2 New Cape Wine Masters

Monday, 11 May, 2015
Jenny McQueen
Two new graduates were awarded their certificates as Cape Wine Masters (CWM) by the Cape Wine Academy and Institute of Cape Wine Masters at a function held at the historic wine estate Laborie in Paarl, on Friday, May 8.


The two new wine masters are Yvonne le Riche, 32, marketing and export manager of Le Riche Wines in Stellenbosch, and Martin Gomez Fernandez, 43, currently group supply chain development manager for a dairy firm in Singapore. Both focused their dissertations on red wine cultivars that have regained popularity recently - namely, Cinsaut and Grenache.

In her dissertation entitled ‘Revolutionising Cinsaut”, Yvonne le Riche, focused on the quality aspects of Cinsaut, provided an international perspective and discussed the potential marketing aspects of the variety. She also covered the historical perspective of Cinsaut in South Africa in the 19th century and the role it played in the development of Pinotage.

Martin Gomez Fernandez researched the increasing popularity of Grenache in his dissertation entitled “Grenache: Best Practices and Potential for South Africa.” Interest in Grenache is gaining momentum driven by the increase in producers crafting top quality Grenache wines in South Africa and internationally. This research compiles the best viticultural and winemaking practices from renowned winemakers and viticulturists worldwide. The potential for South Africa is great.

Yvonne Le Riche who attained a BA degree from the University of Stellenbosch in 2003, worked as assistant winemaker on her father, Etienne’s farm, Le Riche Wines, during the harvests of 2005 and 2006. During 2006-7, she worked as trainee manager in two London stores of the Majestic Wine Warehouse and in 2007-8 as sommelier at Singita private game reserve, a prestigious Relais & Chateaux property. In 2005 she also managed to fit in a harvest in Bergerac in France.

Martin Gomez Fernandez, who is currently Group Supply Chain Development Manager for a dairy firm in Singapore, is a native Spaniard, with many languages under his belt, including English, French, Catalan, Portuguese, German and Italian. He worked in the IT field, specifically in the retail and supply chain environment for companies in Spain, France, South Africa (Woolworths from 2007 to 2011) and Singapore.

After attaining his International MBA at the University of Southern California, US in 2004, he completed his Master of Engineering in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology-ZLOG, Boston, US & Zaragoza, Spain in May 2005.

The Viticultural Award, sponsored by La Motte, went to Yvonne Le Riche. A new award for the Best Dissertation sponsored by Kleine Zalze was instituted for the first time this year and was awarded to Martin Gomez. Martin Gomez also received The Van Ryn Brandy Award.

At the annual Institute of Cape Winemasters’ Dinner on Saturday, 9 May, the special award of Wine Personality of the Year was presented to popular wine author and columnist David Biggs. “This award recognises his wine writing over four decades, his positive approach to wine with his great sense of humour and his passion for dessert wines. Together with his stature as a wine judge of note, David has made a singular contribution to the world of wine in South Africa,” according to Winnie Bowman, chairman of the Institute of Cape Wine Masters.

The current number of Cape Wine Masters (CWMs) now totals 93 including 12 from overseas and two of the three original winemasters - Duimpie Bayly and Bennie Howard who, together with the late Tony Mossop, were the first to attain this prestigious qualification when it was first instituted 32 years ago.

The current membership profile of the CWM is 52% (48) male and 48% (45) female. Western Cape members comprise 55% of the total contingent, and Gauteng 30%, while other provinces – KwaZulu-Natal and Free State comprise 3% and overseas members 12%.

In 2003 the Cape Wine and Spirit Education Trust granted the Cape Wine Academy the right to award the Cape Wine Master (CWM) qualification and confer the Cape Wine Master’s title, in collaboration with the Institute of Cape Wine Masters.

DISSERTATIONS:
Yvonne le Riche - Dissertation: Revolutionising Cinsaut
With the recent re-emergence of Cinsaut as both a blending component and single grape varietal in the South African wine industry, this thesis focused on the quality aspects of Cinsuat, provides an international perspective and discussed the potential marketing aspects of the variety. It deals with the historical use of Cinsaut within the South African context, the role it played in the development of the country’s unique cultivar, Pinotage, a crossing of Pinot Noir and Hermitage (Cinsaut) as well as its merits in the modern winemaking environment – the characteristics and possible drawbacks, what it adds to a blend, popular regions of growth, etc. Industry statistics are included to provide a snapshot of current and past occurrences and trends, as well as a section on the application of Cinsaut within the international arena, and a short marketing perspective. While interviews with experienced winemakers reveal why they decided against using Cinsaut, the younger winemaking generation give their reasons for re-introducing it. Although Cinsaut has played an important role in the production of bulk wines, both historically as well as in the current market, the quality aspects of Cinsaut are the main focus here.

Martin Gomez Fernandez - Dissertation: Grenache: Best Practices and Potential for South Africa
Interest in Grenache is gaining momentum driven by the increase in the number of producers crafting top quality Grenache wines in South Africa and internationally. Grenache, when correctly managed, produces delicate, juicy and complex food friendly wines. This research compiles the best viticultural and winemaking practices of renowned winemakers and viticulturalists worldwide. The potential for South Africa is great, because of the predominantly Mediterranean climate, dry land and granitic soils. Climate change makes it even more critical for the industry to select the right cultivars for the future. Confidence is high among producers, who believe that South Africa could become a world leader in quality Grenache wines.

The Viticultural Award, sponsored by La Motte and presented by cellarmaster Edmund Terblanche, went to Yvonne Le Riche. A new award for the Best Dissertation sponsored by Kleine Zalze was instituted for the first time this year and was awarded to Martin Gomez and presented by winemaker, Alastair Rimmer. Martin Gomez also received The Van Ryn Brandy Award from Marlene Bester, distillery manager of Vyn Ryn.

Caption Group Picture - All Cape Wine Masters present (currently have 93)

Left to right:

Conrad Louw
Marius Malan
Sandy Harper
Brad Gold
Danielle Le Roux
Margaret Fry
De Bruyn Steenkamp
Francois Bezuidenhout
Dick Davidson
Nina-Mari Bruwer
Tom Block
Catherine Dillon
Kristina Beuthner
Duimpie Bayly
Margi Barker
Greg de Bruyn
Raymond Noppé
Irina von Holdt
Elsie Pels
Mary Lou Nash
Martin Gomez
Derek Ramsden
Winnie Bowman
Ginette de Fleuriot
Dave Hughes
Junel Vermeulen
Yvonne le Riche
Dave March
Kathy Brewer
Andy Roediger
Debi van Flymen
Christine Rudman
Bennie Howard

ISSUED BY: JENNY MCQUEEN & ASSOCIATES
ON BEHALF OF: CAPE WINE ACADEMY & THE INSTITUTE OF CAPE WINEMASTERS
FURTHER INFORMATION:
BENNIE HOWARD / INSTITUTE OF CAPE WINEMASTERS: 082 551 5545
KRISTINA BEUTHNER / PRINCIPAL – CWA - JHB
TEL: 011 024 3616 kristina@capewineacademy.co.za
JENNY MCQUEEN, TEL: 021 439 5063/082 579 9125
jenny@mcqueen.co.za

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Dr Winnie Bowman, Martin Gomez, Kristina Beuthner
Dr Winnie Bowman, Martin Gomez, Kristina Beuthner

Dr Winnie Bowman, Yvonne le Riche, Kristina Beuthner
Dr Winnie Bowman, Yvonne le Riche, Kristina Beuthner









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