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| 24 July 2010 |
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| THE 2010 CWG AUCTION WINES Read more |
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| TOPICS ::
Nedbank CWG Auction |
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| Speaking up on behalf of the "Rats and Mice" |
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In response to a recent Gulp Webletter http://www.winemag.co.za/content/webletter/2007/feb23.htm, where the CWG Auction was discussed, UK Auction Buyer Paul Plant sent the following e-mail to Gulp Editor Christian Eedes. We thought you might find what Paul has to say interesting.
Dear Christian,
I would like to respond to the recent 'Gulp!' webletter on the topic of the CWG auction, and the views of Alan Pick of The Butcher Shop & Grill.
I am one of those rats & mice to which he refers - even worse, I'm foreign vermin - yet I would argue strongly that we have just as much right as anyone to attend and participate at the auction, and buy what is after all, probably the finest selection of wines that South Africa can offer.
I have been an annual visitor to South Africa since my first tourist trip in the mid 90's, and for the past six years have been an avid supporter and attendee of the CWG auction and its associated events. As an enthusiastic collector - and consumer - of Cape wines, the CWG auction is one of the first dates to be highlighted on the calendar each year.
Whilst it is not the only auction in the world to welcome private collectors, there remains something quite unique, almost intimate, about the CWG in the sense of its relaxed and friendly ambience, the proximity and accessibility of the winemakers, plus of course the socially responsible values that it stands for. Additionally, there is a certain 'texture' created by the annual coming together of winemakers, agents, suppliers, wholesalers, retailers, collectors, critics and consumers.
For many of us who attend from overseas, the auction is our only opportunity to procure such wines, for the reality is that CWG-branded wines are relatively unknown outside of South Africa, and but for a handful of keen merchants or restauranteurs - Clive Davidson of Champany Inn in Scotland being one of note - would never be seen, let alone bought or consumed, in the northern hemisphere.
With regard to lot sizes, it simply doesn't wash that the inclusion of small-volume lots should hinder the more commercial big-volume sales. Basic economics normally dictate that the larger lots will typically fetch lower price-per-case averages. Or would Mr Pick prefer that there was just one 'super-lot' for each wine for him to then weald his great buying power to outbid everyone else? I suppose we would at least get through the proceedings a little quicker and he could hurry back to breaking glasses in Sandton Square!
I have nothing against Mr Pick, or his fine restaurant, despite the fact that since my wife became vegetarian I no longer eat there. He is of course entitled to his views, and I accept that he has an important voice when it comes to South African food and wine. That said, and however influential he may be, the Guild should not lose sight of the great asset that it possesses, and the esteem in which it is held - by ALL those who attend, not just the large commercial buyers.
The CWG should remain intimate yet inclusive, for in an odd sort of way that's what gives it a kind of exclusivity. To restrict its attendance would not benefit the Guild, or what it stands for. Additionally, there would be a few 'evangelists' for your superb product, and your wonderful country, who would be at a loose end for a week in late September/early October each year.
I suppose we could always nibble some cheese!
Yours sincerely,
Paul Plant
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| Posted by admin on 03 May 2007 at 9:01:47 AM |
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Well said. I, too, am one of the mice who manage to get hold of a few bottles of the CWG auction wines each year and I don't feel remorseful in any way that I can detect. Yum!
And, speaking of the auction, I see the Singita Private Game Reserve (who's buyer Francois Rautenbach partook in the latest one) has been "singled out as an overall record setter; achieving a perfect 100 score" by by Conde Naste readers (this reported in the Cape Times of 24 Oct). Well, good for Singita! But a friend of mine recently visited another game lodge where well-heeled visitors from the USA and UK were served-up nothing much better than middle-of-the road stuff. It occurs to one that they would be likely to return home with a good impression of the wildlife and other facilities, but only a so-so impression of our wines. Is there not an opportunity for the CWG to market its wines here? Not necessarily the auction stuff, either. My 2 cents... |
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| Posted by Banjoman on 25 October 2007 at 10:31:54 AM |
| Re: Speaking up on behalf of the |
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In reply to the comment by Banjoman:
My wife and I run a mid-sized tour operating business (AfricanAdrenalin.com) and are avid 'foodies and wineys'. We have encountered exactly the same (irritating) situation - mediocre wines at upmarket lodges/hotels. It detracts from the total holiday experience for our clients AND gives a horrid impression of SA wines.
And it's not just the wine lists that are the problem... When you are paying USD1000 per person per day and the best wine you have access to sits in a shipping container for a few weeks on the docks in Mozambique before being shipped up to a private island on an open landing craft for two days, standing in an unrefrigerated display cabinet in the lodge's foyer at 30 degree ambient (winter) temperatures, is probably the kindest treatment the wine has received.
We decided to do something about it.
We are about to launch AfricanFineWines.com as a grading system for the entire from-cellar-to-table cycle at the top end of the tourist industry.
My wife and I attended the pre-auction tasting and the auction (at which we were happy to secure a reasonable number of lots) and will be using some of these wines specifically to help launch AfricanFineWines.com. |
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| Posted by paul@adventures on 30 September 2008 at 9:26:46 AM |
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