WWS Tasting @ Kaapzicht 1 september 2011 RWC 2011 – Final prediction – SA vs AUS

To get us in the mood for the rugby world cup which starts in 1 week, I thought we would do a Rugby themed tasting. Looking at the different Pools, and taking in concideration that NZ are great chokkers I predicted that SA would possibly face Australia in the finals.
Five flights were presented of two wines each, 1 Aussy and 1 Saffer. The team had to pick their favourite wine in each flight, which was then awarded a try (5 points). A conversion worth 2 points was also awarded if the team could pick which country the wines came from. A penalty, 3 points, could also be taken by correctly stating the cultivar, incorect answer however would lead to points for the Australians.

Starting Squad:

1) De Bruyn – John Smit (C)
2) Wilhelm – Francois Hougaard
3) Hammer – Bismark Du Plessis
4) Piet – Victor Matfield (VC)
5) Higgo – Fourie De Preez
6) Et – Bakkies Botha
7) Tiny – Schalk Burger
8) Danie – Alain Rolland (Ref)

Bench (master Side steppers):

1) Charl – Brain Habana
2) Rassie – Gio Aplon
3) Chops – Jean De Villiers

The wines tasted:
Wine: Year From:
1 Peter Lehmann – Wigan Riesling 2004 Eden Valley, Australia
2 Hartenberg Riesling 2008 Stellenbosch, SA
3 Bouchard Finlayson – Galpin Peak
Pinot Noir 2009 Hemel-en-Aarde, SA
4 Hoddles Creek – Pinot Noir 2008 Yarra Valley, Australia
5 Neil Ellis – Grenache 2008 Piekenierskloof, SA
6 Kalleske – Clarry’s: Grenache 80%, Shiraz 15%, Mataro 5% 2008 Barossa, Australia
7 Guardian Peak – Lapa Cabernet S 2007 Stellenbosch, SA
8 Yalumba – The Signature Cabernet S 70%, Shiraz 30% 2006 Barossa, Australia
9 Peter Lehmann – Stonewell Shiraz 2003 Barrossa, Australia
10 Haskell Pillars Shiraz 2008 Stellenbosch


Flight 1 – Rieslings
Our boys got off to a very accurate start getting 3 points almost immidiatly for correctly spotting the Riesling. The team however prefered the Cooler Eden Valley Riesling (not a bad call considering it was awarded best Aus Riesling a few years back) and picked it being wine number 1. Austrailia getting off to a good start.
Score after first flight: SA – 3 ; AUS – 7





Flight 2 – Pinot Noir
Again the team kick off with another 3 points for accurately picking the Pinot Noir flight.
This flight was much more hottly contested with 4 prefering the 1st wine (Bouchard Finlayson) and 3 perfering the 2nd (Hoddles Creek). Here we could already start seeing the tension between John Smit and Bismark building. The Captain however didn’t budge and correctly so: SA going into the lead. SA – 13 ; AUS – 7

Flight 3 – Grenache
In all fairness the penatly was a 60m from the side line attempt and the Neil Ellis Granache with it’s slight herbatious character made everyone think the flight was Cab. Had the team put more faith in the young Francois Hougaard they would have slotted it but sadly it is a team game and the incorect cultivar was called. AUS 3 points.
The team however redeamed themselves and Chooce the 5 star Platter wine (Neil Ellis) above the very ripe Barrossa adding another converted try to the SA score board: SA – 20 ; AUS – 10

Flight 4 – Cabernet Sauvignon
What seemed an easy penalty in fact got hooked terribly to the left giving Aus another 3 points. Maybe it was the 30% shiraz in the Aussy wine or the rougher tannins on the Lapa Cab which put the boys off. Victor Matfield and Basmark were at this stage openly critising the Captain wanting to sub him and it’s maybe due to this that the team sellected the Yulamba as their favourite wine.
Not even Schalk Burger’s efforts could help the team right and AUS scored a full 10 points on this flight. SA – 20 ; AUS – 20

Flight 5 – Shiraz
With the scores tied and us entering the last 10 mins of the game it was up to the Captain and his experianced troops to pull us through. Bakkies Botha and Fourie Du Preez showed why they are true legends in the game picking the Shiraz flight.
The team showed proper BMT and selected the Haskel Pillars Shiraz as their best and converted it as well calling it an South African wine.
Final Score: SA – 30 ; AUS – 20

As Ref Alain Rolland I think the boys played well and it was a solid performance from everyone.
I’m very pleased with the out come of the game - South Africa World Campoin wines!

Man of the match was no doubt Francois Hougaard who also correctly called a Mark on a very high and difficult Tempranillo from Yulamba. This however was after the game and really just fun practising.
Schalk Burger also showed his sublime form, and why he is a world class fetcher by picking the Sweet wine as a Sauteres. This was however after most the guys had gone home.
Chateau d’ Yquem 1993