The wine that would not lie down

In 1969, former Nederburg cellarmaster Günter Brözel created South Africa’s first noble late harvest from botrytis-infected grapes, which he called Edelkeur.

As legislation at the time did not permit for wines with a residual sugar this high to be sold, special permission was obtained to sell the wine on auction, and so the Nederburg Auction was born, with the debut event held in 1975. It was also the birthplace for a South African platform to showcase the best, rare and special in South African winemaking.

This coming Friday and Saturday marks the 37th year of this auspicious event. View more comments from Günter, current Nederburg cellarmaster Razvan Macici, and several other producers participating in this years event, in the clip below.

Nederburg impresses potential buyers at pre-auction dinner

One of the most sought-after invitations in the Winelands, was the opportunity to attend the Grande Roche dinner for potential bidders ahead of this year’s Nederburg Auction. It gave wine buyers a chance to preview in a superb setting some of the Nederburg wines scheduled to come under the hammer of Bonham’s Anthony Barne MW on Friday, September 16 and Saturday, September 17 at Nederburg in Paarl.

Chef Roland Gorgosilich of Bosman’s Restaurant at the luxurious hotel dished up a swanky menu paired with the award-winning Private Bin wines that Nederburg makes for sale exclusively on the annual auction.

Nederburg Private Bin D234 Sauvignon Blanc 2009 was served with mouth-watering herb-stuffed calamari, creamy spinach and beurre noissette foam, while cured salmon carpaccio, cress and crème fraiche was a gorgeous match with the 2005 Private Bin D253 Sauvignon Blanc/Chardonnay. Succulent beef fillet, glazed beetroots, pommes fondant and foie gras partnered perfectly with Nederburg Private Bin R172 Pinotage 2001. Delectably soft lamb loin, root vegetables and polenta was harmonised with two wines, Nederburg Private Bin R101 Malbec 2001 and Nederburg Private Bin R163 Cabernet Sauvignon 2001. Nederburg’s enticing Private Bin Edelkeur 2003 and a trio of chocolate dessert melted the hearts of diners.

Now in its 37th year, the auction has lined up some of South Africa’s very best-of-best wines from Nederburg and other famous-name producers.

First day of spring signals final countdown to 2011 Nederburg Auction

Every year the arrival of spring heralds a new beginning, creating the anticipation that comes with the changing of the seasons. This excitement is also palpable in the Nederburg Auction offices – the 1st of September has kicked off the final countdown until the opening bid for the 2011 Nederburg Auction on 16th September.

Prestige runs deep in the Nederburg Auction DNA, and will be evident again at this year’s event, where exclusivity goes deeper than just fine wines. With good food, art and entertainment on offer to compliment the wines, guests will be sure to enjoy a memorable day out surrounded by beauty in various forms.

The refocusing on exclusivity is aptly supported by this year’s dress code. Exactly 15 days remain to put together an outfit that’s smart, yet expressive, and with a touch of opulence.

To compliment the fashion and style that will be present, this year’s event atmosphere will be enhanced by a beautiful selection of food, prepared by Andrea Foulkes and the team from Dish Food & Social for guests to savour and enjoy after the business of bidding and buying is concluded. Entertainment offered by SA’s top jazz band Breakfast Included and vocalist duo Silwer provides the perfect conclusion to a relaxed afternoon.

Let the countdown begin.

“Terroirist” to address 2011 Nederburg Auction

“Terroirist” (ter-war-ist) noun: “A person, usually a member of a group, who is fanatical about wine, especially when it has a sense of place”.

This is the description you’ll find on Terroirist.com, the daily wine blog founded last year by US-based wine writer David White, who has been announced as this year’s guest speaker at the 37th Nederburg Auction of fine, rare wines on Saturday 17th September.

Based in Washington DC, this ‘Terroirist’ talks to 10 000 readers a month through his award-winning website, which was recently named “Best New Wine Blog” at the annual Wine Blog Awards, presented at the 2011 North American Wine Bloggers Conference in July.

Artfully straddling the divide between traditional and digital media, David is well poised to comment on the myriad challenges facing the wine industry, including the changing media landscape, the democratisation of wine criticism and what it is that new generation consumers want.

Says David: “Whether it’s new markets, cutting-edge technology or changing consumer preferences, the wine industry is being forced to adapt at lightning speed. It’s an exciting time, but those who want to succeed must recognize – and embrace – how the market is changing.”

Nederburg Auction business manager, Dalene Steyn, concurs: “Given that the look and feel of the auction itself have changed to offer a platform that is both progressive and relevant, we’re excited to have someone like David offer a fresh insight into the changing wine landscape and the future implications for both the industry and consumers.”

