M’hudi Tasting Notes

July 7th, 2009 Stephen Satterfield

M’hudi

Malmsey and Diale Ranganka are pioneers. And even that seems to understate their role in the 350 year winemaking history of South Africa. No, they are one of the most important families in the 350 year history of South African wine production.

In last months inserts for Cape Collections member we waxed on about this important contribution of this family, the sole black family in South Africa, able to claim ownership of their own vineyard. If you’re reading this post, you have some sense about why this is relevant, particularly in our efforts to expand the role of blacks in the South African wine industry. While they remain in desperate need of paved roads, replanted vines, and a production cellar, the Ranganka’s have hung tough for 6 years fighting for their vision. We all have the delicious opportunity to help Malmsey and Diale by suporting M’hudi wines. It’s easy to do once you taste the wines!

2007 M’hudi Sauvignon Blanc

This Sauvignon Blanc has been awarded 89 points from the Wine Spectator and may be the most widely adored wine among the ISAW wine enthusiasts. There is merit to the accolades. This Sauvignon Blanc showcases why wine professionals all over the world are truly excited about the quality of Sauvignon Blanc coming from South Africa. Unlike New Zealand’s heralded Sauvignon Blanc, South Africa shows a propensity to a more understated tone somewhere between Pouily Fuisse (France) and New Zealand.

• Origin: Stellenbosch, South Africa
• Grape Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
• Aroma: Lime, green apple, and rosemary
• Palate: Full and bright. Citrus flavors dominate the front palate, and then it evolves into a mineral mid palate, showing exception balance of acidity and citrus. The flavor is clean, lengthy and absolutely refreshing. Serve chilled.
• Pairing Suggestions: A variety of fish, from scallops to ceviche, Caesar Salads, goat cheese.

2006 M’hudi Pinotage

This is a wine that has benefited greatly from bottle age. Pinotage, an indigenous South Africa hybrid, is a cross between pinot noir and cinsault grapes. It is the only grape variety that is truly South African.

• Region: Stellenbosch, South Africa
• Grape Varietal: 100% Pinotage
• Aroma: Dark fruits; black currants, dried black cherry, earthy, violets, and leather round out a truly complex nose
• Palate: Silky palate, same profile as aromatics, with just a touch of dark chocolate and toast on the finish
• Pairing Suggestions: We recommend pairing with BBQ, or game. The fruit is versatile enough for BBQ Chicken or ribs, but would also be sublime with duck for more adventurous cooks. We recommend decanting this wine, so you can truly see it blossom out of the bottle.

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Boycott South African Wine!? Environmentalists Have Crossed the Line!!

July 5th, 2009 Stephen Satterfield

On June 26, the UK Wine publication, Decanter reported US-based environmentalists Sea Shepherds, called for a boycott of South African wines. The organization is responding to the butchering of over 40 whales on the coast of South Africa led by Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, who are also demanding Mike Meyer, president of South Africa’s Marine Coastal Management (MCM) step down.

I am reluctant to even write about this matter, because it only brining press to this ridiculous call to action, but it’s too much. The proposed boycott shows how detached this organization is to South Africa. Launching a baseless attack on an industry that employs 260,000 people, almost all of whom are below the poverty line, is cruel. South Africa is unquestionably the most environmentally progressive wine growing region, with a significant part of their entire (fragile) global positioning promoting biodiversity. The Biodiversity & Wine Initiative has been a very successful organization established to ensure conversation of wildlife and promote low impact farming.

The grossest part about this is that we are talking about whales. When you attack the South African wine industry, you’re attacking a group of workers who are living in extreme poverty, no education, and few with access to running water and electricity. The work of our Foundation is to raise the standard of life for other human beings in this important commercial industry. Mike Meyer is obviously not a good person, and anyone who brutally kills whales-or any animal-purely for sport is a sick person. But blindly calling for the boycott of a product that is utterly unrelated, and (barely) feeds hundreds of thousands of poor farmers is equally irresponsible. Wine in South Africa provides one job for every 92 cases of wine sold. I’m curious what Sea Shepherd, based in Washington, DC has done to create jobs in Africa, or even in America.

It may be cute to call for a boycott to bring attention to your cause. But those of us who make a living on the South African wine industry take the word boycott very seriously. You see, the last boycott ended in 1994 because of the ending of something called apartheid. And if you don’t understand the magnitude of the apartheid in the context of the death of 40 whales, I think you are as sick as Mike Meyer.

-Stephen A. Satterfield

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Social Enterprise at Goizueta

April 6th, 2009 Stephen Satterfield

A few weeks ago, PJ and I had the opportunity to speak to a group of MBA students at Emory’s Goizueta Business School. The students were enrolled in a Social Enterprise class, and it turns out that their professor Peter Roberts happens to be a big wine enthusiast (and researcher), so it turned out to be a fruitful afternoon. In fact, there was so much synergy around our visit that we returned last week for a brilliant symposium on Global Development and Health, followed by a dinner and panel by the Goizueta Microfinance Club.

Professor Peter Roberts in the foreground. Goizueta MBA Student Chris Brown talk to Stephen and PJ about upcoming Health & Global Development Symposium.

In the coming weeks, we’ll heading back to Goizueta for the inaugural Mini Executive Program entitled “Developing and Refining Nonprofit Strategy” scheduled for May 5-6, 2009. This program, organized by Professor Roberts, will feature some of the top professors at Goizueta, and will undoubtedly be a remarkable leaning opportunity for us. We are very honored to have been invited, and will share details upon completion.

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