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"The Taste Team pick their favourites from two great shows"
So many wines, so little time. It's a common problem with most if us. We love drinking wine, exploring new varietals, estates and regions. But there is only so much time in the day when you can focus on the serious business of wine enjoyment. It's a big no-no at work (unless you work here – Ed.) and extremely reckless of you are going to be driving, which is often and daily for almost everyone. That's where wine shows and competitions come in.
Last month saw the 5th annual The Wine Show with over 250 producers sampling their goods, and also one of the country's most respected wine competitions, the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show announced this years results and held tasting evenings in Joburg.
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Boutique and smaller producers were in force at The Wine Show this year. And judging by your feedback in our visitors survey they are a welcome edition, with many of you enjoying the adventure of buying and drinking those lesser known (but made with love) wines.
One such producer is Mellasat. This tiny farm, nestled beneath the dramatic Klein Drakenstein mountains in Paarl dates all the way back to 1693, but was bought and renovated by Stephen Richardson in 1996. Just over a decade on and there are some really exciting wines being produced across the range.
It can be argued that Mellasat was indeed the first producer to commercially release a white pintoge (affectionately named "Sigma") from the 2007 vintage. It proved very popular indeed, selling out quickly and affording the vineyard the ability to effectively start selling the 2008 "en primeur". A multitude of awards have found themselves praising their flagship "M" (which was even requested by the props department on a recent James Bond movie) a luscious red blend, and their Dekkers Valley label offers superb value for money drinking.
We decided it was time to send in the Taste Team to find out how good these wines are, and how they stack up against the thousands of competitors in the market. |
The line up took them through the current "quaffer" releases, stopping in on the premium wines along the way. The "Sold Out" 2008 Sigma (white pinotage) was graciously added to the line-up by Robyn (and boyfriend) who had been stashing a few bottles for just such an occasion. read more
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Hidden gem of the Devon Valley
Strangely enough, not many people are familiar with the delights that lie within the beautiful Devon Valley, on the R310 just outside Stellenbosch. Probably the best known wine label to come from here is JC le Roux.
Surprised? Well, I've come across another little gem in this somewhat unknown terrain and am struggling to contain my excitement. Enter: Clos Malverne, home to Seymour and Sophia Pritchard.
My first introduction to the brand was at The Wine Show last month and I was so impressed by their wine and had such an enjoyable time chatting to their marketing manager, J.P. Quickelberge and Seymour's daughter, Belinda, that I simply couldn't turn down their subsequent invite to experience all they have to offer. |
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| Getting seduced by Clos Malverne |
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It was on a rather cold and wet wintery day that I set out to sample the delights at Clos Malverne, originally named after the rolling Malvern hills in England (not to be confused with Malvern Heights in Durban – seriously!) winning wines.by it's first owner, but "Frenchised" by Pritchard in the 1980's due to the fact that France was at the epicentre of winemaking during that time.
I was met by J.P. and led straight to the warm fireplace in their new restaurant setting. We had a good natter about the farm and it's history whilst enjoying some of their award- read more |
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1st Edition - December 2009
2nd Edition - January 2010
3rd Edition - February 2010
4th Edition - March 2010
5th Edition - May 2010
6th Edition - June 2010
7th Edition - July 2010
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