Hidden gems: An avid wine drinker himself, Larry Hodes, owner of The Gourmet Grocer in Birdhaven is on a mission to find his customers the hidden gems, wines from the smaller farms, the uncommon blends, and rarer vintages.

Hidden gems

Fast becoming the go-to spot for interesting and lesser-known vino, don’t be surprised if there are bottles you have never seen or heard of before. “It’s all part of the fun and the experience of buying a special bottle of wine for an occasion” says Larry.

“If you take a unique bottle of wine to a dinner party or gift for a friend, it becomes a talking point and a lot more memorable than drinking the same wine at every opportunity.”

The Gourmet Grocer does not stock any of the well-known, more common wine farms.

“Our wine selection boasts a wide variety of the best local boutique, non-commercial wines South Africa has to offer that you won’t find easily anywhere else. And it’s not just about making the purchase. We want our customers to discover and experience new wines with us by joining in our wine tastings and classes hosted by the various farmers” says Larry.

ALSO READ:The Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction catalogue: SA’s top wine judges weigh in

One of South Africa’s most prestigious wine events, the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction has announced the line-up of outstanding wines that will be auctioned at the annual event on 22 May 2021. This year’s event comes at a crucial moment for the local wine industry, which, though resilient, is still battling the ongoing effects various lockdowns has had on the industry, and the country at large.

However, this stark reality has directed a global spotlight on South African wine producers, with a groundswell of support gathering pace worldwide. This, combined with a growing confidence in the investment returns offered by South African wine, makes the 2021 Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction more relevant than ever.

The prestigious line-up of wines that will go under the hammer on 22 May can be viewed here.

SA wines are smart investments

At the heart of the Auction is the catalogue of sought-after investment wines going under the hammer. Selecting those wines is a painstaking process conducted in two stages by a panel of four expert judges: Michael Fridjhon, Cathy van Zyl MW, François Rautenbach and Joseph Dhafana.

Wines submitted by producers for auction are first evaluated ‘sighted’, allowing the judging panel to appraise the quality of the vintage against the cellar’s reputation, perceived strengths, and the brand’s desirability amongst connoisseurs of fine wine.

“The Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction is about investment wines, so first and foremost there needs to be sufficient recognition for that brand in the market,” explains Michael Fridjhon, a highly regarded international wine judge and one of South Africa’s leading wine commentators.

“We also look for wines that have the right track record, whether it’s producers that are sought-after for their iconic status, or particularly good vintages that people want to add to their cellar,” notes Cathy Van Zyl, a Master of Wine who brings exhaustive local and global experience to the judging panel.

Along with a guarantee of provenance – all auction wines are sourced directly from the producer’s cellar or vinoteque – the Auction offers unparalleled opportunities to access rare vintages long since sold out on the retail shelf, as well as ‘unicorn’ wines – rare once-off releases, tiny volumes and wines only rarely made available to the public by allocation.

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