2021 Kumusha The Flame Lily

Kumusha in the Zimbabwean Shona language translates to 'your home', 'your roots' or 'your origin'. Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Tinashe's career in the hospitality industry began as a waiter at the Roundhouse Restaurant in Cape Town, followed by a position as a wine steward at One & Only Cape Town's contemporary Asian restaurant Nobu, where he was soon promoted to sommelier. After receiving the Reaching for Young Stars Best Wine Steward Award in 2013, Tinashe was in the spotlight as the one to watch. His next career was head sommelier at the famous Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga, followed by five years at Africa's finest restaurant, The Test Kitchen. It was at this acclaimed fine-dining restaurant that the 'wine whisperer' won the 2016 Eat Out Wine Service Award.

After a formidable career in the South African hospitality industry, working at some of Africa's finest hotels and restaurants, respected sommelier Tinashe Nyamudoka was ready for a new start. Since moving to Johannesburg, Tinashe - an accomplished master blender - is poised to anchor his own wine brand, Kumusha Wines, in the South African market and beyond.

Tinashe is a wine judge at the Mundus Vini Grand International Wine Awards, Germany, a wine panelist for Wine Of The Month Club, a resident judge in South Africa, tasting of the Michelangelo wine and spirits awards, the Chenin Blanc top 10 Challenge and is part of the very select Platter Awards Five Star panel.

Tinashe met Attie Louw from the Opstal estate a few years ago and it has grown into a relationship where he makes the fruit from the Breedekloof Valley wines that he not only likes to drink himself, but has put in more of his incredible sommelier and gastronomic past. Minimal intervention in winemaking and natural fermentation aims to let the wine "talk" freely

The Kumusha The Flame Lily is a blend of Chenin Blanc, Colombard, Semillon and Rousanne which is fermented on its native natural yeasts. Colombard and semillon are aged in old French oak barrels for 12 months. The roussanne is aged for 12 months in old French foudrers. This beautiful white wine has beautiful aromas of apple, white peach, lemon zest and melon with an unparalleled richness and sensuality in the fruit, balanced by a surprisingly tight and mineral acidity. A beautifully textured mouthfeel that complements rich white meats and Asian-inspired dishes.

AWARDS
Platter's 5*