Always in the pursuit of happyness, I was searching around on some websites today doing research of sorts. I managed to window shop at Distell, Edward Snell and Brandhouse when I cam across an absolute treat and you probably don’t know about it yet. But that’s where I come in!

So I stumbled upon the Bergkelder Vinoteque Wine Bank. What is it you may ask? That’s exactly what I asked myself when I found it. Luckily there is a FAQ section. And I tell you what…this is quite something! On the about section you are told that you get your own private cellar, optimally matured wines, the services of a Cellar-master, delivery service, a unique tasting and entertainment facility and buying just one case of wine makes you a member!

So the Vinoteque is a wine bank where wines are matured under perfect conditions and you can select from the wines on offer. And the website says it’s only R22 per year to mature a case of wine.

Good Lord!

“Jones, won’t you get me another glass of that caber…caber…cabinet sov…sov-in…sovin-yon. Yes that Cabinet Sov-in-yon! Oh it’s delicious!”

“Why of course sir”

Jones the butler pours a tipple for his master.

“Oh I can taste the juniper berries…and…oooooh a hint of red pepper with a leafy oak tree on the end note and a just a hint of…is that…is that…raspberry…yes it is! Jones that is spectacular!”

“Sir that was your Grapetizer starter”

“What? Are you mad? Jones don’t ridicule me like that! I know my wines and I know them well and that is a damn good 1987 Cabinet Sooooo…vin…um…yon.”

“Of course yes sir”

Just goes to show, most of these flavours they talk about are made up.

But the wine bank is a cool idea anyway, if anything, when chatting to Cape Towns notorious ice queens at Ignite, you can tell them that you have your own wine cellar.

That should be a good ice breaker. Another good ice breaker with these Ice Queens is “I have a villa in Camps Bay and an AMEX Black card” They fall for rich guys ALL the time.

But this is not an option for all of us.

Click VINOTEQUE for the website and all the details.

While I’m at it, if you want to buy South African wine online then please visit GETWINE.CO.ZA

Oh…and there is also The Wine Of The Month Club.

It’s winter so let us drink to that!

Please drink responsibly and in moderation etc etc… it makes me sound good.

Sean Lloyd

Editor