Unbroken Graham Beck (Pheasants’) run at Sauvignon Blanc Top 10 Wine Awards

The results announcement at the 2010 Sauvignon Blanc Top 10 Wine Awards was met with celebration at Graham Beck Wines; two place-getting vintages of the Pheasants’ Run securing an unbroken history of achievement at the event.

The wine, whose likening in style to the cult region of Sancerre is affirmed by its vast popularity, is the sole contender to have appeared in the line up every year in the four years since the awards commenced. This, coupled with its second placement for two vintages is another Top 10 first, and a great delight to its maker, Erika Obermeyer; whose love for the cultivar reaches near-obsessive proportions.

“Although enjoyment of the wine is the foremost factor to me, obviously this kind of recognition can’t be beat,” Erika says. “It’s great to be amongst those thought to do justice to the cultivar!”

The quality of entries to the awards overall this year led the convenors at WINE magazine to conclude that there is “little dispute” that Sauvignon Blanc is South Africa’s “strongest category”*.

The Pheasants’ Run wines, 2009 and 2010, were awarded four and a half stars; the perfect score of five stars having been achieved last year with vintage 2009 – this widely recognised as the best vintage in years for Sauvignon Blanc. A single perfect score was awarded for 2010, among a record number of entries that catapulted the cultivar to the biggest category to be assessed by the magazine panel.

Both of the Pheasants’ Run wines won Veritas Gold last month; the achievement of their predecessors including, among others, Veritas Double Gold; Grand D’or and Double Gold at the Michelangelo Wine Awards; a Winemakers’ Choice Diamond Award; and three-times selection as the Best Sauvignon Blanc at the SA Young Wine Show.

The wines were also instrumental in Erika’s selection as the 2008 Woman Winemaker of the Year; and in news announced the same day as the Sauvignon Blanc Top 10, the Pheasants’ Run 2010 had been placed in the Bartho Eksteen Sauvignon Blanc Celebration top ten listing for 2010.

The recent performance of the wider Graham Beck range has included seven Veritas and Michelangelo Gold awards; these spread broadly across varietals. Graham Beck Cellar Master Pieter Ferreira said, “the variety of cultivars performing recently indicates our shared belief in creating ‘nothing less’. We keep this goal to heart regardless of cultivar; whether it’s a still wine or Méthode Cap Classique. I think this makes the recent results all the more significant to our team – and none more so than Erika.”

The full Michelangelo and Veritas results are shown below.

Michelangelo Wine Awards, Gold, 2010

-          Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs MCC 2007

-          Graham Beck The Game Reserve Chenin Blanc 2009

Veritas Awards, Gold, 2010

-          Graham Beck Pheasants' Run Sauvignon Blanc 2009

-          Graham Beck The Ridge Syrah 2006

-          Graham Beck Bowed Head Chenin Blanc 2009

-          Graham Beck Lonehill Chardonnay 2008

-          Graham Beck Pheasants' Run Sauvignon Blanc 2010

*Reference: winemag.co.za, 20 October 2010, click here.

Franschhoek Artists Exhibition at is art

From 11h00 on the 31st of October 2010 to the 28th of November 2010 is art, at Le Quartier Français, will be hosting an exhibtion showcasing the wealth of Franschhoek artistic talent.

Painters on display include: Annemarie van Heeren with her sensitive rendition of ‘bakkie’ people; Johannes du Plessis with his accidental landscapes; Andrea Desmond Smith with her mythical landscapes and figures; Jacqueline Crewe-Brown with her rich and layered canvases pregnant with symbolism; Achim von Arnim and his bursts of colour; Franchois Marais depicts well known figures in his accurate portraiture and Kerrii Evans with her sensitive and masterly paintings.

The ceramicists on display include: David Walters, Sarah Walters, Sue van Rensburg and Vuisa Portina. Each bringing their own distinctive style and technique.

