Kayleigh Hattingh and Tim Whitfield, from the University of Stellenbosch and Elsenburg Agricultural College respectively approached the rigorous challenge with the optimism and eagerness of youth, honoured to be the first protégés asked to join a team of seasoned wine experts in judging the Absa Top 10.
“I was a little awe-struck at first,” says Kayleigh, a final-year BSc student in oenology and viticulture. “There was flight upon-flight of wine, many totally overwhelming and the likes of which I have not tasted before. Sometimes I had to remind myself I was part of a judging panel and not at a wine-tasting circle for my own pleasure. And of course, being a total Pinotage fanatic made the exercise a pleasurable as well as learning one.”
Tim, who is in his final year at Elsenburg Agricultural College, said it was an unbelievable experience to sit in the same room as wine legends such as Neil Ellis, Francois Rautenbach from Singita and wine writer Samarie Smith.
“Although my and Kayleigh’s scores were not taken into account, we were truly made to feel a part of the team,” says Tim. “Listening to Neil talk about his experience in making Pinotage and how he can taste the techniques the winemakers used in certain wines was mind-boggling. Stephan Joubert, also a judge, made some insightful comments on viticulture which was hugely inspiring and I picked up a lot of handy tips.
“It was a great privilege to be part of the group and being allowed to raise our opinions and listen to the various opinions on the Pinotage’s entered. Now I am truly excited to get to grips with the industry once I have finished studying.”
Kayleigh’s final obsession with Pinotage came when she had to make one barrel of wine for her third year course, and was given Pinotage.
“Working with the grape and experiencing the skins, flesh and juice convinced me that Pinotage is a very special grape,” she says. “The perfume the wine gives off during its rapid fermentation and the diverse flavour profiles is fascinating. I have never had to be converted to Pinotage, but now I am a true disciple.”
For Tim, Pinotage was no unfamiliar wine when he arrived from his home on the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga, where his father is a game ranger, to study in Stellenbosch.
“My mom enjoys her red wine and as I got older she would let me taste the odd drop,” he says. “The fact that Beyerskloof Pinotage was one of her best-loved wines made me literally cut my teeth on Pinotage. I really enjoy drinking it and learning more about the grape at college where I work with it in the vineyards and the cellar.”
Besides her studies, Kayleigh is member of a small wine circle comprising fellow-students where different wines are tasted and discussed on a weekly basis.
“They can be sure that we will be talking a lot more about Pinotage – well at least, I will,” says Kayleigh. “I obviously don’t know what the results are for this year’s Absa Top 10, but among the 144 we tasted there were many, many wines I wished I had made. One day……!”