Suid-Afrika met 31 leerling-sommeliers vir 'n ervaring van Kaapse kos en wyn, en veral Pinotage.

Charles Hopkins, keldermeester van Graham Beck Coastal en bestuurslid van die Pinotage Assosiasie, meen Guido Francque is een van die min ware Pinotage ambassadeurs in Europa.

Hy het 'n passie vir Suid-Afrika, sy mense, sy wyne en spesifiek vir Pinotage.

"Ek was bevoorreg om by verskeie kere saam met hom te proe. Hy het uitstekende smaaksintuie en is nie net ingestel op die volgeurige kompetisiewyne nie, maar ook die egalige en vrugtige wyne.

"Guido is 'n ware heer en het geen verskuilde agendas wanneer dit by Pinotage kom nie," sê Charles.

Volgens die voorsitter van die Pinotage Assosiasie en internasionaal bekende wynmaker, Beyers Truter, het Guido met die stigting van Pinotage Assosiasie in Suid-Afrika in 1995 'n Pinotage- en voedselkompetisie in België begin vir die beste geregte wat Pinotage wyne komplimenteer.

"Die Belgiërs is passievol oor kos en wyn en met Guido se toewyding is daar 'n ewigdurende soeke om die beste geregte op te dis wat Pinotage komplimenteer en aanvul.

"Dit gebeur nie net in België nie, maar in vele plekke in Europa. Hy glo Pinotage se unieke geure en eiesoortige Suid-Afrikaansheid verdien 'n regmatige plek in die wêreld saam met uitsoek geregte," sê Beyers.

Guido het tydens die oorhandiging van die ere-lidmaatskap-sertifikaat gesê sy ware passie vir Pinotage het begin toe hy die Kanonkop Pinotage 1995 geproe het, op daardie stadium die smaaklikste wyn wat hy nog geniet het.

Wat hom veral fasineer van die variëteit is die vernuftigheid wat dit berg om top gehalte en gebalanseerde wyne te skep, soos in die geval van Pinot Noir. Pinotage is 'n kruising van Pinot Noir en Cinsaut.

"Mens kry die swaar en volgeurige Pinotage wyne en dié met meer elegante vrugtigheid. Die smaaklikste Pinotage wyne is dié met 'n balans tussen eersgenoemde en laasgenoemde style.

"Sulke mooi geurige Pinotage wyne is na my mening die toekoms van Suid-Afrikaanse wyn as 'n eiesoortige unieke produk," sê Guido.

WARWICK Estate's Three Cape Ladies 2000 has just been awarded the second best South African wine rating ever with a score of 92 out of 100 in the latest issue of the market-leading US.

Wine Spectator magazine and Trilogy 2000 was just one point behind, on 91.

With this rating, Warwick, and South African wines, have the spotlight thrown on them, along with this style of wine, unique to South Africa - the Cape Blend.

Over the last four vintages, Three Cape Ladies has been a pioneer of this blend, made distinct through its Pinotage component derived from carefully nurtured 28 year-old bush vines.

The addition of Pinotage to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot creates a wine that is intrinsically South African, with a strong point of difference in a crowded world wine market.

The other Warwick threesome, Trilogy 2000, has also done the Muldersvlei estate proud with a score of 91/100.

This Bordeaux blend has a well-proven track record and ageing ability, and these accolades clearly show that Warwick's philosophy of constant innovation for consistent improvement is paying off.

A KWIKSPAR will open its doors to business in the building opposite Zeederberg Square in Paarl's Main Street in March.

The move is part of a major reshuffling of business ventures in the area, with the long-awaited departure of the Department of Labour planned for June.

The building that will house the new Kwikspar was vacated by Vineyard Spar at the end of last year, when the much frequented supermarket moved to new premises in Paarl South.

Martin Venter of Paarl, owner of five Spar outlets including the Spar in the Boord, Stellenbosch, has obtained the franchise. He says his new Kwikspar in Main Street will be operating as an international deli, butchery and bakery.

Venter plans to be ready for business by the end of March. The store will then be open daily, from 07:00 till 21:00.

It is, however, not only a Kwikspar that will be established opposite the Square.

Venter will also open a Spar franchise-operated, upmarket liquor store named Tops, as well as a studio, Photolab, in what is now Roodeberg Pharmacy.