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Since its launch on November 9, 2010, Terroirist has been mentioned by the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Reason Magazine, and many other highly regarded publications. The blog has also been highlighted by a number of leading wine writers. David and his team of eight fellow ‘Terroirists’ provide daily updates about anything and everything relating to wine.

David White, who has his Level 3 (Advanced, with Merit) certificate in wine and spirits from the London-based Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has authored several wine pieces that have featured in leading publications, including The World of Fine Wine, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, and Reuters.

He is a member of the Society of Wine Educators and is also a founding board member of the American Wine Consumer Coalition. Recently, he was awarded a fellowship to the annual Symposium for Professional Wine Writers at Meadowood Napa Valley.

2011 auction line-up impresses local wine critics

“In the history of the auction I’ve missed very few pre-auction tastings, and none so far has shown the quality and depth that has been visible this year” – Michael Fridjhon

“This is the strongest line-up of white wines that I’ve seen” – Neil Pendock

“The Nederburg Auction is definitely ratcheting up the quality” – Fiona McDonald

“These are wines with character. Wines that stand out” – David Biggs

These are a few of the observations made by some of South Africa’s leading wine commentators at a recent pre-auction tasting held at Nederburg, of approximately 50 of the 2011 Nederburg Auction wines.

Words such as ‘consistent’, ‘premium’, ‘visible’ and ‘good quality’ were used to describe the selection of wines that were tasted, which offered a good representation across this year’s stylistic spectrum. The Chardonnay category elicited a surprising favourable response – read more about how this flight was rated on Cape Chatter.

Although overall volumes are down 15% from 2010, local wine media were in agreement that it is reflective of a clever, more careful approach to provide a more exclusive line-up of wines, initiated by a stricter selection process, which for the first time saw sommeliers participate on the judging panel.

Collectively the media’s overwhelmingly positive response delivers a verdict that serves to confirm that the Nederburg Auction is well on its way to achieving its objective to be a showcase for this country’s finest, most rare wines.

View more of the comments from this pre-auction tasting in the clip below:

Nederburg Auction wines surprise and please

Woodstock in Cape Town was the place to be earlier this week, as wine enthusiasts gathered at the Upper Eastside Hotel to sample and savour a selection of some of SA’s finest wines. A 2004 Syrah from Marcel de Reuck, an elegant 2005 Merlot from De Grendel, Le Bonheur’s acclaimed Prima 2001, and a 2005 Nederburg Private Bin Eminence, the beautiful dessert wine produced by 2011’s Platter’s SA Wine Guide Winery of the Year, were just four of the 19 wines that members of the public previewed with Cape Wine Master Bennie Howard, who hosted the seated tasting.

The pre-tasting provides an ideal opportunity for the public to experience some of the extraordinary wines on offer at the annual Nederburg Auction, which is only open to licensees. Wines purchased at the auction are available at selected wine shops, and liquor and supermarket outlets shortly after the auction, and are easily identifiable by the ‘Sold at the Nederburg Auction’ sticker, clearly visible on all Nederburg Auction bottles sold at the event.

Congratulations went to Melissa Chetty, an avid Merlot supporter, who was the lucky winner of a pair of tickets to attend the actual event at Nederburg in Paarl on 16th and 17th September.

Click on the clip below for an overview and some some comments from the evening. Tickets for the Joburg public tasting event on Wednesday 27th July are still available through Computicket.

Limited speciality wines to open Saturday’s bidding floor at 37th Nederburg Auction

Some are there because of their age; others because of their sense of occasion. Whatever the reason for their extraordinariness, you’ll find a piece of bottled exceptionality in this year’s Nederburg Auction Private Collection category, which opens the second day’s bidding at this year’s event on September 16 and 17 at Nederburg in Paarl.

Introduced for the first time, the Private Collection category serves to accommodate exceptional wines that are available in extremely small quantities, from producers who have literally been treasuring their last few bottles for an event such as this. “Each wine included in this year’s selection of 14 items has an original story to tell that enhances the rarity, uniqueness and collectability of these wines”; says Nederburg Auction business manager Dalene Steyn.

A perfect example is the 1974 Cabernet Sauvignon from Rustenberg, the last vintage made by this winery’s former owner/winemaker Reg Merriman Nicholson, and which, according to current owner Simon Barlow, was probably his best. “Most of this wine was in fact consumed at my sister’s wedding – we do not even have a bottle in our wine library at Rustenberg, so it is extremely rare indeed”. Simon believes that it is vintages like this one that show South Africa can make world class wines – a great reason to perhaps bid on the item himself, as he comments (insert YouTube link to video).

An item that underpins the ultimate sense of occasion, marking a monumental period in our nation’s history, was specially bottled for the inauguration of former president Nelson Mandela. The 1994 Graham Beck MCC was made by Pieter Ferreira and is not easily available on the open market. One case of four 1.5 litre bottles, at a reserve price of R1 000, will be sold.

