CHEERS | NEWS
NEWS SCOOP
What’s happening, what’s hot and who has the inside track on all forms of liquor, both local and abroad.
Click to get the inside track.
Celebrations for Laborie
KWV’s Laborie claimed the bragging rights as South Africa’s champion bubbly for 2023.
Celebrations for Laborie
KWV’s Laborie claimed the bragging rights as South Africa’s champion bubbly for 2023.
The title of Best Producer Overall at the annual Amorim Cap Classique Challenge was won by Laborie Blanc de Blancs 2017 after it was announced as the winner of the Blanc de Blancs category. Other trophy winners were Domaine des Dieux Claudia 2017 (Best Brut), Louisvale MCC Rosé NV (Best Rosé), Newstead Blanc de Blanc 2016 (Best Extended Aged Cap Classique for vintages from 2016 and older) and Darling Cellars Nectar 2020 (Best Nectar).
Heidi Duminy, Cape Wine Master who convened the panel of judges, says the overall quality and standard was extremely high this year. “We have much to celebrate in the Cap Classique category on the whole as more producers are reaping the reward of patience with an obvious elevation in complexity with time on the lees balanced by frisky fruit attitude and intricate fine bubbles.”
Joaquim Sá, MD of Amorim Cork in South Africa, who was also responsible for organising the first Cap Classique Challenge 22 years ago, says that this year's record number of competition entries – 157 wines – underscores the vibrancy of the category and the increasing number of producers active in this premium sector of South African wine.
“True to the very nature of the sparkling wine it represents, the Cap Classique Challenge is a celebration as much as it is a platform to award the country's top producers making Cap Classique," he said. “Over the past decade especially, Cap Classique has entrenched itself as one of the Cape’s leading wine offerings, not only in the eyes of critics and judges affirming the quality and diversity in styles, but also among consumers.”
A spirited challenge
Stellenbosch brandy producer Van Ryn’s has a display case already groaning with local and international awards won by their superior spirits over the years. And now it has another trophy to add.
A spirited challenge
Stellenbosch brandy producer Van Ryn’s has a display case already groaning with local and international awards won by their superior spirits over the years. And now it has another trophy to add.
It was announced at the 2023 International Spirits Challenge in London that Van Ryn’s had won the World’s Best Brandy Trophy with its Van Ryn’s 12 year-old potstill brandy. This news follows just months after the 15 year-old potstill brandy was awarded the title of World’s Best Wine Brandy at the 2023 World Brandy Awards, beating out stiff competition from France, the United States, Australia and other South African brandies.
Marlene Bester, Van Ryn’s master blender, said that while Van Ryn’s is similar in production to Cognac, the brandies have their own South African signature taste. “The warm South African climate lends itself to creating brandies with a fruity character, balanced acidity and complexity – it’s like sunshine in a bottle! Our brandies are smooth, refined and lingering earning us the reputation as one of the world’s leading fine brandy houses.”
“Achieving two World’s Best titles in one year is an incredible honour. Fine brandy takes time and patience and it is an enormous privilege to have our brandies achieving continuous recognition for our longstanding commitment to create world-class, proudly South African brandy.”
Four out of Ten
Stellenbosch wine producer Stellenrust accomplished the unprecedented feat of having four wines in the Top 10 of the 10th annual Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 in 2023!
Four out of Ten
Stellenbosch wine producer Stellenrust accomplished the unprecedented feat of having four wines among the winners of the 10th annual Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 in 2023!
Stellenrust cellar chief Tertius Boshoff with winemaker Herman du Preez and assistant Barend Erasmus said they were delighted with the achievement, claiming it was vindication for all the effort put into the vineyards. Stellenrust has the remarkable track record of having had a wine in the top echelon for nine of the 10 years of the challenge.
The annual challenge drew 144 entries, and was hosted by the Chenin Blanc Association (CBA), an industry body established in 2000 to foster awareness of chenin’s quality and promote the category.
“Once dismissed as the ugly duckling of the vineyard, Cape chenin has become a swan, distinguished for excellence, grace and the capacity to delight. What the competition does, is encourage and accelerate advances in quality and style,” said the Association’s Ina Smith.