Nico Boshoff, owner of the pharmacy, recently purchased the adjacent 150 year old building which now houses the Department of Labour.

He says he plans to move the pharmacy as soon as the labour department finds other premises. Their contract expires in July and advertisements for new premises will be placed shortly.

THE 29th Nederburg Auction in Paarl on April 11 and 12 is lining up to be the biggest and best ever - with a record number of 175 items from 96 participants, including 14 newcomers on offer.

This year the event sports a modern, new look with a contemporary colour theme, featuring a stylish programme.

Some 9603 cases (175 wines) comprising 116 red wines, 40 white wines, five sparkling wines and 14 fortified wines - go under the hammer of veteran auctioneer, Patrick Grubb.

Those making their debut are Bergsig, Cape Chamonix Wine Farm, Cape Point Vineyards, Grangehurst Winery, Hazendal, Iona, Koelenhof Wine Cellar, Laibach Vineyards, MC Square, Mooiplaas, Southern Right, Steenberg, SylvanVale Vineyards and Upland Estate.

Leading the red wines are 35 red blends, followed by 29 Cabernet Sauvignon, 22 Pinotage, 17 Shiraz/Syrah, eight  Merlot, four Pinot Noir and one Cabernet Franc.

The Pinotage wines include the 1998 Absa Top Ten Winners, participating in the auction for the second year running, as well as the 1966 and 1968 vintages of Lanzerac Pinotage that traditionally open and close the bidding. Last year the Lanzerac 1966 vintage netted the highest price for red wines at R12 000 per case (of 6 x 750 ml).

According to Auction Manager Bennie Howard, there has been a noticeable surge in the number of Shiraz/Syrah wines on auction. Among the eight Merlots is the first from Nederburg - the 1998 Nederburg Private Bin Auction Merlot R181.

Making its debut is the 1998 Hazendal Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon red blend that won winemaker Ronel Wiid the Diners Club Winemaker of the Year award in 1999.

The white wine category is made up of 14 Chardonnay, eight Chenin Blanc, five Sauvignon Blanc, one Semillon, a Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc blend, 10 Noble Late Harvest and one Special Late Harvest.

The Chardonnays include the award-winning Vergelegen Chardonnay Reserve 1999, which took the highest price at last year's auction (R2 700 per case) in its category, and another contender Cape Chamonix making its debut with its flagship wine - Chamonix Chardonnay Reserve 1997.

There are six wines in the pre-release category - the Newton Johnson Sandstone Sauvignon Blanc 2002, Fort Simon Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2002, Havana Hills Bizweni Merlot 2000 and three wines from Nederburg.

Nederburg's pre-releases include the Nederburg Auction Reserve Chenin Blanc 2002, its first Noble Late Harvest Sparkling Wine 2001 and probably the world's first blend of three Italian cultivars - the Nederburg Private Bin Auction Sangiovese/Barbera/Nebbiolo 2001.

The limited edition Nederburg Noble Late Harvest Sparkling Wine 2001, also a world first, has been dubbed the 'double bubble', because it serves as both a dessert and sparkling wine.

Strengthening the fortified wine category are nine ports and five Muscadel/Jerepigo wines from the usual auction stalwarts, Boplaas, Die Krans, Du Toitskloof, Lands-kroon, Monis, Nuy, Rooiberg, Simonsvlei, Vergenoegd, Weltevrede and Wellington Wine Cellars, as well as one from a newcomer - the award-winning Bergsig Cape Late Bottled Vintage 1997.

The Monis Port Stamp Collection 1948 vintage, which took the highest price in its category (R2 700 per case) last year, is again on auction this year.

Among the sparkling wine participants is Pongrácz, which took the highest price for its MCC last year when its 1990 vintage sold for R680 per case (1 x 3 litre). This year its 1992 vintage is on sale.

"I am very excited to see such a brilliant variety of top South African wines on auction, as it offers the auction a marvellous opportunity to showcase our rare and mature wines to the local and international markets," said Howard.

Total auction sales last year topped R7,3 million.

KAASMAKERS en kaasliefhebbers durf nie die 2003 SA Kaasfees misloop nie. Die fees der feeste - gewy aan wrongel en wei - word vanjaar oor vier dae, van 25 tot 28 April, by Bien Donné, aangebied.

