Ernie Els Wines has been awarded the license to produce two SA Rugby wines, in the build up to the Rugby World Cup 2011 which kicks off on 09 September.
South African golf legend, Ernie Els, comments: “I have been a keen supporter of Springbok rugby since I was a small boy, and remain as passionate today. It is an honour and a privilege for Ernie Els Wines to have crafted these wines for all Springbok supporters to enjoy.”
If it seems a little strange to have a golfer making rugby wines (especially when the likes of Schalk Burger and Jan ‘Boland’ Coetzee are also winemakers) then Duncan Woods, Brand Manager of the Els Group (SA), continues, “The association between SA Rugby and Ernie Els Wines is extremely exciting and fitting. Both brands are South African icons, committed to the pursuit of excellence in their respective fields. Sport has been an incredible unifier in our country over the past two decades, and it is woven into the fabric of the team at Ernie Els Wines.”
Cape Winemaker’s Guild Chairman and Ernie Els winemaker, Louis Strydom, has crafted a white and red for the occasion. The red is a Shiraz /Cabernet Sauvignon blend – a very popular combination in Australia, but don’t take that as an omen! The wine has a lovely black cherry nose with lots of oomphy, meaty flavours, soft tannins and a meaty finish. Cries out for a good piece of steak on a good old South African braai – there’s nothing ‘barbie’ about this wine!
The white is a Sauvignon Blanc 2011 and should be drunk in quantity throughout the matches, leaving the red for the meal afterwards. It’s a well-integrated wine with lots of lively tropical and green fruit and zippy acidity all working well together
The SA Rugby wines are available at most major retailers and the SA Rugby Red will retail from R79.99 and the SA Rugby White from R59.99.