Now being held in Joburg for the fourth time, the show started off with 15 farms, but this year features 35 South African producers as well as French wines Bouchard Pere et Fils Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2014 and William Fevre Chardonnay 2014; Finca Flichman Reserva Chardonnay 2012 from Argentina and Framingham Pinot Noir 2012 from New Zealand.
Participation in the festival is by invitation only with the organisers choosing which wines are shown to ensure that only top-quality wines are shown at the festival. The average cost of wines on show is more than R200 a bottle.
Organiser Corlien Morris from Wine Menu said: “This is a targetted wine experience that focusses on the flavours and nuances of these two famous Burgundian varietals. Generally many high-end, award-winning Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays are not shown at other festivals because they are often too expensive with a small production. People who come to The Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Festival are generally passionate and knowledgeable about wine and are interested in these varietals.”
Wines are on sale on the night, often at less than retail prices. Some are no longer available on the general marketplace.
Producers showing their wines for the first time at the festival are Hannes Storm’s own label wine, the Storm Vrede Pinot Noir; The Fledge & Co’s Katvis Pinot Noir; Koon Roose’s Spioenkop Pinot Noir 2013; Restless River Chardonnay 2013; Altydgedacht Pinot Noir 2013; Camino Africana Pinot Noir Reserve 2013; Fram Chardonnay 2015; Julien Schaal Evidence Chardonnay 2014 and Moya’s Vineyards Pinot Noir 2015.
Five-star platter wines on the night include: the Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2013; Newton Johnson Family Vineyards Pinot Noir 2015 and Family Vineyards Chardonnay 2015; Paul Cluver Seven Flags Pinot Noir 2013 and Sumaridge Chardonnay 2013.
Tickets are available from Webtickets; from Wine Menu in the Blubird Shopping Centre in Illovo or, if they are still available, at the door on the night. Only a limited number of tickets are available and cost R200 a person including lights snacks chosen to complement the styles of wine being sampled.
