Hein on Wine
September 7, 2010
10:59
Introducing the Hanneli R
Along with the launch of the new complex at La Motte last week, we unveiled the Hanneli R: La Motte’s flagship wine made in honour of my wife Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg who sets the standard of excellence that guides everything we do at La Motte. Below are extracts from the wine’s tasting notes. This wine is a blend of 55% Shiraz, 29% Grenache, 8% Cinsaut and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon originate from Bot River in the Walker Bay region, the Grenache from Darling and the Cinsaut from Paarl. The Bot River vineyards for this wine are trellised...
Categories: Wine Blogs from South Africa, Wine Blogs in English
September 5, 2010
14:29
Franschhoek Uncorked
Franschhoek Uncorked is one of the annual festivals held in the town and valley of Franschhoek where La Motte and Leopard’s Leap are based. The festival showcases the best wines that the valley has to offer and is a must-do event for wine lovers. Above is a photograph of the La Motte tasting room filled with visitors on Saturday, the first day of the two-day festival.
Categories: Wine Blogs from South Africa, Wine Blogs in English
September 4, 2010
10:39
Experiencing Shiraz
Michael Fridjhon, one of the most respected and influential players in the South African wine industry, was part of the panel at the recent Shiraz Experience held at La Motte. This what Michael had to say about the event in his Business Day wine column: “La Motte's Hein Koegelenberg recently hosted a Shiraz Experience attended by most of the industry's key producers. International keynote speakers included UK Master of Wine Lynne Sherriff and Australian winemaking great Geoff Merrill. La Motte's reputation as one of the Cape's best and most consistent Shiraz cellars made it the logical venue for the event...
Categories: Wine Blogs from South Africa, Wine Blogs in English
10:24
La Motte Redefined
Last night was the final night of the launch week for the the new restaurant, museum and farm store complex at La Motte. The entire team put in a great effort and based on the feedback from everyone the launch was a great success. Besides the new complex we also officially introduced The Wine Bearer, a four-meter tall bronze sculpture, situated at the top of the drive into La Motte. The 560kg sculpture of a woman holding a goblet was made by sculptor Toby Megaw. Above is a photo of myself and my wife, Hanneli, after unveiling a statuette of...
Categories: Wine Blogs from South Africa, Wine Blogs in English
August 31, 2010
07:05
Redefining La Motte
Tonight we officially launch the new restaurant, museum and farm store complex at La Motte. Years of work has gone into the concept and bringing it to reality. Needless to say I am very proud of the entire team and the work that they have done. I have no doubt that visitors to La Motte will also enjoy the new additions to our estate. Above is a photograph taken from the corner of the restaurant across the grass courtyard. In the back is the farm store and on the left the entrance to the complex.
Categories: Wine Blogs from South Africa, Wine Blogs in English
August 29, 2010
23:27
Wines From the La Motte Shiraz Experience
I think there was general consensus that those attending the Shiraz Experience on Friday at La Motte tasted some exceptional shiraz wines. Among the 12 wines tasted were 2004 Geoff Merrill Henley Shiraz from Australia. From France there was the 2006 M Chapotier Hermitage L’Ermite. Italy provided the 2006 Bramasole Antinori, and California the 2006 Alban Vineyards Syrah. South Africa was represented by the 2005 Boekenhoutskloof Syrah, the 2007 Eagle’s Nest Shiraz and the 2007 La Motte Pierneef Shiraz Viognier. Click Download 2010 LM Shiraz Experience Wines to get the information sheets on all the wines.
Categories: Wine Blogs from South Africa, Wine Blogs in English
August 27, 2010
13:53
La Motte Shiraz Experience 2010
It was my privilege to co-host the La Motte Shiraz Experience today in the new Pierneef Museum on the estate. The event is held on an annual basis as a celebration of this magnificent varietal, and is attended by wine industry representatives such as producers, agents, retailers, and the media. This year's theme was 'Global Trends of Shiraz Styles'. Lynne Sherriff (Master of Wine) spoke compellingly about current trends surrounding this varietal, especially concerning price points, consumer behaviour and the paradox that currently exists in the industry when it comes to Syrah/Shiraz. She said that Shiraz producers must communicate clearly...
