Cabernet Franc’s Diversity Showed Off At Annual Carnival

Monday, 9 May, 2016
Avontuur Estate
The diversity of the Cabernet Franc varietal and terroir, and the many flavour profiles South African winemakers derive from this, was clear at a tasting presented by Cape Wine Master Christine Rudman at the spectacular Oldenburg Vineyards near Stellenbosch recently.

Seven wines were tasted: HPF Swartskaap 2012 from Sondagskloof near Stanford, Hannay Wines 2014 from Elgin, Ormonde Ondine 2013 from Darling, Oldenburg 2013, Raats Family Wines 2013 and Avontuur Estate 2011 from Stellenbosch and Druk-my-Niet 2011 from Paarl.

The different wines ranged from the fruitier but balanced styles of the Ormonde and Hannay wines, to the softer rounded profiles of the Avontuur and the Druk-my-Niet, the elegant minerality of the Oldenburg and Swartskaap and the longevity of the Raats which will easily keep for another decade. Pricing was a talking point as well as the wines ranged from R85 per bottle to R425 per bottle.

“Cabernet Franc is to my mind under-priced in South Africa. Producers don’t always know exactly what they have, as the diverse pricing reflects. The quality and versatility of the varietal makes this a fantastic food wine, a wine to keep, or you can find an easy-drinking fruitier style which is easy to enjoy next to the braai, ” commented Christine.

All of these wines and more, can be tasted and purchased at the second Cabernet Franc Carnival which is being held on Saturday, 21 May 2016 from 11h00-17h00 at Avontuur Estate.

The participating wineries are: Avontuur Estate, Cape Chamonix, CK Wines, Doolhof Wine Estate, Druk-My-Niet Estate, Hannay Wines, Hermanuspietersfontein, KWV, Lynx Wines, Mitre’s Edge, Oldenburg Vineyards, Ormonde Vineyards, Raats Family Wines, Romond Wines, Whalehaven and Warwick Wines.

Carnival visitors will once again contribute to the discussion by participating in the very popular public “vote” for their favourite wines, which gives an interesting perspective on the differences between expert and amateur palates.

Tickets are R120 pp (R170 pp if you want to include a seat in one of the Challenge tutored tastings), which includes the tastings and a tasting glass.

Tickets must be pre-booked at winery@avontuurestate.co.za or at +27.21 855-3450. For more information visit www.avontuurestate.co.za.

Click here to purchase the 2016 Cabernet Franc Challenge Winners