Thursday, 10 May, 2018
Wines of South Africa, Angela Lloyd
While this is mainly for the benefit of the Show’s international judges, local judges, past (in my case) and present are also invited.
With a minimum age limit of 15 years for whites, 25 years for reds, most exceeding those minimums, it’s an occasion full of surprises and not to be missed. Generous donations by individuals from their cellars, the former Stellenbosch Farmers’ Winery (now Distell) Tabernacle and, more recently, from cellars purchased by Michael Fridjhon, Show Chair and moderator of the tasting, sustain this annual event.
As the years have gone by, so the wines have begun to reflect the modern era. In a generally poor year for reds, 2002 produced some excellent whites. Vergelegen Sauvignon Blanc 2002 is well-aged, not complex but still rich and lively with ripe Sauvignon fruit; a great advert for Sauvignon and a first for screwcaps on this tasting.
Stellenbosch Farmers’ Winery Worcester Muscat d’Alexandrie 1973 proved a left-field surprise. One of a short-lived range of regional wines released to introduce the newly-promulgated Wine of Origin, it is still dazzling yellow gold with minty muscat, generous fruit and dry yet bitter-free tail; a really good drink. Not bad for a 45 year old!
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