Cape Town - When organisers and cellars share profits with worthwhile causes, it adds a feel-good element to our support for the event or product. The 2014 We-luv-Wine festival at the Cape Gate centre, taking place over the weekend of August 22 and 23, promises to be accessible and affordable, with more than 100 wines from diverse cellars on show. The ranges include upmarket and easy-drinking reds, whites and rosés, alongside warming ports, scintillating bubblies and mellow potstill brandies.
Pinotage and biltong make an indigenous pair that’s a favourite: Four top cellars – Lanzerac, L’Avenir, Raka, Rhebokskloof and Spier – will match their pinotages to an array of spiced biltong.
Cellars as varied as Orange River and Vergenoegd, Villiera and Perdeberg are among those pouring current vintages. Eats and good coffee are also on the menu.
The Pebbles Project, which does sterling work with needy children, especially those affected by alcohol abuse, will benefit from proceeds of this year’s event. Its representatives will be on hand to answer questions and raise awareness.
Festivities start at 5pm on Friday and noon on Saturday. Tickets cost R50. To book, see www.plankton.mobi or buy at the door.
See www.capegatecentre.co.za.
Campaign to save zebras kicks into life
Consumers favouring affordable, enjoyable wines of consistent quality have long put Perdeberg at the top of their shopping lists.
In recent years this giant cellar has expanded its capacity. Its standard range – “the one with the zebra” on the label – has a wine for virtually every palate and purse.
Last month, the winery unveiled its new label: the Cape Mountain zebra features prominently on the front, while the back spells out the cellar’s commitment to helping conserve this animal, which used to inhabit the nearby Paardeberg mountain.
Today the species is listed as threatened and limited to an estimated 4 000.
This has inspired the Perdeberg winery to form an association with CapeNature.
The financial details of benefits to promote its conservation are to be announced soon.
The wines, which are easy to find, range in price from R36 for the 2014 chenin blanc, unwooded chardonnay and Soft Smooth Red to R42 for the 2013 vintages of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, shiraz, pinotage and a cab/merlot blend.
There is also an off-dry chenin (R42) and a fruity rosé (R37) for those who like a sweeter fizz.
Recognising nature’s key role
After nine years, the annual Novare SA Terroir Wine competition is a well-established contest, gaining popularity year on year.
Its goal is to recognise the importance of soil and climate, which the components of terroir, in the production of fine wine.
This year the trophy for Top Terroir producer went to the Jordan estate, which also scooped awards as one of the Top Five wines and the Top Wine estate.
Stellenboschkloof and the Wellington district produced a trio of national winners.
Franschhoek was among the national winners for pinot noir, with a new entrant, the La Chaumiere Pinot Noir 2012.
Other areas that did well included the Simonsberg-Paarl ward. Single awards for wines from Elgin, Worcester, Calitzdorp, Robertson, Bot River, Breedekloof and Elim reflect the spread of vineyards where “nature is fully embraced to produce the best”, as organiser Marius Labuschagne puts it. See www.terroir wineawards.co.za.
Weekend Argus