WeeklySA_AdminSHOW-STOPPER: Tim Atkin describes top winner as “a perfect wine in every sense”…
By WSAM Reporter
British master wine Tim Atkin has released his much-awaited annual report on South African wines, awarding one wine a staggering full marks – the 2023 Alheit Vineyards Nautical Dawn.
As a single-origin, dry-farmed, old vine Chenin Blanc, the 2023 Alheit Vineyards Nautical Dawn “exemplifies a reflection of place and vintage rather than the imposition of style in the cellar,” exudes Atkin in his report this week. Still on Alheit, Atkin gushed: “By sublimating his ego, Chris Alheit has succeeded in expressing authenticity in the bottle.”
Alheit Vineyards is a family business started by husband and wife team, Chris and Suzaan Alheit in 2010. The family lives on Hemelrand farm close to Hermanus in the southern Cape. For Alheit himself, he describes what he does as “zeroing out the winemaking”.
Of the A-list Alheit offering, Atkin continues: “A perfect wine in every sense, this Chenin Blanc – the variety South Africa has made its own – is emblematic of the terroir-driven approach I have come to associate with the country’s most exciting winemakers and see as a crucial feature of the new post-modern Cape wine scene.” Saluting South Africa’s winemakers, cellar and vineyard workers and growers, their tenacity, self-reliance and flexibility, he says: “South Africa is incontrovertibly producing the greatest wines in its history.”
The 2024 edition of the report – the 12th – features no fewer than three wines with scores of 99. They are the 2022 Porseleinberg Syrah and two wines from Sadie Family – the 2022 Columella (a Syrah-dominated red blend of Mediterranean varieties) and the 2023 Mev Kirsten (Chenin Blanc). Both Porseleinberg and Sadie Family have been top scorers in past editions of the report.
Alheit Vineyards has garnered the title of 2024 Overall White Wine of the Year, while the Porseleinberg Syrah and the Sadie Family Columella, both Swartland wines, share the Overall Red Wine of the Year honour. Callie Louw of Porseleinberg is Winemaker of the Year.
Underscoring the rigour and resolve Atkin finds amongst South African winemakers, his Young Winemaker of the Year is Stephanie Wiid of Thistle & Weed, who works with viticulturist Etienne Terblanche.
Drawing “parallels between thistles and weeds and the uncompromising tenacity and survival skills of grapevines,” as they describe it, they source fruit “off the beaten path”, for both their site-specific and regional blends. Wiid’s 2023 Brandnetel Chenin Blanc, that scored 96, is made from Stellenbosch fruit.
Bosman Family Vineyards is this year’s Viticulturist of the Year. Its Bosman Adama plant improvement unit in Wellington, “the most prominent transformation scheme in the winelands” is 26% owned by a workers’ trust. It is a major supplier of vine cuttings, notably of drought- and heat-tolerant southern Mediterranean varieties to local producers.
The unit forms part of the South African Plant Improvement Scheme (Plant SA), which monitors and controls the quality of the local industry’s grapevine plant material. Atkin tasted a total of 2,259 wines for the report. There are 13 wines scoring 98, and 19 achieving 97. In total, 217 wines rate 95 and higher, across a range of vintages from 2015 to 2023. By far the majority of these are Stellenbosch wines, followed by the Swartland.
On the changing landscape in the Cape Winelands, Atkin remarked, “transformation has finally reached something close to critical mass… The number of black graduates who have studied oenology and viticulture is growing exponentially.”
He lauds evidence of greater precision in the vineyard, more considered pruning and the growing accent on soil and vine health and is encouraged by the ongoing research into different grapes, clones, rootstocks, trellising systems, cover crops and ploughing conditions to cope with climate extremes. – Additional reporting by Len Maseko
EVENTS
WINING AT GQEBERHA
Gqeberha wine lovers will be spoilt for choice of their favourite nectar during the Let’s Wine Festival, which takes place over two days next Friday and Saturday.
The venue is Old Grey Sports Club, 2 Lenox Street, Glendinningvale, and the show will start at 1pm on both days. The show starts at R250 a person
The Let’s Wine Festival brings together the finest South African wines, captivating art, and vibrant entertainment. The wines to be showcases will reflect Cape winelands’ rich heritage and diverse flavours that will tantalise palates of both wine connoisseurs and casual enthusiasts alike. Tickets available via Quicket cost R250 a person for a day pass or R400 for a weekend Pass.
