Wine and Women But No Song

It's not often that a speaker comes to the club bearing gifts, but that's exactly what Inge Hoffmann of Boekenhoutskloof Wines did at last weeks' meeting.
     Breakfast is a bit early for a wine tasting for most people, so instead of showcasing the estate's wines, Inge brought a brand new wine to showcase for us.

Friends with wine Debbie de Vries, Paul Kasango, Julian Nagy, Joan Donet, Mike Vink, Lucille Blumberg, Judy Sligcher, Bob Wahl, Frayne Mathijs, Judy Symons, Debbie Smith and Inge Hoffmann with numerous (closed) bottles of Porcupine Ridge Rose 2016. Linda Vink took the photograph

     The wine was quite literally brand new, as the Porcupine Ridge Rose 2016 will only be released on Wednesday, 1 March. It will apparently be exclusive to Pick n Pay for the first months before going on general release.
     Inge told us that she grew up on a farm near Barrydale in the Western Cape and went to school in nearby Swellendam before going on to the University of Stellenbosch. She started off in the medical faculty, but soon switched to a BSc in oenology and chemistry, having developed a curiosity about wine along the way.

Lucille with wine ... Inge Hoffmann hands over a bottle of rose to a delighted Lucille Blumberg

     After graduating she worked as an assistant winemaker at Bouchard Finlayson in the Hemel and Aarde Valley, one of South Africa's prime producers of the classic Burgundy wines Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
     A chance meeting led her to a year working and living in Manhattan, New York, which turned into more than five years as a buyer of South African wines for a New York chain. She later added wines from New World countries such as Argentina, Chile and New Zealand to her portfolio.

Bob Wahl and I gratefully accept our bottle of wine from Inge

     Cold winters and homesickness brought her back to South Africa almost two years ago and in November she moved to Johannesburg as representative of Boekenhoutskloof wines in Gauteng.
     She spoke passionately about their wines, explaining why the more "feminine" label depicting the Crested Porcupine of Porcupine Ridge appealed more to the British and European markets, while the more "masculine" wolf of the Wolftrap range does much better in America.

The seven chairs made from Cape Beech (boekenhout) depicted
on the label of the estate's premium range of wines

Debbie Smith and Inge share thoughts about the new wine

     Boekenhoutskloof Estate also make The Chocolate Block, a very popular premium blended wine, these days made exclusively from grapes from the Swartland, a very happening wine growing area of recent vintages. The farm Porseleinberg is one of the sources of grapes for this blend.
     It will be the red wine served at Johns and Greta's wedding in March, although we unfortunately only met Inge after having paid quite a bit more for it than we could've!
     Speaking of wine tasting, Inge said at the meeting she would gladly do a wine tasting or food and wine pairing with the club if we want to use it for a fundraising effort. We discussed finding a date in May before the winter sets in, preferably at a venue of our own and with our own catering. Any suggestions will be welcome.
     The wedding of course means that Linda and I will be away for the next few weeks, and we'll not be able to attend the New Dawn meetings on 8, 15 and 22 March.
     The big day is on Saturday, 18 March.
     Other dates to remember: Tomorrow (Tuesday) morning there is a board meeting at 13 Surbiton Ave at 7am mainly about The Link Literacy Project and the way forward. As usual everybody is welcome to attend, but we'll be reporting back at the meeting on Wednesday.
     On Monday, 13 March the 5Cees have their annual Supporters Supper. It starts at 6.30pm at the home at 15 Mitchell Street, Berea. I have let Mike Sunker know I cannot attend, but that a number of members have indicated that they would like to go. Please do, as it is always a good opportunity to see how the home operates and the difficulties they face. It is also an opportunity to find ways to help them. And, as always, the curry will be good!
     PETS is on 1 April. Carol, Debbie de Vries and I will be going. For those who've missed the news, Debbie has agreed to serve as Carol's secretary for the Rotary year 2017/18. I will be back as treasurer. Training on registering and maintaining club status in terms of legislation as an NGO, NPO and tax registration, is on 6 May.
     This years' Discon is from 22-25 June at Bolivia Lodge in Polokwane. Registration is now open. The deadline is 31 May.
     Birthdays in March: Five members will be pushing the average age in the club a bit higher in March. Greg Smith has his birthday on 13 March. Jankees Sligcher is on 17 March, Carol Stier is on 20 March, Debbie de Vries is on 28 March and Linda Vink is on 31 March.
     A Thought for the Week: What for centuries raised man above the beast is not the cudgel but the irresistible power of unarmed truth. - Boris Pasternak (1890-1960)

Footnote: Last week's blog was all about romantic couples at the Valentine's dinner. One particularly good photograph didn't make it. Jenine, who took it, felt so strong about it that she sent it again and asked if it could be included this week.
     Here it is:

Frances and Mike MacDonald were also at the Valentine's dinner and seemed to enjoy the fun