Wine Atlas

It is a pity that South Africa was so poorly represented at this year's VinExpo Wine Exhibition in Bordeaux, France, says PG Slabbert, manager and cellar master at Stellenbosch Hills, the only remaining co-operative cellar in the Stellenbosch wine region.

South African wine brands cannot afford to pass up any opportunity to show off their diversity and uniqueness in terms of price, quality and wine styles at important international wine events.

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Bubbly or a glass of white beat out the pop drinks

The pre-dinner rage summer in Italy will not be exotic cocktails or the trendy alcoholic pop drinks, but sipping a nice cool flute of Italian bubbly or glass of crisp white wine, a number of studies have predicted .

A study carried out for next October's Turin Wine Show, in fact, found that wine as an aperitif is gaining constant ground, with a marked preference for sparkling wine and whites with a strong personality, many made from indigenous vines .

These wines are particularly popular at Happy Hour in the age group between 30 and 35, the report said, and many wine bars have reported an upsurge in sales by the glass of wines costing more than of 15 euro a bottle, while bottle sales have slipped .

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Situated amidst some the country’s top red wine producers on the slopes of the Helderberg outside Stellenbosch and known in its own right as a producer of award winning Cabernet Sauvignon, Webersburg has just released its very first Bordeaux blend, Webersburg 2002.

Made by Giorgio Dalla Cia, one of the foremost pioneers of South African Bordeaux style blends, Webersburg 2002 is a classic combination of Cabernet Sauvignon (70 percent) and Merlot (30 percent).

"Iron fist in a silk glove," is how Giorgio describes this robust, yet elegant wine which spent 18 months in small French oak barrels.

Very masculine in character with the leatheriness and black olives of the Cabernet complementing the cherries and boiled beetroot of the Merlot, this is a well-balanced wine with a long lingering aftertaste.

The Webersburg 2002 and Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 both retail at around R98 per bottle. For further information contact Webersburg Wines, 021 881 3636.

Continue reading : lifestyle.iafrica.com

Region Aspires to Grapeness Lake County touts its budding wine industry, hoping to trade its blue-collar, trailer heaven image for the cachet of a Napa Valley.

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Andeluna Cellars, producer of Argentina's finest wines, recently signed a contract with Fran Kysela, owner of Kysela Pere et Fils, which will be the winery's exclusive US importer.

"This is a perfect match for Andeluna," Mike Kenter, VP of Sales and Marketing for Andeluna Cellars said. "Robert Parker Jr. of The Wine Advocate says Kysela is 'one of the finest palates and selectors of top wine.' He seeks world-class, fruit driven, quality wines that over-deliver in the eyes of the consumer. Andeluna Cellars offers all that and more."

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Long ago, before he rose to prominence in the New York wine world, Daniel Johnnes, traveling through France, was drawn to the camaraderie that he felt among wine-makers and their friends when they sat down to eat and drink. Mr. Johnnes had a dream that some day he would find a way to recreate that social glow back in his hometown of New York.

Continue reading : nysun.com

The Spanish revolution, in the qualities of its wine, started more than 30 years ago.

Modern wineries, modern winemaking techniques and a drive for high style have given Spain and its artisans (old and new) a lot to offer.

Along with its neighbor Portugal, Spain is offering more variety and bang for the buck than any European country.

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