Around the World during a South African Lockdown

As South Africans we prepared ourselves for a 21 day lockdown that turned into a 40 day lockdown. We did the 21 Day Braai Challenges, what next? We decided to take a trip around the world in our own house.

One of the best part of being a winemaker, on your travels aboard, your receive a lot of ‘not that commonly known wines’, or other wines that you can’t get in South Africa. You also get the opportunity to buy a variety of wines for your collection at home. We looked through our home cellar and we drank international wines from different regions and countries around the world, during evenings around the braai or dinner table. What an experience that was to share with my wife.

Started our journey with a Quinta del Obispo Mencia 2016, from Catilla y León Spain. Mencia is a grape variety common in the northwest of Spain. We have covered most of the European countries (see list below of wines we drank). I am going to mention some interesting wines. Ningxia Helan Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 from Ningxia Province in China, what an interesting wine. Tasting the wine and knowing the capability of the Chinese people, I am convinced as their vineyards aged, it will be a country making more beautiful wines, like this one, in the future.

Some of my Italian friends would be proud to know another outstanding wine was Barolo from Principiano Ferdinando Serralunga 2006. The wine that blew my socks off was a wine from Serbian Vrananc from Jovic Winery. This is something I will buy if it’s available in South Africa. We have crossed the world in a few days after starting in Spain, made a visit to New Zealand, Australia, USA, China, Serbia, France (Rhone, Burgundy and Bordeaux) and we ended our journey with a 2004 Tokaij from Hungary.

The only down side of this journey is that we would have to start our collection from scratch again. But it was worth it. Life is too short not to enjoy good wine.

List of Wines not named above blog

• Muga 2009 Rioja (Spain)
• Grey Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 (Chile)
• Silkman Shiraz 2015 (Hunter Valley, Australia)
• Samuele Cabernet franc 2005 (Somona County, USA)
• Little Beauty Dry Riesling 2014 (Marlboro New Zealand)
• Craggy Range Shiraz 2013 (Hawks Bay, New Zealand)
• Weingut Lucashof 2015 (Germany)
• Ferrari-Carano Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 (Alexander Valley Sonoma County USA)
• Brokenwood Maxwell Semillon Vineyard 2009 (Hunter Valley, Australia)
• Domaine des Sénéchaux 2013 (Chátenneuf-du-Pape (France)
• Saint Cosme 2010 (Rhone Valley, France)
• Stephane Roberts 2009 (Cornas, France)
• Cháteau Pontet-Canet (Pauillac Bordeaux France)

Rikus Neethling of Bizoe Wines

When President Ramaphosa announced a 21 day lockdown on 23rd of March 2020 we all started thinking how to survive 21 days at home.  Driving back from town to home just before the lockdown started on the 26th, I thought to myself what are we doing for the next 21 days? As a typical South African I thought a 21 day braai challenge will be just perfect to keep the mood in the house.

That evening pulled out some recipe books in the house, asked the neighbours to borrow theirs, and I went to the local bookstore and got hold of the latest Jan Braai book. Planning started drew up a 21 day braai schedule with a pairing of Bizoe Wines.

To the shops on the morning of the 26th before the rush, got hold of most of the cuts that we didn’t have in the freezer, some extra spices and we were ready. Married to a Karoo Farmers daughter we are fortunate to have some of the best Karoo lamb.

The fun started on day 1 with an easy Beef Fillet and Bizoe Malbec Idioglossia 2017 pairing. The braai become more stressful knowing that we had 15000 people on social media following 2 amateur braaiers. Must admit I had some chefs in the industry on speed dial somedays to get advice. During the 21 days we braaied, fish, pork, lamb, beef, pizza, even a tomato soup, banana bread and pasta on the fire. Ended the 21 day braai with a family favourite Leg of Lamb on the Weber and Bizoe Estalet Syrah 2015.

All in all this was an amazing 21 days I had with the family. Pictures taking during this time will be cherished.  It gave me the opportunity to sit back and enjoy some of our great vintages, Bizoe Wines made in the past 12 years.

Bizoe Estalet Syrah barrels

In the winery during lockdown and liquor prohibition

What are we up to in the cellar during these difficult times? It is a time to reflect on the 2020 harvest, as the red wines are completing the malolactic fermentation and it’s entering the final destination for maturation in lovely french oak barrel.

It’s a time of hope and excitement as we are tasting the future in the barrels. It gives you a sense of believe that times will changes as these wines will change over time and become better. The hard yards done for 2020 harvest, time to sit back and see how these wines develops and matures.

As 2020 harvest goes into maturation its time to turn focus to getting the 2019 harvest red wines in perfect shape to enter the bottle. Creating the perfect blend from the barrels. Getting the wines ready to be bottled is always fun part of the year to see if the dreams you had during the previous vintage will be coming a reality.

There is no guarantee in making wines, just a lot of believe and hope it turns out to perfection. All of the self doubt, uncertainness and making gut feeling decision during the previous year will show now if it was the right decision made. Believe me there is no better feeling than knowing you got it right when putting these wines through their final steps before bottling.

As we thank the International community for keeping the South African Wine Industry alive, we know the tide will turn and we will be able to share our South African Wines with South African people soon.