By Mohalenyane Phakela and ‘Mathabana Kotelo
MASERU — Local beverage distributors Station Liquor City in collaboration with Sun International Lesotho hosted a wine tasting fiesta at Lesotho Sun last Saturday.
The hotel’s convention centre was parked to the rafters as different people came in large numbers to taste an array of good wines from around the Eastern and Western Cape provinces in South Africa.
Speaking on behalf of the organisers, Sun International marketing manager, Clix Salman, said: “This is our second annual wine testing event which aims at introducing local market to a whole new range of exotic wines.”
He added: “Most of the wines that are being served today have not reached our stores so we are giving people the privilege of knowing about them and getting to taste them so they can decide which ones they prefer most.”
There were 15 wineries including Durbanville Hills and Beaumont showcasing a wide range of red and white wine collection such as sweet rose, shiraz, merlot and chardonnay, among others, defined by winemakers as rare, distinct and exceptional in taste.
Creation Wines representative, Phillip Marais, said that this was the first time the six-year old company was exhibiting their products at the wine festival and they had brought with them a wide assortment of wines.
“The winery is based in Hermanus and we have quite a great range of wines on show today.”
He recommended Creation’s merlot and cabernet blend for red wine drinkers who also enjoyed a great steak.
Holden Maz, based in Franschoek, was one of the wineries that presented at last year’s wine festival.
Winemaker Schalk Opperman said that Holden Maz wines were exported across the world. The Big G, named the after Holden Maz owner Gerard Holden has been their best seller for the past two years.
Justin Keane, who described himself as a regular wine drinker, said he was delighted to be at the event and get to experience the different types of wines on offer.
“It is amazing that there is such a varied choice of wines produced in wineries around the same location. My favourites so far have been the Beaumont Reserve and the Holden Chardonnay.”
Owner and manager of Station Liquor City, Paulo de Freitas, said the annual event was meant to promote different types of wines and introduce boutique wines to their wine-drinking customers.
He said he was impressed with the turnout and the overall success of the festival this year.
