The “We Love Wine” Festival returns to the Cape Gate Shopping Centre on Friday, 21 and Saturday, 22 August 2015. Wine lovers can taste and buy more than 100 wines directly from the producers. A wide selection to suit every palate and wallet, ranging from red, white, dry and sweet right through to Port, bubbly and pot-stilled brandy, is on offer. Wineries participating include some of the large producers with well-known brands, to smaller boutique and family-owned wineries, giving fest goers a taste of the best of South Africa`s winelands in one venue.
The Cape Wine Academy is offering a wine theatre where fun tastings and pairings are on the programme at set times during opening hours. Entry is free with a festival ticket.
“We always run a risk as a winemaker as you never have the perfect recipe and every year has its own challenges and rewards. This is one of the reasons I love working with the Shiraz varietal as it reacts honestly and directly when you treat it right, especially in the vineyard,” says Jacques Borman of Boschkloof Wines, one of South Africa’s most awarded producers of Shiraz.
Jacques shared his passion for this grape with a group of wine lovers and journalists at a tasting of Shiraz wines across the whole style and price spectrum, as a teaser for the Cape Gate Wine Festival, which takes place next week.
“I identify four broad styles with this varietal. Firstly there is the new world style, which I often struggle with as it’s usually very big, intense wines with high alcohol percentages. Then you get the old world style which is classic, still popular and usually ages very well. My favourite is the Rhône style which is elegant with its floral aromas and white pepper, and even sometimes “Bacon Kips” on the nose. Lastly a newer method being tested by winemakers currently includes the stems in the process which brings out freshness and helps with longevity,” Jacques explained.
The wines tasted highlighted his explanation with the Solms-Delta Cape Jazz Shiraz in the light, fruity style and the Groenland Premium Shiraz showing off more old world characteristics. Perdeberg Wines’ Dryland Collection Shiraz was an excellent example of the Rhône influence with the team loving the Ayama Baboon’s Back too, especially as it’s fruit driven and very light on wood treatment. The two Boschkloof Syrah’s tasted were the much awarded 2012 and the 2013, both of which were highly rated by the group.
Shiraz fans must ensure they attend the festival on Friday evening as the tutored tasting of six Shiraz wines takes place in the Cape Wine Academy’s Wine Theatre from 19h30. Earlier Delheim is presenting their cupcake and wine pairing, and on Saturday at 14h00 Chenin Blanc is showed off. Then Lanzerac presents a chocolate and wine pairing and lastly at 16h00 sweet wine lovers can enjoy a dessert wine tasting.
Wineries participating are: Ayama Wines, Beyerskloof, Blaauwklippen Vineyards, Boschkloof, De Krans, Delheim Wines, Doolhof Estate, Eaglevlei Wines, Eerstehoop Wines, Groenland, Lanzerac Estate, L’Avenir Stellenbosch, Orange River Cellars, Ormonde Vineyards, Perdeberg Wines, Ruitersvlei Wines , Simonsvlei, Solms-Delta, Villiera Wines, Wellington Winery and Yonder Hill Wines.
Date: Friday, 21 August (17:00 – 21:00) – Saturday, 22 August (12:00-18:00)
Venue: Cape Gate Shopping Centre
Tickets: R70 each, which includes tastings of the wines, a branded glass and free entry into the wine theatre. Available at Computicket