Categories: Wine Blogs from South Africa, Wine Blogs in English
August 26, 2010
05:10
Perhaps Less Expensive is Better for America
Wine writer Neil Pendock recently argued that South African vintners should perhaps look to enter the American market with more affordable wines. Neil writes that the strategy of showcasing iconic, and pricey, South African wines at US tastings may not achieve the desired effect of getting Americans to drink South African wine. The reason: Americans, like many other consumers around the world, can’t afford expensive wines. “The challenge for SA generic wine marketers is to offer those Americans treading water, something to drink... perhaps a little humility will go a long way in presenting SA wine to the most realistic...
Categories: Wine Blogs from South Africa, Wine Blogs in English
August 24, 2010
12:47
Shiraz SA’s Second Showcase
Shiraz SA will be presenting their second Shiraz Showcase this Thursday (26 August 2010) on the roof terrace at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. The showcase promises to be an exceptional event with roughly 140 wines from 70 cellars. “There will be a good spread from small to big cellars,” Shiraz SA President Edmund Terblanche (who is also La Motte’s winemaker) said. Entrance is R100 and tickets are available at Computicket or through Shoprite Checkers outlets.
Categories: Wine Blogs from South Africa, Wine Blogs in English
August 19, 2010
21:22
La Motte and Leopard’s Leap at WineX
Wine shows, whether they be trade shows or open to the public, are a big part of the wine industry and the team at La Motte and Leopard’s Leap sends a significant time each year preparing for and attending the shows. One of the big shows in South Africa is WineX and above are photos of the La Motte and Leopard’s Leap Wines at the opening night in Cape Town.
Categories: Wine Blogs from South Africa, Wine Blogs in English
August 14, 2010
01:39
Pierneef a La Motte Nears Opening
At the end of August we will be launching the Pierneef a La Motte restaurant which will be situated in a new complex built on the La Motte estate. The complex will also include an art museum and farm store. The restaurant will focus on traditional Cape winelands cuisine to which we will give a modern interpretation. In the coming weeks I will be sharing more information about the restaurant and our culinary vision. You can also follow us on Twitter at @pierneeflamotte. In the photo above is, from left, head chef Chris Erasmus, Hetta van Deventer who is in...
Categories: Wine Blogs from South Africa, Wine Blogs in English
August 12, 2010
20:28
Celebrating Jacob Hendrik Pierneef
As people familiar with La Motte will know we have a strong affiliation with South African artist Jacob Hendrik Pierneef (1886 - 1957). Many of his original works hang on the walls of la Motte and his art is carried on the back label of our premium Pierneef range of wine. Today was his birthday and we celebrated it at La Motte as we worked on the final preparations for the opening of our new restaurant that will be named in his honour and a museum that will showcase his work.
Categories: Wine Blogs from South Africa, Wine Blogs in English
August 10, 2010
07:30
Online and Downgrading
Recent research in the US has confirmed what many of us in the wine industry already knew: many recessionary-wise consumers have become more discretionary in how they spend their money on wine: trading down to cheaper wines and using the Internet to find bargains. “So-called 'millennials' – the 70-80m consumers aged 21-33 – were particularly 'bargain-savvy', and were more willing to experiment and more likely to use electronic media to find the best deals,” Decanter.com reported on findings in the Beverage Information Group's 2010 Wine Handbook.
Categories: Wine Blogs from South Africa, Wine Blogs in English
August 9, 2010
21:08
Singing for Peace
My wife Hanneli sang today at a performance of the Nagasaki Symphony by Russian composer Alfred Schnittke to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the 1945 atomic bombing of the Japanese city of Nagasaki which left 270,000 dead. Hanneli, performing under her professional name Hanneli Rupert, sang in the fourth part of the Nagasaki oratorio. The oratorio ends with a Hymn of peace, urging world peace and that such a thing should never happen again. Hanneli, who is one of South Africa’s leading mezzo-sopranos and Lieder recitalists, performed with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of conductor Owain Arwel Hughes.
