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NEWSLETTER - SEPTEMBER 2008 |
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HAVE YOUR SAY AND WIN
Robertson Winery is launching a brand new website. The
site was developed in direct response to what you want. Being
customer focused, we would like you to comment on the site and tell
us what you think.
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By doing this you stand a chance to win
one of 20 bottles of 3L Jeroboam Vineyard Selection wines.
Visit
www.robertsonwinery.co.za and then
email us with your comments! |
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FOCUS ON: HANS LIZEMORE, TECHNICAL
MANAGER The
local kids refer to Hans Lizemore as Robertson’s Strong Man. But
that’s only because he organizes the Wacky Wine Weekend’s Strong Man
competition where the country’s strongest come and show off their
prowess. However, it is
still quite a fitting title for the Technical Manager at the
Robertson Winery, because he carries a huge load. “Hans is addicted
to work,” explains Marketing Manager, Barry Kok, ‘‘can’t’ is just
not a part of his vocabulary!”
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Mr Fixit would
probably also suit, as there isn’t a pump or a press or a
project that hasn’t got Hans’s stamp on it. He and his team
of 11 see to every single piece of equipment and machinery
in the cellar, making sure the whole operation runs
smoothly. But
somehow Hans also manages to be a family man. His wife Liana,
who works in the accounts department, describes him as
someone who lives life to the full. “He tries his best in
everything, and you can always rely on him to be there, he
never lets me down.” Hans’s son-in-law Willie van Graan also
works at the cellar. Willie
is married to Hans’s daughter Estelle and they are the proud
parents of a six month old baby girl. Liané is the apple of
her Grandaddy’s eye, he even has a photograph of her on his
desk at the cellar. Hans and Liana have 2 other children, a
son Heinrich (24) and a daughter Liandré (15) who is still
at school. Hans
is also an avid fisherman and hunter. But, can you believe
it, he doesn’t eat fish or venison, choosing instead to
either throw the fish back, or give the meat to his staff.
“But I love cooking,” says this ex-Potjiekos (stew pot)
champion who generously dishes out recipes to all and
sundry. |
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Weekends you’ll
find him either entertaining friends at home or off
somewhere with Liana in their motor home. The couple belongs
to a club and together they have toured much of Southern
Africa in their expertly kitted out motor home, thanks to
Hans who spends many hours tinkering on it.
“I’d say he is an essential member of the Robertson Winery
family,” says MD Bowen Botha, “You can always rely on him to
get the job well done.” |
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VINEYARD SELECTION WOLFKLOOF
SHIRAZ WINS GOLD
Robertson Winery is very proud to announce
that its Vineyard Selection Wolfkloof Shiraz
2005 was awarded a gold medal at the
Sélections Mondiales des Vins Canada.
This is
the most important international wine
competition in North America and it took
place in the first week of June at the Hotel
Palace Royal in Montreal.
This year the organization received 2 131
entries from nearly 700 producers across 30
countries. Among these, 630 were
prize winners: 7 Grand Gold Medals, 72 Gold
Medals and 551 Silver Medals were awarded.
“This
gold medal was one of only four awarded to
South African wines,” explains Export
Manager Elzanne Beineke, “which makes it
even more of an achievement.”
The
Robertson Winery Vineyard Selection
Wolfkloof Shiraz 2005 is part of the
cellar’s single vineyard range. The grapes
for this wine are sourced from a single
vineyard on the farm Wolfkloof owned for
generations by the Viljoen family.
According to winemaker Jacques Roux
fermentation took place in small open
fermentors with the cap being manually
punched down every 3 hours for maximum
extraction of colour and flavour. “The fruit
component was so abundant we were able to
mature the wine in oak barrels for 24
months,” he continues, describing the wine
as having mulberry, cinnamon and clove
aromas following through to a palate laden
with blackberries and spice. Soft, ripe
tannins and well-integrated oak provide
structure and a velvety mouth-feel.
Jacques continues: “We fermented
the King’s River Chardonnay only with the natural
occurring yeast from the vineyard and it went off
without a hitch which I am very pleased about. All
the reds are looking great so I think we can look
forward to some stunning wines.” |
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NEW ADDITION TO THE UDEMANS FAMILY
Gaenor Udemans went off on maternity leave at the beginning
of February and soon after, she gave birth to a beautiful
baby boy on 11 February. His name is Ben Rain Udemans.
