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Single malt from Calitzdorp
The Nel family of Boplaas in Calitzdorp are instantly recognisable as port-style wine pioneers in South Africa. But they have a proud distilling tradition in the family stretching back to 1880.
Single malt from Calitzdorp
The Nel family of Boplaas in Calitzdorp are instantly recognisable as port-style wine pioneers in South Africa. But they have a proud distilling tradition in the family stretching back to 1880.
New from Boplaas is their first ever single malt whisky which is a “dream come true” for Daniel Nel, the sixth generation on the Klein Karoo property.
It was very special to release this new single malt on the 10th anniversary of their whisky journey, Nel said.
Although Boplaas have released a number of grain whiskies over the past decade, some of which celebrated their pride in making fortified wines by finishing them in old barrels previously used for tawny port and others, this was the first proper malt whisky.
Scottish peated malt formed the base of the whisky’s makeup and it was double distilled in a copper potstill before being matured for five years in old Bourbon barrels.
The final touch was 12 months in barrels which had previously been used for Groot Constantia’s noble late harvest wine.
“Low humidity and extreme variance in day/night temperatures steps up interaction between the spirit and the wood of the casks,” Daniel explained. “This means our evaporation rate – the so-called Angel’s Share – is relatively high at 6% per year. But what we receive in return is a high concentration of flavours and aromas in a spirit that appears far older than it is.”
Just 500 bottles of the single malt were produced and Nel is exceptionally proud of the quality of spirit he’s made in the arid Klein Karoo.
New livery for KWV Mentors range
The Mentors is KWV wines’ flagship range and as befits this boutique, small volume range it has packaging to match – as well as a new limited edition wine in the lineup, a Nebbiolo.
New livery for
KWV Mentors range
The Mentors is KWV wines’ flagship range and as befits this boutique, small volume range it has packaging to match – as well as a new limited edition wine in the lineup, a Nebbiolo.
Senior winemaker Izele van Blerk said the Mentors range was first launched in 2006 and the Nebbiolo was only the fourth limited edition wine unveiled since then, following the Carménère 2017, Petite Sirah Paarl 2018 and Malbec 2019.
“While the Mentors portfolio is reserved for the finest in class, the limited editions go even further by representing outstanding excellence of small batches of premium fruit, from a particular terroir and vintage,” she said.
“The Mentors Nebbiolo 2017 embodies this spirit, making it a fitting addition to the Mentors range and together with the new look, paves the way to an exciting time for the range.”
The Nebbiolo, five years in the making, comprises just 1300 bottles, each bottle is individually numbered.
Independently affirming the quality of the wine, the KWV Mentors Nebbiolo 2017 was recently awarded 90 points in a specialist tasting at Decanter magazine of Nebbiolos from around the world.
Eau eau eau!
French nobleman le Marquis de Lessert is the man credited with recognising the quality of the water found in the town of Évian-les-Bains in 1789. Ever since Evian has been one of the world’s most recognised luxury bottled waters.
Eau eau eau!
French nobleman le Marquis de Lessert is the man credited with recognising the quality of the water found in the town of Évian-les-Bains in 1789. Ever since Evian has been one of the world’s most recognised luxury bottled waters.
Truman & Orange has just been appointed distributor partner for Evian water in South Africa by French multinational Danone S.A.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Danone S.A. and representing this prestigious brand in South Africa,” said Rowan Leibbrandt of Truman & Orange (pictured above). “We established Truman & Orange with the vision to cater for South African’s increasingly sophisticated drinks tastes. Evian water certainly has a complimentary position alongside our premium spirit and mixer brands and is a natural fit for us.”
Sustainably sourced Evian, is known for its exceptional purity that is created by its 15-year journey through the glacial rocks of the French Alps, a journey that also enriches the sweet water with minerals and electrolytes, and creates its unsurpassed cool, crisp taste.
“Truman & Orange’s premium brand-building capability really impressed us and will be key to Evian’s South African growth plans,” said Danone S.A. commercial manager Giuseppe Amoruso. “There is tremendous opportunity in South Africa and we look forward to working with Truman & Orange to translate Evian’s global leadership in water into an ever stronger position.”
SA shines at Concours Mondial
du Sauvignon
For the first time since the inception of the competition 14 years ago, the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon judging was held outside of Europe – in Franschhoek, South Africa.
SA shines at Concours Mondial
du Sauvignon
For the first time since the inception of the competition 14 years ago, the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon judging was held outside of Europe – in Franschhoek, South Africa.
A total of 40 international judges plus 10 South African tasters assessed 1210 wines – all sauvignon blanc – from 20 countries, over the course of three days.
A week later the results were announced at ProWein in Germany – and South Africa was among the top performers with a total of 26 gold medals and 30 silvers.
Competition organiser Quentin Havaux of Vinopres in Belgium said this result cemented South Africa’s status as one of the top proponents of sauvignon blanc globally.
Chairman of Sauvignon Blanc South Africa RJ Botha of Kleine Zalze with Quentin Havaux of Concours Mondial du Sauvignon
The Villiera Bush Vine 2022 by Villiera Wines was awarded the Tonnellerie Sylvain trophy for the best wine matured in oak casks while Darling Cellars’ Gustus sauvignon blanc 2020 received the Revelation South Africa trophy for the best performing South African wine at the show.
