Nederburg Pinotage has a touch of class

AS SOUTH Africa struggles into the major league of wine exporting countries it has to do two things.

l Deliver value for money.

l Deliver consistent quality.

In 1990,because of the trade boycott, there was no South African wine imported into the south of Ireland.

Recent figures show that in 1995 there were 64,000 cases and by 1997 that had risen to 133,000 cases - that's 4.6 per cent of Ireland's total wine imports.

One company that has managed to consistently produce quality and value is the big Nederburg Company based in Paarl.

Their Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage wines have been solid and sometimes fairly spectacular.

In previous vintages I have often been impressed with the Pinotage. But recently I came across some Cabernet Sauvignon 1992s that were stilll on the shelves of my local store.

The wine was fully mature and drinking very nicely indeed,

At under pounds 6 it was an absolute bargain. You may still find a few of these around but more common now will be the 1993 vintage.

You might also find a few bottles of the very limited Private Bin Nederburgs.

These are rare and special wines which were bought as a one-off special consignment from the annual Nederburg auction where the finest wines in South Africa are sold by auction to customers worldwide.

Pinotage is never terribly high on my list of favourite wines, but the very scarce 1988 Private Bin R172 has a flavour reminiscent of a mature quality Bordeaux with a spicey rich plummy fruity flavour as well as a cedar wood finish.

An absolutely delectable wine that is drinking superbly now at pounds 13. Watch out for more of these Private Bins.

WINNERS of our recent Riedl glasses competition were M Roulston, Kircubbin; E Taylor Belfast; R. McDowell, Templepatrick; B O'Sullivan, Foulksmills, M Murphy, Newcastle, Galway and G Trew, Glengormley. Riedl will be in touch about your prizes.

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