Pinotage is hitting the wine headlines again, with the closing date for the annual Absa Top 10 Pinotage Competition approaching rapidly and the news that a pinotage-based "Cape blend" was judged the best red blend on show at the annual International Wine and Spirit Competition in London recently, competing against entries from 30 wine-producing countries.
The Kaapzicht Steytler Vision 2001 became the first Cape blend to be selected as the best red blend in the world. This is a remarkable achievement when one considers the competition included wines from traditional red-wine-producing countries like France and Italy.
Pinotage producers have agreed that, to be called a Cape blend, the wine must contain at least 30% of pinotage, South Africa's home-grown grape variety.
Kaapzicht's world-beating blend is made up of 40% pinotage, 50% cabernet sauvignon and 10% merlot.
Maybe the future of pinotage lies in its value as a blend component, rather than a stand-alone wine variety.
In the same international competition, the Kaapzicht Steytler Pinotage 2001 was awarded the trophy for the best pinotage on show. Obviously, winemaker Danie Steytler is getting to grips with our national grape.
Entries for the Absa Top 10 Pinotage Competition close on August 12 and the results will be announced in October.
Wines entered for the competition must be the cellar or brand's latest wine available for sale and be certified by the Wine and Spirit Board as a pinotage of a particular vintage.
"At least 2 400 bottles (200 cases) of the wine that was entered must be available for sale on the premises of the producer when the results of the competition are announced," says Beyers Truter, chairman of the Pinotage Association.
Last year, 88 entries were received for this competition. Non-members of the Pinotage Association can also enter their wines for the competition.
Entry forms and the prospectus are available from Pierre Loubser, telephone 021 855 1128, fax 021 855 4351 or e-mail [email protected]
- More than 20 000 visitors are expected to attend the second Stellenbosch Wine Festival, which will be held from August 5 to 7 at the Paul Roos Gymnasium in the heart of Stellenbosch.
About 400 wines from more than 90 of South Africa's best-known cellars will be available for tasting, and the programme of festivities includes cook-offs between winemakers, tutored tastings of wine and brandy, food stalls and craft sales.
"With this number of wines at one showing, the Stellenbosch Wine Festival has now become South Africa's largest regional wine festival," says Nicolette de Kock, CEO of the Stellenbosch American Express Wine Routes.
"The festival is unique in that it has a sales point where all the wines tasted can be bought," says De Kock.
Festival times are: Thursday, August 5, 5pm-9pm; Friday, August 6, 4pm-9pm; Saturday, August 7, 11am-8pm.
Plenty of secure parking is available. The entrance fee of R70 includes a goodie bag. Bookings can also be made at Computicket.
For further information, contact the Stellenbosch Wine Festival office on 021 886 4310. Visit the website www.wineroute.co.zafor a complete programme.