Durban -The annual Nederburg Auction ranks among the world’s top five auctions of its kind and this year celebrates its 40th anniversary as the platform from which South Africa’s finest can be made equitably available.
However, it would be remiss for anyone to recognise that milestone without honouring the wine that instigated the event, namely the Nederburg Edelkeur developed by Günter Brözel. This year’s event honours the creativity and talent of the country’s best winemakers when 112 wines become available to local and international buyers.
Nederburg Auction business manager Dalene Steyn said: “It’s celebrating 40 years of artistry… and an opportunity to commemorate the link between its establishment in 1975 and Edelkeur, the raison d’être.”
Circumstances in the spring of 1968 created the ideal conditions for rot to run rampant in the vineyards and, while others perceived the occurrence as a disaster, Brözel saw opportunity. He knew he could create a noble late harvest wine in the calibre of the dessert wines of Europe, but was also hindered by legislation that prevented a wine of these sugar levels and style to be made in South Africa.
He also knew launching an iconic wine of this nature demanded a statement – and an auction in the vein of Hospice de Beaune in France and Kloster Eberbach in Germany was the solution. Overgaauw, Groot Constantia, Delheim and Simonsig shared his vision and the stage had been set for one of the country’s leading wine calendar events.
The inaugural auction saw the 1973 and 1974 vintages of Nederburg Edelkeur being sold and the average price per case for the 15 wines that went under the hammer that year was R19.21. This year, 62 red wines, 29 white wines, one semi-sweet white wine, eight dessert wines, seven fortified wines and five port-style wines will come under the hammer, on September 12 and 13.
l On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the annual Mercury Wine Week will grace the Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World, bringing with it the country’s top wineries and winemakers. Tickets are R100 a person and R150 for the Wednesday/ Thursday night combination ticket.
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The Mercury