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BY BILLY SUTER
DURBAN’S impressive new Globe venue at Suncoast Casino is currently playing host to the first leg of the seven-city tour of South Africa by the Tops at Spar Wine Show, billed as the country’s biggest and boldest travelling wine show.
I attended the Thursday opening of the show, which runs in Durban until Saturday, and it is good to report that there is a nice buzz in this spacious venue which features some fun touches among the many wine-tasting booths – sculptures (torsos and a giant wine-bottle opener) made entirely of corks.
The venue also offers a outdoor food area, overlooking the casino parking lot, which has chairs and tables, and where you can grab a bunny chow or pie in between all the many sippings show visitors are entitled to between 5am and 9pm.
One can also get a mouthful of wine knowledge with some ‘edutainment’ in the two wine theatres at the venue.
The owner of the Tops at Spar Wine Show, Andrew Douglas, shares some tips for getting the most of the show experience:
- “Drink wine but stay fine” (#DrinkSmart)! There are as many varieties of safe driving options as there are cultivars, and Tops at Spar Wine Show partner, Goodfella’s, offers safe, convenient and affordable choices – so pre-book and stay safe!
- Insider’s Tip: Book the Couples Combo, which will cost you just R385 for an experience valued at R570. You’ll get two general admission tickets, two tasting glasses, a show guide, access to the wine theatres, unlimited tastings and a six-pack of Libbey wine glasses. Alternatively, a General Admission ticket is R185, or go all-out and get the VIP experience for R495 per person (valued at R750).
- Remember the ‘Sip & Ship’ service as you wind your way around the show – no need to schlep boxes of wine around or try to find your favourite stands at the end of the night; simply place your order, pay cellar door prices, and get free and reliable delivery straight to your door. Best of all there’s no limit to the number of cases you can have shipped to your soon-to-be-bursting cellar.
- Don’t miss the opportunity to cast your ‘People’s Choice Award’ vote for your favourite wine from a selection of 10 finalists in the Wine Label Design Awards presented by Rotolabel.
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A torso of cork on display at The Globe for the Tops at Spar Wine Show. - Put yourself in the running (and drinking) to be the next Supertaster by entering the South African Wine Tasting Championships. Convened by ‘The Flying Sommelier’ Jean-Vincent Ridon, this competition offers any wine enthusiast, amateur and professional alike, the chance to win a trip to France to compete in The World Blind Wine Tasting Championships in October. Simply register your interest at the SAWTC stand, step up to taste the shortlisted wines and identify six wines ‘blind’ from the selection. If you make it through the regionals, you’ll be jetting off to Cape Town in July to compete in the final and, who knows, you could be sipping Bordeaux on the Champs-Élysées in October.
NOTE: Some people have found difficulty accessing The Globe, the giant, white tent-like venue between the beachfront promenade and the Suncoast Casino parking lot. The best bet is to head straight for the promenade as the main entrance is there.
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| MAIN THEATRE | THEATRE 2 | |
| FRIDAY 10 MAY | ||
| 18h00 | Olive Brook – Complex but not confusing | Jon Meinking: SA Wine Showcase |
| 19h00 | Idiom Wines – A Taste of Italy | Discover the Mystery of the Old Vine Project |
| 20h00 | Core Catering – Every empty glass has a story to tell | Jon Meinking: SA Wine Showcase |
| SATURDAY 11 MAY | ||
| 16h00 | Perdeberg – Wine Cocktails | Discover the Mystery of the Old Vine Project |
| 17h00 | Wellington Wine Route – Quest for the best | Jon Meinking: SA Wine Showcase |
| 18h00 | Olive Brook – Complex but not confusing | Jon Meinking: SA Wine Showcase |
| 19h00 | Core Catering – Every empty glass has a story to tell | Jon Meinking: SA Wine Showcase |
DURBAN SHOW INFORMATION
Dates & times: Friday, May 19 (5pm to 9pm) andSaturday, May 11: (3pm to 9pm)
Ticket prices:
General access: R185 per person (includes a tasting glass, show guide, access to wine theatres and unlimited tastings)
Couples combo: R385 per couple, valued at R570 (includes two general admission tickets, two tasting glasses, a show guide, access to the wine theatres, unlimited tastings and a six-pack of Libbey wine glasses)
VIP Lounge: R495 per person, valued at R870 (includes a glass of premium MCC and amuse bouche on arrival, four elegant wine and food pairings, limited bar, including boutique wine selection, a glass of Noble Late Harvest dessert wine and dessert pairing, a corporate gift and complimentary Platters Guide, plus all General Admission ticket benefits)
To book: https://wineshow.co.za/tickets/
For info: https://wineshow.co.za