In addition Ingrid Bolton’s fine innovative works on paper, Cindy Douglas’s laser etched Zen stones, photography by our own Alisha Erasmus and Paddy Howes; and Stuart Douglas meticulously finished
furniture will also be on show.

is art will open for a preview of this exhibition on Saturday the 30th of October.
is art is open daily from 10h00 to 17h00. For more information please contact Ilse or Alisha on +2721 876
86443/isart@lqf.co.za.

That's Wild... and Some People Are Going to be Even Wilder!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the change in the management of the Wild Card from Infinity with immediate effect. 

The Wild Card is a programme that provides nature lovers with unlimited access to some of Southern Africa’s premier conservation areas. 

According to Glenn Phillips, Managing Executive Tourism Development and Marketing at South African National Parks (SANParks), this move will enable SANParks and all its partners – Big Game Parks of Swaziland, CapeNature, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and Msinsi Resorts and Reserves - to ensure more relevant benefits to our loyal Wild Card holders, as well as greater control of the Wild Card Programme itself. 

“Over the past year, through comprehensive research and customer feedback, it has become evident that we need to move the Wild Card Programme to more advanced technology that will enable SANParks and its partners to provide relevant benefits to our loyal card holders. 

Phillips said, the current Infinity Wild Card will be replaced with the distinctive New Wild Card, as the ‘old’ card will no longer be accepted at Wild Card partner parks and nature reserves, after 31 December 2010.
“It is against this background that we call upon all Wild Card holders to please update their membership details timeously, in order for them to receive the New Wild Card as well as continued access.
Updates must be completed at any one of the Wild Card partner websites, at www.wildcard.co.za or alternatively contact our call centre on 0861 GO WILD (46 9453). 

Applications for renewal of expired cards and new purchases may also be processed on-line,
Phillips further explained that the issuing of Infinity Cashback rewards will also cease with immediate effect. Wild Cardholders, who still have Cashback rewards, will be able to redeem their Cashback rewards, using the old Infinity Wild Card, at any of the current Infinity redemption partners. For more information on Infinity redeemable points or Cashback rewards, kindly contact Infinity directly on 0861 23 4002. 

SANParks had planned to ensure a seamless transition to the new programme, however the limited access to accurate cardholder records and personal contact details, has necessitated this urgent call to action. SANParks and its Conservation Partners appreciate the support of our most loyal customers. 

Partners to the Wild Card programme include SANParks (www.sanparks.org ), Big Game Parks of Swaziland (www.biggameparks.org ), CapeNature (www.capenature.co.za ), Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (www.kznwildlife.com ) and Msinsi Resorts (www.msinsi.co.za ).

Saturday Summer Concerts at Solms-Delta

The Saturday Summer Concert season at Solms-Delta wine estate starts on 27 November and runs (excluding Christmas and New Year weekend and Sat 8 January) until 5 February 2011. Soak up the sun, scenery and sounds of this magical concert series while indulging in a glass of wine and a hearty Kaapse braai buffet.

Local favourites Delta Soetstemme, Delta Langbroeke and Lekker Lekker Delta will be joined by the popular Radio Kalahari Orkes and much loved Hannes Coetzee as well as Les Javan (Solms-Delta’s musician artist-in-residence). Go to events and summer concert updates on www.solms-delta.co.za for the latest programme information

Time: 6.30pm to 9.30pm. Bookings: Fyndraai 021-874 3937 ext 115 or restaurant@solms-delta.co.za
Cost: R170.00 p/p. Children under 12yrs – R85.00.

Jazz on Friday now at Col'Cacchio, Starts 29 October

The new season of Jazz on Friday, featuring the Cape Dutch Connection, kicks off on 29 October 2010 and continues every Friday until 1 April 2011 from 5.30pm - 8.30pm.

This season, the band will be playing at a new venue, Col'Cacchio Pizzeria in Huguenot Street, Franschhoek.

Band leader Derk Blaisse says the venue, which they tried out at a performance during the Bastille Festival in July, is perfect. "The garden at Col'Cacchio has a wonderful country feel and is set against the backdrop of the Franschhoek mountains. Being in the main road we have the advantage of attracting passers-by and the vibe of being in the middle of a cosmopolitan village. I think we are going to have a fantastic summer season."

