Category Archives: Port and Dessert Wines
De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve Port A Top 100 Wine
De Krans’ award-winning Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2009, currently available directly from the cellar or from selected retail outlets nationwide, was recently selected as one of the Top 100 Wines in South Africa at the 2013 Top 100 Wine Challenge, at an awards ceremony last week.
Growing in popularity the challenge saw record entry levels this year, which were up 15% on last year. From 440 of SA’s top wines entered, the winning wines included three Cap Classique wines, four Natural Sweet wines, five Port Style and Fortified wines, 27 White wines and 61 Red wines.
The wines were judged by an esteem panel, chaired by Tim Atkin MW. He was joined on the judging panel by Dawid Niewoudt, Paul Cluver, Dewaldt Heyns, Boela Gerber, Charles Back and tasting director Higgo Jacobs.
The De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2009 is produced using 62% Touriga Nacional, 36% Tinta Barocca and 2% Souzão grapes, and was aged for 22 months in old French oak. Winemaker Boets Nel describes their flagship port as having a vibrant plum colour, with dense aromas of prune, spice and tobacco. This premium port displays fleshy, chewy mouthful of flavours, showing tannic grip, concentrated red fruit nuances, and a firm structure ensuring considerable longevity, with the potential to mature for a further 20 to 25 years. Retailing for approximately R240 per bottle, savour this premium port on its own, or serve with stronger cheeses.
This vintage was awarded a 5-star rating in the 2012 Platter’s South African Wine Guide, as well as walking away with the title Overall Champion at the 2011 Southern Cape Bottled Wine Show.
For more information contact the cellar at 044 213 3314 or email dekrans@mweb.co.za. De Krans wines are distributed nationally by Wine Worx (tel. 021 886 9165).
Fun For All At This Year’s Absa Calitzdorp Port & Wine Festival
15 – 17 June 2013
The Klein Karoo is the place to be this winter for the annual Absa Calitzdorp Port & Wine Festival, which takes place over the weekend of 15 to 17 June. Regarded as South Africa’s Port Capital, visitors from across the country make their way to the sleepy town which comes alive during this social calendar highlight.
Hosted by renowned Port producers, Axe Hill, Boplaas, Calitzdorp Cellar, De Krans, Du’SwaRoo, Peter Bayly, TTT and Withoek in partnership with naming right sponsor Absa, festival goers will be assured of nonstop activities and entertainment throughout the weekend.
New and not-to-be-missed events include:
· Be the first to sip, sample and savour barrel samples of the unique Calitzdorp Blend. Made from Portuguese cultivars, the wine will be available for tasting at the participating cellars in Calitzdorp;
· Experience a unique cooking demonstration using Tinta Barocca, Touriga Nacional and other Port wines from the area.
· An evening in the historical Dutch Reformed Church with acclaimed soprano Zanne Stapelberg and guitarist James Grace. For the first time in five years Zanne Stapelberg and guitar virtuoso James Grace team up for the critically acclaimed and riveting “Canciones en Española’s” (Songs in Spanish). Popular and exotic classical music is combined in contemporary Spanish songs to form a richly textured tapestry of sound;
· Renowned musicians Valiant Swart and Rudi die Wynmaker will perform at the local school where all funds generated will be donated to the school Project Fund;
· Master the art of mixing, blending and tasting Port cocktails;
Festival favourites to look forward to include:
· Tastings at the Station Barn: Ports and Port cultivar wines (Calitzdorp, participating Cape Port Producer’s Association (CAPPA) and Klein Karoo Wine Route (KKWR) members), or visit the various cellars;
· “Unravelling the mysteries of Port” presented by Carel Nel, Boets Nel and Fanie Geyser at Boplaas Cellar in conjunction with a guest geologist who will unravel the terroir of the region;
· The popular “Chocolate and Port / Wine Decadence” will be hosted by Belgium trained Chocolatier Marita Lamprecht and Cape Wine Academy Master Junel Vermeulen. Sample local Ports and Port wine cultivars with the most decadent Belgium style chocolates specially handcrafted to suit the Ports and wines.
