I am currently fully employed in the wine industry, trying to further SA's wine reach in any way I can.
I have now been at wine.co.za for 2 years (special thanks to my two fabulous bosses and epic colleagues) - 2 years of incredible moments, some of which might have been forgotten because of excessive wine consumption.
I've been privileged to witness wine launches before they hit the consumers; to see the intricate details and workings of the industry; all the hard work that goes into keeping the wine flowing.
In tribute to time well-spent, here are some random things I have learnt and can take to the wine bank. (Some might be useful, others trivial...mostly, it's for your enjoyment...or not...drink away!)
Let's begin - Things you learn/receive/need from the SA wine industry:
- USBs. Infinite supplies of memory sticks. Need a data
storing device? I feel like I could start an underground market from the stock
that I have. Mind you, it’s certainly better than CD’s (unless they are
re-writable), huge emails or worse, paper.
- Stretchy pants. You cannot enjoy wine and not love food too. You certainly cannot attend an event and not expect to be treated to gastronomical delights. The negative side is the extra weight and nights spent letting out the seams in my jeans.
- Just when you think a winery cannot go anywhere further it turns around and surprises you with either an upgrade/face-lift or a new attraction. For instance, the renovations of JC le Roux and the magnificent changes to Seidelberg - now Spice Route. Consumers change, so too must the industry.
- Everyone started on sweet wine and if they tell you they didn’t,
they are probably lying – I like hearing all the whispered stories of wine
writers who used to drink nothing but klippies and coke before the wine bug bit
them.
- There will always be some nastiness in any industry but what’s nice about SA wine is that we really do rally around each other, acting like bodyguards against most negativity.
- One year really does make all the difference. When you’re buying a car, you do a little research into the model - you don’t want any defects. The same with wine, some vintages are remarkably better than others. This is not to say that a good winemaker can’t produce quality wine in the midst of hardships, but next time you want to get a wine, put some feeling into the research. You’ll be happy you did.
- Some wineries happen to feature particular wines that might not be to your desire/needs/likes, it’s okay not to like them but they are still part of the wine family. Everyone has that crazy relative that can make things awkward but you still love them because they are family…
- Speaking of family, spending so much time at events and in the presence of some awesome people (I can't name all), you get very close to them – I find myself often trying to take a sneaky pic of glamour idols, Nicolette Waterford and Maryna Strachan; giggling like a school girl with Karen Glanfield; sidling close to Cathy Marston in the vain hope that her strong British accent will bring mine out again. We’re all mad for wine and that’s a bond stronger than steel.
- The importance of educating tasting room staff. If someone wants to know the RS in a wine, find it out for them. If you opened a bottle of wine a few days ago check, before you serve it, that it is still in perfect condition. Simple mistakes cost conversions and with the fantastic amount of courses offered to those in the industry, there is no excuse.
- Every wine region is unique and beautiful in its own right and I encourage everyone (non drinkers alike) to go exploring. Just because you've done Stellenbosch doesn't mean you can place Robertson or the Karoo in the same wineland box.
I'm sure this list will grow over time but from the top of my head, that's my lot. Here's to many more years being blown away by SA Wine.