One of the oldest South African bottled wines still available that features in the Private Collection line up is a spritely 1930 Red Muscadel Jerepigo from KWV. Despite its age, this wine still displays an astonishing freshness with an amazing array of flavours, including spicy and herbal naunces. Just six bottles of this 81-year-old wine will be offered at a reserve price of R1 200. Staying with the ‘grandfathers’ of South African wines, a fantastic matured wine from the 60s comes from Chateau Libertas, the original trendsetter for blended natural wines in South Africa more than 70 years ago. One case of just three bottles of the 1961 vintage, at a reserve price of R3 000, will be sold.

Dalene concludes; “Buyers who bid on the Private Collection wines at the start of the Saturday auction on September 17 will not only be buying a special wine – they will also be purchasing their own special piece of bottled exclusivity.”

The complete list of this year’s Private Collection wines is included in the catalogue, available for electronic download on the auction  website.

Surfer donates one-of-a-kind 10-bottle collection for greater good

One of the most sought after and best-performing wines from South Africa in the international arena features on the 2011 Nederburg Charity Auction, which takes place at the close of the main auction on Saturday September 17th at Nederburg in Paarl.

Winemaker Eben Sadie, of Sadie Family Wines, who also happens to be a skilled surfer, has put together a special case of 10 bottles of his renowned Columella, from the 2000 to 2009 vintages, marking a decade of this celebrated wine produced in the Paardeberg Mountains of the Swartland region. Due to the limited production of this wine, it is almost impossible to find some of the older vintages on the open market and a case of the historic 10-year line of the development of this limited wine is a rarity. Columella is a blend of Syrah and Mourvédre, and is, says Eben; ‘a true wine of terroir that has always been about place above progress”.

The charity sale offers unusual wine items, many of them collectors’ items. Alongside the Columella collection is the last of three sets of Nederburg Tribute Shiraz 2007, specially created by visionary Nederburg cellarmaster Razvan Macici to mark the 35th anniversary of the Nederburg Auction and 350 years of wine at the Cape in 2009.

As well as impressive local wines, the charity auction is privileged to have several top-ranking foreign wines included in this year’s line-up. Donated by Swedish wine personalities Britt and Janåke Johansson is one of the most exclusive, sought after sweet wines in the world – a 375ml bottle of Oremus Tokaji Eszencia 2000, of which just a few hundred bottles were made. Hungary’s world-famous Tokaji, often referred to in literature as the ‘wine of kings and the king of wines’, is incredibly difficult to forget once tasted. Although very sweet, with a residual sugar content of 468 grams per litre, the enormous acidity perfectly balances this beautiful nectar, offering a spectacular richness and an unequalled flavour.

Another international item was donated by Auctioneer Anthony Barne MW and is also a dessert wine; this time a First Growth from the commune of Sauternes, on the banks of the Garonne river in the southern part of the Bordeaux vineyards. The acclaimed Chateau d’Yquem 1986 made, like all Sauternes, from noble late harvest grapes, was given a 98-point rating in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate of January 1998.

One of the doyens of SA wine, Duimpie Bayly, has donated three extraordinary old wines from the Distell tabernacle, including a two-bottle collection from the 70s that come from the acclaimed McWilliams winery in Australia. He comments further (in the clip below) on these marvellous old wines.

This year’s charity auction also benefits from items donated by Zonnebloem, Fleur du Cap, La Motte, and Stellenrust. Last year’s charity sale raised R169 500 for the Goedgedacht Trust, the Pebbles project Trust and World Vision SA Mbekweni in Paarl. This year consideration will once again be given to locally-based community projects. Anyone may bid, and all proceeds raised will go to community-based organisations. View the complete list here.

Nederburg Auction Public Tastings

If you have an appreciation for exclusive, fine wines, join Cape Wine Master Bennie Howard for a preview of some of the extraordinary wines on offer at this year’s annual Nederburg Auction. You’ll have an opportunity to taste, amongst others, a 2004 Syrah from debut participant Marcel de Reuck, an elegant 2005 Merlot from De Grendel, Le Bonheur’s acclaimed Prima 2001, and a 2005 Nederburg Private Bin Eminence, the beautiful dessert wine produced by 2011’s Platter’s SA Wine Guide Winery of the Year.

As only licensees may bid on the Auction, which takes place on September 16 and 17, the pre-tasting is the ideal opportunity for wine lovers to select the wines you would like to acquire, which can be purchased on your behalf by your local liquor outlet, wine shop owners or supermarket wine buyers.

Cape Town: Wednesday 13th July at the Upper Eastside Hotel, Woodstock, from 19:00.

