A Fabulous Father’s Day!
Monday, June 21st, 2010Well, wasn’t Father’s Day at Delheim a treat!
What a beautiful day!
The weather was sparkling, and the restaurant and tasting room full to overflowing. We had planned to seat all inside the restaurant and Downstairs tasting cellar as we expected it to be as cold as it has been for the last week or two. In the event it turned out to be a lovely, warm day, and most everybody went out onto the garden terraces where they lounged for the afternoon drinking in the sunshine, the spectacular view, and of course, the wines!
Hippo aka "The L'ill Beggar"
Hippo, or “The L’il Beggar” as he is affectionately known, did his usual rounds (see photo) and by all accounts was well rewarded (as he usually is, as you no doubt will note from his [*cough*] unique physique.)
Helene van Heerden, Sylvia Coetzee and Bruno Ruegg
So popular was the wine blending competition that we decided to divide it into two categories on the day: “Father” and “Not-a-Father”.
“Father” category winner Bruno Rüegg showed he could blend a red wine too, after having won a white wine blending competition at Delheim in a previous year. His blend of 40% Cab Sauv, 30% Merlot and 30% Shiraz, with its deep berry nose, was perfectly balanced and followed smoothly through on the palate to the finish.
Lots of advice – solicited or otherwise - was being dished out to the blenders, and Dad Keith Munro had lots of help from his son making the “Dad’s Vuvu Vino!” blend, although junior was heard to complain after about an hour: “I’m not tasting ANY MORE wine, Dad!”.
Keith Munro and "helpers"
Delheim’s Sales Manager, Mignon, presided over the competition as judge and jury, and was therefore badgered, bribed and flattered in every way in an effort to sway her – to no avail, she insists!
“Father” category winners:
Best Blend: Bruno Rüegg with “Delesi”; First Runner-Up: Keith Munro with “Dad’s Vuvu Vino!”; Second Runner-Up: Willy Fergussen with “Kloofbosch Red”; Best Name/Description: Marc Joubert with “Marcus – from ‘Mars”, the God of War. Speaks of a history of conquest, achievement and growth. Protector of his (extended) family, Marcus values relationships and cares deeply for those around him. This wine will warm your heart with family and friends, and aims to highlight the things in life worth fighting for!”
“Not-A-Father” category winners:
Winners of best blend "Fraulein": Conrad, Marisa, Sigrid and Phillip
Best Blend: Conrad, Sigrid, Marisa & Phillip (pictured) with “Fraulein”; Best Name/Description: Ruan Beneke with “Ol’ Razlot Nr 40 - A poetic blend of Delheim’s secrets, leaving you with an aftertaste of chocolate, olives and Brenda” [ed. note: Brenda is Delheim’s winemaker!]
From L to R Paul Fourie, Wilma du Toit, Hannelize Robinson, Ruan Beneke, Rudi Scheepers
Special mention goes to the names “Delheim Red Rocker” (David Bell) and “DellaZella” (Byron Hollander).
During the afternoon, soccer tourists started arriving – we received Americans, Brazilians, Spaniards and Portuguese among many others – so there was no let-up as everybody tucked themselves into the cosy Downstairs tasting cellar to watch the late afternoon match.
An immensely enjoyable afternoon – we are so privileged at Delheim to be able to share this lovely old wine estate with you all!
THE DELHEIM TEAM
![BIODIVERSITY AND WINE INITIATIVE [Delheim is the 7th BWI Champion]](http://www.delheim.com/images/globe.gif "[Delheim is the 7th BWI Champion]")
BIODIVERSITY AND WINE INITIATIVE