Verlede jaar het kaasmakers 14 000 besoekers se monde laat water met die crème de la crème van tradisionele Gouda, Cheddar, Camembert en Brie, tot nuwe soorte bokmelk-, koei-, skaapmelk- en or-ganiese kase.

Vanjaar sal feesgangers weer die geleentheid kry om die dinamika van plaas kaasmakers se unieke tot die meer algemene produkte van die groter vervaardigers te ervaar.

Die SA Kaasfees word net na afloop van die 2003 Nasionale Suiwelkampioenskappe en Qualité Toekennings gehou.

Kaasliefhebbers sal die geleentheid kry om die pas bekroonde SA Kampioenkase en bobaas-kase wat met die gesogte Qualité gehaltemerk spog, op die fees te proe.

Die hekke is van 10:00 tot 18:00 op Vrydag 25 April, Saterdag 26 April en Sondag 27 April oop en van 10:00 tot 16:00 op Maandag, 28 April.

Kontak Memory Kallis by Agri-Expo by 975-4440/1/2/3 of faks 975-4446 of per e-pos cheese@agriexpo.co.za vir meer besonderhede.

AFGEVAARDIGDES van die Boland Distriksmunisipaliteit, Wes-Kaapse Toerisme en Dream Catcher Boland Home Stays het onlangs die geleentheid gehad om die streek te bemark tydens die "Vakantiebeurs 2003" te Jaarbeurs in Utrecht, Nederland.

Die Jaarbeurs is een van die wêreld se grootste toerismeskoue. Vanjaar het 1600 uitstallers van meer as 100 lande sowat 38 000 vierkante meter beset.

Clarence Johnson (burgemeester van die Boland Distriksmunisipaliteit), munisipale bestuurder Cam Chetty, Otniël Fredericks van Worcester, Shanel Marais (Wynland Toerisme) en Yellow Eiman (Art & Craft) het die besoek meegemaak.

Boland Home is die geleentheid gebied om eerstehandse kennis van die globale toerismemark op te doen.

Informele en formele gesprekke is gevoer met toeroperateurs en voornemende toeriste. Boland Home Stays kon as alternatiewe akkommodasie hul pamflette versprei en kon bemarking vir die Boland en sy toerismeprodukte gedoen word.

"Dit was vir my baie insiggewend om te ervaar hoeveel Hollanders plekke soos Franschhoek en Stellenbosch, die 'wyngebied', ken en dan gemaklik kon vertel van hul wonderlike ervarings in die wyngebied.

"Vir baie was die naam Boland egter vreemd, maar sodra jy verwys na Roete 62 en die wyngebied, was hulle baie verlig. Tydens die Jaarbeurs kon ons die eerste toerismevideo van die Boland speel, spesiaal voorberei vir Utrecht," het Fredericks vertel.

Ten spyte van die geweldige koue, min sonlig en lang ure is elke geleentheid aangegryp. Nuwe vriende is gemaak, besigheid is gesels en Boland Home Stays kon sy webtuiste www.e-travelnet.com bekend stel waardeur toeriste hul besprekings kan doen.

"Alvorens ek na die Jaarbeurs kon gaan, moes ek 'n opvoedkundige toer meemaak, te einde myself te vergewis van al die generiese produkte in ons streek en met die hulp van die toerismebeamptes van Worcester, Robertson, Ceres en Rawsonville was dit moontlik gemaak.

"Soms is 'n mens geneig om te sê jy ken jou gebied, maar groot was my verbasing om die hoë standaard wat ons streek werklik aanbied aan toeriste, te kon ervaar.

"Dit is dan langs hierdie weg dat ek my opregte dank wil uitspreek teenoor al die 26 Home Stays in Paarl, Stellenbosch en Worcester wat die vertroue in my geplaas het om hul te kon gaan verteenwoordig in Nederland.

"Verder wil ek die Boland Munisipaliteit bedank vir die befondsing van die toer en vir die inisiatief sodat jong entrepreneurs hierdie blootstelling kon meemaak. Dit dien verder gemeld te word van die geweldige ondersteuning deur Anthea Rossouw van "Dream Catcher" vir haar aandeel in die vestiging van ons Home Stays in die Boland en internasionaal."

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