Category Archives: Klein-Karoo
De Krans Port Comes Out Tops At Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show
De Krans Wine Cellar, situated in Calitzdorp, walked away with the highest score at the 2013 Old Mutual Trophy Wine, higher than any other South African port on show, for its 2009 Cape Vintage Reserve. This port, recently launched in the cellar and trade, was also awarded a 5-star rating in the authoritative 2012 Platter’s Wine Guide.
Earlier this year it was also named as one of the Top 100 Wines in South Africa, as well as walking away with a Gold medal and awarded Best Vintage of Vintage Reserve Port at the 2012 Cape Port Producers’ Association Port & Wine Challenge.
This exceptional port is produced using several Portuguese varietals and is matured for 22 months in the barrel before bottling. Each bottle of this flagship port from De Krans is individually packaged in an attractive tin box, which makes for a very special gift. According to Louis van der Riet, winemaker at De Krans, it can be left to mature beautifully for another 20 to 30 years.
De Krans also did extremely well at the 2013 CAPPA Port & Wine Challenge winning two Gold medals for the winery’s 2002 and 2003 Cape Vintage Reserve Port, as well as two red wines in the Top 10 wines in the 2013 CAPPA Wine Challenge. These were the De Krans 2010 Touriga Nacional and 2006 Red Stone Reserve.
For more information contact the farm on 044 213 3314 or email at dekrans@mweb.co.za.
Knysna Wine Festival 1 – 2 July 2013
A uniquely South African wine festival and the Garden Routes Premiere Wine Event will once again be taking place during the Knysna Oyster Festival on the 1st and 2th of July 2013.
The event will showcase up to 50 of South Africa’s best wine producers and promises to be bigger and better than any of our previous events to date. These wines will all be available for tasting and purchasing at special event prices. You can also interact with these acclaimed wine producers and learn about current trends in the industry.
The Knysna Wine Festival, now in its 8th year will be hosted in the official Pavilion, at the Pick n Pay Festival Grounds, Waterfront Drive – right in the heart of the festival attractions!
Our guests will be welcomed this year with the finest delectable Belgian chocolate, Côte d’Or. What better way to enjoy an evening than with fine wine and delicious chocolate!
Patrons will also receive their tasting glasses, a wine guide and get to mingle with South Africa’s wine makers in a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere.
Confirmed 2013 Estates:
Raats Family Wines
Graham Beck
Ataraxia
Sumaridge
Bramon Estate/ local to our area
Holden Manz
Creation
Bon Courage
Bonnievale Cellars
Beau Belle
Jordan
Solms-Delta
Rhebokskloof
Neil Ellis
Waterford Estate
Akkerdal
Boekenhoutskloof
Cronier Wines
De Grendel
Ernie Els
Fairview Cheese and Wine
Hill and Dale
Hill Crest
Jakkalsvlei(local/ Mosselbay)
Malanot
Newstead
Painted Wolf
Beau Joubert
Peter Falke
Steenberg
Stellenrust
Zorgvleit
Van Loveren
Hillock
De Krans
Calitzdorp Cellar
Fernskloof
Ticket Sales:
Tickets are on sale already @ R100 at Sublime Clothing Thesen island Knysna or online at www.pnptickets.co.za for more information visit www.knysnawinefestival.co.za email info@knysnawinefestival.co.za. Tickets are Limited. Tickets Include a free tasting glass for unlimited tasting, a Cote D or, Belgium, Chocolate and a tasting booklet.
No Need to Drink and Drive: Shuttle service at very reasonable rates available:
Contact Orbit Tours to pre book @ 0723773563 or info@orbitdaytrips.co.za
And then all the information is constantly being updated on the web page www.knysnawinefestival.co.za
WSET Introduces First Stand-Alone Spirits Courses In South Africa.
The International Wine Education Centre is delighted to announce the first ever stand-alone general spirits courses starting in Stellenbosch in May.
The UK-based Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) teaches internationally-recognised wine and spirit qualifications which are the industry-standard in 60 countries around the world. WSET has been educating people about wine and spirits since 1969 and more than 43,000 people, studying in 16 different languages sat a WSET exam in the last academic year alone.
The WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits underpins the skills needed in all areas of the spirit trade – customer service, hospitality, retail and wholesale.
The course covers the history, production and style of spirits of the world: Cognac, Armagnac and other brandies; Scotch, Bourbon and other whiskeys; white spirits, including vodka, rum, Tequila, gin; and liqueurs and other flavoured spirits. Tasting is part of every session with around 40 local and international spirits tasted over the duration of the course.
The first course in South Africa will take place at Van Ryn’s Distillery in Stellenbosch and will be lectured by spirits aficionado Dave Hughes and artisan distiller Roger Jorgensen. The course will last 6 weeks with a multiple-choice exam at the end.
Who is it aimed at?
• People employed in the spirits industry needing information on the characteristics of the principal spirits and liqueurs of the world, to provide guidance on brand selection and assist with tasting and evaluating of spirits and liqueurs using the Systematic Approach to Tasting.
• People who are not employed in the drinks industry, but who have a serious interest in spirits and wish to broaden their knowledge in a fun, informative yet structured way.
• People studying for wine qualifications and who would like a structured spirits course to support those qualifications.
There are limited places available for this course, so for more information, please go to www.thewinecentre.co.za . For more information about future courses in Stellenbosch, Cape Town and elsewhere, please contact Cathy Marston on info@thewinecentre.co.za
Course details.
Course Code L2SWL0513
Location Van Ryn’s Distillery, Stellenbosch
Date & Time Wednesdays from 22 May – 26th June, 6.30pm- 8.30pm (6 weeks, 2 hours/week)
Exam Wednesday 3rd July, 6.30pm
Cost R4,990 per person
Includes All tuition, all course material, exam, tasting of at least 40 local and international spirits and a lapel pin & certificate for successful candidates.
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).
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.
Treat Yourself This Winter With De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve Port
Renowned for producing world class ports, the De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve Port is the perfect weather warmer to sip and savour during the cold months this year. De Krans Wine Cellar in Calitzdorp was awarded the SA Champion Port Trophy at the 2012 SA Young Wine Show and has also been awarded a 5-star rating for its port wines for eight consecutive years now in the internationally recognised Platter’s South African Wine Guide, proving the consistent excellent quality of this benchmark port.
Reaffirming its position as one of SA’s premier ports the Cape Vintage Reserve was recently rated as one of the top three ports in the category, Port Wines for wine aficionado Mike Froud’s 2013 Top Wine SA Hall of Fame. Criteria for making it on the list, regarded by the industry as a sought after recognition, include rave reviews from one or more of the top tasting panels for at least eight vintages over the past 10 years, as well as price point. An accomplishment De Krans has managed to secure with confidence.
Winemaker Boets Nel describes the 2008 vintage of 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.
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).
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.