The judging, which was punctuated with visits to Constantia and Durbanville wine regions to sample the area’s respective wines, was deemed a huge success with many of the international judges vowing that while this visit might have been their first, it would not be their last.
Zimbabwean sommelier Greg Mutambe and Jean Smullen of Ireland
Belgian Baudoin Havaux
Mundus Vini award for DGB
DGB executive chairman Tim Hutchinson was on hand at ProWein in Düsseldorf, Germany, to receive the trophy as the best South African producer at the Mundus Vini wine awards, a competition which attracted more than 7000 entries from producers around the world.
Mundus Vini award for DGB
DGB executive chairman Tim Hutchinson was on hand at ProWein in Düsseldorf, Germany, to receive the trophy as the best South African producer at the Mundus Vini wine awards, a competition which attracted more than 7000 entries from producers around the world.
It was the second successive year the trophy had gone to the independent wine and spirit company – and the third time in five years since it won the same award in 2017.
“This award is testament to DGB’s commitment to producing premium South African wines of prestige,” Hutchinson said. “It’s an honour to accept the award for the second year running, and we are incredibly proud of our team who are continuously hard at work in the wineries, cellars and vineyards. The award once again affirms our commitment to building South Africa as a premium wine destination on the global stage.”
DGB, whose portfolio includes Boschendal, Bellingham, Brampton, Backsberg, Franschhoek Cellar, Fryer's Cove and the Old Road Wine Co., also won the Best of Show SA red wine for the Bellingham Bernard Series bush vine pinotage 2019.
Group winemaker for DGB, Stephan Joubert, received the award and said it was humbling to do so, “particularly since it’s for our South African variety of pinotage,”.
“South Africa’s red wine continues to go from strength-to-strength in terms of its premium, quality offering, and we couldn’t be prouder to be recognised amongst our esteemed peers in this category.”
Imagin global recognition
The interest and excitement in South African gin shows no sign of abating. One local producer has reason to celebrate after taking top honours at the World Gin Awards recently.
Imagin global recognition
The interest and excitement in South African gin shows no sign of abating. One local producer has reason to celebrate after taking top honours at the World Gin Awards recently.
Imagin classic gin was singled out as the South African winner in the classic gin category at the World Gin Awards.
This prestigious award platform selects the best gins in internationally recognised gin styles and promotes the world’s best to consumers. The various taste categories are based on the common gin groupings that define the style and process of production. Gins from all over the world compete for the World's Best Gin title in categories Classic Gin, Compound Gin, Signature Botanical, and London Dry Gin.
“This is a massive honour for our team”, says an elated KWV Spirits marketing executive, Nuno Fernandes. “This award shows that a high-quality gin doesn't have to break the bank.”
“Imagin classic offers the consumer a very distinct botanical taste,” he said. “The fresh and invigorating blend of juniper, fruity aromas, and lemon flavours on the palate, makes it an even more attractive choice for our consumers. With a hint of spice and fresh lemon peel, it has a distinctively smooth taste.”
Haute Collection
Franschhoek winery Haute Cabriére has built up a following of consumers who eagerly await each new vintage of their chardonnay and pinot noir wines.
Haute Collection
Franschhoek winery Haute Cabriére has built up a following of consumers who eagerly await each new vintage of their chardonnay and pinot noir wines.
The Haute Collection is the pinnacle of the range and showcases the skill, creativity and pioneering spirit of Haute Cabriére’s founding family, the von Arnims. Extremely limited (less than 500 bottles of each wine are produced), the elegant wines are from the 2021 vintage.
Unique vineyard blocks are specially selected and singled out for premium treatment. According to second generation custodian of Haute Cabriére, Takuan von Armin, 2021 melds the terrific terroir of Franschhoek with certified Old Vine chardonnay planted in 1983 and sensitive winemaking which included a stint in traditional clay amphora.
The aim is for the wine to remain true to the grape, hence the use of the imported Italian amphora. Handmade, the clay vessels don’t impart any flavour during the fermentation and maturation – unlike oak barrels.
African brewers unite
All things beer – materials, equipment, techniques and people – gathered in Cape Town in late April for BeerEx Africa, a conference and expo previously known as the Craft Brewers Powwow.
African brewers unite
Sam Calagione
All things beer – materials, equipment, techniques and people – gathered in Cape Town in late April for BeerEx Africa, a conference and expo previously known as the Craft Brewers Powwow.
Headline speaker for the event was celebrity brew master Sam Calagione, the co-founder of Dogfish Head Brewery in Delaware. He also rose to fame through presenting the popular television show, Brew Masters, as well as writing numerious bestselling books about beer.
South African beer lovers on the consumption and production side were well entertained at the two day event held in Cape Town on 21 and 22 April with speakers from seven countries sharing everything from technical production talks to inspirational stories and tutored beer tastings.
British beer writer Melissa Cole presented a food and beer pairing dinner while local podcaster Troye May hosted a tasting session. The African Beer Cup awards evening – the culmination of the biggest beer competition in Africa with entries from 20 countries across the continent – also coincided with this event.