Johan Joubert, winemaker and Chenin Blanc evangelist at Kleine Zalze, South Africa |
![]() ©Kleine Zalze Johan Joubert |
The best advice I ever got: | My father told me to be humble and to keep my eyes and ears open, so see opportunities and start working |
My life motto: | To live my passion |
I am currently reading: | Anything about animals |
The most-played track on my iPod: | Anything from the 1980s |
A wine that surprised me recently: | A very elegant 2009 Côte Rôtie from Guigal |
My favourite newspaper/magazine: | An outdoor magazine called Getaway and Rapport, a local paper |
My desert-island wine: | Kleine Zalze Bush Vine Chenin Blanc |
If I didn’t do my current job I would be: | Geologist |
I most admire in people: | Honesty, openness and fair exchange |
I really detest: | When people talk behind your back and taking things for granted |
The skill I don’t currently possess but would like to have: | The patience to read books. |
I relax while: | Fishing, diving and making wine. |
I have learnt a lot from: | My brother, who is also a winemaker and from Beyers Truter, (legendary South African winemaker) |
My first taste of wine was: | An off-dry Gewürztraminer when I was 16 |
My last meal and sip will be: | To start the Family Reserve Chenin Blanc 2012 from Kleine Zalze with Prawn Risotto, then well-matured beef and Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 and chocolate truffles |
What do you want to show most in your wine? | Personality, identity and a style to remember |