June "Wines of South Africa Workshops" at Morton's

1. The Time and Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2011  10:30 AM to 5:30 PM

The Event: Wines of South Africa (WOSA) Wine Workshops 2011

The Venue: Morton's The Steakhouse, Avenue Road

The Target Audience: wine media and sommeliers and agents.

The Availability/Catalogue: most wines are available on consignment or by private order.

The Quote/Background: the four workshops promoted 11 chenin blancs, 9 new blends, 7 higher end blends, and 12 flagship reds. The workshops were part of a North American campaign through New York, Washington, Chicago, Montreal and Toronto. There were eleven winemakers/marketers/owners who presented their wines. After each session there was a Q and A.

The Wines:

 

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Ken Forrester Reserve Chenin Blanc 2010, 14.5% ABV

-The FMC BF 2009, 14%

-De Morgenzon Chenin Blanc 2007, 13.5%

-Reyneke Reserve White 2009, 13.5%  biodynamic

-Reyneke Reserve Red 2007, 14% biodynamic

-Le Bonheur Prima 2007, 13.47%

-De Toren Fusion V 2004, 15%

-Morgenster 2001, 14.5%

-Vilafonte Series m 2007, 14.8%

-Warwick Three Cape Ladies 2008, 14.49%

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Bellingham Citrus Grove Chenin Blanc 2010, 14% ABV

-De Morgenzon Chenin Blanc 2009, 14%

-Paul Cluver Sauvignon Blanc 2010, 13.5%

-Paul Cluver Chardonnay 2009, 13.5%

-Thandi Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, 14.5%

-Waterford Estate The Jem 2007, 14%

-Nederburg Ingenuity Red 2008, 14.5%  sangiovese, barbera

-Lomond Snowbush White 2009, 14.08%

-Plaisir de Merle Grand Plaisir 2007, 14%

-Raats Family Cabernet Franc 2007, 13.5%

-MR de Compostelle 2007, 14%

-Morgenster 2003, 13.5%

-Morgenster 2005, 14.5%

-Vilafonte Series c 2007, 15%

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Cederberg Chenin Blanc 2010, 13% ABV

-Rudera de Tradisie Chenin Blanc 2009, 14%

-The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2010, 14.5%

-Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc/Steen-op-Hout 2010, 14%

-Raats Family Wines Chenin Blanc 2009, 14%

-Reyneke Cornerstone 2009, 14% biodynamic

-Paul Cluver Close Encounter Riesling 2010, 9.75%

-Thandi Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2010, 12.5% 60/40

-Thandi Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, 14%  70/39

-Waterford Estate Pecan Stream Pebble Hill 2008, 13.5%

-Nederburg Ingenuity White 2009, 13.5% riesling, viognier, chenin blanc

-De Toren Z 2009, 15%

-De Toren Fusion V 2009, 15%

-Raats Family Cabernet Franc 2008, 14%

 

The Food: for lunch we had a Caesar salad, a steak with mash potatoes OR a salmon with green beans, followed by a lime pie (which was actually postponed until much later because we were running late).

The Downside: we began over a half-hour late (the seminar was called for 10:30 sharp).

The Upside: An informative booklet detailed background on each winemaker and his winery, plus website information. There was more information about this and the European/Asiatic tours at www.wosawineworkshops.com

The Contact Person: keenan@propellerpr.com

The Marketing Effectiveness/Execution of the Event(numerical grade): 88.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com