We enjoyed our stay at The Lab last year and were invited back should we be in the area again, in return for their use of our photographs. So, we were delighted to be invited for one more night after the Cape Wine Masters induction at Van Loveren. The Lab is very green, powered by solar electricity and is very high tech, with room facilities accessed by voice commands. Their car is an electric BMW, charged by the sun, and they have electric bicycles for use by guests. Read on…

Independent wine producers show their wares at Villa 47


'Tis the season of wine trade shows after a long gap and, recently, we were invited by Riana Smit to attend NT Wines tasting at Villa 47 in Bree Street.  There is quite a diverse range of wineries represented, so we knew we were in for some surprises and some delights. We tried to taste at least two wines from each producer and were tasting for quite a long time. We have to increase our capacity as we are a bit out of practice! Read on…



All our stories can be seen in the Blog Archive near the top of the column on the right

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Wednesday, August 24, 2022

2022 Graduation lunch of two new Cape Wine Masters at Van Loveren

Friday the 12th of August was a cold, wet and stormy day,
but we drove to Robertson willingly to celebrate the induction of two new Cape Wine Masters
at Van Loveren wine estate on the banks of the Breede River


A warm welcome was awaiting all the guests in the very modern tasting hall at van Loveren

and who doesn't enjoy a good glass of a Van Loveren Cap Classique Rosé made from Pinot Noir,
and service from smiling staff

or the Brut, Chardonnay with 29% Pinot Noir, lovely crisp citrus and apple satisfaction with some savoury notes

Some savoury blinis to take away the chill



Always a favourite, blinis topped with cream cheese, smoked salmon and caviar

Zandvliet winemaker Jacques Cilliers, new Cape Wine Master Helena Melis and Spier winemaker Anton Swarts CWM

A jovial and welcoming Bennie Howard CWM who can organize such good events

and, on display, some of the top super premium wines from van Loveren and Zandvliet (which they now own)
 to go with lunch

Finding our seats, chatting to people we know and meeting new friends

Bennie Howard and Jacques Cilliers begin proceedings

Jacques tells us about the different farms Van Loveren owns such as Isabeau and De Hoop,
where they have planted 62 hectares of new vines, which may begin to be harvested next year
In a two-year project, they planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz,
Pinotage, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Pinotage on Buitensorg
(see who is beavering away making notes at the table while John takes the photos!)

Then we had a guided tasting of some of the top wines

The 2018 Retief Reserve Cape White is a blend of Colombard, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay
grown on clay soil which really impressed us all. Crystal clear in the glass
Richness, crisp and complex with lovely loquat, lemon, lime aromas and long flavours, with good concentration;
this calls for food. This is museum stock, released for us on the day, the current vintage is 2021
The 2021 Christiena Chardonnay was initially shy on the nose, with hints of pine nuts, which repeated on the palate;
then wood appears and the classic lime, lemon, zesty flavours with vanilla and golden oak are on the end

One of the slides showing some of the new plantings

Zandvliet Kalkveld 2018 has elegance, good French oak in the background supporting rich ripe berry fruit and some spice
On the palate, sweet, unctuous and delicious concentration of berries, mulberries
and some umami licorice, textured with some chalky tannins
2019 Zandvliet Hill of Enon Shiraz has incense wood, spice and dark berry fruit,
rounded on the palate with sweet and sour fruit, ripe berries and sharp plums, and grippy chalky tannins, needs time
2017 Christina 9 Barrels Pinotage has hints of mint, shy dark fruit which then opens up on the nose
Initially quite light on the palate then, wham, lots of fruit appears
It needs time to gather itself together. Good French oak on the end
These wines were then served with lunch

Bennie Howard told us that this is the 39th ceremony to welcome and present their diplomas to new Cape Wine Masters
He reminisced about how Duimpie Bailey, Tony Mossop and he were the first three Cape Wine Masters in 1983
 They wrote and passed their examinations in 1983, but were only awarded their diplomas on the 19th of July 1984
 There are now 111 Cape Wine Masters

Van Loveren CEO Philip Retief said that both the Cape Wine Masters and van Loveren were reaching for the sky. After the closing down of the industry in March 2020, things looked bleak, it was a black swan event, difficult to predict. They then increased their overseas marketing and sales and had a good year and found that being actively involved was challenging and exciting. Yes, there is an industry surplus of wine. But exports are growing in packed wine, not bulk. Last December, boxed wines oversold bottles for the first time. Van Loveren wants to be commercially successful and invest in our people and then comes sustainable growth through innovation. They must face and defend against the threat from the beer and cider market. If everyone in South Africa drank one more glass of wine a month, there would be a shortage, so DRINK UP! Of the top ten brands in South Africa, nine of them are sweet wines, so don’t talk down to those consumers, they are supporting the market

