'Coffee' rules at Pinotage on Tap
9 October 2009
Free flowing wine and chocolate enjoyed to rhythmic tunes will set the tone for this year's Pinotage on Tap party at Diemersfontein on Saturday, 24 October. It's an annual event that sees thousands of people make the trip to Wellington in the Western Cape.
To celebrate the new vintage of South Africa's original Coffee Pinotage, the Wellington estate promises high entertainment value, with some of the best local bands, including the popular aKING, playing live throughout the event.
The award-winning wine, which racked up more sales than any other red at the recent Winex Cape Town, will be served on tap with never-ending chocolate fountains, and canapés made to pair with the wine. Visitors will also be able to try their hands at the Pinotage games.
It's a party that some describe as the best party on the winelands calendar.
Booking
Early bookings are advised for Pinotage on Tap, as numbers will be strictly limited. Tickets are on sale, starting at R230, with special packages offered to "fantastic" and "fanatic" fans.
To ensure the safety of festival-goers, a shuttle service has been arranged to help Pinotage pundits with transport after they have had a tipple or two.
Bookings can be made online at www.diemersfontein.co.za. For further information, phone 021 864 5050.
The Diemersfontein Coffee Pinotage is made for early enjoyment. It's bottled in the middle of each year after oak immersion for five months. Aside from natural vintage variation, the wine retains its essential features – easy accessibility and rich coffee-chocolate overtones.
This consistency comes from using premium quality grapes, and a tried-and-true method of fermentation and oak maturation every year.
Award-winning
The wine has made quite a mark in the nine vintages since its release. Upon its first release, it immediately won a place in the Absa Top Ten Pinotage Competition.
The Diemersfontein Coffee Pinotage was also the recipient of the Michelangelo International Wine Trophy for Best Pinotage in 2006.
Furthermore, the wine was also conferred the title of 'The People's Pinotage' by critic Neil Pendock, based on a consumer survey conducted in the Sunday Times.
Carpe Diem Pinotage
Diemersfontein also produces the more classic Carpe Diem Pinotage, a wine that won the SA Red Wine Trophy at the London International Wine Challenge in 2005.
Owner David Sonnenberg has spoken enthusiastically about his prize-winning pinotages, saying: "I feel like the parent of two teenage daughters – one is a classically trained violinist who dresses modestly and pulls the crowds in the exclusive concert halls; the other, a mini-skirted and occasionally provocative pop star who wows the younger generation, but has fans of all ages".
SAinfo reporter
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