BenVINO AT EKURHULENI
A total of 25 prestigious wineries will be represented at the BenVINO Spring Wine Festival to be held at the Ekurhuleni town of Benoni next Saturday.
The spring event takes place on 114 Waterhouse Road, Benoni North, and follows as a result of the immense success of the inaugural BenVino wine festival in June this year.
Val Di Terra will again be hosting the tasting at the Benoni agricultural holdings, showcasing fine wines produced by 25 of South Africa’s premier wine farms.
Included in the ticket price is a tasting glass and unlimited tastings of a selection of the over 200 wines on show.
Visitors to the show will experience a relaxed ambience while browsing through a newly introduced arts and crafts area. Seating will be provided and there will be various shaded areas, however, bring fold-up chairs if you wish.
SOMMELIER PROGRAM
Chenin Noir Education is hosting Court of Master Sommeliers Course in Johannesburg from Sunday to Tuesday.
Chenin Noir is dedicated to cultivating and strengthening the abilities of persons in the wine and spirits business. Through various transformative programs, the entity strives to strengthen professionals by nurturing their abilities, extending their knowledge, and refining their expertise. Attaining certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers is widely recognised and respected in the hospitality and wine industries, globally.
These certifications can open up new career opportunities within the food and beverage industry and assist you in developing refined tasting skills.
Dates and information are: Introductory Sommelier Programme – September 8 to 10 (08h00-18h00). Certified Sommelier Programme – September 10 (08h00-18h00); Johannesburg. To be eligible for the Certified Sommelier Certificate, you will need an Introductory Sommelier Certificate. Introductory Course: £640 (R15 367.30) and Certified Course: £275 (R6 598.59).
UNWINE IN MBOMBELA
The annual Unwined Food and Wine Show, taking place in Mbombela in Mpumalanga tomorrow, will be showcasing the newly released vintages of the best of South African wines.
The event, hosted at the Mbombela Golf Club, is more than a showcase of wines, with the organisers committed to bringing together top winemakers, estates, and industry experts to elevate your wine experience. Explore an array of exquisite wines from our carefully curated selection of wine estates. Plus, visitors to the show have the opportunity to take advantage of exclusive show discounts to purchase your preferred bottles directly from the wine estate.
In addition to our carefully curated selection of wine estates, we handpick a diverse range of food vendors and restaurants to showcase their cuisines for the day. Tickets available via Quicket, at R250 a person.
DURBS WINE & SPIRITS
Durban is hosting the International Spirits & Wine Festival at Suncoast Casino and Hotels over two days today and tomorrow. The show starts at 3pm, with tickets costing R220 a person. The International Spirits and Wine Festival is on a three-city tour across Joburg, Durban, and Cape Town as it showcases the finest spirits and wines from around the globe. Step into a world of elegance and excitement at the International Spirits and Wine Festival, where every corner holds a new adventure for both enthusiasts and industry insiders alike. Mingle with top industry professionals while discovering hidden gems among the booths, where you can purchase your newfound favourites to savour at home.
Visitors will wander through the vibrant setting, immerse yourself in the luxury of top brands, elevating your experience to new heights.
CAROLINE’S WINE REVIEW
Caroline’s White Wine & Cap Classique Review 2024, one of the most coveted tasting events on the South African wine calendar, takes place at the Members’ Lounge at the DHL Stadium in Green Point, Cape Town on September 12.
Presented by Cape Town’s legendary Caroline Rillema, this world-class annual showcase gives wine enthusiasts the rare opportunity to discover and savour the Cape’s very best flagship white wines and Cap Classiques all under one roof. Only 80 accolade-achieving winemakers, the crème de la crème of South African wine producers, are invited exclusively to present just one wine – their best of the best – that evening. Organisers promise an unmissable evening of walk-around wine tasting with the Cape’s leading winemakers while mingling with fellow wine lovers, collectors and sommeliers. The 17h00 to 21h00. Tickets at R495 per person – and secure, undercover parking at R60 per car – are both available via Quicket. – Compiled by Len Maseko
