No Images? Click here news - december 2018Every two years De Wetshof ends its year on a true high. This year again saw the Celebration of Chardonnay being held for the seventh time, once again affirming its position as not only a highlight for De Wetshof and Robertson, but also for the South African wine industry. The De Wet Family hosted the first Celebration of Chardonnay in 2006 as an inclusive event during which the diversity and quality of South Africa's range of Chardonnay wines could be showcased to wine professionals, the media and various interested parties. From the outset it was a gathering of people committed to Chardonnay, and with De Wetshof providing the platform from which a selection of the country's finest wines could be presented, this event was and still is the only national showcase for the wines and the individuals immersed in this noble Burgundian variety. Celebration of Chardonnay 2018 in full-swing From modest beginnings, the Celebration of Chardonnay has added an international flair by each year inviting a respected luminary to address those present. These words of wisdom have added an extra dimension to this event, which this year once again - by all accounts - exceeded all expectations. The crème de la crème of the wine world are jetted in to address the audience of selected wine-makers, sommeliers, chefs, media and other persons who could find the Chardonnay message relevant and inspiring. From top clockwise : Johann de Wet. The tasting venue. Simon Barlow from Rustenberg and Danie de Wet share a joke. As Johann de Wet, now CEO at De Wetshof, said in his introduction, De Wetshof owns the event by footing the bill and handling all logistics. "But we are inclusive in aiming to embrace the quality of wines and skills of winemakers who have made this such a great variety and to showcase South Africa's Chardonnay provenance." Past speakers included Jean de la Moriniere while he was still owner of and winemaker at Burgundy's Corton Charlemagne icon Bonneau du Martray, Andrew Jefford, the prince of wine-writing and New York cult novelist and sometime wine-writer Jay McInerney. From top clockwise : Danie de Wet, Remington Norman, Steven Spurrier and Johann de Wet. Andrew Gunn, Iona and Anthony Hamilton Russell. Guests arriving at the Celebration. This year none other than the great Steven Spurrier jetted in to experience the event and to present a snapshot of his love of and passion for Chardonnay. Wine writer, critic, consultant and all-round respected wine icon, Steven was called upon, and did he ever deliver. He began by quoting British Master Sommelier Ronan Sayburn, who said: "Flavour-wise, Chardonnay is the chicken of the wine world - a blank canvas than winemakers are free to write upon. To oak, to semi-oak or not to oak at all; to follow partial or full malolactic fermentation or to add richness and texture by lees stirring. All these and more are factors a wine-maker has to consider. "But before the winemaker comes the vineyard. Aubert de Villaine from Romanée Conti, arguably the most revered name in wine, is often asked how he made such great wines. His reply is always: We pick the grapes when they are ripe and do nothing." On the perennial topic of the effect of terroir on Chardonnay, Steven said: "We all know where the great terroirs are. Or we thought we did until at his lecture on his election to L'Academie Internationale du Vin about a decade ago, respected educator, lecturer and writer Remington Norman opened with the question: 'Perhaps the greatest terroirs in the world have not been planted.' In front of the 95% of the European members at the annual AGM in Geneva, this was not well received." Surely food for thought, though. Steven Spurrier After this feast of thought, it was over to the wine-tasting itself and here the Celebration of Chardonnay took a new turn. Instead of calling the creators of the specific wines selected to the front to individually introduce their elixirs, 12 legends of South African Chardonnay were seated before the audience. The selected representatives present were Peter Finlayson (Bouchard Finlayson), Jan Boland Coetzee (Vriesenhof), Jeanette Bruwer (Springfield), Gary Jordan (Jordan), Simon Barlow (Rustenberg), Danie de Wet (De Wetshof), Carl Schultz (Hartenberg), Andrew Gunn (Iona) Boela Gerber (Groot Constantia), Neil Ellis (Neil Ellis Wines), Kevin Grant (Ataraxia) and Anthony Hamilton Russell. Talking about their own wines in this convivial environment led to unprepared gems and tidbits of wisdom, allowing those present not only to taste a brilliant spectrum of Chardonnays from most of South Africa's regions but, to see a bit of the soul of those making the wines. Chatting to Steven about the tasting afterwards, he was assured that the quality of the South African wines warranted an ambitious event such as the Celebration of Chardonnay. "The diversity was astounding," he said "And if I had to select a stand-out showing, just look at Flight 3 of the tasting - Rustenberg 5 Soldiers 2017, De Wetshof Bateleur 2016 and Hamilton Russell 2015. Those three are all comfortably of the quality and class one would expect from Grand Cru Burgundy." Golden VineAs always, the Celebration of Chardonnay ended with a delectable lunch at which the Golden Vine Award was presented to honour a chef for his or her contribution to South African cuisine. Rudi Liebenberg, executive chef at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town, was the recipient of this year's Golden Vine Award for his contribution to the country's cuisine which is seen as an integral part of the event due to the strong relationship between Chardonnay and culinary excellence. Johann, left and Gera de Wet present the Golden Vine Award to Rudi Liebenberg. Before taking over the helm at the Mount Nelson, Rudi’s career included executive chef positions at the Saxon Boutique Hotel and the Michelangelo Hotel, both in Gauteng. He is also a former principal of the Prue Leith Chefs Academy. In 2012 Rudi was named the Sunday Times Chef of the Year, adding to the numerous local and national culinary awards under his belt. Despite the successful career, the awards and accolades, Rudi steers clear of the limelight, preferring to perfect his art in the kitchen, managing the team of chefs and cooks working under him and creating a sublime standard of cuisine at the Mount Nelson. Here his creative menus, commitment to fresh and sustainable produce and his uncanny ability to match food and wine has made him - in the eyes of many in the wine world - a true icon of South African cooking. Rudi said he is honoured and humbled by this award. "Since the advent of the Celebration of Chardonnay 14 years ago, the Golden Vine Award has become known as one of the industry's leading honours. To have it bestowed on at one of the country's leading wine events is a highlight in my career." Previous recipients of the Golden Vine include Garth Stroebel, Luke Dale-Roberts, Peter Veldsman and Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen. Best WishesThe Robertson Wine Valley is a hive of activity during the tourist season and tourists from all over the world and South Africa are descending on our winelands for wine tastings and simply to take in the beauty of nature and the rural atmosphere. You are most welcome to visit us during this time and we look forward to showing you our wines as well as giving you a taste of De Wetshof hospitality. All the best for the festive season and we wish you all a joyous new year. |