Upcoming Events

Thursday, April 20th

"Younger - Older - Old / A Tasting Journey"
@
U(of)T Faculty Club
From: 6:30pm

Everyone knows wine undergoes complex changes with age ― aromas, flavours and colours can transform it to reveal a completely new character. The harsh tannins of its youth gradually give way to a softer mouthfeel. An inky dark color will eventually lose its depth of color and begin to appear orange at the edges, and eventually turn brown. These changes occur due to the complex chemical reactions of the phenolic compounds of the wine.

Its compounds constantly react with each other: water, glycosides, phenolics, alcohols and acids connect and disband, break down and hydrolyze, only to reconnect all over again at varying speeds. That certain flavours emerge and develop is nothing short of alchemy and not yet fully understood. Fresh flavours evolve to evoke dried and even candied fruits; while hints of earth and stone, honey and mushroom, petals and herb appear magically.

Explore the answers to some of these questions:
• How often do you open a wine that you have aged? Do you enjoy it and feel it is worth the effort?
• Do you prefer young or older wines?
• Does aging an inexpensive wine make it taste better to you?
• How long should you age a wine to best suit your taste preferences?
• Does aging a less expensive wine vs a premium wine make a significant difference to your enjoyment?
• How long is too long to age a wine so that you start to enjoy it less?
• Do your preferences change if the wine is a single varietal vs a blend when it ages?

Join us in April at The Faculty Club, University of Toronto, to have the opportunity to savour this magic transition. The kitchen will offer a selection of tapas to accompany the wines ― cabernet sauvignon and its blends. The list can be found below.

THE MENU

Tapas style plates will be served.
1. Fried prosciutto wrapped dates stuffed with stilton, blackberry jam
2. Roasted mushroom, thyme and Oka cheese tartlet
3. Braised short rib, Irish cheddar, whipped potato, red wine au jus

WINE NOTES

Cabernet Sauvignon

Boekenhoutskloof Porcupine Ridge 2020
Succulent blackberry fruit freshened by bright acidity and ripe tannins. Juicy blackberry, black currant, spicy and dark chocolate flavours balanced with food-friendly acidity on the palate.
Stark Conde Three Pines 2008
Classic Cabernet aromas with violet notes, rich and intense on the palate. The tannins are fully integrated, polished, the fruit lush, dark toned and nuanced.
Saxenburg Private Collection 2003
Handsome, dark fruited, cassis toned, still tight when released in 2007. No hard edges, suave tannins that will reward future aging.
Meerlust 2004
Released in 2008, this was the first release since 1993 of this wine. At release the wine description indicates a deep, opaque plum-black appearance, very bright and youthful. The nose exhibits lifted cassis, plum and mineral notes with intense stony and graphite aromas. The palate is full yet elegant where the bouquet follows through and the intensity of fruit is balanced by a vibrant acidity and sleek, polished tannins. The palate is lingering and finishes clean with lingering dark fruit flavours. Elegant, well structured wine with a long lingering finish. In 2017 it was described as still youthful with many years of further development ahead.

Red Blends

Kanonkop Cape Blend 2020
Crimson red in colour, with complimenting aromas of raspberries, dark cherries, black plums, cinnamon, and allspice. Supple, elegant tannins supported by fresh acidity which is balanced with an explosion of fruit on the palate. Juicy flavours of red and black fruits, and a hint of chocolate, all which lingers on the finish. Blend: 43% pinotage, 33% merlot, 22% cabernet sauvignon, 2% cabernet franc
Rust En Vrede Estate 2011
Deep crimson red. Dark fruit and roasted spices are backed up by a rich dark chocolate line, with subtle vanilla aromas. The dark fruit and spicy liquorice aromas follow through beautifully from the nose. This full bodied wine has great structure and length, with a seamlessly integrated mid-palate and a long, dry finish. Blend: 63% cabernet sauvignon, 28% shiraz, 9% merlot
Saronsberg Seismic 2013
The Saronsberg Seismic has a dark colour with flavours of cassis, red berry and integrated oak. The tannin is firm and well balanced with a full-bodied, elegant finish. Blend: cabernet sauvignon 35%, petit verdot 19%, merlot 18%, malbec 14%, cabernet franc 14%
Vergenoegd Estate 2000
Rich almost inky appearance. Nice ripe red berry and plum fruit. Spicy vanilla scents with a hint of coffee and chocolate on the nose. A sweet structured forceful wine but with characteristic elegance and finesse. Big smooth tannins with good length. Blend: 58% cabernet sauvignon, 39% merlot, 3% cabernet franc

*We will make every effort to accommodate your food allergies or special dietary needs if requested. Vegetarian option is available.

When:

April 20th
From: 6:30 pm

Where:

University of Toronto Faculty Club, 41 Willcocks Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1C7

How:

The Spadina streetcar stops at the corner of Willcocks and Spadina. 416 978-6325

Price:

$75 Members & $85 Guests (All members and guests must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19)

This event has a capacity limit. Once reached, members will be advised that no further registrations will be taken.

Closing date: Your booking or cancellation must be received by Friday - April 14th, 2023. You will be contacted if we are unable to accept your booking.

2023 membership renewal
Your SAWS membership has continued at no charge during COVID-19. From January 1, 2023, we will reinstate the annual membership fee of $27 (single) or $42 (couple). For your convenience, you may simply add the appropriate membership renewal amount to your banquet registration payment to South African Wine Society or Interac e-payment payable to sawsinfo@rogers.com (preferred) and we will update your membership renewal status for 2023.

Your cheque payable to South African Wine Society will reserve your place. Please note, we no longer accept credit card payments.

To find more information about the event, including registration, follow this link.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Note: As a courtesy to other members, please refrain from wearing any scented products, including perfumes, colognes, after shaves or hand lotions.