Meet Margaret Fundira who has been judging wine since 2001. One of her ongoing roles is being part of the panel of judges for Wine-of-the-Month Club, choosing which wines will be on offer in any given month for club members to discover.
Fundira's passion for wine started with a degree in microbiology that specialised in winemaking and subsequently led her to taking an active interest in judging. She has her Wine Judging Certificate from Stellenbosch and has judged on the National Young Wine Show and for the Veritas Awards, as well as for the Diners Club Winemaker of the Year competition and the Absa Top 10 Pinotages.
Despite all of this, Fundira can’t pinpoint any one outstanding moment in her wine career: “Basically, each great memory has prepared me for the next,” she says.
“They are like stepping stones across a stream, with the journey being the best part; there is always something new, just around the corner, waiting to be discovered.”
We chatted to Fundira over a glass of chilled Sauvignon Blanc ...
Tell us a bit about yourself and when and why you fell in love with wine
My love story with wine began in the vineyards of Bordeaux, France, after completing my undergraduate studies. That is where I studied winemaking and honed my wine-tasting palate. Fortunately, being a microbiologist, with specialisations that include fermentation technologies, has also intensified my relationship with fine wines.
When did you start as a Wine-of-the-Month Club judge?
I have been a Wine-of-The-Month judge since 2004 so for almost 16 years now!
Do you believe that women and men judge wine differently and those of different generations?
That’s an interesting question. I have read literature that suggests that women tend to have a more discerning palate than men. But in my experience, I believe judging wine quality is more about an individual’s palate and their training.
What are the benefits of joining a wine club?
In addition to generally keeping abreast of the trends in South African wines, joining a wine club such as Wine-of-the-Month Club exposes you to many amazing wines that are being made in this country and which you may otherwise not discover.
Why would you encourage people to become part of Wine-of-the-Month Club and which pack should they start with?
When you join Wine-of-the-Month Club you essentially have the benefit of what one could call your own ‘sieves’ of really good wine tasters and judges. I would recommend newcomers to begin with the Club Selection.
Can you tell us how the judging of the wines for the Club works?
All judging is done blind, in the sense that we do not know the identity of the wines we are judging until after the tasting and judging is complete. We have fascinating discussions about the wines while we are describing them, as well as the wines and the food pairing of the selected wines. Judging wines requires a range of finite yet all important sensory perceptions such as sight (colour), aroma, flavour, taste and aftertaste.
How often do you select the wines?
The panel meets at least once a week, sometimes twice a week to judge the wines.
What do you think are the latest wine trends for 2020?
2020 has been a peculiar year for wine judging for me given the dynamics of the Covid-19 pandemic. I haven’t done much judging this year but am looking forward to the increasing normalisation of social dynamics so that we can all catch up with the latest offerings.
What is your favourite wine to drink?
The exciting answer to your question is that in South Africa we are truly spoilt for choice. This makes it difficult to choose an outright favourite but I’m sure you’d agree that that’s a good dilemma to have.
What is your favourite food and wine pairing?
I will give you what I enjoyed recently which is a De Grendel Koetshuis Sauvignon Blanc with a mushroom risotto. Both went down really well.
What evolution have you seen in the SA wine consumer in the past decade?
I have seen more traditionally non-wine drinkers enter the market and grow in their appreciation of the wide range of wines on offer in this country
Has the wine drinker demographic changed over the years?
I believe it has. The continual diversification of offerings will inevitably introduce fine wines to wider demographics. Coupled with the broadened education and de-mystification of wine, more consumers will be attracted to the many wines South Africa has to offer.
What are people ordering and drinking different to 10, 20 and 30 years ago?
Over the years, we have seen people looking for more differentiation and ever improved wine quality. Fortunately, South Africa is well placed to satisfy the demands of the consumers.
Anything else you would like to add?
The consumption of good wine is steeped in an etiquette of responsible drinking and so as we emerge from this Covid-19 pandemic may I encourage everyone to continue drinking responsibly, don't drink and drive and to stay safe.
Despite all of this, Fundira can’t pinpoint any one outstanding moment in her wine career: “Basically, each great memory has prepared me for the next,” she says.
“They are like stepping stones across a stream, with the journey being the best part; there is always something new, just around the corner, waiting to be discovered.”
We chatted to Fundira over a glass of chilled Sauvignon Blanc ...
Tell us a bit about yourself and when and why you fell in love with wine
My love story with wine began in the vineyards of Bordeaux, France, after completing my undergraduate studies. That is where I studied winemaking and honed my wine-tasting palate. Fortunately, being a microbiologist, with specialisations that include fermentation technologies, has also intensified my relationship with fine wines.
When did you start as a Wine-of-the-Month Club judge?
I have been a Wine-of-The-Month judge since 2004 so for almost 16 years now!
Do you believe that women and men judge wine differently and those of different generations?
That’s an interesting question. I have read literature that suggests that women tend to have a more discerning palate than men. But in my experience, I believe judging wine quality is more about an individual’s palate and their training.
What are the benefits of joining a wine club?
In addition to generally keeping abreast of the trends in South African wines, joining a wine club such as Wine-of-the-Month Club exposes you to many amazing wines that are being made in this country and which you may otherwise not discover.
Why would you encourage people to become part of Wine-of-the-Month Club and which pack should they start with?
When you join Wine-of-the-Month Club you essentially have the benefit of what one could call your own ‘sieves’ of really good wine tasters and judges. I would recommend newcomers to begin with the Club Selection.
Can you tell us how the judging of the wines for the Club works?
All judging is done blind, in the sense that we do not know the identity of the wines we are judging until after the tasting and judging is complete. We have fascinating discussions about the wines while we are describing them, as well as the wines and the food pairing of the selected wines. Judging wines requires a range of finite yet all important sensory perceptions such as sight (colour), aroma, flavour, taste and aftertaste.
How often do you select the wines?
The panel meets at least once a week, sometimes twice a week to judge the wines.
What do you think are the latest wine trends for 2020?
2020 has been a peculiar year for wine judging for me given the dynamics of the Covid-19 pandemic. I haven’t done much judging this year but am looking forward to the increasing normalisation of social dynamics so that we can all catch up with the latest offerings.
What is your favourite wine to drink?
The exciting answer to your question is that in South Africa we are truly spoilt for choice. This makes it difficult to choose an outright favourite but I’m sure you’d agree that that’s a good dilemma to have.
What is your favourite food and wine pairing?
I will give you what I enjoyed recently which is a De Grendel Koetshuis Sauvignon Blanc with a mushroom risotto. Both went down really well.
What evolution have you seen in the SA wine consumer in the past decade?
I have seen more traditionally non-wine drinkers enter the market and grow in their appreciation of the wide range of wines on offer in this country
Has the wine drinker demographic changed over the years?
I believe it has. The continual diversification of offerings will inevitably introduce fine wines to wider demographics. Coupled with the broadened education and de-mystification of wine, more consumers will be attracted to the many wines South Africa has to offer.
What are people ordering and drinking different to 10, 20 and 30 years ago?
Over the years, we have seen people looking for more differentiation and ever improved wine quality. Fortunately, South Africa is well placed to satisfy the demands of the consumers.
Anything else you would like to add?
The consumption of good wine is steeped in an etiquette of responsible drinking and so as we emerge from this Covid-19 pandemic may I encourage everyone to continue drinking responsibly, don't drink and drive and to stay safe.
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