 |
Visiting "The Wine Show"
words: Maryna StrachAn
Like many people who live in the Western Cape, I usually despise travelling to Jo'burg. Being as blessed to see a majestic mountain and drive through vineyards every day, Jo'burg isn't exactly one of the most enticing places on earth unless you're a die-hard shopper, which I'm not. However, in the run-up for my trip up to Jo'burg for the annual Wine Show, I genuinely got excited. I got to do one of my favourite things on earth - drink lots of superb wine!
Upon arrival at the Coca Cola Dome on the Friday afternoon, I was amazed at the sight that greeted me. Over 100 stands, beautifully laid out, lots of aisle space and most of all, wine, wine and yet more WINE. I simply couldn't wait to get started.
I was soon involved and was reminded exactly why I could never be a waitress in a restaurant, when I was asked to help out in the 'Friends for Dinner Theatre' where Radisson Blu chef, Paul Ghindra was cooking up a storm, pairing several gourmet dishes with wines from some of the exhibitors.
In between I was tasting some of the most stunning wines available in our amazing country.
At 19:00, the winners of the annual Wine Laid Bare photo competition were announced, with a beautiful "Wine-shower" shot by photographer Mark Freeborough being the overall winner. All of the other eleven winners are featured in the 2011 Calendar, which is on sale now at R100 each with all proceeds going to www.cansa.org.
 |
| Enjoying a cheky round of virtual golf |
| |
Saturday started with a bang as I desperately tried to avoid drinking wine until at least 2pm. I managed 13:30, which I thought was most impressive, although once it started the taps were open.
I had the entire day to get to know people, enjoyed a game of virtual golf, played a spot of boules and even had a massage. Nice.
There were so many wines on offer and I must admit that as hard as I tried, over the full three-day period, I simply couldn't try them all. And, believe me, I tried!
It was so much fun chatting to everyone and meeting new people. The wine reps quickly caught on to the fact that I might well be an excellent marketing tool, so very eloquently shoved their branded glasses into my hands to walk around with, some even rebranding the glasses with their stickers!On the Sunday, I finally got to meet the lovely 'Taste Team'.
Together we did a very fun and interactive tasting in the 'Tasting Theatre' with me acting as MC. To be honest, I just talked a whole load of nonsense, while they had the hard task of choosing their single favourite wine at the show. I simply couldn't have done it!!
Often throughout the show I was asked which my favourite wines were and though I'm finding it hard to narrow it down, I'll mention but a few of my favourite labels: The Goose, Idiom, Elgin Valley, Wild Dog, Constantia Glen, Adoro, Slanghoek, Asara and Capaia, however, I really can carry on for much longer! Oh and lest I not forget the white and dark-chocolate flavoured Grappa where I think they got quite sick of seeing me after a while...By the end of the day, I was finished, pooped, knackered, buggered! Who knew that drinking wine and socialising all day long could be such hard work? As I sat (read 'collapsed') on the plane back to the Mother city, I looked back on what was indeed an exciting and fun-filled weekend in Jo'burg and am already looking forward to next year's exhibition with even more exhibitors. I've realised once again just how lucky we are to be living in South Africa – the land of milk and honey... and wine, of course!
Join our Facebook group click here |