Christiena Trousseau Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 has expensive oak, pencil shavings
and classic Cabernet fruit on the nose and palate and, while a little young, it paired very well with the food at lunch

Some port and brandy to taste after lunch. The Blaauwklippen 10 year old potstill brandy,
Van Loveren Christiena 10 year old brandy and Zandvliet Cape Vintage Port, made from Shiraz

The starter of vanilla poached pears, a crisp blue cheese bonbon,
Parma ham, basil pesto, balsamic vinegar and crisp noodles was delicious
It paired best with the Christiena Trousseau Cabernet which stood up to the blue cheese and balsamic so well

Bussell Retief presenting Lynne with a surprise birthday gift of a bottle of Van Loveren Brut Rosé Cap Classique

Jacques Steyn, CWM, Chairman of the Institute of Cape Wine Masters and CEO of Jordan Wine Estate, about to present the two new Cape Wine Masters with their certificates. He announced its Vision 2030 programme for broadening racial and cultural representation in its membership, enhancing the reputation of the wine industry and the image of its products and building a contemporary and aspirational African wine culture through this engagement by involving more black candidates in the prestigious CWM qualification. It is about creating a new culture in the South African wine landscape. It is about engendering an aspiration quality in all races. The International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) has just confirmed its pledge of £2 500 (R50 000) towards this programme. “The IWSC funding is a most welcome kick-start to the wine journey of our first two Vision 2030 candidates, and ICWM is looking for more sponsors to follow this example”, he said. Four candidates have been selected to enter the programme over the next two years. They are Lethabo Komana, a chef and events management consultant, and Xolani Mancotywa, a certified sommelier, qualified chef and culinary artist. Lerato Thwane and Heinrich Bothman have already been lined up as the candidates for 2023-2025. The Cape Wine Master Institute has received a grant of R50 000 and two new students will begin their Cape Wine Master journey

https://www.gov.za/issues/national-development-plan-2030

Helena Melis then received her CWM Diploma. Helena is originally from Poland,
and has been in the marketing of Duty Free products since 1985
She is currently Marketing Manager and Spirits, Wine and Confectionery Buyer at Big Five Duty Free,
based at OR Tambo Airport, Johannesburg

Helena has a Master's degree in Economics and has passed WSET4. Her Cape Wine Master dissertation is on the Importance of Wine in Duty Free Markets, focusing on the unique marketing platform that Big Five Duty Free (BFDF) offers to local wine brands in terms of showcasing their products to foreign markets, the merchandising options to promote consumer purchasing in a diverse international marketplace and the promotional value of wine brand ambassadors in selling wines

Mark Philp also won the new CWM Dissertation Excellence Award 2022 for the best dissertation,
adding to the body of South African wine knowledge, sponsored by Kleine Zalze Wines

He wrote his dissertation on Carbon Neutrality in the Wine Industry. He is a director of the Selfords and Donford Motor Group of companies in the Cape. His dissertation aims to create greater awareness of the main factors contributing to the carbon dioxide generated by the wine industry in the processes of wine-making, packaging, distribution and in wine consumption and offers useful measures for neutralising, sequestering or eliminating such emissions to achieve that desirable net zero carbon footprint. We then drank a toast to both of them

Jacques Steyn with Mark Philp and Helena Melis with their diplomas

A jolly group of the Cape Winemakers who were present for the awards

The main course was beautifully cooked rib of beef

in a rich red wine sauce on a bed of al dente vegetables and mash

Mark was presented with the new CWM Dissertation Excellence Award 2022
for the best dissertation adding to the body of South African wine knowledge, sponsored by Kleine Zalze Wines

Dessert was a vanilla Panna Cotta topped with fresh fruit, just the right creamy consistency
Paired with the delicious Van Loveren Red Muscadel, full of rose hips, ripe figs and strawberry joy

The weather had taken a turn for a drench as we headed back to our accommodation

and then, as we left, we saw this lovely rainbow over the vineyards

All our stories can be seen in the Blog Archive near the top of the column on the right

If you do not wish to receive e-mails from us, please email menucape@gmail.com with the word 'UNSUBSCRIBE' in your email

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