August 2006

Cape Conundrum

By: Charlie Hardie (Cellar Master at Browns of Rivonia)

Its sad, but true that Pinotage's role of spearheading South Africa's marketing drive to woo the world wine drinkers has been less than successful.

Outside a few producers who consistently produce quality from this hybrid, global imbibers are neither animated or interested which is a huge blow. Lack of uniformity of style for people to identify appears to be the main problem. All of which means that the vacuum created needs to be filled, but how and with what?

Answers and thoughts are varied, but there appears to be a growing groundswell towards promoting and marketing the name"Cape Blend." Now for the conundrum. How to define a Cape Blend and will there ever be concord between producers for legislation to be effective?
The debate will go on forever in my view as there are far too many questions to which there are no hard and fast answers.

I believe that the decision-makers should channel their energies elsewhere. At least Pinotage was something concrete. That being said, there are some stunning examples available now that suggest that the Cape Blend might find it’s niche both locally & internationally. We can only live in hope.

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