The Wine Show Extra :: August Edition 2011 :: SA Fastest Growing Online Wine Magazine

AUGUST 2011 Edition

Kickin' it at the Wine Show in Jo'burg

The Wine Show Jo'burg has proven itself to be the biggest wine show of its kind in South Africa and having been part of the team for the second year in a row was so much fun. Those who know me will tell you that I'm not exactly the biggest fan of the city of gold, but I must admit, that I definitely look forward to traveling there for the Wine Show.

This year's show was once again a huge success with over 140 producers exhibiting over 900 different wines. I was in wino-heaven!

Over two days the majestic Coca Cola Dome in North Riding was converted into a showcase for wine producers and it was amazing to see it all come to life, first slowly with the stands being built, gradually building up until the buzz and excitement that one can feel in the air for the last hour before the show officially opens.

For me, the show kicked off on the Friday morning when I visited the IanF Show from 2 Oceans Vibe Radio in Millpark where we sampled some gorgeous Chenin Blanc from Land of Hope, and had some divine sushi to finish of their 'Japanese week'. Can't say I've ever had sushi for breakfast…

Catch a recording of the show 5pm on the Friday afternoon came soon enough with punters lining up outside the doors of the Dome and that pretty much set the tone for the rest of the show. Over the weekend, there was an impressive selection of food and wine pairing events in the 'Friends for Dinner theatre' with executive chef from the Park Inn hotel in Sandton, Leon Hatton-Jones preparing the most sumptuous offerings which would've complemented even battery acid. Fortunately.../more

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The IanF Show team

Start your very own wine appreciation group from home

A true wine tasting can be anything from a cheese and wine affair to a simple and relaxed and enjoyable exploration amongst friends – of wine, of course. The objective of a tasting should be to provide those attending with new, useful knowledge which will add to their enjoyment of wine and help them to distinguish between wines, pinpoint characteristics and correctly criticize different wines. There are several elements which will influence a winetasting event.

The guests: Few people will refuse an invitation to a wine tasting, so don’t ask peopleindiscriminately. Concentrate on inviting a variety of guests with varying degrees of knowledge about wine. Although they shouldn’t all be wine experts, it’s important that they at least enjoy drinking wine. The most rewarding functions involve between 10 and 30 guests.

It’s worth keeping in mind that the fewer people you have at a wine tasting, the further the available wine will go. At an average of 20 tastings per bottle of wine, one can work out how many bottles you would need to provide.

Location: Though informal tastings don’t exactly require much, it’s important to keep in mind that the environment should allow for people to speak their mind and share theirthoughts on the wine.

If there’s a bigger group, try to keep the noise levels down and have one large area without any partitioning. To judge a wine by its colour, one should have a well-lit surface against which to hold up the wine. This could either be a white wall with good clear lighting, a white table cloth or even sheets of white paper. Of course, a little background music is always great for creating an atmosphere as long as you get the right type of music and set the volume just right.Read more....

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Want to sample FREE wine once a month and report back as one of the Wine Extra Taste Team members?

If you do, then tell us in no more than 50 words why we should pick you. The Team is based in Jo'burg and meet once a month for a fun and leisurely tasting. Experience is not a requirement as we're looking for a true wine-lover, not a wine snob!

Please send your application to info@wine-extra.co.za no later than 10 September 2011.

Winner of a Year's Supply of Wine from Frogitt and Vonkel is

KARIN HERBST

This month we've decided to do things a little bit differently when it comes to the Taste Team.

While Ellen was galavanting in Europe and Dave soaking up the last few weeks of his contract in Cape Town, the rest of the team had the opportunity to sample the fantastic wines that were available at the Wine Show in Jo'burg.

We tasked each of them to pick one wine which they felt stood out from the rest – for whatever reason – and to present it to show visitors in the Wine Theatre. Here's what they chose .../more

Click here to meet the team

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WINE LAID BARE CALENDAR 2012

Looking for wine that will "Rock" your world? – Then look no further. Famous rock band, AC/DC has decided to extend their successes of selling over 200 million albums worldwide to creating their own wine brand. Having teamed up with Australian winery Warburn Estate, the range includes wines named after its greatest hits including Back in Black Shiraz, Highway to Hell Cabernet Sauvignon and You Shook Me All Night Long Moscato. Hopefully we'll be able to see it on local shelves soon.

