De Krans Wine Cellar was recently awarded four Gold medals at the 2017 Gold Wine Awards. The medals were awarded to their De Krans Free-Run Chenin Blanc 2017, De Krans Pinotage Rosé 2017, De Krans Touriga Nacional 2016 and De Krans A Twist of Fate 2015.

Produced from 100% Pinotage grapes, the De Krans Pinotage Rosé 2017 displays fresh flavours of strawberries, ripe cherries and raspberries, with a whisper of watermelon. On the palate, the wine is perfectly balanced and dry, with a mouth-watering fresh acidity. The perfect wine to enjoy on its own or with fresh grilled trout or salmon and chicken pasta dishes. Works beautifully with sushi as well. Recommended retail price is R59 per bottle.

A new vintage release the De Krans Touriga Nacional 2016 is produced from grapes grown on the farm and aged in French oak barrels for 12 months. A deep dark colour the wine displays intense fruit flavours of blackberries, violets and spice. Winemaker Louis van der Riet recommends serving this award-winning wine with a succulent ostrich fillet or any other game dish. Recommended retail price is R105 per bottle.

 

What makes De Krans Free-Run Chenin Blanc 2017 stand out from traditional Chenin Blanc is that only free run juice – approximately two-thirds of the total juice – can be used to make the wine, which results in a fresh, well-rounded product. Louis describes the wine as showing a tropical freshness on the nose. An abundance of soft fresh tropical fruits, a well-rounded smooth structure and a lingering aftertaste, are prominent on the palate. Perfect on its own during a hot Sunday braai or enjoy with fresh snoek, barbeque chicken, or pastas and salads. Recommended retail price is R59 per bottle.

 

And last but by no means least the De Krans A Twist of Fate 2015. Best described as a mistake that went incredibly well. Co-owner Boets Nel’s father Chris had planted what he thought was Shiraz in 1973 only to discover that it was in fact Tinta Barocca, making it the first Portuguese grape to find its way to Calitzdorp. In another twist of fate Boets and his brother, Stroebel, planted what they believed was Tinta Roriz, when in fact it was Tinta Amarella. Instead of pulling out these vineyards, it resulted in a beautiful union of Tinta Barocca (50 %) and Tinta Amarella (50 %), which is now known as A Twist of Fate. Louis this cherry red wine as showcasing sweet strawberry flavours. This carries through to complex underlying flavours of spice, leather, earthiness and subtle oak. The palate delivers red berry and spicy flavours, resulting in smooth tannins and an integrated acidity. Without a doubt the perfect wine to enjoy at a braai. A versatile wine perfect for any occasion. As a ‘twist’ enjoy chilled for the perfect summer red wine. Recommended retail price is R79 per bottle.

The Gold Wine Awards, established in 2014, was born out of a need to help the consumer make educated buying decisions and to help worthy wines sell. With the vast amounts of wine available to the consumer on shelves, there is very little to guide them especially in the lower price categories.

Wines were judged by graduates from the Cape Wine Academy and the results were then statistically linked to the price of the wine to determine which wine was worth the value for money accreditation.

For more information visit www.dekrans.co.za.