Greetings
Exciting news. We have teamed up with Gill Kruger, a CWA Dip2 graduate to offer you a choice of 11 exciting wine courses. Each is held over 1 night only, at a nominal cost of R150/person/night. To book for your course choice please email info@manuka.co.za or call Clarence on 7012046 (021). Courses will be held at Manuka in Tokai. For directions visit www.manuka.co.za
PLEASANTLY PRACTICAL WINE COURSES!
By Gill Kruger in conjunction with Manuka
REAL LIFE TASTINGS FOR REAL LIFE PEOPLE
The wine course has been specifically designed to enable one to select those aspects of wine that are likely to be of interest. Be you a beginner or someone who wishes to update theirs skills.
So what's in your evening with us?
Sparkling wine welcome drink from 18h30.
Course starts at 19h00.
A two-hour session.
Course notes supplied.
Wine especially chosen to illustrate the subject being discussed.
Notes on each farm represented that is being tasted.
Certificate of attendance.
Optional Exam after all modules (If certification is required).
Tea and coffee.
Wine is like a game of Cluedo - Mon 28th Feb
You will never know "who did it" until you put all the clues together!
An evening of teaching you to taste wine with confidence.
- Step by step tasting technique using a great practical tool.
- Practical factors that affect wine tasting.
- What to look for when tasting a wine. Learn about wine style for example; Blanc de Noir, and Blanc Fume.
"Did it Have Wood?" - Mon 7th March
To mature or not to mature............... that is the Question?
What is important when reading a wine label?
Looking at the properties of wood and its importance in wine.
What structure in wine is needed for longevity?
Comparing wine with and without wood, with open discussions on your findings.
HUBBLE AND BUBBLE - Mon 14th March
"Can ONE taste and listen at the same time?"
Understanding all Sparkling wine production methods:
- Carbonation
- Charmat
- Transfer
- Method Cap Classique What are the differences between Champagne and Sparkling wine?
- Discussion on Sparkling and Champagne Styles
"So how do I Grow my Own Vineyard and Make a Small Fortune?" - Mon 4th April
Conversational Viticulture: " So you have just been given some prime land and you want to farm!"
- Grape growing seasons
- Grape maintenance
- Pests and Diseases Yesterday I couldn't even spell "Garagiste", and now I am one!
- How do I make wine in my Garage?
- Step-by-Step Introduction to winemaking.
History of Wine for Dinner Table Gossip - Mon 11th April
Stories of wine from our past.
- What has happened in the last 300 years in the wine industry? South African Wine Regions.
- Brief look at all wine growing regions and how climate affects wine styles
Understanding Bordeaux and Burgundy Styles. - Mon 18th April
An introduction to the French wine growing regions.
- Bordeaux, the blending capital of France
- What wines blend well together
- Why do we blend?
- Burgundy, the regions.
- What makes Burgundy so different to other parts of the world? Taste great South African examples of the French varieties.
"Wine-Down" with Shiraz and Semillon - Mon 25th April
Shiraz flavours are so different. Why?
- Why Australia is such a success story
- Styles of Shiraz.
- The effect of wood on the Shiraz flavours.
- Who are the great Shiraz Producers? "What are Semillon and Viognier?"
- From where do these cultivars originate?
- What are the Characteristics of these cultivars? Understanding some of the Competitions and Awards in the South Africa.
Know More about the Unusual Cultivars than your Guests - Mon 9th May
Taste some South African examples of the wines from around the world
- Italian varieties: Barbera, Nobbiolo andSangiovese.
- Germany varieties: Gewürztraminer, Sylvaner and Rhine Riesling.
- USA workhorse: Zinfandel. After Dinner Drinkies!
- A Quick look at Port.
- What makes a Noble Late Harvest "Noble"!
The Versatility of Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinotage - Mon 16th May
Compare styles of Chenin Blanc & Sauvignon Blanc.
- What's the fuss about the "Chenin Blanc Challenge" Pinotage " What a journey it has been since 1959".
- Why is Pinotage so unique?
- How the flavours have changed over the years.
- The Pinotage Producers Association role.
- The top 10 Pinotage competitions. Wine Closures.
A Match Made in Heaven! - Mon 23rd May
A Food and wine evening!
Two wines are paired with each course.
- Salad
- Fish Dish
- Tomato based sauce
- Chicken Curry
- Chocolate dessert The two wines are then compared for compatibility.
A score sheet is provided to enable you to record your opinions.
Then an open discussion of your experiences and opinions.
This is "Great Fun if you can Be Honest!"
Wine with Attitude - Mon 30th May
Was it Miss Scarlet in the Wine Cellar with Corkscrew?
- Come test your blind tasting skills!
- We are going to taste a selection of top rate wines.
- The Big Five and more!
- Test your skill as a blind taster.
- See how many cultivars you can identify. A prize for the best taster.
OTHER NEWS
Just in - fantastic range of Imported French Champagnes. Prices are affordable and the champagne houses represented compare very favourably with the like of Moet, Taittinger etc. For example:
Drappier NV Carte d'Or Brut - extreme, ultra-fruity style that quickly develops biscuity complexity - R250
Drappier NV Rose Brut Val des Demoiselles - full of bright, sunny Pinot fruit - R275
Duval-Leroy Fleur de Champagne NV Brut - fresh, easy drinking, smooth in a light bodied style with a lovely creamy finish - R275
Duval-Leroy Brut Vintage 1995 - too good to describe - R395
Jacquesson Grand vin Signature 1995 - succulently fruity with fresh perfumed aromas - R575
to give you just a few examples. We have a range of 11 different styles labels to choose from.
New direction for historic De Grendel farm - New in our wine range is the fantastic De Grendel Sauvignon Blanc - retailing at R65/bottle.
One man's vision has given an historic old farm new life. Sir David Graaff, custodian of De Grendel Farm in Tygerberg, is launching an exclusive range of wines under the classic and stylish De Grendel label. The Graaff family's famous entrepreneurial spirit has been handed down to its 21st Century incumbent, David Graaff who, when KWV deregulated the wine industry in the mid 1990s, saw an opportunity to expand the farm's agricultural reach by putting a portion of it under vine.
Now, six years later, the first distinctive bottles of De Grendel wines have already won two sought after gold medals and two silver medals at the prestigious Young Wine Show 2004. 'Winning those medals proves our belief that De Grendel wines have class and quality. They will be enjoyed by people who buy wines at the top end of the market,' says Graaff.
Graaff, who successfully farmed table grapes in the Hex River Valley, put years of research into the cultivation of wine, returning to France - where as a student he studied at the University of Grenoble - before putting his knowledge into practice. There are now 104 hectares of vineyards on De Grendel. The historic farm, seat of the Graaff family for well over a century, is situated on the slopes of the Tygerberg hills overlooking Table Bay where its views sweep over the Atlantic Ocean, Table Mountain, Bloubergstrand and False Bay. The location of the farm makes it perfect for growing noble cultivars. Its proximity to the cold West Coast currents, elevation and misty nights make it one of the coolest wine regions in the Cape.
Have you been to our new Wine Forum yet? There are great prizes to be won for the best wine related story - www.manuka.co.za
Next wine dinner with the Wine Maker - Friday 18th Feb - Linton Park