Hallelujah, it's Trade Tasting time again in the SA wine
world. Two tastings on one day make it rather hard to stay focused. The first
was at Den Anker in the Waterfront: John Collins' stable of excellent
wine farms and independent producers that he represents; all top names in the industry. It was a very popular and well attended tasting
We watched families playing chess while we tasted wine
There were some great canapés
to keep us from drowning in wine. But you should know that most people do spit, even if they are using Uber or the bus. Above all, they will not drink and drive
Fresh tuna, seared and served
with a soy dressing and wasabi
It's a Belgian restaurant so, of
course, they serve bitterballen with mustard
Chris Keet was showing his 2012
First Verse
A really good quality wine; one to put down and keep for a few years. We asked when he will produce a second wine; he replied that he would rather produce one excellent wine under his own name than risk diluting his effort with two labels
So pretty, crisply battered tempura prawns with
a good sweet chilli dressing
On the Le Lude stand, Paul Gerber
with his excellent MCCs, which are so restrained and very much like Champagne. He is joined by someone quite new in the wine industry, Emma
Bruwer, just trained as a wine maker. Yes, she is Abrie Bruwer's daughter
(Springfield in Robertson), so the dynasty will continue. Her brother is
currently studying wine at Elsenburg
Friendly faces on the Jordan
stand, where we were able to taste the whole current range; all are excellent. We
love the Inspector Peringuey Chenin Blanc; the 2016 is no exception. And the
Outlier Sauvignon Blanc is one we love to drink in the restaurant at Jordan. A
new wine was The Long Fuse, 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon with its elegant fruit and
violet notes. For Lynne, the best wine of the evening to drink now
And on the Springfield stand,
Jenna Bruwer who handles their marketing
We tasted the two new flagship
Sauvignons Blanc and for us the Special Cuvée just has an edge over the Life
From Stone right now, but they have just been released and they will change
during the year. Miss Lucy, one of the nicknames for the Red Stumpnose on the label, is a blend of Pinot Gris, Semillon and Sauvignon
Blanc and is very quaffable with food
John was very taken with the
1997 Mèthode Ancienne Cabernet Sauvignon. This vintage has just been released;
Abrie Bruwer believes that it is just now ready to drink, after 20 years. Order
now
The two chardonnays always
impress and it is so nice to see that Pinot Noir is back at Springfield
Tender steak en brochette with
Béarnaise sauce
The famed Den Anker mussels, a
little dry when served without the usual broth
Jessica Peens was showing the
four Kleinood wines and their olive oil. The Rosé
is a lovely summer indulgence, and the two Syrahs really impressed us - as they
usually do.
It was good to see David Sonnenberg on
the Diemersfontein stand. Now here are some good Pinotages, that Lynne really
enjoys. She especially liked the 2015 Carpe Diem Malbec, which is meaty and
savoury and wrote one word: Yum. Wellington can produce great Chenin Blancs as
the Carpe Diem 2016 shows. A farm worth visiting to taste the large selection for
yourself
Bevan Newton Johnson was on their
stand with 10 wines to taste, a treat. Their 2017 Sauvignon Blanc is exactly
the style we enjoy drinking; the Chardonnays vary in wooding, but are all
approachable and layered with good limes and minerality. The Felicité Rosé is
summer in a glass. And then, of course, there are the Pinot Noirs, Felicité a
bargain, at just under R100. The Family Vineyard is smoky perfumed heaven with
layers of soft fruit and the Walker Bay 2016 is perfumed and spicy with classic
raspberry and strawberry fruit, very satisfying. Full Stop Rock red blend
always pleases and the Granum with its deep black fruit is for keeping
Thank you, John Collins, a really
great tasting, again
© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2017
