Under The Influence » Under the Influence

Under the Influence's New Website

allister — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:09:29 +0000

Ladies and gents, apologies for the silence on this side, we have been busy building our brand spanking new website, which will bring you incredible wine offers, videos, tastings, tours and more. It will be up by the end of October, with our November and December tastings and LOTS more! Email info@undertheinfluence.co.za if you have any questions in the interim…

Also, follow us on Twitter! http://twitter.com/underinfluence

We are constantly posting interesting links to articles, interviews, wines and much more.

Platter five star wines announced

allister — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 09:03:27 +0000

These are the wines that were awarded five stars. What do you think?

White Wine of the Year
Sadie Family Palladius 2008

Red Wine of the Year
Le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2005

Sauvignon Blanc
Fleur du Cap Sauvignon Blanc Unfiltered 2009
Lomond Pincushion Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Tokara Elgin Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Woolworths Cape Point Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Limited Release 2009
Cape Point Vineyards CWG Auction Reserve Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2008

White blends – Bordeaux style
Woolworths Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon Reserve 2009
Cape Point Vineyards Isliedh 2008
The Berrio Wines Weather Girl 2008
Vergelegen White 2008

Chenin Blanc
Beaumont Hope Marguerite Chenin Blanc 2008

White Blends
Nederburg Ingenuity White 2008
Rall 2008
Sadie Family Palladius 2008
Woolworths Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards Spectrum White Limited Release 2008

Chardonnay
Ataraxia Chardonnay 2008
Chamonix Chardonnay Reserve 2008
Paul Cluver Chardonnay 2008

Pinot Noir
Newton Johnson Domaine Pinot Noir 2008
Catherine Marshall Pinot Noir 2008

Grenache
Neil Ellis Vineyard Selection Grenache 2007

Pinotage
Beyerskloof Diesel Pinotage 2007

Red Blends
Sadie Family Columella 2007
Spier Frans K. Smit 2005

Shiraz
Dunstone Shiraz 2008
Haskell Vineyards Pillars Shiraz 2007
Rustenberg Stellenbosch Syrah 2007
Saxenburg Shiraz Select Limited Release 2005

Red Blends – Bordeaux Style
De Trafford CWG Auction Reserve Perspective 2006
Kanonkop Paul Sauer 2006
Morgenster Estate Morgenster 2006
Stony Brook Ghost Gum 2006
Woolworths Jordan Cobblers Hill Classic 2005

Cabernet Sauvignon
Boekenhoutskloof Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2005

Port
Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2007
De Krans Cape Tawny Port NV
Boplaas Cape Tawny Port 1997

Unfortified Dessert Wine
Buitenverwachting 1769 2007
Fleur du Cap Noble Late Harvest 2008
Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve Noble Late Harvest 2008
Mullineux Family Straw Wine 2008

Under the Influence Times

allister — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:05:47 +0000

Open publication - Free publishing - More wine

The Under the Influence Times features the First Growths this month! These small Estates are producing some of South Africa’s finest, but are difficult to find in stores. See the stories of the First Growths in the articles above, click here to find out more about the First Growths deal or click here to sign up!

Under the Influence of Cabernet Sauvignon… and Elephants!

allister — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:33:50 +0000

The Wine Bandits visit the wilds of Africa to explore the similarities between the Rustenberg Peter Barlow Cabernet Sauvignon and none other than… the African Elephant!

Tasting: Under the Influence of First Growths: 25th August

allister — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:01:57 +0000

The First Growths are a very special group of wine Estates that we have especially sought out. In this economic climate we want to find wines that are top quality but relatively unknown, meaning you pay for the wine, not the label. We found six Estates that we are showing around South Africa, offering tastings and a very special First Growth deal! So come and taste Belfield, Stark-Conde, Ataraxia, Tierhoek, Lammershoek and Raats. Greatness awaits!

Date: Tuesday 25th August
Time: 6:30pm for 7:00pm
Venue: Campbell House, 2 Campbell Street, Waverley. Click here for map
Cost: R90 per Guest including snacks

Booking essential as space is limited. info@undertheinfluence.co.za, 021 438 4391 or 082 228 9568

Back to July and August Joburg Tastings!

