It was 350 years ago that wine was first made in the Cape and the industry has embraced 2009 as a celebration of that achievement. This year's Nederburg Auction has a symbiotic ring with the broader South African praises in that it is the 35th time that award-winning wines and rare Cape finds have been showcased for purchase.
The founding participants, Delheim, Groot Constantia, Overgaauw, Simonsig and Nederburg, offered just 15 wines at the 1975 auction, while the modern auction has evolved into an event where major local and international buyers bid for a stringently selected range of the finest wines in the South African market.
This year 156 wines from 70 participants will be offered.
The Nederburg Auction is now credited with being the oldest of its kind among the New World wine countries (any wine-producing country outside Europe is considered a New World producer) and fulfils a similar objective to the auctions of Hospices de Beaune in France and Kloster Eberbach in Germany.
It is a tribute to the endeavours of South African winemakers over 350 years to improve their wines to international quality while stimulating the interest of local wines among connoisseurs and the wine-loving public.
Yet the essence of the auction has not changed. The concept came into being so that ordinary South Africans could access rare, special and top-quality wines.
Nederburg had created Edelkeur, the original Cape noble late harvest wine, but prevailing legislation disallowed its distribution through regular channels.
Invited buyers, who have to hold liquor licences, bid on the auction wines that can then be sold via their restaurants, liquor stores and national chains.
The prestigious Nederburg Auction label has become the indication to everyday consumers that you are purchasing top-quality wines.
That means that even new wine drinkers can branch out of their comfort zones to try different wines in the styles or varietals they enjoy, while those with more experience have access to wines that may not typically be available in their local outlets.
The two-day auction in September includes seven debutants, namely Bellevue, Joubert-Tradauw, Lomond, Remhoogte, Lindhorst, Schalk Burger & Sons and Stellenrust.
A pre-auction tasting held in Durban recently has already yielded several new gems worth cellaring: Old Vines Vintage Brut 2004, Jean Daneel Auction Reserve chenin blanc 2006, Meerendal merlot 2004, Welbedacht Cricket Pitch 2003, Neil Ellis Vineyard Selection cabernet sauvignon 2001 and the Nederburg Private Bin petit verdot 2001.
There are bound to be others worth pursuing.
Diary note: The Mercury Wine Week will be held on August 26 and 27 at the Suncoast Casino & Entertainment World. Tickets are R80 a person, so watch the press for further details.
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