Nurok speaks of goodwill, tolerance and darn fine wine
| A symbol of of religious tolerance and a delightful bottle of wine |
IT’S DIFFICULT to think of a more appropriate top wine to contemplate at this time of giving and goodwill around one of the most important dates on the Christian calendar… Recently launched after being awarded a rating of 5 Stars in the latest issue of Platter’s, the new premium white blend from Charles Back and his winemaker Anthony de Jager at Fairview in Paarl is a statement wine alright. Available only from the tasting room at R100 a bottle, the Nurok 2011 – a blend of Grenache, Chenin Blanc, Viognier and Roussanne – is full, rich and textured. There is some jasmine blossom on the nose with hints of pear drops and oak, a mouthfilling minerality and stone fruit flavours. However the front label and the legend behind the name make the wine all the more topical.
Back tells the story of how his wife Diane – whose painting of boy, bell and frozen river is depicted on the bottle – is a descendant of the Nurok family, originally from Lithuania. At the end of the 17th century, the Catholics of Lithuania were constructing a cathedral in the city of Siauliai to celebrate their faith when a heavy bell being transported to the building site fell into the nearby river. The locals were unable to retrieve it, but a young boy named Wulf dived into the water, attached a rope to the bell and, with some help, hauled it out onto the riverbank.
“Refusing all reward,” recounts Back, “Wulf asked that the Jews be allowed to return to Siauliai. His wish was granted, the citizens bestowed on him the name Nurok, meaning diver…” and from then on there was harmony between Christians and Jews in the area – an admirable example of religious tolerance and mutual respect.
For all of the other top SA wine ratings in 2012, click here.
Wishing a wonderful time and safe travel to all over the festive season.
