Hi Everybody!
It seems ages since you had a proper Newsletter from the team at Manuka, so as we head into Autumn, it’s time to bring you up to date with all that’s happening.

 

In the Wine Shop, there are still plenty of 2007 Sauvignon Blancs available, and they are all drinking beautifully now. I have also tasted 2006 and 2005 Sauvignons recently, and whilst the fresh zesty bite fades a little, new smooth tropical fruit flavours evolve, giving a richer taste, giving lie to the fact that our Sauvignons are best drunk young.
Indeed, a week ago I tasted my first bottled 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, and after the initial burst of flavour, there was nothing left. So, before clamouring for the 2008s, wait until next Spring, when most of the better ones are released anyway, and in the meantime, enjoy the ‘07s with this wonderful late summer sunshine.
2 Sauvignons which have proved very popular this summer have been
De Grendel, and First Sighting, and we have secured additional stocks of these wines allowing us to offer a FREE BOTTLE – BUY 12, ONLY PAY FOR 11.
Other wines which have proved very popular this summer have been Du Preez, Elgin Vintners, La Motte, Overgaauw, Ridgeback, Springfield, and Vergelegen.

CHENIN BLANC continues to impress, with the ever-popular Kleine Zalze and Ken Forrester Petit Chenin at the lower end, and Raats and Simonsig as good example at the upper end of the market.

Recent red wine releases that have impressed us include Fantail Pinotage (from Morgenhof), Brampton Shiraz (with Mourvedre, Grenache & Viognier), Kloovenburg Shiraz, Saronsberg wines, Cocoa Hill Red, (from Dornier), Ken Forrester’s new Petit Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, Thelema Mountain Red, De Grendel Pinot Noir, and Paul Cluver’s Seven Flags Pinot Noir.
On Promotion we have Paul Roux 2004 Shiraz at R19pb, R105 for 6 or R200 for 12. This is an export order over-run, and is from one of our largest producers – GREAT VALUE!

Meet The Winemaker Dinners

Our next Dinner is on 16th April featuring IDIOM and WHALEHAVEN Wines.
Whilst Idiom is to be found on Sir Lowry’s Pass Road, and Whalehaven is in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, both farms are owned by the same family, hence the connection!
On 21st May, Professor Mark Solms will be presenting the range of SOLMS-DELTA WINES, and in June, we should be welcoming WATERFORD, the date still to be confirmed.
Booking is essential, so please make your reservation asap. Cost of the 2 course dinner, plus coffee is R145pp.

Friday and Saturday Tastings
These are free tastings in the Wine Shop from 6.00-8.30 on Fridays and 12.00-3.00 on Saturdays.
Sat 5th April – Hartenberg
Sat 12th April – Indaba
Sat 19th April – Andreas
Fri 25th & Sat 26th April - Wildekrans

Cape Wine Academy Courses
We host various Cape Wine Academy courses, and their next course is the

Introduction to South African Wines

This is an evening wine course starting on the 7th of April.
This course is designed for those who want to learn more about wine, meet people who share a similar passion or get involved in the industry.

It will also benefit people already working in the service industry looking to broaden their knowledge of wine or as a stepping stone in becoming a sommelier.

It will cover the theory - following the path of grapes from the vineyard to the bottle, wine history, wine service, tasting techniques and tutored wine tastings, and will be presented by people in the industry.

Evening Classes( 18h00-20h00)
Dates: Lecture 1 – 07 April
Lecture 2 – 14 April
Lecture 3 – 21 April
Exam (Optional) 05 May

For more information on the above, or to register please contact the Cape Wine Academy at
e-mail: info@cwa.org.za
Phone: 021-889 8844

Lost Property!!!
Apart from the usual collection of caps, shoes and jerseys, the gold ring which was found in the playground sandpit a few of months ago is still unclaimed. If you, or someone you know, have/has recently lost a ring, please contact us with a description – we’d love to return it to its rightful owner.
I have a variety of sunglasses unclaimed as well, but the wheelchair which was left at the weekend has been claimed! (I’m not joking!)

In the meantime, we look forward to seeing you all back at Manuka very soon.

Best Regards,
Stephen, Alison, Morné and the Manukans!
Tel: 021 851 6060
Fax: 086 665 1051
Email: southeys@manuka.co.za  
Web: www.manuka.co.za