WeeklySA_AdminANNIVERSARY: To mark the milestone, which the wine shares with South Africa’s democracy, the estate has released a limited reserve …
By Len Maseko
The word serendipity simply means “good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries” – a fortuitous moment which may go on to change the course of life for the discoverer.
Truly wondrous for its unexpectedness and mystique, the sudden confluence of good luck and its life-changing effect is – indeed – something of the making of fairy tales. And, so, when one Cape winemaker faced an apparent disaster in his winery one hot day back in 1994, and in sheer frustration, serendipity came completely unexpected.
It was while picking grapes for his Pierre Jourdan bubbly on the day, discovering harvesting was not fast enough that Haute Cabrière owner Achim von Arnim became horrified to find the sugar too high and a plan foiled. Hopes low – but magic happened and a totally unexpected blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir was born.
Surprisingly, the elements contrived – much to Von Arnim’s wide-eyed surprise – to create Haute Cabrière Chardonnay Pinot Noir, a blend nobody had ever imagined as a still wine in South Africa – the first of its kind.
Out of adversity, bucking a well-worn tradition, Von Arnim produced a non-bubbly out of two grapes strictly blended together to produce Champagne or (in South African lingo) a Cap Classique. And, henceforth, contemporary tastes were instantly re-imagined and a wine lore born to regale both tourists and locals for a total three decades.
Unsuspectingly, the wine faithful had tasted it, experienced a new joy and fell in love irrevocably – an accident that first fazed Von Arnim, but later filled him with extreme pride to have introduced South Africa to this new style of wine. Small wonder, other wineries produced their own versions of the wine, but Haute Cabrière still holds sway, with the McCoy reportedly staying an unassailable position as the most listed at South African restaurants in its genre. For its part, Haute Cabrière is steeped in local history and lore, being originally owned by a French Huguenot farmer, Pierre Jourdan, after whom the estate’s bubbly is named, on December 22 1694. It has been part of the Franschhoek Wine Valley fabric for over 300 years.
Today, 30 years later, Haute Cabrière still basks in the glory of pioneering Chardonnay/Pinot Noir blends in South Africa – a feat of course achieved by complete accident during a routine production for the Pierre Jourdan Brut, with a portion of the base wine ending up with high 12% alcohol, making it unsuitable to create the bubbly.
Remembering his quirk of history, Von Arnim is still thankful for not letting the apparent mishap get him down, and going ahead to work with what fate had dealt him and his winemaking team.
Unfazed, they had bottled the unwieldy portion of the wine as a still blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% white Pinot Noir – and the rest is history. Thanks to a dose of ingenuity on his part – and a star was born, gradually becoming one of the largest-selling white wines in the country.
Haute Cabrière has always been renowned for its dedication for the two Burgundian varietals – Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – which create the pioneering blend, rosé, Cap Classique and a host of other wines within the stable.
Celebrating 30 years this year, the iconic blend shares the milestone along with South Africa’s democracy ushered in 1994.
Now retired, Von Arnim has since handed reins to his wine director son, Takuan, who spent 10 years as cellarmaster co-blending the iconic wine with his father, devising a streamlined approach of crafting the brand by identifying the best vineyard sites as the basis for each vintage.
Now Haute Cabrière’s third cellarmaster, Tim Hoek introduced the method of extended lees ageing, giving the wine more texture and stability and allowing it to be released with lower residual sugar because of an already existing natural softness.
“It’s a wine that brings people together,” says Takuan. “It’s a wine that encourages you to enjoy the moment you’re in and the people you’re with.”
In celebration of Haute Cabrière’s 30th vintage Chardonnay Pinot Noir, the estate crafted and launched the Haute Cabrière Heritage 30 Réserve.
Of the wine, Hoek says: “I wanted to showcase the magic of Chardonnay Pinot Noir, the remarkable old vineyards we have on our property, as well as the terroir of the Franschhoek Valley, to the best of our ability”.
Equally chaffed, Takuan gushed: “The Haute Cabrière Heritage 30 Réserve is deconstructing and reconstructing Chardonnay Pinot Noir blends in a higher format”.
Small-batch produced and featuring artwork inspired by founder Achim von Arnim’s original 1994 label for the now iconic Haute Cabrière Chardonnay Pinot Noir, this limited-release anniversary edition is available directly from Haute Cabrière for R550 per bottle.
EVENTS
PnP Wine Show
The Pick n Pay Wine and Food Festival Johannesburg will ring the start of summer by celebrating South African wines at the Wanderers Club in Johannesburg from tomorrow and Sunday.
Visitors to the two-day will enjoy award-winning wines, delicious food options and live music at The Wanderers Club. In addition, they have the opportunity to sample wines from approximately 50 top estates. The food market section will serve an assortment of dishes prepared with fresh ingredients such as fish and chips, fresh salads, sushi and indulgent cheese and charcuterie boards.
Tickets, available via Webtickets, cost R275 for general access, which gets you a day pass, a wine glass, 20 wine tasting vouchers. The R375 ticket includes access to the Tasting Room. VIP hospitality tickets available at R2850. The event starts at 12pm and lasts until 6pm.
Veritas Tasting Cape
The Cape Town tasting of the Veritas award-winning wines and brandies is taking place at Deloitte Cape Town on October 24.
The esteemed Veritas wine competition for market-ready wines annually grants wine aficionados across the country a chance to taste the top winning wines and brandies.
Wine enthusiasts can get themselves ready to experience the star-studded Veritas double gold and gold medal winning wines and brandies at a series of tastings that will be presented countrywide. The tasting will take place at Deloitte Office the Ridge, 6 Marina Rd, Portswood District, V&A Waterfront from 17h00 – 20h00. Tickets available at Quicket cost R and will include wine, and brandy tasting, including tasting glass.
New Wine Show
The New Wine Show 2024 will take place in Gqebera on October 26 and 27, where some of South Africa’s most prominent wineries will join forces to present premium quality wine, food, and drinks at the Port Elizabeth;s St. George’s Club.
Each ticket is inclusive of all the wine tastings poured from the wine producers attending. You will also have the opportunity to purchase wine on the day for off-site consumption or order for home delivery.
The cost per day is R350 per person (early bird) or R400 per person at the door. Limited tickets available.
Soweto Wine & Cheese
The Soweto Cheese and Wine Fest takes place at Soweto Theatre on October 27.
Bringing together the best of local wine brands, both established and emerging brands under one roof, throw in cheese delicacies mixed with the tasty food from the Seven Colour Sundays vendors, a beautiful, fun, music loving audience.
To top it off with a line-up of talented Djs and performers to create a unique event that brings happiness and joy to many.
Friends and family welcome for a beautiful Sunday. Tickets available through Webtickets cost R100. It starts at 11am.
CLICO’S WINE EVENING
Joburg’s Clico Boutique Hotel brings an exclusive collaboration between its chef extraordinaire, Dario de Angeli and one of South Africa’s most renowned winemakers.
A special evening of exquisite food and wine tasting with celebrated South African winemaker, Catherine Marshall will take place on October 24. This exclusive event will be held at the hotel’s Sec Restaurant providing an intimate and engaging setting.
Guests will be treated to a meticulously crafted six-course dinner, paired with exceptional wines. The evening costs R895 a person, and starts at 18h00. Clico Boutique Hotel situated at 27 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg..– Compiled by Len Maseko
