NEW SIMONSIG THREESOME BECOME 2010 SAA FREQUENT FLYERS

Pioneering Stellenbosch estate secures on-board listings spanning 20 years

Simonsig, the pioneering Stellenbosch wine estate whose wines have been enjoyed on South African Airways flights for more than two decades, boasts three new frequent flyers on SAA domestic flights for 2010.

No newcomer to the ‘mile high’ club, Simonsig enjoys a consistent record of consecutive listings with the airline spanning over 20 years. The first Simonsig wine to be selected by SAA was the Simonsig Shiraz 1984 in 1989. Last year Simonsig won the South African Airways Chairman Award 2009 as the wine producer with the biggest volume supplied to the airline’s domestic services.

In 2010, economy class passengers on SAA domestic flights can enjoy the multi award-winning Simonsig Chenin Blanc 2009; the Adelblanc 2009 – a classic blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon; and the estate’s popular Mr. Borio Shiraz 2008.

“Our 2010 on-board listings acknowledge our range’s breadth and depth of performance, even at high altitude. We always strive to aim high when it comes to quality and the fulfilment of our wines and this latest achievement confirms that the sky is definitely not our limit when it comes to our pursuit for excellence,” shares Francois Malan, one of three brothers who own this legendary family estate.

More about the SAA 2010 Simonsig wines:

Characterised by a “relaxed friendliness” the Simonsig Chenin Blanc is the first South African wine ever to have won the coveted Platter’s ‘Superquaffer of the Year’ award for two consecutive years (2008 and 2009).

Eminently enjoyable, the 2009 vintage has an aromatic nose of tangy pear and ripe Golden Delicious apple enhanced by a touch of honey. The abundance of fresh tropical fruit and fatness on the palate, evoke an intense richness in the aftertaste. The wine stands up well to bold curries and spicy Thai cuisine.

The fruit-forward and frisky, Simonsig Adelblanc 2009 exudes a sun-kissed mélange of tropical fruit with herbaceous scents, ending with a crisp, refreshingly dry palate, which makes this white blend a perfect wine choice with seafood and pasta dishes.

Simonsig Mr. Borio Shiraz 2008 is a full-bodied red wine akin to the multi-faceted character of its namesake, Allesandro Borio – an Italian Prisoner of War who stayed on after World War II to make South Africa his home. His unparalleled masonry skills found an inherent place at Simonsig where he built the first cement wine tanks which are still used today to produce this widely enjoyed Shiraz. The 2008 vintage charms with a complex berry bouquet, powerful structure and slightly dry finish lingering on the aftertaste. It is an excellent choice with pot roasts and hearty stews, venison, biltong or mature cheddar.

For more information on Simonsig’s range of white, red and Méthode Cap Classique wines contact the estate on:  (+27)21 888 4915 or visit www.simonsig.co.za.