19
October
2009
It may feel like summer, but the Orange River Valley is resplendent in its green spring dress. I was in Upington over the week-end and mile-upon-mile of fabulously green vineyards greet you as you drive between the lovely sounding names of Kakamas, Keimoes, Grootdrink, Kanoneiland and Groblershoop. The vines are the greenest-of-green and the clean desert air ensure they are healthy and untarnished by any of those bugs that flourish in moist conditions. And chatting to viticulturalist Henning Burger, it appears that next year’s harvest is going to be a spectacular one. In the meantime, get your hands on a bottle of Oranjerivier Wine Cellars Chenin Blanc, Colombard or Nouveau. You may not be able to visit the Valley, but you can taste it in the wine!
Posted: Orwcellars
8
October
2009
When summer roles around, the Spanish concoction called Sangria is highly recommended. This wine-based punch is a refreshing drink for long lunches or sundowners. I make mine the following way:
Ingredients:
1 Bottle Oranjerivier Wine Cellars Shiraz, Cabernet or Pinotage
500ml Soda water
500ml Lemonade
125ml Brandy
2 Apples, 1 cup of strawberries, half a peeled lemon, 2 peeled oranges….actually, any fruit you like!
Method:
Chop the fruit into bite-size pieces. Place the fruit in a glass jug and add the wine and the brandy. Place the jug in the refrigerator for at least one hour to allow the fruit flavours to mingle with the wine and brandy. Before serving, remove the jug and add the soda water and lemonade to the mix, as well as a couple of handsful of ice cubes.
Drink from wine glasses and get the taste of summer!
Posted: Orwcellars
2
October
2009
Oranjerivier Wine Cellars is taking the local wine market by storm with its unique way of reaching out to black consumers with its BafanaBafana wine range. In place of advertising and traditional promotions, teams of Brand Strikers are visiting taverns throughout the country to engage and interact with consumers. This serves two purposes: one, getting people to try the wines. And secondly, using these events as a sounding board to learn more about black consumers and their perceptions on wine! All very interesting and new. See www.winegoggle.co.za for more.
Posted: Orwcellars
1
October
2009
It is amazing how the perceptions are changing about wines from the Orange River region. Twenty years ago the area was seen to be a table grape and distilling wine producer. Now the wines are really impressing the market with quality and - more importantly - consistence. Take the Chenin Blanc, for example. There is no better Chenin in the country at this price, and it has not failed to impress over the past three vintages. Refreshing, dry - yet fruity and sumptuous - it is difficult to believe such a great wine is being produced on the edge of the Kalahari desert! The reds are coming on in leaps and bounds, and I predict that in four years time Oranjerivier’s Shiraz, Pinotage and Cabernet are going to be serious competitors, punching above their weight in terms of price and quality.
I really hope this magnificent region gets the recognition it deserves. There is no wine region like it anywhere in the world.
Posted: Orwcellars