“As Cape chenin’s reputation grows, it has become more than South Africa’s signature white. In many ways it’s becoming a flagbearer for all our wines. The positive response it elicits often motivates international trade buyers and consumers to try other South African wines as well.”
The Top 10 Chenin Blanc for 2023 are, listed alphabetically: Alvi’s Drift Albertus Viljoen 2022, Anthonij Rupert Cape of Good Hope Riebeeksrivier Chenin Blanc 2021, Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve The Cape Garden 2022, Flagstone Paradigm Reserve 2020, KWV The Mentors 2021, Lievland Old Vine 2022, Stellenrust B28 (Fairtrade) 2022, Stellenrust Next Level 2022, Stellenrust Stellenbosch Manor Barrel-fermented 2021 and Stellenrust Stellenbosch Manor Barrel-fermented 2022.
Each of the top 10 winners received a R25 000 prize and the stipulation from the sponsor, Standard Bank, is that these funds are put towards the farm workers or a project of their choosing.
Simone Cooper, Head of Business and Commercial Banking for Standard Bank South Africa, confirmed that to date, a sum of R2.35 million had been directed towards a variety of farm-worker community projects, from education and youth development to housing and health. “Each prize is extended as an acknowledgement of the crucial role that farm workers have in growing and making award-winning wines."
Do it for the Rhino
News headlines showed that global rhino numbers have risen, driven mainly by an increase in the numbers of both white and black rhino in Africa.
Do it for the Rhino
News headlines showed that global rhino numbers have risen, driven mainly by an increase in the numbers of both white and black rhino in Africa.
Southern white rhino numbers rose to 16 803 individual animals at the end of 2022 – for the first time since 2012, up from 15 942 in 2021. The more threatened black rhino tally stood at 6 487 at the end of 2022, up marginally from 6195 the preceding year. Save The Rhino organisation said this was a positive development which gave much-needed hope for the species which has faced intense poaching pressure over the past 15 years.
The Cape Town Gin & Spirits Company believe that conservation of this endangered species is of major importance. It’s why they support the Boucher Legacy with their Black Rhino Gin. By buying a bottle of Cape Town Black Rhino Gin, customers are contributing a portion of the sales to this non-profit in support of these incredible creatures.
They even recommend the use of spekboom, the slightly tart succulent so beloved of rhinos (and elephant), in a gin-based cocktail.
Spekboom Special
Ingredients:
50ml Cape Town Black Rhino Gin
20ml spekboom syrup
15ml freshly squeezed lime juice
100ml ginger ale
Pinch of salt
Dried orange
Sprig of Spekboom
Ice
Method:
Combine the gin, spekboom syrup and lime juice in a shaker with ice and shake well for 20 seconds. Strain into a tumbler, top up with ice and ginger ale. Add a pinch of salt and stir gently. Garnish with one or two slices of dried orange and a sprig of spekboom.
Facelifted packaging
With the vines now wearing a new set of leaves in the spring season and busy growing the fruit which will be used for the 2024 harvest, Perdeberg winery unveiled its new packaging.
Facelifted packaging
With the vines now wearing a new set of leaves in the spring season and busy growing the fruit which will be used for the 2024 harvest, Perdeberg winery unveiled its new packaging.
The makeover is an homage to this large winery’s heritage (it used to be co-operative cellar), as well as its historic roots within the South African wine fraternity.
Designers were briefed not to “throw the baby out with the bath water”, so to speak, so ensured they maintained the look and feel of the contemporary appearance. Changes include a refreshed screwcap colour option along with an updated label design, incorporating the cellar’s heritage and characteristic warmth and hospitality. It’s an upgrade that perfectly communicates the range’s dryland characteristics, combined with innovative winemaking techniques.
Perdeberg can lay claim to grapes from more than 3 000 hectares, mainly in the Paarl and Swartland regions – and consequently benefits from a host of different microclimates and soil types. A big part of the appeal of this brand is its price to quality ratio – and that hasn’t changed.
The bull is back!
If social media is anything to go by, consumers are delighted to welcome back the iconic ‘inkunzi emnyama’ or black bull on the revamped packaging of Castle Milk Stout!
