No Need to Whine this Memorial Day Weekend, We’ve Got Your Wine Solution

 

Memorial Day, one of the most anticipated holidays of the year, has finally arrived.  In traditional  ‘summer kick-off’ fashion, people spend the long weekend honoring our veterans with friends and family, and food and drink. Deciding which bottle of wine will perfectly compliment your plans doesn’t have to be a challenge! Whether it is a picnic in the park or a day opening the pool, the following guide was created to help make those ‘what to serve’ decisions a snap.

 

BBQ – It’s one of the most distinct smells of summer. Smoky, sultry and savory. Whether grilling meat (pork, chicken, beef), fish or veggies, a slightly chilled Kanonkop Kadette is sure to be a crowd-wower. This “Cowboy Bordeaux” has juicy layers of dark berries, coffee and plum, intertwined with smoky, tarry undercurrents. Chill before serving for 30 minutes to an hour. Perfect for harmonizing strong seasonings and adding life to your BBQ favorites.

 

Day at the Beach – The beach can be an ideal setting for family gatherings, a romantic date or just a relaxing getaway. Think sand between your toes, cool breeze at your back and the soothing sound of the ocean. Celebrate the very essence of the seaside with the “crackling fresh” Brampton Sauvignon Blanc. This fruit-forward and zesty Sauvignon displays bright, refreshing citrus and tropical fruit flavors with hallmark grassy notes and a tangy mineral finish. It’s “shore” to please.

 

Camping Trip – Exploring nature’s beauty this weekend? Fire cracking, crickets humming, stars sparkling. As you organize your hiking gear, wipe down the camper, or pull out the tent, don’t forget to pack a wine worth toasting once the moon shines. Perfect for the occasion is Excelsior Shiraz, a jammy wine bursting with juicy flavors of blackberry, cherry, licorice, and plum, with hints of dark chocolate and subtle earthy undertones. This Shiraz represents all that nature intends. So head into the wilderness and enjoy, and don’t worry about loading down your backpack with a bulky opener, the wine is bottled in easy-to-open screwcap.

 

Picnic in the Park – Pull out the blanket, wooden basket, make a lunch (or buy) and pack a chilled Mulderbosch Rose in a wine tote. This screw cap wine is picnic time friendly, with hints of strawberry jam in the nose, grapefruit, pomegranate and a touch of spicy tannins bring flavors which compliments any day in the park.

 

Opening the Pool/Summer House – Is opening your pool or summer home a Memorial Day weekend tradition? Does it represent the kick start to summer fun? If so, celebrate with an uplifting, crisp and refreshing white which commemorates the event. Kanu Chenin is full of fresh peach, melon, and citrus flavors, with hints of almond, delicate floral and spice notes. No matter your location, this wine embodies all that is summer; it is the perfect “welcome.”

 

So wherever you celebrate the holiday, start summer the right way — making great memories with great wines.

It’s Friday! Not that the days make a difference to me, but I do have the next couple off  and I plan to park by big bum on a beach and stare at my navel for a while. Today I had a presentation to the salespeople of Chicago Wine Merchants, a division of the Wirtz Beverage Group.. My attempts were to instill a message of pride and resolve in the quality of South Africa’s wine, seemed well received , though it may have also been my invitation to hang in SA with me during World Cup 2010 that got everyone to pay attention . Dinner tonight was at David Burke’s Prime House at the James Hotel with Sommelier’s Rory Gurland and Rachel Johnson. Well, let me bid you farewell for the evening as I must get up early for my flight to SAN DIEGO! Yes, I will be too busy surfing and sand sitting to check in. Hope you've enjoyed! Cheers!

 

My journey continues. I headed from Boston to Chicago (known as the “Windy City”, which as I’ve experienced lives up to its name.) A trade luncheon was at Naha Restaurant where I met with some of Chicago’s top dog sommeliers and buyers. This evening I had dinner with Sommelier Adam Bloom at Flight Wine Bar and Restaurant. What a place! The menu has an incredible list of pre-matched food-and-wine combinations - or "flights" as they’re called. In taxi now headed back to hotel. Too windy to walk, feared I may be blown away.   