· Youth and Local Artists Expo to be held in the DR Church Hall;
· Arts Meander of the wealth of artists in various media;
· Biodiversity Expo, Boules and Jukskei Competitions, Cultural/Historical Meander, Organ recital daily in the magnificent stone Dutch Reformed Church, Children’s entertainment at the Calitzdorp Station and the main cellars,
· Tractor rides to the various cellars;
· Quality upmarket food and lifestyle stalls, coffee shops and restaurants with menus to suit everyone’s taste and so much more;
· The indulgent Mediterranean style Long Table Brunch on Sunday 16 June at Calitzdorp Wine Cellar overlooking the spectacular Gamka West Valley of vines and olives
Pre-book your tickets through Computicket or book during the festival at the Calitzdorp Computicket Box Office which will be conveniently situated at the Calitzdorp Station festival grounds. Early bird ticket specials will be available via Computicket from April.
For more information on this fun filled family festival visit www.portwinefestival.co.za.
De Krans Espresso – Not Coffee But A Port
With their out of the box thinking and regarded as one of South Africa’s premier port producers, brothers Boets and Stroebel Nel of De Krans Wine Cellar have kept port enthusiasts wanting more with their innovative De Krans Espresso. As the name states it would lead you to believe it is a new style of coffee, which it is not, yet it displays the same sweet aromas of freshly ground coffee.
Packaged in an eye catching 375ml bottle, the De Krans Espresso is prepared using the two main port varietals, Touriga Naçional and Tinta Barocca, with a sugar content of 92g /ℓ (approximately the same as De Krans’ excellent port wine). Although not classified as a port it is has been produced using the classic port varietals.
Winemaker, Boets Nel, describes the popular wine as being a unique deep ruby red colour with pleasant aromas of freshly ground coffee and dark berry fruit. A solid structure with a lingering, aromatic finish this wine is best served at room temperature in winter, or slightly chilled in summer.
The perfect ‘dessert’ to end off a delicious meal with good friends the De Krans Espresso is the perfect winter warmer, available at most retail outlets nationwide and retails for approximately R65 per bottle.
For more information contact the cellar at 044 213 3314 or email dekrans@mweb.co.za. De Krans wines are distributed nationally by Wine Worx (tel. 021 886 9165).
Badsberg Red Jerepigo To Warm Up The Winter Blues
Badsberg Wine Cellar is situated at the foot of the Badsberg Mountain in the picturesque Rawsonville, a mere 80km from Cape Town and 20km from Worcester.
Badsberg Red Jerepigo 2011
Badsberg Red Jerepigo 2011 mainly consists of Pinotage. It has a deep red colour, a nose of cherry and tomato jam and full round palate rich in berry, jam and plum flavours. This wine has excellent maturing potential of 10 or more years but can be enjoyed immediately. At R48.00 a bottle it is a bargain and the perfect remedy for the cold winter nights ahead.
Winning streak
Badsberg Red Jerepigo 2011 is a favourite amongst wine judges and has won many awards over the passed couple of years. Awards include Veritas gold and Michelangelo silver in 2012 as well as a 4-star Platter and Best Value Award in 2013.
Back to our roots
Badsberg’s dedicated team of wine makers, cellar members and viticulturists have been committed in creating quality wines since 1951. This dedication, coupled with a state of the art cellar have equipped Badsberg cellar master, Willie Burger and his team to produce a variety of national and international award winning wines.
“The success of our Jerepigo started in 2000 when we won the SA Champion Red Jerepigo non-Muscat at the SA Young Wine Awards, an accomplishment on which we can proudly build,” says Burger.
Wine Tastings
Come enjoy Badsberg Wine Cellar’s warm, hearty Boland hospitality. Visitors are invited to their tasting room to enjoy a wide range of award winning white, red and sparkling wines, as well as their heavenly fortified wines.
Time
Monday to Friday: 08:00 – 17:00
Saturday: 10:00 – 13:00
Closed on Sundays, public holidays and Easter weekend.
For more information, contact Marli Geldenhuys at 023 344 3021, enquiries@badsberg.co.za or visit their website on www.badsberg.co.za
De Krans Tinta Mocha, The Perfect Winter Warmer
The perfect partner to hearty winter dishes, in particular comfort food, the De Krans Tinta Mocha 2011, is this year’s perfect winter warmer.
A dry red wine, the De Krans Tinta Mocha 2011 is made from 100% Tinta Barocca grapes, one of the stalwart South African port and red wine grape varieties. Aged for six months, the wine came into contact with heavy toasted French 
oak, which resulted in a full-bodied wine with intense mocha coffee and chocolate flavours. The wine also displays ripe plum flavours with mulberry fruits on the palate and a firm, juicy tannin structure. Ready to enjoy now, but will reach full drinking potential if left to mature for another five years. Perfect for winter, served at room temperature, according to winemaker Boets Nel this value for money wine is the perfect tipple for enjoyment during the summer months too.
