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Latest news
CapeWine 2021 postponed
The triennial South African wine trade show, CapeWine, held in Cape Town and hosted by Wines of South Africa, has been moved from its planned slot in September 2021 to new dates in 2022, the 5-7 October. The move is a result of the Covid-19 pandemic impacting on the planning of the event, which usually begins in earnest 18 months before the show date.
The situation in 2020 has had a major impact on the South African wine industry, with exports banned for a five week period and domestic wine sales stopped for an even longer period, only resuming on 1 June 2020 when the country moved to a level three lockdown. Exports are still slower than expected due to the port in Cape Town struggling to cope with the demand. This has had a huge impact on Wines of South Africa’s income, which is directly linked to exports, and also on the financial situation of many producers. The combination of these two factors, plus being unable to secure a main sponsor for the event, has driven the decision to move the show back by a year.
Working through a 2 month long backlog of orders is no easy task and all initial preparations to cope with the backlog seemed futile when the surge of orders came flooding in over the last few days of May. Warehouses were nearly empty, following wine sales just before the lockdown started on 17 March and with the transport of alcohol being banned, there was no way to move stock before 1 June. Permission was then given to producers to transport wines to retailers from Friday, the 29th of May, but an increase in sales of up to 400% for some retailers created a a few logistical problems.
Commenting on the move, Siobhan Thompson, CEO of Wines of South Africa, said:
With so much uncertainty over the future currently, we have taken the difficult decision to move the CapeWine show to 2022. Financial pressure and the lack of certainty over international travel in the longer term have made it impossible to plan for the event at this time. We know that CapeWine is a much-loved event and we want to ensure that the next one is bigger and better than ever. With that in mind, it is sensible to move to 2022, when we hope we’ll have a clearer insight into wine trade events and a more settled picture regarding resources. We cannot wait to welcome the international wine trade back to our beautiful winelands.”
Landskroon Chenin Blanc 2019, celebrates International Chenin Blanc Day with Ina Paarman’s Vegetable Curry with Cashew Nuts…
Paul de Villiers and his winemakers Michiel du Toit and Dani Brown have done a superb job here, Paul being the fifth generation de Villiers to be Cellarmaster on this estate edging up the South West facing side of the Paarl Mountain with a clear view of Table Mountain on the Southern horizon.
Once in the cellar, the grapes were destalked and crushed. The free run juices and some light pressing juices, to give the wine extra oomph, were used for the long slow cool fermentation. The wine was then prepared for bottling.
Pour – From a Burgundy shaped bottle, closed with a screw cap. The livery is in the estate’s elegant new design featuring the De Villiers Family crest. In the glass the wine is a bright shining wheaten colour. The aromas and palate run one into the other with sweet tropical limes and rough-skinned lemons. There are whiffs and flavours of fynbos honey and ripe white fleshed peach. From entry the lemony lime acidity runs through to the long and refreshing aftertaste. A wine for now drinking, though it will reward after a year or two of cool cellaring. From this vintage, Landskroon will no longer be producing their Off Dry Chenin.
Pair – The Landskroon Chenin Blanc 2019 is a wine for any time, a mid-morning refresher, a sundown sipper. Great with food, usually of the Buttery Roast Organic Chicken type and excellent with Asian dishes. And with a nod to the Vegetarians amongst us [and meat eaters alike], Ina Paarman’s Vegetable Curry with Cashew Nuts is a great match. From here
Our three amazing shows this week…
ABOUT THE WINELANDS welcomes Rijk Melck from Muratie Wine Estate, tucked into the exquisite Knorhoek Valley north of Stellenbosch. Muratie has a desire to protect a century’s old wine experience that is a magnet for wine lovers around the world.
MURATIE WINE ESTATE – Muratie’s rich history is captured in every nook and cranny. Wherever you are on the estate you cannot help being moved by a sense of the many generations that have Lived and worked here. The buildings, the artifacts and even the shrubs and trees exude an aura of the colourful past reaching towards an even more fruitful future. READ MORE HERE
MURATIE, where tasting the wine is the naked truth
ABOUT THE WINELANDS welcomes Dr Edo Heyns, Strategic Development and Marketing Manager of L’Avenir Estate, in Stellenbosch. The Estate has a rich history dating back to the late 1600s and renamed L’Avenir in 1992 by owner Mark Wiehe. Now owned by the French leader of terroir wines, AdVini, L’Avenir produces authentic South African wines, with a touch of French flair.
L’Avenir is a leading Stellenbosch boutique winery that specialises in South Africa’s emblematic varietals: Pinotage and Chenin Blanc. Situated four kilometres from Stellenbosch on the slopes of Simonsberg Mountain, the estate is right in the heart of South Africa’s most revered wine appellation. READ MORE HERE
L’Avenir Estate, Elegance with French Flair in the HEART of Stellenbosch
ABOUT THE WINELANDS welcomes Philip Myburgh, the current and fifth generation owner of De Meye Wine Estate, which is located in the Mulservlei of Stellenbosch. De Meye is a privately-owned estate, keeping up the original spirit, and staying true to authentic and sustainable winemaking and business practices.
DE MEYE WINE ESTATE – The Myburgh family are privileged to have been farming in the Muldersvlei area for the fifth generation to date. The farm and winery is named after the De Meye river in Holland, which was the birthplace of the first Myburgh, who came to farm in South Africa in 1665. The Myburgh family history and farming tradition forms an integral part of the business with the Myburgh’s family crest being the De Meye Wine Estates’ logo. The family has enjoyed a long-term farming relationship with the Mulservlei region, the environment and people. READ MORE HERE
DE MEYE WINE ESTATE, five generations of farming history in Stellenbosch
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Discovered by our Winelands Spy…
Eagle Encounters at Spier re-opens
As of Tuesday 23 June, you will once again be able to visit your favourite creatures at @eagleencounters Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 09:30 – 17:00, all guests are required to wear a mask, practice social distancing and make use of the onsite hand sanitation stations at all times.
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To next week, enjoy and… Cheers!
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