Jay Heale went deep south to Antarctica and reported how our wines held up in Antarctic conditions in his 'Latitudinal Tastings'.
(1) Morgenhof Merlot 1999 - 37 degrees 50 minutes South
When I taught English, I used to advise my pupils about the dramatic value of opposites. So if you were going to write about a flood, it might be effective to start with a drought. Which is why it seems appropriate to start writing about Antarctic cold in sweltering heat. I was stuck inside the S.A. Agulhas, a steel ship built to withstand pack ice and minus zero temperatures, during the high heat of Cape Town summer. Necessary repairs had delayed our departure from 4 pm Thursday to 9 pm Friday. Required to remain on board, in case the repair was effected quicker than anticipated, we chafed and sweated until at last the moorings were released and we slid out and waved the multi-coloured lights of Cape Town au revoir.
Warm water does not, I was told, provide the conditions which attract birds. So for much of the day I scanned a horizon of 360º with not a sign of a bird, a fish or any sign of life apart from our invasive selves. With great glee, eventually I spotted a lone storm petrel skimming low over the waves. I felt a bit like those idiots in game parks who rush to take pictures of the first lone zebra and end up bored with herds of them. A need for me to take a good look at what was important in life. But for the time being, I enjoyed the placid sailing.
Even the ship’s officers seemed mildly surprised at the calm seas. On the return trip from the Antarctic a mere week before, the ship had rolled wickedly all the way back to Cape Town. A day out from Table Bay heading south, the weather was still warm and sunny, the seas gently indulgent. Saturday evening dinner (served at relentlessly at 5.30 pm) was by tradition an occasion of some note. The officers wore uniform. The passengers were requested to turn neat dress into correct dress. The menu was soup (few of us bothered), rump steak with a mild garlic sauce, fancy ice cream and cheese.
My fellow voyagers brightened perceptively at the sight of the Morgenhof Merlot 1999. They brightened even more when they tasted it. As smooth and welcoming as most Merlots, this is a full-bodied wine rich with flavour. It accompanied the steak, which was also good, most effectively and most of us let our glasses linger on to accompany the cheese as well.
Our voyage towards Antarctica had been christened in suitable style. As a result, I can state categorically that at 37º south on a warm, friendly evening, Morgenhof Merlot is the wine to drink.
By: Jay Heale
Email: jay@interat.co.za