Wine show a connoisseur’s dream come true
The annual TOPS at SPAR Wine Show was the usual fabulously festive affair last week.
MBOMBELA – The three-day wonderful world of wine kicked off at Emnotweni on Thursday. Wine lovers were taken on a taste adventure.
A number of superlative wine farms represented their top of the range wares, and SPAR signature Olive Brook collection, an eclectic mix of reds, whites, champagnes and sparkling wine, with something to suit everyone.
Van Loveren sparkled with their Tangled Tree range, with evocative titles such as Chocolate Cabernet and Spicy Shiraz, images of exotic and tempting treats are conjured up. Top of the list here had to be the African Java Pinotage, a rich and delicious velvety red, the hints of coffee immediately apparent in the first splash as the wine swirls into the glass.
This year wine lovers also had a VIP option. The interactive and edutaining Lowvelder Wine Theatre also returned due to popular demand. Other highlights were top-class gin paired with Finch & Leeds pink tonic, infused with hints of rose and cucumber.
This fabulous tipple was like a summer’s afternoon on a beautiful Lowveld afternoon, the aroma of the rose enhancing the flavour of the cucumber, with the underlying hints of the botanicals in the gin. There was a beer stall, brandy stall and Blikskottel had its famous mampoer on offer. The litchi liqueur, syrupy and sweet, packed quite a punch, but nothing compared to the peach mampoer, which would knock the socks off most folk.
The ubiquitous favourites were present, KWV, The Wolftrap, Namaqua with their new and beautifully improved label, Nederburg, Porcupine Ridge, Stellenbosch Vineyards, Van Loveren and Zeevenwacht, to mention but a few.
The wines were delicious and the atmosphere was electric, unfortunately snacks were in short supply but all in all the event was a hugely successful and fun show.
