Pull up a chair and top up your wine know-how during COVID-19 lockdown

Friday, 24 April, 2020
TOPS at SPAR Wine Show
Wine lovers from around the country topped up their wine knowledge during the first online wine course innovatively packaged by TOPS at SPAR Wine Show and presented by South Africa’s top wine educator, Cathy Marston.

Cathy Marston was thrilled to see how people poured themselves into the course material: “Just under 170 people tuned in for the first two of the four sessions in the TOPS at SPAR Wine Show ‘A Newbie’s Guide to Wine’ this week. Our goal was to ensure that they will get even more enjoyment from every bottle of wine, and we’re delighted that, despite the lockdown limitations, our audience was positive and engaging! I can’t wait to meet even more wine enthusiasts when we pop the cork on our next course on 12 May.”

This innovative approach to wine education stems from a genuine desire to stand in support of the wine industry as a collective which has been left on shaky ground due to the coronavirus pandemic. Andrew Douglas, Owner and Producer of the TOPS at SPAR Wine Show says, “Our team is committed to keeping the conversation flowing around wine during and beyond lockdown. After the first two sessions, the feedback we have received indicates that we are indeed on track to achieve exactly that.”

But don’t take our word for it! Some of the WINEderful comments trickling down the grapevine from the audience have included: “This is the perfect time to get back to basics and learn the ABCs of wine”; “So interactive and fun”; “Cathy was excellent” and “The information was easy to follow and understand”. Fortunately, there is still time to register for the next course!

Course Information:

The next entry-level course, ‘Local & Lekker – Focus on SA Wine’, ‘starts on Tuesday, 12 May and concludes on Thursday, 21 May. It is neatly packaged into four live 45-minute online ‘Zoom’ sessions, the first 30 minutes cover of theory followed by an interactive, practical 15-minute tasting session with Cathy that will get you swirling, sipping and sniffing your way through your wine collection. Each of the four sessions, take place from 18h00 to 18h45 every Tuesday and Thursday over two weeks.

This course celebrates the nuances of the Cape winelands regions and cultivars starting with a look at ‘WINEderful Whites’ followed by ‘Robust and Red’ wines and styles in more detail. Session three focusses on fortified wines, and the fourth session ends on a celebratory note, with Winederlanders learning about South Africa’s finest MCCs and bubbles.

Space is limited so book your spot at a discounted price on www.wineshow.co.za/courses. Wines are not included, and wine tasting is optional.