Pleasantly Practical Wine Courses!

By Gill Kruger in conjunction with Manuka Wine Boutiques

Real   Life   Tasting   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?

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.

Optional Exam at the end of final module

Tea or coffee and snacks provided.

1.  Wine is like a game of Cludeo
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.
Aroma section – See how well you can identify smells.
Learn about wine style for example; Blanc de Noir, and Blanc Fume.
After Dinner Drinkies!
What makes a Noble Late Harvest "Noble"!

2.  "Did it Have Wood?"
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.
South African Wine Regions.
Brief look at all wine growing regions during tasting section.

3. Hubble and Bubble
"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

4. "So how do I Grow my Own Vineyard and Make a Small Fortune?''
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.
Stories of wine from our past.
What has happened in the last 300 years in the wine industry?

5. Know More about White Wine Cultivars than your Guests
All-important white wine cultivars will be discussed and tasted.
A look at the French origins of some of the wines-Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay to name a few.
What's the fuss about the "Chenin Blanc Challenge"
Taste some unusual cultivars- Viognier, Gewurztraminer and Semillon that are causing a sensation.
What are the Characteristics of these cultivars?

Taste great South African examples of the French varieties.

6. Red Wine with Attitude
A look at our great Red wines Cultivars.
What makes Burgundy so different to other parts of the world?
Bordeaux, the blending capital of France -What wines blend well together.
. Shiraz is flavours of the month!
Why Australia is such a success story
Styles of Shiraz.
The effect of wood on the Shiraz flavours.
Pinotage " What a journey it has been since 1959".
Why is Pinotage so unique?

7. A Match Made in Heaven!
A Food and wine evening!
Two wines are paired with each course.
Salad
Fish Dish
Tomato based Pasta
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!"

"Three Blind Mice" – This is by invitation only for those clients who have attended most of the courses and who demonstrate a sound knowledge of wine tasting.  This evening is done in a manner to assist Manuka in choosing new products for possibility of stocking for retail. Was it Miss Scarlet in the Wine Cellar with Corkscrew? Come test your blind tasting skills! We are going to taste a selection of wines samples for you vote of confidents. Two panels to discuss wines and come up with score and price point. Results will be returned to supplies Real life consumer opinion for real life buyer!

R150/person per course if only 1 course booked
R140/person per course if 2 are booked
R120/person per course if 3 - 5 are booked
R100/person per course if all six are booked

Match made in Heaven - R 150/person for the course including meal set menu

Minimum of 10 people to run each course.

Dates for next courses

Somerset West	Course	Tokai
25 July	1	12 September
1 August	2	19 September
8 August	3	26 September
15 August	4	3 October
22 August	5	10 October
29 August	6	17 October
5 September	7	24 October

To Book at Tokai - call Clarence on 021 701 2046
To book at Somerset West - call Stephen on 021 851 6060