Glitch gets new wine
2007-03-01
A CASE of mistaken vine identity by government authorities has played a crucial role in the production of the Fairview Sweet Red, a fortified sweet wine produced at the Fairview wine and cheese estate in Agter-Paarl.
The 2006 Fairview Sweet Red is a seductive blend of the very rare Tinta Amarella and Shiraz with an incredible nose and a celebration of spicy fruit on the palate.
Tinta Amarella is a Portuguese variety that is predominantly used for the production of port wine, specifically in the Douro Valley of Portugal.
The Tinta Amarella was mistakenly released instead of the closely related Tempranillo vines that Fairview ordered for red wine production at their farm outside Darling. The mistake was only revealed when DNA tests were conducted on the vines early last year.
Upon discovering the mistake, Fairview owner and winemaker Charles Back immediately grabbed the opportunity to use the fruit to produce a fortified dessert wine similar in style to port as this is best suited to the Tinta Amarella grape.
The varietals used to produce the Sweet Red vary from year to year as the winemaker selects the fruit, which determines the style of the wine.
The resultant 2006 vintage is a well-integrated wine with exceptional balance and an enticing aroma of violets and black cherries with subtle savoury notes.
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