Café Culture is Best South African red at International Wine Challenge in Vietnam

Wednesday, 21 November, 2007
Penelope Horwood, KWV Limited
Café Culture, KWV’s newest brand, produced entirely from Pinotage, was awarded a gold medal, as well as the accolades Best Value red wine and Best South African red wine at the International Wine Challenge, held this week in Vietnam. Renowned wine critic, judge and wine writer, Robert Joseph, is the chairman of the competition.
Café Culture, released for the first time in September 2007, is made in an innovative style and presented in a trendy packaging that mirrors its vibrant target market perfectly.

The 2007 Café Culture is available exclusively at Pick n Pay stores throughout the country until the end of December, whereafter it will be available in the trade.

The wine is crafted by award winning winemaker, Bertus Fourie, whose trademark wine varietal is Pinotage. This is an easy sipper with substantial mocha and blackcurrant aromas which provide complexity on the palate, with a smooth lingering aftertaste.

Pinotage grapes, from specially selected vineyards, were harvested at optimal ripeness. The wine then underwent wood maturation for three months before being blended and bottled.

Café Culture is a brand that has been specially created for trendy, upmarket enjoyment. The modern, understated label emphasises the social nature of the wine, and recalls the smart Café Society of the twenties and thirties.

KWV senior winemaker, Bertus Fourie, who crafted this wine, says that this unique product “is the most controversial style of Pinotage wine in the world. Most people crave it. It does not speak of 'terroir', as oak plays the dominant role. This accounts for its mocha and chocolate flavours – the richness of coffee beans, the smoothness of creamy chocolate and the freshness of ripe fruit."

"It is an every time of the day, every day of the week wine for modern consumers."
The 2007 vintage also won a gold medal at the Michelangelo International Wine Awards in October. No mean feat for a brand that is only two months old!