With an eye catching label design, displaying prominent orange, copper and chocolate brown colours, carefully selected to compliment the coffee and chocolate flavours of the wine. Available in a 750ml screwcap bottlethe De Krans Tinta Mocha 2011 retails for approximately R66 per bottle and can be purchased from the cellar and select retail outlets nationwide.
For more information on this new wine or any other wines and ports in the De Krans range, contact the farm on 044 213 3314 or email dekrans@mweb.co.za. De Krans wines are distributed, nationwide, by Wine Worx.
De Krans Port Cocktails For Summer
South African summers are synonymous with sundowners, cocktails and spending time with friends, be it at the beach, at the pool, or simply in the comfort of your home.
De Krans Wine Cellar, situated in the quaint picturesque town of Calitzdorp along Route 62 in the Little Karoo, has embraced the diversity of its award-winning ports. Taking the enjoyment of ports to a new level, winemaking team Boets and Stroebel Nel, with the assistance of mixologists have created a selection of delicious port cocktails, affording port lovers the opportunity to enjoy their favourite drink throughout the year.
To ensure that their consumers do not miss out on the opportunity, each of their Pink and Cape Ruby port bottles are enrobed in a unique ‘cocktail jacket’ this summer, bearing the recipes of these easy cocktails.
Some of the fun recipes include:
Ginger Up
Pour De Krans Pink Port in a highball glass filled with crushed ice, a shot of Gin, a dash of bitters and topped up with ginger beer. The perfect thirst quencher for summer!
Pink Sunset
Pour De Krans Pink Port and chilled iced tea in equal amounts into a tall glass. Add sliced strawberries and crushed ice or ice cubes – a great sunset punch!
Porto Urbano
Pour equal parts of De Krans Cape Ruby Port and cranberry juice into a Martini glass, and add a dash of lime cordial and some crushed ice. Garnish with orange peel and maraschino cherry.
Ruby Port Sparklers
One or two tablespoons of chocolate liqueur with chilled De Krans Cape Ruby Port in a champagne flute. Top up with some sparkling wine and garnish with a lemon-zest strip.
To take advantage of these fun cocktails and be a hit with your friends, be sure to visit your local retail outlet. For more information visit www.dekrans.co.za or email dekrans@mweb.co.za.
5 Stars For De Krans The Last (Cape Vintage Reserve) Port 2010
The De Krans The Last Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2010 was awarded a 5-star rating in the latest edition of the authoritative and internationally recognized 2013 Platter’s South African Wine Guide, due for release in November. This is the eight consecutive year that De Krans has been awarded a 5-star rating for its port wines.
This was the only 5-star rating awarded this year to a port/fortified wine. Sixty-two wines were awarded the prestigious rating out of more than 7 300 wines rated in this year’s guide.
What makes this award so much more significant is that the 2010 will be the last Cape Vintage Reserve with the word ‘Port’ on the label as this was bottled and labelled towards the end of last year just prior to the deadline of 31 December 2012 agreed by our government and the EU on using the word ‘Port’.
2010 proved to be an excellent year, potentially one of the great years of the De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve Port. Brothers and winemaking team, Boets and Stroebel Nel, were able to bottle a handful of magnums of this vintage which they believe will become sought after collector’s items.
This flagship port is best described as having a vibrant plum colour, with dense aromas of prune, spice and toba
cco, and has the potential to mature for a further 20 to 30 years. A fleshy, chewy mouthful of flavours, showing tannic grip, concentrated red fruit nuances, and a firm structure ensuring considerable longevity. Retailing for approximately R250 per bottle, savour this premium port on its own, or serve with stronger cheeses.
This 5-star rating follows in the footsteps of the De Krans Espresso awarded the RX South Africa Trophy for the Most Innovative Wine in 2012, at the 2012 Michelangelo International Wine Awards, as well as De Krans winning the South African Champion Port at this year’s SA Young Wine Show, reaffirming De Krans’ position as one of South Africa’s premier port producers.
‘We are thrilled by this latest recognition for our Last Port, which further establishes us as one of the front runners within the port industry in South Africa,” says Boets Nel.
For more information on these or any other ports and wines in the De Krans range, feel free to visit their website at www.dekrans.co.za, or contact Helet Viljoen or Bessie Barnardo at the farm on 044 213 3314 or dekrans@mweb.co.za.
KWV Wins In The Best Value Awards
Sixteen KWV wine brands have been acknowledged as some of South Africa’s most valuable wine purchases under R80.