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Mmm, you might be wondering where the name Rain comes from.
Gaenor explains: “We were struggling to come up with a
second name,” explains Gaenor. “We wanted something less
traditional than the name Ben which is after Brad's
grandfather who passed away recently.
“The weekend before Ben was born, a heatwave hit the
Winelands. My husband Brad went to buy bags of ice for me to
suck on. I don't know if this was one of the weird cravings
they talk about during pregnancy, but I remembered I really
couldn't handle the heat without my ice supply.
“Anyway the night before my due date, I was sleeping on the
floor in our spare room with the patio door open just to get
some relief and I prayed for some cool weather. Low and
behold, my prayers were answered: that morning it started to
rain. It was awesome!!!
“On our way to the hospital, Brad suggested we name him Ben
Rain. I thought about it and it made perfect sense. Ben -
strong and traditional, Rain - exotic. The girls will go
crazy!!
So that's the story we’re going to tell him when he asks
about his second name.” |
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PINOTAGE PEARS
He’s not just a pretty face. Did you know that Marketing
Manager Barry Kok is a dab hand in the kitchen? Here’s his
recipe for poached pears, a real winner especially when
made, and drunk, with the Robertson Winery Pinotage, even
better with the Phanto Ridge
Ingredients:
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup dry red wine (Robertson Pinotage)
• 1 stick (3 inches) cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• pinch salt
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 2 thin slices lemon
• 4 ripe pears, halved lengthwise, peeled, cored
Preparation:
In a saucepan, combine water, wine, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt,
sugar, and lemon. Heat over medium low heat until mixture
begins to boil. Add pears and cook, covered, over low heat
for 15 to 30 minutes, or until pears are tender.
Cool and refrigerate for at least 2 hours
to chill thoroughly. Serve with thick cream and a glass of
Pinotage. |
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BRINGING LIGHT TO LIFE
When it comes to making wines that are just right
for every occasion, Robertson Winery never fails.
Now we've launched a range for today's health
conscious wine lover that offers fewer calories, and
a lower alcohol level, without sacrificing quality
or taste.
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Traditionally South
African light wines have been non-descript
blends. "But why should the consumer
compromise on flavour profile, simply
because he or she are searching for lower
calories and lower alcohol levels," queries
Marketing Manager Barry Kok. The Robertson
Winery Light range consists of an Extra
Light Sauvignon Blanc, a Light Chenin Blanc
and a Light Pinotage Rose.
While the off-dry Chenin
Blanc and the semi-sweet Pinotage Rose both
have lower alcohol levels than the average
wine, around 9% compared to the normal 12 or
13%," explains winemaker Francois Weich,
"they still contain sugar, but the Sauvignon
Blanc is a dry wine so both the alcohol and
the sugar levels are low, resulting in a
third less calories.
At Robertson Winery both
Francois and Briaan select specific
vineyards that can be harvested early but
still have the same ripe fruit
characteristics and refreshing taste you
have come to expect from our wines.
So you can still enjoy a
glass of wine when you're on a diet. And if
you're worried about drinking and driving,
the Robertson Winery Light range is the
beverage to ask for at a party.
Robertson Winery is known
for making classic wines that suit your
lifestyle and that can be enjoyed every day. |
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WHAT ELSE IS ON THE SHELF?
The 2008 vintage from Robertson Winery is
generally fuller and fruitier in style, the Chenin Blanc being a
lovely pale colour but with delicious nuances of gooseberries, while
the Sauvignon Blanc is elegant with herbaceous and flinty notes –
true classics! The whites all carry a screw top which ensures top
quality in every bottle, and convenience, of course. |
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STARRY-EYED WINS STARRY SKIES
Marijke Storm was trying on her wedding dress
last April when she got the call informing her she had won a trip to
the Serengetti in the Robertson Winery Starry Skies competition.
Marijke, a teacher in Heidelberg, Gauteng, was
married a week or so after that. It was her second marriage as well
as for her husband Hans Steyn, a fellow teacher at the Hoër
Volkskool in Heidelberg. The couple was planning to go away
somewhere close by after the wedding, but when they heard they were
to be treated to a trip to the Serengetti, they decided to make that
their honeymoon, and rather spend time with their family who had
come from far and wide to celebrate their wedding.
“We are so looking forward to the trip,” enthused
Marijke, “It’s like a dream come true!”
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