A car that runs on wine, now we're talking – One of several new cars showcased last week at an eco-rally sponsored in part by the Prince of Wales's environmental initiative, Start, was the Lotus Exige 270E Tri-Fuel. Sure, it can also run on traditional petrol, but specialized Exige is capable of running on an ethanol fuel made from wine that isn't up to drinking grade, or whey, which is also a by-product of the cheese or chocolate-making process. Read more…

AFASA decry lack of 'real' BEE in wine - As a culture and status symbol, wine is seeping in to the black community, as evident by such events as the Soweto Wine Festival, but black farmers are crying foul at being marginalised by the industry.
Ivan Cloete, the provincial chairman of the African Farmers Association of South Africa (Afasa), said: "In the Western Cape we are still victimised… transformation in the agricultural sector is just another word for us, because we do not see any progress in terms of land reform." Read more…

Gerard Depardieu the new face of wine? – Has wine entered a new age of romanticism, shunning the regimental order eschewed by multinational corporate machines? Chris Losh considers the recent rush to sell assets, including Brown-Forman's sale of Fetzer to Concha y Toro - and wonders what Gerard Depardieu might make of it all. Read the full article…

Piz Buin or Pinotage? Sunburns, like punishing humidity and hungry mosquitoes, are an unfortunate byproduct of summer. What's more, skin damage can lead to more serious problems, like skin cancer. Compounds in wine may offer some relief to sizzled cells, however, according to an experimental study recently published by the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. But experts tell Wine Spectator that doesn't mean a wine dip will protect your skin. Read more…

'n Regte Pampoen! – Well this is definitely a first of its kind! Ever thought of pairing wine with pumpkin? We didn't think so, however the guys at Diemersdal are doing just that on the 23rd of August at 19:00. For R220 per person, you can discover the taste of a variety of pumpkins and be amazed at the different flavours it adds to 5 interesting courses and matched with chosen wines from the Diemersdal portfolio. Booking is essential by calling 021-976 3361 or email inge@diemersdal.co.za.

Join in on an evening of Good Taste – On 24 August 2011 at 18:30 you can enjoy a mouth-watering explosion of gourmet food along with a smooth and refined celebration of distinctive wine as well as a crafted and talented display of fine art. And all of this with a good cause in mind. The Lunchbox Foundation is a non-profit organisation that's dedicated to providing a daily meal to extremely poor and at-risk students in township high schools. This event will be taking place at the Good Food Studio at the impressive Pick 'n Pay on Nicol. For more information please email goodfoodstudio@pnp.co.za or call 011-998 3310.

Seductive Sauvignon Festival - Submit to the allure of a fine selection of flirtatious 2011 Sauvignon Blancs and captivating Cabernet Sauvignons at the Vineyard Hotel in Newlands as presented by Wine Concepts. The event takes place on 26 August from 17:00 to 21:00 and tickets cost R120pp. For those who prefer older vintages, not to worry as there will be a range of these bewitching wines on offer as well and tantalising hot and cold finger food will also be served throughout the evening. Book to avoid disappointment by contacting Michael on 021-671 9030 or email newlandshop@wineconcepts.co.za.

Get glugging in McGregor – One of the most affordable and least pretentious of the food and wine festivals, when the winemakers of local cellars present their valley wines and village restaurateurs, chefs and caterers tempt with fare that ranges from rustic to top-notch. This feast for the taste buds takes place on the 27th of August and those wishing to make a weekend trip of it are advised to book accommodation in advance. Tickets cost a mere R50 and more information is available by calling 023-625 1954 or by visiting www.tourismmcgregor.co.za.

From Stellenbosch to Soweto – The 7th annual Soweto Wine Festival takes place from 1-3 September from 18:00 – 22:00 at the University of Johannesburg's Soweto campus. With plush wine lounges, a food arena showcasing Soweto's finest restaurants, a platinum wine arena showcasing some of SA's finest wine brands, KayaFM MCs, a City Press lounge, wine and food pairing classes and much, much more. Tickets cost R100. Contact Marilyn on 011-024 3616 or visit www.sowetowinefestival.co.za for more information.