Tasting: Under the Influence of Great Whites: Thursday 27th August

admin — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:00:49 +0000

Like other Great Whites of the ocean, Great White Blends are often misunderstood creatures! In South African white wine blends have increased in popularity, away from the single varietals that we all know and love. In this tasting we will explore the different styles of white blends, from Bordeaux to the Rhone to some plain crazy South African inventions! In this way we can better understand how varietals can blend and compliment each other and just how terroir influences what is in the glass. Wines to taste include, Lammershoek Roulette Blanc, Eben Sadie Sequillo, Steenberg, Quoin Rock, amongst others!

Date: Thursday 5th November Time: 6:30pm for 7:00pm
Venue: Campbell House, 2 Campbell Street, Waverley. Click here for map
Cost: R90 per Guest including snacks

Booking essential as space is limited. info@undertheinfluence.co.za, 021 438 4391 or 082 228 9568

Tastings: Under the Influence of Flavour Wine Course: Every Wednesday evening: Cape Town

allister — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:58:13 +0000

The Wine Discovery Mini Course is a journey through flavour in wine and is a superb way to brush up on the basics while tasting beautiful wines. Wine is all about flavour, so in this mini course we look at three types of flavour; Primary fruit driven flavours, Secondary oak induced flavours and Tertiary bottle age flavours. Come and get Under the Influence of great wine with us. We taste fruit driven Sauvignon Blanc, moving to oaked Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz and then bottle aged red wines packed with tertiary flavours.

Date: Running every Wednesday in July and August
Time: Starting at 6:30pm
Venue: The Roundhouse restaurant, Kloof Road, Camps Bay Click here for map
Cost: R80 per Guest

Winter Special: R260 for tasting and a special 6 course dinner menu at the Roundhouse.

Booking essential as space is limited. info@undertheinfluence.co.za 021 438 4347

Return to July and August Cape Town Tastings

Tasting: Under the Influence of Oak: Thursday 23rd July: Cape Town

allister — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:56:19 +0000

Oak. Another word for a South African male. But also the key ingredient in top wines around the world. This tasting will take Guests through a journey through oak, from French to American to those inbetween. We will taste a variety of top red and white wines and understand just what oak does for flavour.

Date: 23rd July
Time: Starting at 6:30pm
Venue: The Roundhouse restaurant, Kloof Road, Camps Bay Click here for map
Cost: R80 per Guest

Winter Special: R260 for tasting and a special 6 course dinner menu at the Roundhouse.

Booking essential as space is limited. info@undertheinfluence.co.za 021 438 4347

Return to July and August Cape Town Tastings

Tasting: Under the Influence of Eben Sadie: Thursday 30th July: Cape Town

allister — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:55:14 +0000

Eben Sadie is widely regarded as one of the top wine makers in South Africa and his wines are the highest rated out of the country by Wine Spectator. What makes his wines even more special is the unique philosophy that Eben has about terroir, wine making and a lifetime of exploring and making great wine. This is a unique opportunity to share in this as Eben presents the Sequillo, Columella, Palladius and his new Spanish wines. Only 20 tickets available!

Date: Thursday 30th July
Time: Starting at 6:30pm
Venue: The Roundhouse restaurant, Kloof Road, Camps Bay Click here for map
Cost: R120 per Guest

Winter Special: R300 for tasting and a special 6 course dinner menu at the Roundhouse.

Booking essential as space is limited. info@undertheinfluence.co.za 021 438 4347

Return to July and August Cape Town Tastings

Tasting: Under the Influence of Vilafonte with Mike Ratcliffe: Thursday 6th August: Cape Town

allister — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:53:53 +0000

Mike Ratcliffe will be presenting this very special vertical tasting of Vilafonte, with a little surprise from Warwick thrown in. Vilafonte has quickly become one of the most renowned Bordeaux blends coming out of South Africa, with their Cabernet dominated Series C and Merlot dominated Series M. The wines are the first American / South African collaboration in the country and are a wonderful expression of the terroir in which they are grown and the skill in which they are made.

Date: Thursday 6th August
Time: Starting at 6:30pm
Venue: The Roundhouse restaurant, Kloof Road, Camps Bay Click here for map
Cost: R120 per Guest

Winter Special: R300 for tasting and a special 6 course dinner menu at the Roundhouse.

Booking essential as space is limited. info@undertheinfluence.co.za 021 438 4347

Return to July and August Cape Town Tastings