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We South African wine producers are
preparing to welcome the world. In a little over two months, over
180 members of the international wine trade and the media will be
descending on Cape Town from all corners of the globe for South
Africa's premier showcase -
Cape Wine 2015. |
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This three-day event is held every three years at the Cape Town
Convention Centre where most of the country's wineries and brands
converge to show and tell the international delegates what it is
that makes Brand Wine South Africa so uniquely engaging across the
spectrum of price and quality.
Our country is making the best wines in our history. The unique
offering of regional differentiation is becoming appetisingly
entrenched. Winemakers are offering new wine styles. The inclusion
of wines made from grape varieties new and unfamiliar to the South
African narrative are growing.
This is all terrifically exciting stuff, and myself and Rietvallei
are looking forward to showcasing not only our Estate, but the
Robertson region as well as joining the proactive marketing of South
Africa.
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Here the true benefit of Cape Wine 2015 lies. Yes, it is great
showing your wines and telling your stories to sommeliers from
Denmark, wine writers from New York and wine buyers from Beijing.
But what Cape Wine has done, is bring the industry together for a
couple of days under one roof, which never happens. This allows us
wineries and regional representatives to catch-up with what the
other is doing. Here we share our successes, our challenges and
together we create a collective effort to make South Africa a
stronger, better and more competitive brand.
And that is a South African wine farmer doing all we can to produce
the best wine we can for the consumer, whether he or she is in Sandton, Mossel Bay, San Francisco or Ipswich.
It makes us proud. |
Kobus with his twin boys Johnnie and Austin.
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EVENTUALLY the rains came. By late May and early June wine farmers
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like the whole Western Cape agriculture sector - were becoming
worried about the impending drought. Except for a few
teaspoons-full, no real rain had fallen since August last year. Dams
were dry, soils were parched and nature was thirsty.
Fortunately the month of June began with a bite in the air, a
flutter of northerly wind and then the clouds moved in bringing
sheets of gorgeous rain. I could almost hear the vines breathing a
sigh of relief, and for three days we had about 100mm. Not bad if
you consider that the average rainfall in the Robertson region is
350mm.
Winter It is one of my favourite times on Rietvallei. Walking in the
brisk, cold air among the empty gnarled vines is as rejuvenating for
the farmer's soul as it is for the vine. You are welcome to come and
experience this season on our farm - there is always something warm! |
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THE rain stopped just in time for Wacky Wine Week-end, the Robertson
Wine Valley's annual showcase-festival. Once again, thousands of
visitors descended on our wine region for wine-tasting, local food,
wine lectures, general hanging-about and all round revelry.
At Rietvallei we introduced a novel concept that proved to be
extremely popular - the fondue braai.
Those old enough will remember the fondue craze of the 1970's where
a group of people converged around a pot of bubbling melted cheese
to dip in a cube of bread on long fork. Well, welcome to the fondue braai.
For Wacky Wine we had round tables made fitted with a circular Weber
braai unit in the middle. The unit was filled with hot coals, and
once seated the guests could braai their own steak, sausage or
chops. This ensured that they can braai it to their individual
standards of perfection and in a convivial atmosphere with a few
bottles of Rietvallei wine going around.
This fondue braai proved to be so popular we are considering holding
it during the year, so watch our website or social media feeds for
details.
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RIETVALLEI's new releases are finding their way onto the market
place. The 2015 Sauvignon Blanc is fresh and lively and already
finding a firm footing among its followers.
Other wines to look out for are the Rietvallei Natural Chardonnay
2015, our example of the enticing and invigorating nature of an unwooded
Chardonnay. Due to the rich limestone in the Robertson soils, Rietvallei's Natural Chardonnay has the clean, pure character
followers of unwooded Chardonnays have come to love.
On the red side, the Rietvallei red blend of Shiraz, Petit Verdot
and Viognier is showing the 2014 vintage. Shiraz adds spice and
black fruit with Petit Verdot contributing a deep colour and sturdy
backbone.
A wine made for winter comfort. Talking of which, I am off to
harvest: some venison that is. And in the next newsletter will be
providing one of my favourite recipes.
Watch this space! |
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Kind regards,
- Kobus and the Rietvallei team |
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