Leopard's Leap Wines

Wine culture in 121 B.C. much like today

Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius was reportedly one of few who was not a fan of Falernian wine. Image by mbell1975 via Compfight.

An interesting new article on www.winespectator.com says that 'ample evidence exists that ancient Rome had a fine wine culture much like today’s, with prestige regions, cult wines and a love of bold, rich styles meant to be aged for decades.'

The 'cult' wine from this period, the one everyone sought to drink, was Falernian wine.Probably a varietal wine made from a grape the Romans called Aminea Gemina, Falernian was grown in three vineyards on the slopes of Mt. Massico. Falernian from 121 B.C. (the vintage of a lifetime!) was celebrated for decades; multiple ancient sources mention having the chance to taste the wine 200 years after its vintage date. (Writing in the first century, Pliny the Elder acknowledges that the wine was a bit past its peak by then.) 

The article further states: 'As Falernian became a byword for luxury, inevitably, the demand for it spurred spurious “Falernians” into the market, another ancient practice still alive today. On one tavern wall preserved at Pompeii, the wine list can be seen: “For one as [a unit of currency; a loaf of bread cost two] you can drink wine; for two, you can drink the best; for four, you can drink Falernian.”'

Wine historians today believe this famed wine could have been either white or red, and that it was fermented to 15 or 16 percent alcohol and diluted with water. 

Selling wine at ProWein

Leopard's Leap is once again one of the exhibitors at ProWein in Dusseldorf, Germany. Behind the stand, CEO Hein Koegelenberg is talking to a prospective buyer, while Leopard's Leap marketing director Marius Kotze looks on.

Keeping it in the family

In a recent study, geneticists and viticulturists researched and compared the DNA of all the grapes in the American seed bank, where plantings of all grape varietals are stored. The result was very interesting: About half of all the grapes belongs to the same family. Syrah and Viognier are brother and sister, Cabernet Saivignon is a grandchild of Merlot. And the patriarch of most American-grown grapes is Traminer.

Considering that each cultivar, such as Chardonnay or Cabernet Franc, is the equivalent of one specimen, this, in human terms, would mean a United States census tallying only 1,000 people, half of them closely related and only a dozen or so particularly famous.

As in old royal families, it appears domesticated grapes have kept their good names by avoiding much breeding outside the family. And as in old royal families, this could spell poor health for our princeliest varieties. A new disease preying on vinifera could cause significant damage, even disaster.This is because pathogens can evolve, but cultivars can't. The result is an inordinate number of pesticides and fungicides used on vineyards. Researchers are now hoping that consumers will develop palates for lesser-known varietals, as cultivars are 'sitting ducks' for pathogens.

 

Another take on recycling wine

When discussing recycling in the wine industry, one usually thinks about packaging: recycling wine bottles, crates and cork. Now,chefs are recycling actual leftover wine in ingenious ways. In California, new products including wine vinegar and marinades for meat are made from leftover wine.

Restaurants end up with wine leftovers for a number of reasons, particularly if they sell a lot of it by the glass, something that's become more popular as have become more cautious about spending. But that trend can leave restaurants with plenty of wine at the bottom of the bottle.

Red or white wine vinegar is easy to make, and saves restaurants money. Chefs also use leftover Champagne, Riesling and sweet wine to make granitas and sorbets. According to one chef,'A side-effect of repurposing pinot and other wine leftovers is you find yourself cooking with a storied vintage that normally would never go near a spoon, like a high-end Champagne or Chateau d'Yquem, the famous French dessert wine that can command hundreds of dollars a bottle.'

Source: Associated Press

 

At the 'Decade of Design' book launch

We were honoured to be a sponsor of the launch of a new book in Pretoria recently. Titled 'A Decade of Design',' the coffee table book by Diane de Beer celebrates ten years of architecture and design by the firm Mathews and Associates. Leopard's Leap sponsored the wine as design aficionados came together for an evening of music, food and architecture.

The images above were taken at the launch.

You can buy A Decade of Design here.

Wine-buying strategies

Real Simple, the American lifestyle and organisation magazine (that is sadly no longer published in South Africa), has an interesting article on their website about your strategy when buying wine.

They write:

When faced with a wide selection, many novice wine buyers assume the solution is to "trade up." If you spend more, the wine will be better, right? Not necessarily. Don't assume that a $20 bottle is twice as good as a $10 one. As with other expensive foods and drinks (like caviar and exotic cheeses), high-priced wines may take you into acquired-taste territory.

The article offers three tips for when buying wine: Firstly, buy brands, as best-sellers (like Leopard's Leap!) consistently offer good value for money. Secondly, narrow down your selection by buying the most well-known varietals, like Sauvignon Blanc. Lastly, do your tasting homework: You don't have to study wine, but trial and error will give you a better idea of what tastes and grapes you like.