Johannesburg: Wednesday 27th July at the Balalaika Protea Hotel, Sandton, from 19:00

Tickets cost R120 per person and will include sparkling wine on arrival and canapés afterwards. Tickets available through Computicket

Up for grabs: The Nederburg Auction is offering a set of tickets each to the Cape Town and Joburg public tastings. Become a Fan of the Nederburg Auction through Facebook and stand a chance to experience the cream of local wines. Click here for details.

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From a simple beginning that saw 15 wines knocked down for R237 000 at the inaugural event in 1975, the Nederburg Auction of rare South African wines has evolved over almost four decades to become a major event on the local and international wine calendar – one that is known for showcasing only the cream of South Africa’s finest wines.

Offering a rare opportunity to select, sample and bid on a stringently selected range of wines from the country’s premium winemakers, estates and cellars, the Nederburg Auction’s expression lies in its desire to encourage greater wine standards, develop an awareness of South African wine and to ensure fair distribution of fine, rare wines.

Cream of SA’s wines to be sold at 37th Nederburg Auction

“Exclusivity”, “prestige” and “ultimate indulgence” are just some of the expressions that come to mind when a selection of more than 160 of South Africa’s finest wines come together with the sole purpose of going under the hammer at this year’s annual Nederburg Auction at Nederburg in Paarl on September 16 and 17.
Incredibly, the majority of SA’s 18 official wine routes will be represented when Anthony Barne MW, the London-based auctioneer from Bonhams, sells off a collection of the country’s most prized liquid assets to local and international wine buyers, including supermarket retailers, liquor licensees, restaurant owners, food and beverage buyers for hotels, guesthouses and game lodges.
Anthony, who takes up the hammer for the second consecutive year, recently tasted the 2011 auction selection line-up and offered these comments: “Once again I was most impressed, by both the reds and the whites to be offered – the quality of fruit in the wines is of a very high order and from there it comes down to individual wine-making styles.  Some of these – the Cabernets and Bordeaux blends in particular – reflect the philosophy of the early 1990′s when rich tannins, deep colours and oak flavours were the order of the day with Saint Emilion wines from Bordeaux leading the charge.
The Pinotages were a very enjoyable experience and absolutely vindicated the policy decision to make this variety a South African speciality, rather than marginalising it. Chenin blanc, the other variety closely associated with South Africa, was represented by only a few wines, but there were some real peaches amongst them, while the Sauvignon blancs, in their various styles, were a source of unending pleasure.  I seem to remember commenting last year on how much harder it was to sell whites than reds at the auction and I hope that anyone tasting this year’s showing will be waving their paddles vigorously.”
Referring to the sweeter wines, Anthony says; “Muskadels are an idosyncratic style,  one that I am learning to appreciate, although there are similarities with one of my favourite wines, aged tawny ports.  Vintage ports and sweet wines, on the other hand, are always easy to enjoy and I had no trouble in doing so, the younger ones full of sweet richness and the more mature ones showing the subtle complexities that come to us all with time.”
Last year saw auction prices hit a high note, with overall income jumping to nearly R6 million, up 41% from 2009. Nederburg Auction business manager, Dalene Steyn, is keen to build on the success of 2010 and propel this historically prestigious event firmly into the local and international spotlight.
“The Nederburg Auction is now in its 37th year, which is an exciting achievement in terms of the event’s longevity”; comments Dalene. “As with any longstanding event, the existing brand platform needed to be carefully evaluated and brought in line with the auction’s objective to be a showcase for our country’s finest, most rare wines. The result is a wine platform with a more modern look and feel that imparts a feeling of luxury and prestige – in line with the caliber of the wines that we strive to offer – that still retains the quality and depth that the auction brings as embedded value.”
She adds; “The new look and feel has been implemented across multiple levels, including the logo, website, catalogue, and the distinctive Nederburg Auction sticker that is applied to all bottles sold at the event, which serves as an additional unique selling point, giving these wines a competitive advantage that certainly enhances shelf appeal from a quality and endorsement point of view.”
The original five producers, who have participated on every auction since 1975, are again represented. They are Delheim, Groot Constantia, Overgaauw and Simonsig, and, of course, Nederburg. Debuting alongside these stalwarts and other of the country’s finest producers are newcomers Ataraxia, JP Bredell Wines, Capaia, Deetlefs Familie, De Morgenzon, De Reuck, Fryer’s Cove, Orange River Cellars and Perdeberg Winery.
Dalene concludes; “With a combination of long-established and newer names associated with the auction, we are confident in bringing buyers a varied and impressive spectrum of the country’s best-of-best and rare wines, offered in a range of lot sizes to cater to mainstream and boutique buyers.”
For further information and to subscribe to the Nederburg Auction newsflash visit www.nederburgauction.co.za