Tapping Parisian charity with Cape wines 27 August 2007

Second auction in aid of Phelophepa

Selling South African wine on the Champs-Elysées may seem like a real challenge, but this has not deterred wine consultant Allison Bonnett, who is arranging the second charity auction of such wines in France on October 11 in Paris.

Proceeds of the auction goes to the Phelophepa medical train. The first auction, held in 2005, raised over R90 000 for the train which provides medical servies to far-flung villages.

Bonnett has convinced a number of top local producers to donate wines which are not normally available in France. Held under the patronage of South Africa’s ambassador in France, the auction will be directed by wine auctioneers Artcurial at the Hôtel particulier Dassault, on the Champs-Elysées in Paris.

Among the offerings are a vertical six bottles of Vin de Constance, from 1997 to 2002, a case of Darling Cellars special rugby world-cup edition wines signed by French international rugby player Pieter de Villiers, magnums of Bouchard-Finlayson Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and wines from De Krans, Jordan, Meerlust, Raka, L'Avenir, Kanu, Rudera, Dewetshof and Springfield. South African wines by French wine personalities such as Michel Rolland and Pierre Lurton will also feature.

 The Phelophepa train is a uniquely South African institution. Patients pay R5 for prescribed medication, while consultation with on-board doctors is free. Spectacles are supplied at R30 - which means that charity money goes a long way in helping the rural needy.

 Bonnett says that with the rugby world-cup taking place next month, the auction is also a good show-window for South Africa. She says she hopes to have rugby jerseys from both Springbok and French teams to auction