The Nederburg pre-auction wine tastings for licensees and members of the public will be held in venues across the country and will start early February. These tastings have become one of the highlights for winelovers and provide wine enthusiasts and particularly members of the public with the opportunity to taste some of the magnificent wines on offer at the 30th auction.As only licensees are able to bid for the wines at the Nederburg Auction, which will take place in Paarl on April, 2 and 3, these tastings offer winelovers the chance to select their favourite wines and ask their local bottle stores, wine shops or supermarkets to purchase the wines on their behalf.An excellent selection of wines will be tasted at these two events. The tastings include wines from new participant, Darling Cellars, as well as some unusual wines from Hartenberg, Le Riche, Plaisir de Merle, Spier and Nederburg. Included in the collection of Nederburg wines is a pre-release red – the 2000 Private Bin Auction Malbec – the first blend of its kind from Nederburg and the first Malbec on the auction. Other wines to be tasted from Nederburg include the 2002 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon Private Bin D252, the 2002 Private Bin Auction Chardonnay D270 and 1998 Pinotage Private Bin R172 as well as an annual treat – two of Nederburg’s luscious Noble Late Harvest wines, sought-after Nederburg Edelkeur 2001 and the sophisticated Nederburg Eminence 2002.Darling Cellars is offering its Onyx Shiraz 1999, winner of a gold medal at the 2001 Veritas Awards and Hartenberg is offering their Estate Merlot 1997, which was rated 4½ stars in the 2002 John Platter Wine Guide.Spier’s Private Collection Chenin Blanc 2001, Plaisir de Merle’s Shiraz 1998 and Le Riche’s Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1999 are other exceptional wines on offer. Tickets to the public tasting cost R65 per person, which includes sparkling wine on arrival and light snacks afterwards. An option for dinner is available in Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth at a cost of R140 and R120 per person respectively. Bookings can be made through Computicket, Computicket counters in MTN shops or by visiting the website www.computicket.com. The trade tastings take place by invitation only. Issued by: Jenny McQueen & Associates on behalf of Nederburg AuctionContact: Bennie Howard, Nederburg AuctionTel: +27 (0) 21 809-7000Jenny McQueen & AssociatesContact: Jenny McQueen Tel: +27 (0) 21 439-5063Email: jenny@mcqueen.co.za