Wine lovers gathered at our Summer Food and Wine festival. We had around 80 wines to taste and even if I say so myself, there were some amazing wines. There was something for everyone – from light and fruity to deep, dark and brooding.
The weather didn’t play along and we couldn’t really enjoy time in the garden sipping our wine and enjoying our hog roast, whilst looking out over the Thames, like I had envisaged.
Nevertheless I think a good time was had by all. Many thanks to our agents, other exhibitors and our many helpers who all contributed to another successful tasting.
As I've mentioned, all the wines have something special in my opinion, but I have highlighted the following wines as being well received on the day.
This is Bouchard Finlayson’s Iconic wine – this wine is littered with awards over the last decade. This wine from the Hemel en Aarde valley, made by the winemaker Peter Finlayson who is a well known and respected winemaker. This wine is grown in a Burgundian style with vines planted closely together.
The competition between the plants creates much more depth and colour. Dark berry and plum flavours, with a long finish. This wine will continue to improve with age. Bouchard Finlayson is an accredited Championship member of the Biodiversity and Wine initiative (BWI).
This wine is full of rich, voluptuous black fruit and has an intense in the mouth sensation! This 100% pinotage spent 30 months in new French oak which imparts some notes of vanilla and milk chocolate from the oak, as well as hints of sweet banana and smoke.
Once again this wine has won umpteen awards and is a joy to drink. This is a heavy wine and should be enjoyed with a hearty beef stew. The winemaker is Danie Steytler who is also a member of the prestigious Cape Winemaker's Guild and has been since 2000.
Neil Ellis, the winemaker believes that “no single vineyard can satisfy the needs of all grape varieties”. This Chardonnay comes from three blocks in Elgin. It has lemony/lime aromas with a fresh mineral palate, balanced acidity, spicy oak and an elegant long finish.
The team at Neil Ellis Wines believes in responsible environmental practices. We aim to respect the soil, cut water use, recycle and reduce energy use and greenhouse emissions. We are a member of the IPW, a voluntary environmental sustainability scheme, and comply with their regulations.
Philip Smit - April 20, 2016
This was a great day!