60 Words gets exciting new entries daily

If you see the label above on a website, do remember to enter our 60 Words competition. Vibrant entries in both Afrikaans and English are published on LitNet daily. Below are some new entries to inspire you to write your own 60 words:

A humble warrior

by Gavin Street

Commander-in-chief of the Western Cape ecosystem, the Cape leopard thrived in an era of low-tech wilderness. Once a highly efficient killing machine transformed over time into a humble warrior, retreating further into the hills, avoiding conflict at all costs. A local legend slowly becoming a myth, to be remembered only by a rusting statue at the foot of Chapman’s Peak.

Ek het ’n plek in Afrika 

by Marisa Nortje

Ek het ’n plek in Afrika.

Al is ek op jou lys
om aan grootwildjagters
te wys.

My prag, ivoor of leer
Deur ’n dubbelloophaelgeweer.

Ek het ’n plek in Afrika.

Iemand onthou helaas
as my asem
teen ’n verkyker blaas.

Leer ’n kind as hy vra,
want ek het ’n plek in Afrika.

Email your entry to win@litnet.co.za to stand a chance of walking away with wine, a Mont Blanc pen and your 60 words published on a back label series.

Leopard's Leap sponsors 2011's Dorp van die Jaar

On Sunday, Rapport officially announced the launch of the 2011 Kwêla Rapport Dorp van die Jaar competition. Leopard’s Leap Wines are again one of the proud sponsors of this popular, truly South African initiative. Rapport readers and kykNET viewers can nominate the town of their choice within the South African and Namibian borders. The first phase of nominations closes on Tuesday, March 22 at 12h00.

“The importance of small towns plays a role not only in our heritage, traditions and culture but contributes greatly to the economic development and sustainability of our country. This competition provides an opportunity for small towns to showcase not only their wares, landscape and lifestyle but also what they add to the national economic development.” says Hein Koegelenberg, CEO of Leopard’s Leap Wines.

As part of the Leopard’s Leap sponsorship seven Rapport readers will win an 18 litre bottle of Leopards Leap Shiraz Grenaché 2009. Only to be released later this year, this special collector’s bottle will make a great addition to any home cellar. One lucky winner stands a chance of winning an unforgettable all inclusive weeklong trip to the majestic Cape Winelands, including dinner at three of the 2010 Eat Out Top 10 restaurants. A further R49,750.00 worth of wine training will be awarded to 50 waiters in the winning town. The ‘Introduction to Wine’ course from the Cape Wine Academy will greatly benefit the level of hospitality of the winning town.

Kwêla and Rapport will make weekly announcements with up to date nominations. For more information on Dorp van die Jaar visit www.kwela.co.za or www.rapport.co.za

 

 

No writer's block for these budding authors

Our '60 Words/60 Woorde' competition is in full swing and we are getting a great response, with many entries. According to Imke van Heerden, content manager at LitNet, the literature platform is 'surprised and delighted at the high number of competition entries. The quality of entries are also very high, and our judges are enjoying reading them'.

Judges Kerneels Breytenbach and Ernst Grundling will pick an Afrikaans and an English winner, whose micro-stories will be published on a limited edition back label. The winners will also receive a Mont Blanc pen and a case of Leopard's Leap wine.

You can email your 60 words to win@litnet.co.za to stand a chance of winning this fantastic prize. Below are some of the entries so far.

Bruno FA Andries:

Heart of stone

Honeybees are dying 
weeping willows are crying 
Rivers of dreams have been turned 
into bleeding streams

Crayfish, cycads, ivory 
fraud, corruption, bribery 
Rhino horn and abalone 
humankind has a heart of stone

One day you’ll have to answer 
when your children ask 
What on earth have you done? 
the leopards and polar bears are gone

Hart van steen

Heuningbye het heengegaan 
treurwilge stort 'n traan 
Moeder Natuur word verkrag, 
sterf 'n bietjie elke dag

Kreef, renoster en selakant 
luiperd, goud en diamant 
Ons het die aarde slegs geleen 
die mensdom het 'n hart van steen

Wat gaan jy eendag sê 
as jou kinders vra 
Wat op aarde het julle gedoen 
met die ysbere en perlemoen?

Wendy Lopatin:

Leopards leaping

Long-limbed, sleek, lithe 
leaping leopards 
lurking as they stalk their prey 
Let no hunter seeking bounty 
harm them, save the leopards for today 
Naturally selecting leopard 
luring deer into his lair 
Sated, slept, by dawn awakened 
Time to hunt, that's nature's fare. 
Leopards – rescue from extinction 
Spotted cats we must conserve 
Keep the graceful leopards leaping 
Safe and free, that's their preserve.

Sneeuwolf:

Koer van die tortel 

Die koer van die tortel is net ’n smekende ween 
Red die planeet, red die aarde, red die ou vierbeen 
Los hom tog net alleen 
Want, daardie hopie saamgeperste hare 
Werklik het dit geen waarde 
Dit is daar, net vir trots en strategie 
Op die punt van die neus 
Van hierdie statige ou 
Gepantserde reus.