Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was not only a classical music maestro, but also a noted wine connoisseur. His adage, ‘life is too short not to drink wine’, has become the slogan for many a sommelier.

This once again became clear on Saturday May 4, with many oenophiles across the Lowveld, flocking to the recent Unwined Food and Wine Show, held at the Mbombela Golf Club.

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Armed with their well-honed palates, locals and visitors from throughout the region had the opportunity to taste the fruits of no fewer than 22 excellent vintners.

It was the biggest turnout so far, with more than 300 visitors who grabbed the opportunity to taste and acquire some of the best labels from the Cape Winelands.

The Lowveld may boast many other attractions, but wine is not one of them, and the large number of visitors proved that the Food and Wine Show will always be supported.

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The many labels on display had the guests spoilt for choice, and there was definitely something for each taste – a specifically nuanced merlot or a full-bodied chardonnay.

There was even some bubbly offered by certain stallholders, who knew their products and were keen to explain the crafts and brands to the Klippies-and-Coke-loving Lowvelders.

With the country’s many problems, the Unwined Day cheered the sad, revived the old, inspired the young and made weary South Africans forget about Eskom, the State of the Nation and the poor performance of the rand.