The Wine Show Extra :: The Taste Team

"Now for something completely different" 6 unusual cultivars reviewed.

The Wine Show’s Taste Team are all about making wine writing as fun and relaxed as our Show. They’re drawn from amongst you, our visitors. With 6 different opinions and personalities you’ll certainly identify with individual Tasters and find their reviews relevant to you personally. In our first edition they got to grips with 6 wines made from unusual or lesser known varietals. The Team found plenty of gems you’re likely to want to try yourself!

John Woodward reports from the first tasting

Zinfandel, Gamay Noir and Cinsault/Mouverdre. Pinot Grigio, Malbec and Tempranillo. Exotic names for what we hoped would be a revelation of new tastes and sensations within our shared passion for wine.

The Melrose Arch Hotel’s Pool Bar is one cool venue. Uber chic featuring seating within an ankle-deep wading pool nestled amongst giant plant pots and sporting a view over Melrose Arch itself. Thankfully the weather had warmed up and our taste buds quickly followed.This was the first meeting and task for The Wine Show’s “Taste Team”.

"The Left Handed Rule was very nearly adopted".

Honest, everyday Joburg wine lovers who’d volunteered to taste wines on a monthly basis and tell the Shows visitors all about it.Hardly a formal wine qualification amongst them, it was apparent from the start that theirs is to be something of a revolution in wine writing.

Tasting panels are nothing new, nor are wine reviews. There’re scores of panels for the plethora of “Awards” and many retailers also convene formal tasting panels. But as the second and then the third wine was tasted I found myself asking if the judges at Veritas or the IWC had penalties for spillage and if The Left-Handed Drinking Rule was ever considered as had here? The Left Handed Rule was very nearly adopted.

It was fascinating watching the Team work their way through the wines, especially as the task was all about the unusual and different. Here’s what they tasted and thought of each:

Terra Del Cappo Pinot Grigio 2009