The business of wine is first and foremost just that — business. While wine lovers like me are always on the lookout for new wines on the market, the wine importers must ensure that the majority of products they distribute will appeal to as wide an audience as possible.

OBiKWA is a brand from South Africa that offers a wide range of very drinkable everyday wines to the market. Interesting enough, when the brand was launched in 2002 it was initially only distributed internationally; it was only in 2009 that they began selling it in South Africa.

Eco-friendly

It is said that OBiKWA is inspired by the very early cape dwellers who were very environmentally conscious people; the bright yellow ostrich with its long neck on the label is a tribute to these people for whom the ostrich represents a life force and trusted companion. It is no surprise then that OBiKWA is the first South African wine to switch to new environmentally-friendly, ultra-lightweight green bottles which are 25% lighter than regular wine bottles are shipped in biodegradable packaging material. OBiKWA adheres to eco-friendly practices throughout the entire wine- production process, from the vineyards right through to the final bottling process. All OBiKWA wines are sealed with recyclable aluminium screw cap closures.

What’s available in Jamaica?

While the brand makes about a dozen wines, importer/distributor Select Brands has initially selected just a few of those wines to bring to local shores. Available on our shelves are: Merlot, Sweet Red, Chardonnay, Moscato, and for now Sweet White. Below are the winemaker’s tasting notes for each of the four most popular wines that are here:

OBiKWA Chardonnay is a soft and easy-to-drink wine with a fresh, fruity pear and peach aftertaste. It bursts with flavour and is known to encourage lots of laughing, talking and smiles.

OBiKWA Moscato is an irresistibly-sweet white wine with magical tinges of green. It’s made from the finest Muscat grapes, giving it a fresh and fruity flavour with a touch of pear. Come rain or shine, it’s an ideal companion whenever friends gather.

OBiKWA Naturally Sweet Red is an easy-drinking blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsaut and Muscat grapes. It’s delish and a real spirit lifter — just try it out at a dinner party to see the results!

OBiKWA Light Ruby Merlot is medium-bodied and a real hit amongst the red wine-lovers. Although it’s ready to drink, with further cellaring, the wine will gain complexity and character in three years. So it’s best to buy a couple bottles because you’ll be tempted to crack one open before three years are up.

As the OBiKWA slogan reads: “Go on. Stick your neck out.”

Christopher Reckord – Businessman, Entrepreneur & Wine Enthusiast. Send your questions and comments to creckord@gmail.com. Follow us on twitter: @Reckord