Shiraz fest uncorked
2006-08-03
THE first Shiraz Festival to be held in South Africa, titled “From Persia to Paarl”, will take place at Nederburg on Saturday 19 August.
It is a celebration of the arrival of Shiraz in Paarl and also the outstanding wines made in this area from this grape.
At the festival, the guest of honour is Charlene Truter (television presenter), with master of ceremonies singer-actor Richard van der Westhuizen.
There will be music, interesting foodstuffs and other treats in keeping with the theme From Persia to Paarl. Gates will open at 10:00.
With 2006 being the tenth anniversary of what started off as the Paarl Vintners Wine Challenge, Vintners has decided to turn the event into a major celebration of Paarl Shiraz.
Initially the event was launched as a competition for the best red blend and best Chardonnay variety, before the focus moved to Shiraz in 2002.
A number of events have been planned for 2006, peaking at the one-day festival containing elements that proved successful with the old Paarl Nouveau Festival.
The 2006 anniversary festivities include a vineyard block competition for Shiraz vineyards only, within Paarl Vintners’ boundaries.
The actual judging of the vineyards took place in January this year while the wines were tasted on 21 July during the judging of the official Shiraz Challenge.
The winner’s trophy will be presented at the festival. In addition Voor Groenberg Kwekery is sponsoring a prize of one hectare Shiraz cuttings worth more than R15 000.
The winners of the various competitions will be announced at the festival, where the highlight is bound to be the arrival of the Persian Parade.
Each winery will arrive at the venue dressed up á la Persian style. Winemakers and marketing managers are all keeping mum about the unique ways they intend arriving.
Also presented at the festival will be the trophy for the best winetaster among participating cellar assistants.
Tickets at R60 (children u.18 R20) are available from Computicket.
*The official tasting of the wines entered for the 2006 Shiraz Challenge took place on Friday 21 July at Nederburg.
This year Chenin Blanc, the white grape variety inherent in Paarl, was phased in.
Two panels of seven judges each sat down and tasted their way
through all the entries and appointed a winner and two runners-up in each category.
* Consumers are invited to a tasting on Monday 7 August in Cape Town where they will get the opportunity to taste Shiraz wines entered in this year’s Challenge and appoint a winner and three runners-up.
The tasting will be held at Kelvin Grove at 18:30 for 19:00.
Tickets are limited and will be sold beforehand at R95. Tickets are available from Caroline’s Fine Wines and Don Vino.
For more information, contact Paarl Vintners office 863-4886 or 082-924-7254 or visit the website www.paarlwine.co.za.
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