The wines were independently rated and awarded by the 2013 Best Value Awards, a Best Value Wine Guide initiative.
More than one thousand wines were entered and judged and only wines that superceded a-2.5 star rating were considered for the awards.
Leading brands, KWV Classic Tawny and KWV Classic Full Cream were given highest accolade of 4.5 and 5-star ratings respectively. Judged by an independent panel of wine experts including wine journalists, wine masters and wine makers, the competition is fiercely competitive.
In order to fairly compare a R60 wine with an R80 wine, each wine’s price is divided by its star rating, providing a price per star of quality. The wine with the lowest price paid per star is thus the best value purchase in that category.
“KWV wines are known for being a quality purchase” says Category Manager: Wine, Chanel Kruger. “While people tend to judge the quality of a wine by its price, there are many other determining factors. The Best Value Awards acknowledge that there is more to appreciating a good wine.”
KWV Classic Tawny and KWV Classic Full Cream will proudly bear the Best Value sticker on all their bottles.
Some of the sixteen other KWV brands that received applause from the Awards are as follows: KWV Classic Cape Ruby, KWV Classic Medium Cream, Cafe Culture Choc Mousse, KWV Classic Red Muscadel N/V, Cafe Culture Pinotage 2011, KWV Classic Sauvignon Blanc 2011, KWV Classic Chenin Blanc 2012 and Pearly Bay Sweet White N/V.
“We are certain that 2014 will see many more of our brands in the Best Value spotlight”, says Kruger.
KWV Plethora Of Accolades Boosts SA Fortifieds
Rapidly becoming one of this year’s most celebrated South African fortified wines, the KWV Classic NV Tawny has again come up trumps by winning gold this week at two major wine competitions – Mundus Vini in Germany and the Michelangelo International Wine Awards.
The KWV Classic NV Tawny received a Grand Gold medal at Mundus Vini, an event that saw more than 6 000 wine entries from 42 countries. At the Michelangelo International Wine Awards, the wine was awarded a coveted Gran D’Or, along with another equally renowned fortified – the KWV 1930 Muscadel.
“This has been a remarkable year for KWV fortifieds and the Tawny in particular,” says KWV chief winemaker Richard Rowe. “South Africa in general has a relevant and proud heritage of producing outstanding fortifieds that deserve greater acknowledgement. These awards are a clear demonstration of their world-class prominence.”
An important competition because of its reputation and location in a key market for South African wines, Mundus Vini involves more than 270 jury members from 50 countries in sampling and judging. Strict rules limit the number of medals that may be awarded. As for the prestigious Michelangelo International Wine Awards, which were announced in Somerset West, the event is currently in its 16th year. It drew 1 432 entries from 295 producers, including the highest number of international entries to date.
Over the past few months, the KWV Classic NV Tawny has notched up a number of envious results. At the Cape Port Producers’ Association (CAPPA) Port & Wine Challenge this favourite was singled out as overall champion, winning the Tawny category and collecting the trophy as “Best of the Show”. In an annual assessment of SA wines offering consumers the best value, published in the annual Best Value Wine Guide, the KWV Classic NV Tawny scored the highest grading of five stars – the only wine to do so in the independent, expert evaluation. Sold at R63, the fortified spurred this comment from the guide’s authors: “And now for something really impressive. Five-star ratings are rare in any tasting, but particularly in this guide, with its price limit…”
In the same assessment, the KWV Classic Full Cream scored 4.5 stars, one of only three wines to do so, while the KWV Classic Medium Cream came in with 4 stars. KWV was ranked as one of the highest “Best Value” performers for the 2013 edition.
Matching these, have been the achievements of other fortifieds in the KWV portfolio that mirror the victory of the KWV 1930 Muscadel at the Michelangelo International Wine Awards. The same wine was on the podium at the 2012 Muskadel SA Awards in Paarl earlier this year, sharing it with the only two other Platinum Awards made – the KWV White Muscadel 2005 and the KWV Classic NV Red Muscadel. The latter was also named a Gold medal winner and listed among the Top 10 entrants in the renowned Muscats du Monde competition this year.
“These specimens are fine examples of the great quality available in South African fortifieds, and at exceptional value too,” says Rowe.
De Krans Crowned 2012 Champion Port Producer
De Krans Wine Cellar, situated in Calitzdorp, was recently announced SA Champion Port Producer at the 2012 SA Young Wine Show, at an awards ceremony held in Stellenbosch. More than 2 100 wines were entered into this prestigious competition which saw South Africa’s champion wines being crowned.
