The Pepper Pot

noted from the description that this was one of David Finlayson’s creations we knew we were in for a treat.

The Finlaysons had been a huge influence on the South African wine industry for three generations since Dr Maurice Finlayson, a pathologist from Inverness, Scotland, started a wine business at Hartenberg, Stellenbosch. His son Walter started and built up Glen Carlou in Paarl. He was soon joined by his son David and in time Glen Carlou was sold to the Hess Family Estates and the Finlaysons have since been crafting accoladed wines on Edgebaston family farm.

This unusual blend Syrah 46%, Mourvedre 46 % and Tannat 8% is brash, bold, in your face  and a great boerewors wine. The coriander and allspice in this traditional South African sausage enhance the white pepper flavour in the wine.  On its own The Pepper Pot has a surprisingly dominant blueberry flavour and is very smooth.

My rating of this wine is 15/20 – a good quality, well made wine.

The Pepper Pot has a screwcap.

Alcohol 14.5

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Rustenberg Manor House

The local launches of Google Maps and Street View reflect Google’s investment in South Africa, as well as our commitment to making the Internet more useful and relevant to South Africans.  Street View also shows South Africa’s heritage to the world, ranging from the iconic winelands to the Kruger National Park.

A world first is that Cape winelands images are featured on Street View. Right now it is possible to visit via Street View:  Bouchard Finlayson,  De Rust Estate, De Wetshof, Fairview,  Jordan Wines, Klein Constantia, Meerlust, Morgenster,  Rustenberg,  Vilafonte Vineyards and Warwick Wine Estate.

South African wine connoisseur, Juliet Cullinan, commenting on Street View and the growing importance of digital technology within South Africa’s wine industry, says:

Wine-lovers all over the world can now visit the estates of some of our leading wine domains using Street View, plan their own wine routes and buy online.  As the world’s first vineyards to be placed on Street View, South African wineries will receive great exposure and can take advantage of this new technology in innovative ways, whilst expanding tourism and their global and local customer base.

The scope for improving the online presence of wineries is huge as Richard Cheary of Afrozaar explained:

There are so many ways wine farms can utilise geo products, including the creation of virtual wine route tours, incorporating video and interviews; mobile applications, comprising travel directions and preloaded tourist information; and online bookings with specific requests.

Soon to be added to Street View are  Ataraxia Wines,  Boekenhoutskloof Winery, Constantia Glen, Glen Carlou, Groote Post, Hamilton Russell, Iona Wines, Journey’s End, Kaapzicht, Le Riche, Mont Du Toit, Mooiplaas,  Ormonde Vineyard, Raka, Rickety Bridge, Robertson Winery, Saronsberg,  Strandveld, Thelema Mountain Vineyards, Vergelegen, Villiera and Weltevrede.

Using Google Street View
In areas where Street View is available, you can see the images on Google Maps (on a PC or Internet-enabled mobile) by zooming into the lowest level, or by dragging the orange “Pegman” icon on the left-hand side of the map onto a blue highlighted street.

Google has gone to lengths to safeguard privacy while allowing all South African users to benefit from this feature. Street View only contains imagery that is already visible from public roads and features technology that blurs both faces and licence plates.  In addition, any user can easily flag images for removal that he or she considers inappropriate by clicking on “Report a problem”.  South Africa is the first country in Africa to get Street View imagery in Maps.  Street View first launched in 2007 and is currently available in 23 countries and 100 metropolitan areas worldwide, including large areas of the US, Australia, Japan, France, Italy and Spain.

To learn more about Street View, visit www.google.co.za/streetview

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Amongst the top ten best Chardonnays of the world are wines from France, Greece, Austria, Spain, Germany, Canada and South Africa, the only new world wine producer to be included in this elite group. Our best Chardonnay on this list is Lourensford Winemaker’s Selection Chardonnay 2009.

CHARDONNAY DU MONDE 2010

Also winning a gold medal is The Abacus Chardonnay – True to Terroir 2008 made by Spier Wines.

Silver Medal winners are:

Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Chardonnay 2008

Spier Private Collection Chardonnay 2008

Tokara Reserve Collection – Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2008

Riebeek Cellars Chardonnay 2009

Glen Carlou Chardonnay 2008

Eikendal Chardonnay 2009

Durbanville Hills Chardonnay 2009

Danie De Wet Limestone Hill Chardonnay 2009

De Wetshof Estate Bon Vallon Chardonnay 2009

Graham Beck Brut Blanc de Blancs 2009

Bronze medal winners:

Stellenbosch Drive Chardonnay 2009

Moreson Blanc de Blancs Brut Methode Cap Classique Solitaire

De Wetshof Estate Finesse Chardonnay 2008

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