October 19, 2010
The first wine in The Cru’s Iconic Wines of South Africa is an old friend who has a place in most South African wine lovers hearts.
Tassenberg or ‘Tassies’ as it is affectionately known is a South African Wine legend and is 74 years old this year. If I’m not mistaken - it is also the biggest selling red wine in South Africa (about 4mil bottles a year).
Tassenberg is a dry red wine made mostly from Cinsaut and a bit of Cabernet Sauvignon plus Pinot Noir, with an alcohol of 12.5 %.
If you drink wine then you have most likely had a bottle of Tassies at some point in time and you probably have some fond story to tell about the experience too.
Like me - you’ve either mixed it with coke at varsity, downed a bottle before going out, enjoyed it around the fire on a camping trip, added it to your potjie and every now and again even marvelled at how good it is for the price.
‘Tassies’ is a faithful friend for all occasions and the perfect antidote for wine snobbery. [The next time you have friends over for dinner - decant a bottle of 'Tassies' into a fancier wine's empty bottle and serve it to them. Watch the superlatives flow from their mouths and enjoy telling them it was 'Tassies' later in the evening.]
Tassies may not be the best wine in South Africa but it’s: readily recognized, representative, evokes emotion, is loved by many, timeless (in a sense) and has a place in our wine history. All of which, for me, makes it truly iconic.
It will be a presence in South Africa’s wine drinking culture for many years to come.
Feel free to share your ‘Tassies’ stories in the comments section and/or suggest other iconic wines!
[p.s. it was a close call between Tassies and Chateau Libertas as the iconic every day drinking red wine - I couldn't decide between the two and only chose Tassies because it was closer to my heart. Do you think Chateau Libertas is more iconic?]
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October 15, 2010
Last night I law awake pondering what wines could be considered ‘iconic’ here in South Africa.
The thought led me to question how we go about defining a cultural icon - because in wine terms I’m not so sure it’s just going to be about the quality of the wine.
“A cultural icon can be a symbol, a logo, picture, name, face, person, building or other image that is readily recognized, and generally represents an object or concept with great cultural significance to a wide cultural group. A representation of an object or person, or that object or person may come to be regarded as having a special status as particularly representative of, or important to, or loved by, a particular group of people, a place, or a period in history.” [Wikipedia]
extending this understanding:
“Cultural icons are often timeless, imprinted in our consciousness. They can go through several stages, from “rumblings, undercurrents” via “catharsis, explosion” and “mass acceptance, ripple effect” to “glorification, representative value”. While brands are rational and driven by features, cultural icons are emotional, free, driven by feeling, and creating emotional bonds.’ [Wikipedia]
Now that I have a better understanding of what constitutes a cultural icon - over the next couple of weeks I am going to try and identify the Iconic Wines of South Africa - with your help I hope!
Next week I will start with a wine we have all tried/loved/hated at some stage in our lives.
Posted in Iconic Wines of South Africa 5 Comments »
October 7, 2010
A little while back my whole family went to dinner at La Mouette in Sea Point. It was a memorable dinner for many reasons: the food, the ambiance, the wine, the company and a belated birthday celebration for my old man.
In celebration of the last point I got a couple bottles of my dad’s favourite varietals for dinner, namely -
Rainbow’s End Single Vineyard Shiraz 2008, Saronsberg Provenance Shiraz 2007 (Shiraz Challenge Winner), Tamboerskloof Syrah 2006 and Hermit on the Hill Syrah 2005.
Each and every one of the wines was unique and superb in its own right but the standout was the Hermit on the Hill - which at R60 a bottle from Wine Concepts is an absolute steal.
Hermit on the Hill Syrah 2005 (Paarl)
Silky smooth. Violets and white pepper on the nose. Mildly spicy red berry notes on the palate. Long, deep, satisfying finish.
What a great wine and for the price perhaps one of the best value red’s in South Africa - so I urge you to get a bottle before it’s all sold out.
As my good friend Harry Reginald pointed out - there are two Hermit on the Hill Syrah’s - one from Paarl and one from Durbanville - so make sure you get the right one!
Once you are enjoying the wine, read this little piece about it’s creator - the hermit himself.
Posted in Red Wine, Wine Reviews 3 Comments »
September 17, 2010
Here it is - Wine Magazine’s new look!
What do you think - a welcome and good change? Leave a comment.
Posted in SA Wine Industry 8 Comments »
September 16, 2010
Last years Whisky Live Festival in Cape Town was awesome - and if I am to be honest, I far prefer the event to WineX.
Myself and Bar Rat tasted some amazing whiskies - and learnt almost nothing about whisky in the process.
We walked into the grand hall like kid’s in a candy store and without looking, almost knocked over Michelle Maclean. She is tall, very tall (and pretty).
Once we had regained composure we headed off in search of our first wee dram.
It happened to be a wee dram that almost knocked our socks off and pee in our pants :
Langavulin 16 yr old -enough peatiness to light a fire in your mouth and throat. Not one you would have multiple glasses of but lovely nonetheless.
From there we scanned the room and fixed our eyes on another classic malt:
Talisker 10 yr old - another fairly peaty whisky - a little smoother than the Langavulin - with some pleasant honey notes and more rounded flavour.
From there we ventured off into the wilderness and eventually found the Highland Park stand.
Highland Park 18 yr old - a cut above the 12yr old and incredibly smooth and rich (and pricey too)
Not sure where to go next we consulted the handy guide book (which lists and describes every whisky) and decided to find some more mellow whiskies.
We were lured into the J&B stand by some really ‘ugly’ promo girls and given more than just a splash of:
J&B Jet 12 yr old - very smooth and drinkable but not as complex as some of the other we had tried - reasonably priced though.
From there we went on a wild goose chase trying to find the Glen Livet stand - eventually we asked one of the event staff who informed us that they were only exhibiting in JHB.
“WHAT the …..?”, I exclaimed.
Bar Rat tried to console me but there was no use. In an effort to lift our spirits we went in search of the Wine Oracles favourite tipple:
Dalwhinnie 15 yr Old - an exceptionally well rounded and complex whisky - it has a bit of everything and is a real joy to drink.
The Oracle might be right after all - but it’s best not to tell him that.
Not wanting to lower the standards, Bar Rat and I scurried off to the Glenfiddich VIP tent - where for the 5th time in the evening we were told they were busy and we had to come back later. Talk about a brand going from hero to zero in just one year. So no Glenfiddich for us.
We spotted the Blavenie stand out of the corner of our eye and went in for the kill.
Balvennie 15yr Old - they have messed around with sherry and port oaking in their other offerings but this remains their best. Possibly one the best whiskies of the evening for me - smooth, mellow and gentle.
A perfect whisky to cap off a perfect evening.
I am really looking forward to this year’s Whisky Live Festival and tickets have just gone on sale - here are the details:
The FNB Whisky Live Festival, the largest, liveliest and most entertaining whisky show of its kind in the world, will run at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from Wednesday, 3 November to Friday, 5 November and at the Sandton Convention Centre from Wednesday, 10 November to Friday, 12 November (18h00 – 22h00 daily).
Tasting Hall tickets cost R180 each.
Whisky Workshop tickets cost R100 each.
Group bookings:
Tasting Hall: 10 or more - R140 per person (20% discount)
Whisky Workshop: 10 or more - R80 per person (20% discount)
Combo tickets - Tasting Hall & Workshop cost R255 each
Two & three-day tickets:
Tasting Hall: Two-Day Ticket cost R300 each
Tasting Hall: Three-Day Ticket cost R450 each
For more information visit the website - www.whiskylivefestival.co.za
See you there!
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