No rest for me, though these long days and late nights are starting to catch up with me.  After working the Rhode Island market today (I understand it’s the US’s smallest state), we drove back to Boston for an in-store tasting at Federal Wine & Spirits.  Then it was off to a dinner with Len, and Bob Harkey from Harkey’s (or Bob Hahkey from Hahkey’s) where I tried my Cheval Blanc experiment again.  This time though, it was my Cabernet Franc 2006 and a Cheval Blanc 2001.  Though the group was smaller, the result was the same.  Viva la Raats Cabernet Franc!!

Another day of excitement! Although my flight this morning from New York to Boston was at 6am, I was rising and shining because I was going to take part in Cape Classics’ First Annual Portfolio Show at Boston’s historic Fenway Park, home of my legendary Red Sox baseball team. (Note I said “my”, because they are now my favorite baseball team.) The showing took place in the EMC Box overlooking the field. Despite dreary weather, well over 200 attendees turned out for the tasting. I caught up with Len Rothenberg of Federal, Joe Godas of Curtis Liquors, (both have been to SA before) and met Marc Sachs of Uno’s, George Shube of Shubie’s, and so many more nice folks from wicked cool Bah-s-tin (is that how you say it if you’re local?) Go SAWX!

Check out this photo from the day of me (right) and Cape Classics' CEO and founder, Andre Shearer (left)

I am KNACKERED!  This morning I met with Mister James Molesworth of Wine Spectator magazine. He was eager to get my views about how business was going, and we chatted about Raats Family Wines successes despite the current economic climate.  If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times, that building personal relationships are vital to creating and maintaining a brand. It’s one of the reasons I am committed to doing these trips every year – this is already my 5^th in a row!

 

From there I headed over to the Lauber Imports Grand Annual Tasting which took place at the Marriott Marquis. It was really a sight to be seen. The marathon 7 hour tasting event featured hundreds of wines from around the world and attracted well over 1,000 people. Lauber Imports, who distributes my Raats Family Wines in New York, recently became a part of Southern Wines & Spirits, the largest wine and liquor wholesaler in the United States.

 

A taste of Chenin Blanc please

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While offering tastings throughout the day, I got to see people from some fantastic accounts – Wegman’s, Yale Club, Harvard Club, Total Beverage, and so many more.  I was asked so many questions about best Chenin food pairings (lucky me I had local goat cheese producer Rainbeau Ridge right next to me!), South African slang, harvesting techniques, baseball, and if Jersey girls or Buffalo girls were cooler (it’s a draw).  Hitting my bed, it’s been a hectic one, and I am off to Boston in the wee hours!

A relaxing Sunday. Aside from wondering the city streets throughout the day, I dined at the cozy Prune restaurant with surf master and marathon king Jesse Salazar, Wine Director at Manhattan’s Union Square Wines. To compliment the homey American cuisine was a beautifully aged bottle of my Chenin Blanc 2002 alongside a 2007 Domaine des Roches Neuves L’Insolite and a 2003 Nicolas Joly Clos Sacré, both from France’s Loire Valley.  I think the Big Kahuna enjoyed the Chenin, and I walked back to my hotel with a bounce in my step.  Now to get ready for the big dance, tomorrow is going to be quite a scrum.

It’s a Saturday evening in the city that never sleeps (this place just hums, I love it!) and what a great day it has been. Earlier today I had an in-store tasting at Sherry-Lehmann, an iconic and beautiful wine shop on Park Avenue and busy 59^th Street.  Tonight, the Cape Classics team and I visited the lekker South African wine bar Xai Xai on 51^st Street, then went down the road to their restaurant, Braai.  I picked up a Cheval Blanc 2004 at Sherry Lehmann, and decided to stage an informal blind tasting against my Cabernet Franc 2007.  Firstly, I wanted to see which wine people preferred, then see if they could tell the difference.  Well, I was thrilled when five of the seven people tasting preferred my Cabernet Franc 07 - hands down!  I felt it was a true testament that not only can South Africa make world-class wines, but consumers can readily enjoy them – My Cab Franc is 1/10^th of the price!

Howzit!  New to world of blogging, let me first introduce myself to the Cape Classics’ audience who may (or may not) be following me on my 14-day excursion through the U.S. My name is Bruwer Raats, and I am the owner and winemaker of Raats Family Wines. After an 18+ hour journey from my native Stellenbosch to New York, I have just arrived at JFK airport. As I await my transportation, I must say I am really looking forward to the next couple weeks of working the market. My mission is to continue spreading the gospel of Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc – my two favorite varietals. I hear I have a busy schedule, and can’t wait to get cracking!