ALI MPHAKI
WINE enthusiasts and the cognoscenti should expect a sensory experience when the annual Soweto Wine Festival roars into life at the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto campus around 6pm today.
Now in its seventh year and for the first time held over three days, the wine festival has become one of the trendiest lifestyle events in the township as it “brings vineyards to Soweto and Soweto to the vineyards”.
Of major interest this year is the presence of 11 empowerment wineries that will be exhibiting their wares.
Co-organiser Mnikelo Mangcipu, who owns the first and only wine shop in Soweto, Morara Wine Emporium, says wine drinking in Soweto has increased in part because of the festival and the emerging trend of denizens moving from a beer-drinking society to the sophistication of wine.
“We are again upping our game this year to cater to the expected crowds,” Mangcipu said.
Expected to add serious punch to the growth of the festival is the three-year headline sponsor with the country’s largest liquor outlet, Tops at Spar.
Standard Bank withdrew its sponsorship from the Soweto event after two years of declining profits.
Marilyn Cooper, joint founding member of the festival and managing director of the Cape Wine Academy, the organisers of the festival, said they were proud that 11 BEE wineries would be exhibiting this year.
The BEE wines include labels such as Ses’fikile, Remogo Wines, Thandi Wines, Seven Sisters, Morudi and Lathitha.
It is generally accepted that wine goes with good food, which is why – apart from visitors delighting in tasting the 950 wine styles and cultivars on offer – there is a revamped food court showcasing Soweto restaurants.
Pick n Pay is sponsoring the Taste Theatre.
It will feature two one-hour wine-and-food pairing sessions a night in a classroom-style lecture theatre.
Bon appetit and cheers!