The bull is back!
If social media is anything to go by, consumers are delighted to welcome back the iconic ‘inkunzi emnyama’ or black bull on the revamped packaging of Castle Milk Stout!
The bull was missing in action for a decade and marketing manager Khwezi Vika said it was brought back to reconnect its consumers with their African identity.
"We’re excited to reintroduce the much-loved inkunzi emnyama back on our packaging design,” Vika said, firm in his belief that the new packaging would build on the tie between Castle Milk Stout and African identity.
Vika said there was an awareness of the vital role that both symbols and packaging create in brand affinity as well as brand promise. “We hope that as our customers savour their richness with the repackaged Castle Milk Stout, it will evoke strength, boldness, authenticity and a sense of pride in being African with every sip.”
Vika added that the repackaging followed extensive research and consumer interaction, many of whom lamented the absence of the cherished logo, which they had grown to love and appreciate. “We have heard our customers and listened to their input. As a brand that is unashamedly rooted in African culture and heritage, we felt it would be opportune to reintroduce the much-loved black bull symbol in Heritage Month as a reaffirmation of our support for indigenous cultural values.”
The marketing manager was quick to add that the signature dark liquid and the bold taste of Castle Milk Stout had not changed – just the brand livery.
SA’s best sommelier
Jean-Vincent Ridon was recently crowned South Africa’s Best Sommelier for 2023, finally winning it after being tantalisingly close over the past four years.
SA’s best sommelier
Jean-Vincent Ridon was recently crowned South Africa’s Best Sommelier for 2023, finally winning it after being tantalisingly close over the past four years.
Chairman of the South African Sommeliers Association (SASA) Spencer Fondaumiere praised his achievement, saying: “This is a monumental occasion. Jean-Vincent's victory, after four attempts, serves as a lesson in perseverance, determination and self-belief. He’s contributed significantly to our industry, and his success will undoubtedly inspire many.”
Fondaumiere also congratulated the two finalists who made the going tough for the eventual victor. Laurie Cooper of Abingdon wine estate in KwaZulu-Natal secured the runner-up position while Tapiwa Jamu of Ivory Manor Boutique Hotel in Pretoria placed third.
SASA General Manager and event organiser, Erica Taylor, said the talent displayed was “absolutely world-class”. “This competition not only highlighted individual excellence but also emphasizes South Africa's growing prominence in the global wine and hospitality sectors.”
The judging panel comprised Jo Wessels, the world's seventh-best sommelier; Wikus Human of Marble and Saint Restaurants and 2021 Best Sommelier of South Africa; Wayve Kolevsohn of The Royal Portfolio; and Chef Callan Austin of Dusk Restaurant.
New name, same show
Gauteng residents will get to enjoy the finest wines of the Cape late in October when the annual Winex event is held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
New name, same show
Gauteng residents will get to enjoy the finest wines of the Cape late in October when the annual Winex event is held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
The dates of the event are 25 to 27 October but regular attendees may notice a somewhat different look and feel. That’s because Standard Bank has taken over the naming rights to Winex, South Africa’s longest running wine show.
“As the title sponsor, we’re delighted to work with WineX to make the festival memorable for producers and consumers.
This new partnership is an opportunity for Standard Bank Private to contribute to the legacy of a growing wine appreciation culture in SA,” said Bridgette Kruger, Head of Private Bank Clients at Standard Bank. “The event has always been a major highlight on the South African wine event calendar and acts as an invaluable platform to showcase some of the country's best wines. At Standard Bank Private, we believe there’s a story in every glass, and relationships forged from the many beautifully crafted wines of South Africa.”
At the festival, visitors can sample wines, champagnes, Cap Classiques, ports and pot-still brandies from over 150 exhibitors; the who’s who of the South African wine scene. There will be specialty meats, olives, cheese, and chocolates, and an opportunity for wine-lovers to pause between tasting to enjoy a light meal or a wholesome snack. The line-up includes over 800 wines, most of which are from the Cape, together with a selection of international wines and champagnes.
To find out more about WineX and to book your tickets, visit winex.www.winex.co.zaco.za.