Categories: Wine Blogs from South Africa, Wine Blogs in English
11:21
US Wine Consumption Continues to Rise
American wine buyers appear to have bucked the global recession and last year consumed more wine than ever, Decanter.com reported. “The 0.8% increase in wine consumption to 297m cases was the 16th consecutive year of sales growth, according to the statistics revealed in the Beverage Information Group's 2010 Wine Handbook,” Decanter reported. “As the country recovers from the recessionary environment, the wine industry continues to look positive,” Eric Schmidt, manager of information services for the Beverage Information Group told Decanter. “'We expect to see wine consumption increase to 310.7m cases by 2014.” Domestic US wine sales grew by 1.8% to...
Categories: Wine Blogs from South Africa, Wine Blogs in English
August 8, 2010
22:41
Diversification in Wine Business Leads to Olives
I recently came across an interesting story in the Business Day newspaper that reported that South African wine farmers facing tough conditions in the global wine industry are planting olive trees to produce alternative sources of income. “More olive trees are being planted on large swathes of land that have for years fed and nurtured the grape vines from which the country’s wines are produced,” the newspaper reported. Mr Ernst Janovsky, head of agribusiness at ABSA bank, told Business Day that diversification into olive framing is proving to be worth an investment particularly if the farmer had sufficient hectares to...
Categories: Wine Blogs from South Africa, Wine Blogs in English
August 5, 2010
23:52
Hanneli Rupert Performing in Memory of Nagasaki
My wife, singing under her professional name Hanneli Rupert, will be performing Alfred Schnittke's Nagasaki Symphony in Cape Town on August 9 at a commemoration concert of the Nagasaki atom bomb attack. The concert, which will be broadcast live to Nagasaki in Japan, will also serve to strengthen ties between South Africa and Japan. The Japanese ambassador to South Africa was quoted as saying the performance will strengthen cultural ties. Hanneli, who is one of South Africa’s leading mezzo-sopranos and Lieder recitalists, will be performing with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of conductor Owain Arwel Hughes. In 2007...
Categories: Wine Blogs from South Africa, Wine Blogs in English
July 28, 2010
22:41
Australia Targets China’s Wine Consumers
The race is on for the Chinese wine market and Australian vintners are heading the race to get into the market. As part of their marketing efforts, 600 employees of beverages giant Pernod Ricard were brought to Australia's Barossa Valley for a crash course in appreciating a wine range specially developed for the Chinese palate. “With an average age of just 31 and a taste for quality brands, the group are key to Pernod Ricard's push of the premium Australian range into China's flourishing wine market and its 200-million-strong middle class,” Fin Week reported. “"We are definitely going after young...
Categories: Wine Blogs from South Africa, Wine Blogs in English
July 27, 2010
16:38
Giant of South African Wine Passes
I was saddened today to hear of the death of great South African vintner Graham Beck at the age of 80. Graham died of cancer at his home in London where he stayed during the Cape winters. Graham started in the wine business back in 1983 and managed his brands, notably Graham Beck Wines, to international recognition and acclaim. Graham is survived by his wife of 50 years Rhona and his son Anthony.
Categories: Wine Blogs from South Africa, Wine Blogs in English
July 23, 2010
16:15
Cooking at the Chefs Warehouse
As I have blogged previously, La Motte and Leopard’s Leap Wines are both working with master chef Liam Tomlin. Last night my wife, Hanneli, and I were guests at Liam’s Chefs Warehouse in Cape Town for a cooking demonstration by Bizerca Bistro chef and owner Laurent Deslandes. A wonderful evening and even more special in that world class chefs like Liam (who is Irish) and Laurent (who is French) are based in Cape Town and helping to raise the city’s culinary profile even higher. The Chefs Warehouse is a wonderful concept: part retail store for professional and serious amateur chefs,...
Categories: Wine Blogs from South Africa, Wine Blogs in English
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