With a view to the 2009 General Election in South Africa, Cloof has launched the Congress of Pinotage Sippers (CPS).

Carrying the message onto dinner tables around the country is Cloof’s blended red wine Bush Vines CPS 2004.

The wine is a ‘tripartite alliance’ between Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage and Shiraz (any claims of grapism are therefore unfounded). While ageing in French oak barrels gives it a luxurious edge, Labour will be delighted at the accessible price of R58 per bottle (excellent value considering the kind of ratings this wine has garnered in the competitive UK environment – a score of 90 from Simon Woods and a Wine-of-the-Week award from Tom Cannavan).

CPS (the wine) has been ageing in the Cloof cellars for nearly five years, and is now ready for drinking. Hence there is no need for anyone to keep their ‘reds under their beds’. While other parties are trying to get their younger party members to ‘put a cork in it’, the screwcap on the bottle ensures that CPS will only speak when spoken to.

The Congress of Pinotage Sippers has also launched a campaign song – Mvini Wam – and has issued a stern warning that alleged grapists need not apply for membership.