The hugely popular Jazz on Friday is now in its 12th season and attracts hundreds of music lovers each week. Says Blaisse: "It is very much part of the Franschhoek tourist season and is the only place in the Winelands where you will find top jazz musicians from the Cape playing every week."

Cape Dutch Connection is a jazz quintet with vocalist Charlette Dickson, Wesley Rustin double bass, drummer Jack Momple, Derk Blaisse on piano and a guest soloist on saxophone, clarinet, flute, trumpet or trombone.

The band plays jazz in the style of Benny Goodman, George Gershwin and Cole Porter as well as Brazilian Bossa Nova's in the style of Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto, and even some Cape Goema.

Guest artist Willie van Zyl will join the band for the first Jazz on Friday session. A regular guest player with Cape Dutch Connection, Van Zyl is an acclaimed South African saxophonist and a member of the Navy Band in Simonstown and Gary Deacon's quartet. According to Blaisse, he has an exuberant style of play and a great sense of humour.

Col'Cacchio, at 66 Huguenot Street, has a fabulous menu of Italian food with all the familiar pizzas, as well as pasta and salads.

Tickets are R140 per couple and include a bottle of wine. To book call Andrew on 071 401 6054, or email franschhoek@colcacchio.co.za

For more information about Jazz on Friday go to www.capedutchconnection.co.za.

Free Piano Recital - JS Bach and Sons (Tuesday 16 November 7:30 pm)

Anthony Spiri – piano | Tuesday 16 November 7:30 pm | NG Church, Franschhoek

Donations collected toward concert expenses and  NG Church Piano Fund

 

Anthony Spiri is one of the most versatile and highly-regarded among lied accompanists, chamber music pianists and soloists of his generation. Born in the USA, he studied in Cleveland, Boston and at the ‘Mozarteum’ in Salzburg. From 1988 to 1993 he acted as assistant to Nikolaus Harnoncourt and since 2001 has been professor of piano chamber music at the Musikhochschule in Cologne. He gives master classes and lectures worldwide. Spiri's performance includes music by the great JS Bach (1685-1750) along with compositions by his lesser-known sons.

MCC Enthusiast, Pierre de Klerk, Joins Graham Beck Winemaking Team

The chance to work with “bubbles” under the tutelage of Pieter Ferreira was the driving interest behind Pierre de Klerk’s decision to apply at Graham Beck Wines for the position of Winemaker, Robertson: that, he says, and the flagship Robertson Syrah. Having started with the close-knit team on Monday 4 October, Pierre is effusive about the time he’s spent in the vineyards and cellar so far.

“Bubbles are by far my favourite white wine – and I can’t possibly be in a better place than this,” Pierre says. “Syrah is my choice of red and the way it’s done here speaks volumes about the terroir and the style of winemaking.”

Pierre’s extensive experience in the Napa Valley and Rhône, and with local cellars of the highest calibre, recommend him highly to the Graham Beck team. Coupled with this is his strong belief in seeking premium quality – which he feels can best be achieved by continual benchmarking.

“The best wine to me is the one that shows such balance that you can’t pinpoint the influence of any one thing. Tannins that are perfectly ripe and don’t overpower the fruit; and each component of the wine in perfect harmony - this is the benchmark that I always seek to achieve.”

Born and raised in Stellenbosch, Pierre began his career with a Bachelor of Science in Viticulture and Oenology. His first harvests were with Rust en Vrede and Chateau de Panery in the Rhône Valley in 2004; followed by Haskell Vineyards, Ernie Els and Duckhorn Vineyards in Napa Valley in 2005; and finally Zevenwacht Wines later the same year, where he remained until his appointment at Graham Beck Wines.

Pierre’s new role will involve operational work with the Graham Beck Robertson still wines, and Méthode Cap Classique. His appointment completes a three-strong team that includes Cellar Master Pieter Ferreira, and Graham Beck Franschhoek Winemaker Erika Obermeyer.