We bring you all the latest news, events and launches from the world of Ernie Els Wines.
1. Ernie Els Wines top in recent golfer’s wine feature
The esteemed Golf Magazine in the US recently published a feature with Master Sommelier Brian Cronin to ‘blind taste’ a selection of wines produced, owned or blended by current and former Tour Professionals. We’re proud to say that Ernie Els Wines came out top of the leaderboard, being rated as the best wine in both the white and red wine flights in the ‘Golf Gold’ tasting.
The Big Easy White is a 100 per cent unwooded Chenin Blanc with tropical fruit flavours, a soft mouthfeel and mineral notes that gather further complexity. The Ernie Els Cabernet Sauvignon is charismatic, with notes of cherry, coconut and milk chocolate. The Big Easy White and Ernie Els Cabernet Sauvignon reflect the words of Master Sommelier Brian Cronin, “…Ernie having had control of everything from vineyard to bottle, shows in [the quality of] the wine.”
Watch the video here http://bcove.me/0y9o3ylw
To purchase Ernie Els Wines, click here http://bit.ly/1L0V9DG
2. Springbok fever hits as the new SA Rugby Red wine blend is released for Rugby World Cup
Crouch, pause and engage! The Rugby World Cup has kicked off, with South Africa now through to the Quarter Final stages, and sport lovers across the world are captivated by the passion, the twists and strategies so typical of this pulsating tournament. Ernie Els Wines is the proud wine partner for the South African Rugby Union in making the SA Rugby Wines.
Our focus this year is on the delicious SA Rugby RED, which is a full bodied blend of 60 per cent Shiraz and 40 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon. You can expect a vivid display of complexity with layered cinnamon, fynbos and red berry fruit. Ernie Els Wines head winemaker Louis Strydom says: “I have tried to make this wine with the consumer in mind. A red wine to be enjoyed for its approachability, but also the richness and intensity of flavour. It should be just the right time of year in the European autumn and South African spring to enjoy this wine.”
So, why not enhance your Rugby World Cup experience with SA Rugby RED, available in South Africa at Pick n’ Pay stores nationwide. For those lucky enough to be travelling to the World Cup in the coming weeks, you can pick up a carry-pack at The Big Five Duty Free stores in Johannesburg and Cape Town airports.
3. The wine world comes to South Africa…and Ernie Els Wines shine!
Cape Wine is the leading trade showcase for the South Africa wine industry and Ernie Els Wines was once again in attendance. Wines of South Africa (WOSA) invited trade visitors from around the world to the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 15 -17 September 2015 to experience the essence of South African wine.
WOSA chairman Michael Jordaan commented in his opening address that the local industry, offering the perfect blend of tradition and innovation, is now at the tipping point where all the cumulative innovations in the wine industry would soon start showing themselves in fascinating new ways.
Ernie Els Wines proudly represented the Stellenbosch region at Cape Wine, showcasing our portfolio of seven red wines, one rosé and two white wines. This was a great opportunity to meet with our current network of importers, as well as be introduced to new potential partners.
4. Louis Strydom’s Ernie Els CWG blend stars in record auction
The 31st Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction took place on 3 October, where winemakers showcased wines produced in small quantities exclusively for this auction. Both red and white wines reached new record prices, with the average case of wine up by almost 10 per cent on 2014. Ernie Els Wines winemaker, Louis Strydom, presented the Ernie Els CWG 2013 and sold out at R6200 per case.
The Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG) consists of winemakers recognised for their high standards of craftsmanship and innovation in the quality of wine produced in the South African wine industry. The Ernie Els Wines CWG submission is traditionally a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot and has consistently performed as one of the top red blends at the auction in previous years.
Over and above the total R11.8 Million total sales achieved, a further R231 500 was raised in aid of the CWG Protégé Programme, a mentorship initiative giving young aspirant winemakers the rare opportunity to work side-by-side with members of the Guild. We are very proud that Louis Strydom is involved in this important initiative of the guild as Chairman of the CWG Development Trust, also sponsored by Nedbank.
5. Winemakers Corner: The Old world craft of making barrels
At Ernie Els Wines, we believe that great wines are a unique blend between terroir and the craftsmanship of the winemakers. Without question, a great wine starts in the vineyard. However, we as winemakers have the opportunity to carefully nurture the natural flavours of the wine during the winemaking process using various techniques, of which the oak-maturing process is a vital one.
“Oak barrels have been used for centuries for storing and transporting wine and at Ernie Els Wines, barrels are used for the fermentation and ageing of our serious red wines,” comments L’Re Burger, Assistant Winemaker at Ernie Els Wines. “These living vessels add various aromas, structure and complexity to our wines. We use different types of French and American oak barrels, all with individual toasting, complementing the aromas and flavours of our wines.”
The Ernie Els Wines production team recently had the opportunity to visit the Radoux cooperage in South Africa to supervise the making of some of our French oak barrels. The craftsmanship involved in creating these individual vessels is a perfect combination of art and skills acquired over years. Getting to see the process in action and smelling the toasting of the various oak barrels, definitely highlights the high quality of workmanship of the coopers and the pride they have for their finished product.
“Each spring we look forward to receiving our new oak barrels and will soon start to plan how we will be using these during the 2016 harvest to help us create unique and elegant wines in our continuous commitment to quality,” adds L’Re Burger.
