South African Wine is Burning Rubber

July 9, 2008

When I first read Jane MacQuitty’s rather sour accusation that:

“Unlike other hot, arid southern hemisphere countries which have mostly eradicated their archaic pongs, South Africa has yet to tame its peculiar, savage, burnt rubber and dirt odour.” (taken from her TimesOnline article)

My first reaction was - “the b*tch! what does she know - we’ll show her!”

Then I calmed down and thought about it for a bit (and it’s been quite a while now) - which is a good thing because usually I get hot headed, get my thoughts all twisted and say all the wrong things.

I watched the resulting retaliation’s and offers of support unfold in the media and also tried to find and identify this ‘acrid’ smell in some wines myself (I’m still looking).

I then remembered what my old man exclaimed the other day and what has now become his favourite exclamation about wine here in South Africa : this smells of dope!!

So my conclusion is this: if he can smell it and the fact that there is so much debate around the issue - there must be some truth to it all.

The important thing here for me is that we use the accusations in a constructive manner to improve our wine output.

So I was comforted to read that WOSA have taken the accusation seriously and have commissioned a “hi-tech scientific investigation into the causes of the distinctive ‘burnt rubber’ aroma.” (Read Here)

I hope that they find what they and we are all looking for : a cause and a solution.

Posted in SA Wine Industry, Views & Opinions