Grape 26 contents

	Closure With cork increasingly questioned, and a range of alternatives available, are Cape producers shifting to new ways of sealing their precious bottles? Cathy van Zyl has been speaking to some of them about what they use and why
	The highs and lows of alcohol Are the high alcohol levels in today's blockbusters really a problem? (And can the detractors really pick them out anyway?) Angela Lloyd reports on a two-part tasting designed to provide some further evidence in this ongoing debate
	That unique selling point Looking at progress made with the idea of a Cape Blend, Mike Ratcliffe thinks it a vital development –and pinotage an essential part of it
	Fabulously satisfying When Wilhelm Linde, former winemaker at Nuy, recently offered a tasting of 25 vintages of his Muscadel, an enthusiastic Melvyn Minnaar was there
	Origins When winegrowers come to the Cape from different traditions, intent on making fine, distinctive wines, do they relate to those traditions or to what they find here – or is there no real conflict? Angela Lloyd visits Ingwe and Vilafonte to find some answers
	Chardonnay un(cl)oaked The category of unwooded chardonnays is growing – how seriously are winemakers taking this style, and how seriously should we? Ingrid Motteux looks into it
	The Widow's sour grapes