Three Cape Ladies Cape Blend -- by Mike Ratcliffe (video)

I met Mike Ratcliffe of Warwick Estate at the South Africa Mega Tasting this month and asked him to tell me about his Three Cape Ladies Cape Blend.



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Idiom Cape Blend with owner Alberto Bottega

Idiom 2006 was clear winner of WINE Magazines June issue tasting of Pinotage blends. It was the top scoring wine, the only one with four stars. WINE described it as ‘Pitch black. Appealing oak on nose. Subtle and restrained on the palate with dark fruit.”


Idiom owner Alberto Bottega talks to me about his Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Merlot, Petit Verdot blend.

Cape Blend inspires Cyprus

I didn't know before but Cyprus is a rare country, like Chile, free of the scourge of Phylloxera and therefore able to grow vines on their own roots.

And having not suffered the devastion of their vineyards Cyprus is lucky in having an abundance of rare indigenous varieties such as Xynisteri, Mavro and Maratheftiko.

But how to sell such varieties to an international market?

Wines from Cyprus suggest that "there is the potential to promote a Cyprus Blend similar to South Africa's Cape Blend. The latter country has made a name for its unique mix of native Pinotage and Bordeaux grapes."

Of course, it may not be long before Cyprus can make an authentic Cape Blend using their own Pinotage - see here