Allée Bleue Excels In Prescient Shiraz Report
The results of the 2020 Prescient Shiraz Report have been released, and Franschhoek producer Allée Bleue has been listed as one of the Top 10 for its Shiraz 2018 (wine of origin Franschhoek). The judges described this Top 10 winner as having a pretty nose with notes of flowers, fresh herbs and musk to go with red berries while the palate is light-bodied with pure fruit, fresh acidity and fine tannins. Lovely definition and energy.
This annual report is convened by Winemag.co.za, and this year there were 70 entries received from 56 producers. The entries are tasted blind by a three-person panel, and the scoring is done according to the 100-point quality scale. The panel is chaired by well-known industry influencer Christian Eedes, who is joined in the judging process by Roland Peens and James Pietersen, both of Wine Cellar.
Sharing the spotlight with Allée Bleue, although not listed in the Top 10, but receiving excellent results were the Babylonstoren 2018 (91 points) and Boschendal 1685 2018 (91 points) for their respective Shiraz wines.
The following producers scored 80+ for their wines:
Allée Bleu Single Vineyard Syrah 2015 (88)
GlenWood Grand Duc Syrah 2017 (84)
La Bri Syrah 2017 (88)
Old Road Wine Co Pepper Wind Limited Release Syrah 2017 (89)
Wildeberg 2019 (89)
To read the report and view the full results click on this link https://winemag.co.za/wine/best/shiraz/.
Well done to all!
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Tuesday, 18 August marks a special day on the wine calendar as we celebrate International Pinot Noir Day. According to Master Sommelier Madeline Triffon, Pinot Noir is regarded as the most romantic of wines, with so appealing a perfume, so sweet an edge, and so powerful a punch that, like falling in love, they make the blood run hot and the soul wax embarrassingly poetic.
A fantastic wine, but a temperamental grape. Typically rich in colour with complex flavours, this varietal is largely considered one of the most self-indulgent wines ever made. Elegant and berry-like, its velvet colour is the perfection addition to any occasion. International Pinot Day celebrates this wine and the regions throughout the world in which it is cultivated, the Franschhoek Wine Valley being one of them. The Franschhoek Vignerons with Pinot Noir in the ranges tick all of the boxes when it comes to a wine with these characteristics.
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In the words of Hilary Clinton, “Women are the largest untapped reservoir of talent in the world,” and it is with this sentiment in mind that on 9 August we celebrate women across South Africa.
Here in the valley we are proud of the remarkable women who call Franschhoek home. They represent the various sectors in the valley – from wine, accommodation, retail, community and restaurant – and we greatly appreciate their efforts.
Franschhoek is steeped in rich history and this also includes the line-up of formidable women. With so many awe-inspiring women to mention we want to highlight a few who have made it their life ambition to get Franschhoek and its offerings noticed.
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Although wine sales and distribution are currently not allowed, the industry is still doing its best to keep wine messaging top of mind. Industry competitions being one of them, with the latest being the announcement of the Top 12 Champions in the 8th annual Shiraz Challenge, which was hosted by cultivar association Shiraz SA. Breaking from tradition, as well as embracing the new normal, the winners were announced via an online awards ceremony.
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Not even COVID-19 could keep one of South Africa’s longest running festivals from taking place this year. The Franschhoek Bastille Festival, which was launched in 1994, takes place annually over the same weekend of the French Bastille festivities, and sees thousands of festival goers fill the streets of Franschhoek to celebrate the valley’s French heritage.
However, this year saw a different turn of events, and instead of cancelling the organisers saw this an opportunity to take the festival to the people. A 10-day countdown, which commenced on 1 July, took viewers through a virtual journey of the Franschhoek Valley as each day revealed a new experienced. Some of the experiences included cellar tours, a walk through the garden of Babylonstoren, a guided tour of the village, a sneak peek at the collection of vintage cars at the Franschhoek Motor Museum as well as the highly popular cook along with Franschhoek local and celebrity chef, Reuben Riffel.
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Holden Manz Wine Estate is delighted to announce that its Proprietors’ Red Blend 2015 has been awarded Top 100 and Double Platinum in the 2020 National Wine Challenge.
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South Africa moved from lockdown alert Level 4 to Level 3 on 1 June 2020. The great news is that at this level hiking is allowed again. It is the perfect opportunity for locals and visitors living in surrounding areas to take a break and explore the beautiful Franschhoek mountains. Enjoy wide open spaces, fresh air and an opportunity to reconnect with nature.
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Continuing to embrace our new normal has also included hosting our annual Franschhoek Bastille Festival, but in an entirely different format. Instead of the traditional festival we started on 1 July by taking viewers on a virtual journey through the valley. Each day we revealed a new Franschhoek experienced linked with amazing deals from some of our members.
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During Level 3 lockdown regulations, the following restaurants in Franschhoek are currently open. Please contact us at 021 876 2861 for further info.
View the full list of Franschhoek restuaurants that is currenlty open.
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Join us online from 1 to 11 July 2020...
In case the grapevine news hasn’t reached you, here’s what you missed. Franschhoek’s Bastille Festival is still on the cards, but instead of the traditional format, the festival will be coming to you.
A first-of-its-kind for Franschhoek, the organisers have called on the support of its members to showcase the valley through the lens of locals. Your virtual journey through Franschhoek starts on 1 July as we showcase to you some of the region’s finest offerings. Each day until 10 July you get to ‘encounter’ something new. Experience Franschhoek as locals do – foraging for mushrooms, horse riding amongst the vineyards, a sunrise sabrage, art and sipping superb wines are just some of the highlights you can expect to see.
You don’t want to miss out on the countdown days as we’ve lined up amazing offers which will only be revealed on the relevant day. These include wine, restaurant, accommodation and retail offers only available for this event.
The countdown culminates with Saturday, 11 July which would have been the day for the actual festival. A jam packed day of Franschhoek festivities have been planned to celebrate Franschhoek’s French heritage. Check into our social media platforms throughout the day for an exciting line, which includes all things Franschhoek inspired. Coffee, sabrage, cocktails, great food and live music.
Don’t forget to dress up in your red, white and blue as we celebrate one of SA’s longest running events.
For more details visit https://www.franschhoekbastille.co.za/
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