Reyneke Reserve Red 2009

Awareness of the slow but amplified destruction of our earth has meant more and more people and companies contributing to environmentally acceptable products and sustainable farming practises.

Since its inception in 2009, the Nedbank Green Wine Awards, has aimed to reward and elevate the quality of wines made from organically grown grapes, honouring those wine producers that put our wellbeing and the wellbeing of the planet first.

This year’s innovation was to introduce a WWF Biodiversity and Wine Initiative (BWI) wine category, open to all members, to recognise the massive strides made in conserving our environment and natural resources, while producing greener, better wines.

A total of 190 wines were judged for this year’s awards. The judging panel was led by renowned wine judge Fiona McDonald.

Reyneke Wines scooped the top awards in the organic category, with its Reyneke Reserve Red 2009 winning Best Wine Overall and Best Red.

The Paul Cluver Riesling Noble Late Harvest 2012 won Best Wine Overall in the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative Category.

“The panel was delighted to see that, overall, standards have improved in the organic category,” said McDonald.

“Winemaking is more adept and the quality of wine is markedly better. The gap has narrowed between wines made from grapes grown in organic vineyards and wines made using more ‘conventional’ farming methods.”

Johan Reyneke, viticulturist and partner of Reyneke Wines has taken this approach to biodynamic and organic farming very seriously.

The Reyneke farm can be found on the Polkadraai hills outside of Stellenbosch. Working in close relationship with the University of Stellenbosch, they have, since 1988, replanted vineyards with noble cultivars suitable for the area.

Reyneke vineyards

Johan is fascinated by the extraordinary relationship between man and environment and from the outset he has encouraged empowerment practises. It was in fact his workers who were the architects of the master plan for the farm which has endorsed the Reyneke motto “Quality with integrity.”

Over the years, Reyneke has had amazing success from using organic farming methods and their wines speak clearly of their consistent quality. The Reyneke Reserve Red 2009 winning both Best Red and Best Wine Overall is testament to Reyneke’s commitment of producing fine wine from organically grown grapes.

The wine is a blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and offers abundant aromas of seductive peppery spice with black cherry. The palate delivers a rich intensity of ripe dark fruit with a warm spicy vanilla backdrop. Rare roasted fillet prepared over hot coals under the stars in the Cederberg this last weekend was the perfect complement to both wine and food!

For  those who enjoy collecting and maturing quality red wine the this is a must and will reward your senses over the next eight years.

Expect to pay: R332.00