Pop your cork as Franschhoek goes uncorked – With most of the Franschhoek wineries participating in this fun festival, there promises to be something for everyone, which includes cellar and vineyard tours, barrel tastings, food and wine pairings, art exhibitions, a fresh food market as well as a micro-brewery tasting, to name but a few.

Music fans can expect to be kept entertained with a variety of live shows, ranging from talented jazz musicians and blues bands to French inspired music, with local musicians providing the 'local is lekker' flavour. Car enthusiasts will be thrilled with a rare exhibition of über-luxury cars, which include the ultimate marques of Aston Martin, Porsche, Maserati and Ferrari. An added feature to this year's much awaited event is 'King and Queen of the Cork', where visitors to the festival stand the chance of winning an idyllic weekend away for two in Franschhoek.

To stand a chance of winning this getaway, all you need to do is take photographs of yourself and your companions at five participating farms during the course of the weekend. Purchase your Uncorked Access Card, at R80 per person until the end of August, thereafter it will be R100 per person, directly from www.webtickets.co.za. The card includes a tasting glass and free wine tasting at these wineries for the duration of the event. For more information visit www.franschhoek.org.za.

A rat-a-tat-tat and a bottle of wine - The Cellar Rats 2011 Spring Wine Festival is held in aid of the Woodland School in Magaliesberg. Now in its 11th year, this wine festival appeals to novices and experienced tasters, with over 100 wine producers presenting their range to you. This is a family festival, with supervised entertainment for children whilst the parents relax and enjoy the wines in the countryside. Picnic Baskets, Refreshments & food will be on sale. Tickets are available from R88 at www.computicket.co.za or at the door for R100 with cheaper rates for kids. For more info, go to www.winefestival.co.za.

Spring festival at the Riviera… Well, the Bot-riviera! Not exactly France, but hey, you'll still have a lot of fun. A fabulous weekend celebrating the advent of Spring for wine lovers, nature lovers and families to get together for the good-time event of the year with gastronomy, tastings, entertaining activities , local artists and so much more.

Throughout the weekend participating Wine Estates and restaurants will announce their involvement by placing pink barrels at their entrances. Entertainment varies from horse riding, fly fishing, wine and olive oil tastings and blending, sumptuous meals, live music, pottery and art exhibitions. Partygoers can shunt their cabooses over to the Bot River Station on Saturday 10th September for the Botriviera Spectacle. The theme is 'carnival', an excuse for guests to puff up their feathers and pimp their style for an evening of other-worldly and downright surreal entertainment.

The party will be fuelled by DJ Charl who returns this year to rock the rails and steam up the venue. The loco-motion starts at 7 pm and the party will go on till late. Visit www.botriverwines.co.za or email Melissanelsen@gmail.com for more info.

Fillet with liver pate and red wine sauce

Ingredients:
1,5kg Beef fillet
2 Cloves garlic
25ml Olive oil
50ml Butter
200g Liver pate
Salt (to taste)
Black pepper
2 Onions (sliced)
1 Tin tomato puree
1 Bottle Obikwa Shiraz
3ml Mixed herbs
5ml Sugar
200g Mushrooms

Method:
Crush garlic and lightly heat in melted mixture of oil and 25ml butter. Salt meat well and brown in hot oil mixture. Slice meet three-quarter way through at approximately 2cm intervals. Season with ground pepper and place a sliver of pate at each incision. Place on baking tray, pour over remaining oil in pan and cover with aluminium foil. Bake at 200°C for approximately 10-15 minutes.

Sauce:
Lightly brown onion in remaining butter and add 200ml wine along with remaining ingredients. Simmer for approximately 5 minutes.

You'll probably have another 550ml of wine left over – well, you're going to drink that, aren't you?!

If you have any exciting recipes that include wine that you'd like to submit to us for publication, please do so by emailing it to info@wine-extra.co.za.

If you have any wine-related news or want to inform us about an event in the winelands and would like to contact our editor, Maryna, please feel free to email her maryna@wine-extra.co.za. We're always looking for competition sponsors, wines to be reviewed by Maryna on the Weekly Wine Roundup or by the Taste Team and opportunities to visit the winelands.

Funny of the Month

"Pinotage is the juice extracted from women’s tongues and lion’s hearts. After having a sufficient quantity, one can talk forever and fight the devil!”

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