WINO 101

Hello Friends and Wine Lovers!

This week we’re rounding the Cape and visiting one of the most exciting wine regions in the world: South Africa! Over the last few years I’ve seen the South African wine industry grow in leaps and bounds. Leaping like a Gazelle and bounding like a Lion after the gazelle. (See. . .because they have those cool critters down there on the savannah.) Now, primarily South Africa is known for Pinotage, a hybrid grape of Pinot Noir and Cinsault which makes a full-bodied, earthy and somewhat unpleasant wine. Now don’t get me wrong. . .there are plenty of palatable Pinotage out there, or so I’m assuming. But I guess they’re really just an acquired taste, and it might be a daunting task to work on acquiring that taste. And perhaps less fun.

So here’s the fun! There are all kinds of non-Pinotage wines coming out of South Africa, both red and white. In fact, the Chenin Blanc from the area is becomming their hallmark grape, scoring well with those organizations that score things and are darn tasty. And speaking of more fun, I’ve added a sparkling wine to the lineup, just to shake things up a bit. . .although shaking a sparkling wine isn’t really recommended, unless you’ve just won the Indy 500. (Seems like a waste of perfectly good wine to me.) Also included is a Syrah/Mourvedre/Grenache blend that is sure to please, as I’ve never met one I didn’t like. It’ll be tasty! Like a lion snacking on a gazelle!

So Friday, August 13th, between 4:30 and 9:00 PM it’s:

Reds and Whites of South Africa!
Kanu 2003 Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch
Hoopenberg 2002 Sauvignon Blanc, Western Cape
Pierre Jourdan NV Brut, Franschhoek
Guardian Peak 2002 SMG (Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache), Western Cape
Indaba 2002 Shiraz, Western Cape

The Extra-Special Premium Pours:
Jack and Knox 2001 Semillon, Western Cape
Mont du Toit 2000 Hawequas (Cab-Merlot Blend), Western Cape

A good deal at $10 for the first 5, and $6 for the Extra 2 Premium Pours.
Hope to see you here!
Seize the Wine!

Next week is Sauvignon Blanc!
M