De Krans ports are produced from Touriga Nacional grapes and will undergo further barrel maturation until early in 2014 when they will be ready for bottling. According to winemaker brothers Boets and Stroebel Nel 2012 was an outstanding year for premium quality port in Calitzdorp. A slow ripening process resulted in beautiful violet and chocolate flavours with a firm tannin structure ensuring that the port will age beautifully.
De Krans has become known throughout South Africa and the world for producing premium ports. Over the past seven years De Krans has been awarded five-star ratings in the authoritative and internationally recognized Platter’s South African Wine Guide, and more recently was awarded the Top Port at the 2012 SA Terroir Awards. Earlier this year the De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve Port was awarded the Best Vintage Port at the Port CAPPA Challenge 2012, and was one of the top two port wines at the annual Classic Wine Magazine’s port competition.
De Krans doesn’t only produce award-winning ports. Their value for money Cape Ruby received a four-star rating in the 2012 Platter’s South African Wine Guide, as well a Wine Best Value Award for 2012.
For more information on De Krans and its outstanding range of ports and wines, contact 044 213 3314 or email dekrans@mweb.co.za.
De Krans Top Of The Ports At Terroir Wine Awards
The De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2008 walked away with the title of Top Port at the 2012 Terroir Wine Awards (also known as the Novare South African Terroir Wine Awards), announced at an awards function held on 26 July in Paarl. The brainchild of renowned wine writer, Marius Labuschagne, the competition was conceptualised to define the various terroir types found in the Cape.
Regarded as the ‘buzzword’ amongst wine aficionados for a number of years now, the basic concept is to discover wines that best reflect the terroir in which they are produced. The industry has seen a definite increase in terroir producer over the years who want to portray the unique origins of the wines. The Terroir Wine Awards honours the wines which accurately portray South Africa’s different wine growing areas. All entries must be a certified Wine of Origin from a specific single vineyard, estate, ward or small district not divided into wards.
The judging panel comprises a panel of experts who are regularly exposed to all the wines from the relevant districts. The esteemed panel start out by tasting the wines blind, to test quality, and from there rank entrants in the finals where the regional winners compete. Led by renowned oenology lecturer, Charl Theron, his fellow judges included Andrea Freeborough (Die Bergkelder cellarmaster), honorary Cape Wine Master Dave Hughes, well known wine journalist David Biggs, Pierre Marais, Guy Webber (Stellenzicht winemaker), Cape Wine Academy CEO Marilyn Cooper and Irina von Holdt CWM.
Regarded as their flagship port, boasting numerous awards which includes a 5-star rating in the 2011 Platter’s South African Wine Guide, the De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2008 is a vibrant plum colour, with dense aromas of prune, spice and tobacco, and has the potential to mature for a further 20 to 25 years. A fleshy, chewy mouthful of flavours, showing tannic grip, concentrated red fruit nuances, and a firm structure ensuring considerable longevity. Retailing for approximately R230 per bottle, savour this premium port on its own, or serve with stronger cheeses.
For more information on this award-winning port or any other ports and wines in their range contact the cellar at
044 213 3314 or email dekrans@mweb.co.za. De Krans wines are distributed nationally by Wine Worx (tel. 021 886 9165).
Breedekloof Soetes & Soup 2012 Festival
Beat away the wintry blues at the annual Breedekloof Soetes & Soup 2012 festival, taking place on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 July. This fun-filled event hosted by wineries in the Rawsonville, Slanghoek, Goudini, and Breede River areas, combats the chills by serving cups of steaming hot homemade country soup accompanied by a glass of multiple award-winning soetes (dessert wines) including Hanepoot, Muscadel, Noble Late Harvest, Red Jerepigo and Port.
Buy your Breedekloof Soetes & Soup enamel mug and coupon booklet for R30 per person at your first winery and use these to enjoy complimentary cups of homemade country soup and wine tasting at each of the participating wineries. Wineries also offer discounts of between 10% and 25% on red and fortified wines during this weekend.
Activities during the weekend include live entertainment, soup & wine pairing, farmer’s markets, cooperage demonstrations and cocktails.
To make this an extra special weekend, our diverse range of accommodation facilities are offering you a Soetes & Soup weekend special where you pay only pay for two nights, but sleep three nights – yes, the third night is free!
The Breedekloof region is a family destination and the wineries also cater for kids, offering different activities to keep them occupied.
For more information, email info@breedekloof.com or call (023) 349 1791.
