Chenin Blanc pioneer Ken Forrester has created a sweeter version of his popular FMC Chenin for South African restaurant High Timber in London. As reported on the drinks business, FMC Première Selection Moelleux 2010 follows is a sister wine to the original Forrester Meinert Chenin (FMC), which has done much to raise the profile of South African Chenin Blanc on the world stage.
After a favourable 2010 harvest, Forrester (above) and good friend Martin Meinert opted to use one of the FMC barrels to create an exclusive wine for High Timber. Made in a late harvest style, the sugar content in Moelleux is much higher than in FMC, while the alcohol and acidity levels remain the same. Meinert describes the wine, which is barrel fermented and spends 15 months in oak, as “sweeter, riper, more voluptuous and sensual than FMC.”
Moelleux, which means sweet in French, is expected to arrive at the restaurant next month. “Each year we tend these old vines as best we can and are guided and forced to work in concert with nature, which is totally unpredictable. Occasionally, unpredictable weather patterns can result in disaster or a virtual miracle, the Moelleux we believe is the latter.
“After a fantastic harvest in 2010, we are delighted to present High Timber with its own exclusive FMC. We continue to be honoured at the reputation of the original wine, and hope that the Moelleux will be just as popular,” Said Forrester, who has hosted numerous wine dinners at the St Paul’s site.
With over 40,000 bins, High Timber, co-owned by Gary and Kathy Jordan of Jordan Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, offers one of the widest selections of South African wines in the capital. “To say I am delighted is an understatement. FMC is one of our most popular wines and with the Moelleux made exclusively for us, it’s the new jewel in our cellar,” said the restaurant’s co-owner and sommelier Neleen Strauss.
Bordeaux go-to consultant Michel Rolland has partnered with international charity Wine to Water on a South African wine that will help provide thousands of Ethiopians access to clean water. As reported on the drinks business, Bonne Nouvelle 2003, a Cabernet, Merlot and Pinotage blend from Stellenbosch, means "good news" in French.
US$20 from every bottle sold will go directly to Wine To Water to dig deep bore wells in the Dale region of Southern Ethiopia, where 6 out of 10 people lack access to clean water. The project's initial goal is to raise US$40,000 – enough to fund four wells, providing permanent water access for over 8,000 people. Ethiopia is currently battling a water crisis, with millions struggling to survive every day due to drought and contaminated water.
California winery and importer Montesquieu Wines is facilitating the project by distributing the wine in the US at no charge. Owner Fonda Hopkins, who works separately with Michel Rolland and Wine to Water founder Doc Hendley on other projects, brought the pair together. "Michel and Doc come from very different backgrounds, but both are so passionate about life and committed to excellence that the partnership was a natural fit,” she said. “It's wonderful to see some of the top players in the wine community step up to the plate to make a difference,” said Hendley, whose charity has provided water to over 100,000 people in twelve countries, including Sudan, India, Cambodia, Uganda and Kenya. Hendley is currently touring the States promoting his book Wine to Water: A Bartender's Quest to Bring Clean Water to the World, published by Penguin.
Michel Rolland is one of the most influential winemakers in the world. He consults for over 100 properties, including Angélus and Ausone in Bordeaux, Ornellaia in Tuscany and Harlan Estate in California. Bonne Nouvelle is available at www.winetowaterstore.com for US$39.
