High time for the lowveld to taste & buy fine wine

The Wine Show comes to Mbombela on the back of record 2014 national tour.

Cape Town, 9 October 2014: You can’t have everything. Which is why The Wine Show complements Mpumalanga’s enviable sub-tropical climate and famous Big Five game-viewing so well.

Launching its proven concept of wine-tasting and edu-tainment in the lowveld between 23rd and 25th October, locals and tourists can look forward to tasting & buying some of the Cape Winelands’ finest wines, as curated by one of South Africa’s longest-standing wine events, at the Emnotweni Casino in Mbombela.

John Woodward, The Wine Show’s Director says, “Our 2014 Gauteng, Durban and PE shows were knock-out successes and attracted over 19 000 visitors. On the back of this, we’ve added a fourth show to our annual calendar as it’s high time that the lowveld experiences the huge diversity of fine wines available in South Africa!”

Mpumalanga’s not a newbie when it comes to good food & wine however; it hosts many well-attended events in Mbombela each year. “The region’s obvious interest in good food and wine is why we’ve decided to bring The Wine Show to the region in October,” says Woodward. Its popular format of try & buy encourages the discovery of new varietals at its 30 exhibition stands or the entertaining Wine Theatre. It is jam-packed with industry experts, wine gurus and food-lovers who share their love of the vine with guests during a free 45-min talk. Meanwhile, on the exhibition floor, estates are encouraged to promote best-sellers, special reserves as well as new releases “ideally served with a story and smile – this makes the experience so much richer,” quips Woodward.

Among his top wine picks are the quirky tongue-twister, Hermanuspietersfontein, an estate based in the Sondagskloof Wine Ward near the holiday town of Hermanus in the Western Cape. With its commitment to bio-diversity principles and conserving its ecosystems of abundant fynbos and fauna, it boasts a range of affable wines including the Kleinboet, Skoonma and Posmeester.

Or there’s The Winery of Good Hope. A trail-blazer in natural wine-making circles, wine-maker Alex Dale vehemently believes in making wines as nature intended: with little or no additives or preservatives. His flagship label, Radford Dale offers a quality Reserve Syrah, while his Chenin Blanc cuts a crisp palette.

And, for those with a weakness for sweet things, try Lourensford’s decadent chocolate & wine-pairing. One of the Grande Dames of the Cape Winelands, the estate has designed a unique pairing consisting of three red wines – each with their own personalities – a very decadent non-vintage Honey Liqueur and chocolates, each chosen to enhance the wines’ flavours. “It’s hard to pick just a few favourites; visitors need to come and experience the show for themselves and find their own,” concludes Woodward.

Tickets are available in advance through Computicket (R90), or at the door (R100) and include a crystal tasting glass, all tastings, access to the Wine Extra Theatre and a map to help you navigate the show.

For more information visit www.wineshow.co.za or call 021 888 8800.
The Wine Show Mbombela (Emnotweni Casino):
• Thursday 23rd October, 17:00 – 21:00
• Friday 24th October, 17:00 – 21:00
• Saturday 25th October, 12:00 – 21:00