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It’s all about the terroir

HomeWineIt’s all about the terroir

It’s all about the terroir

Although De Krans is synonymous with producing award-winning port-style wines, they have really managed to extend their relationship with Portuguese cultivars beyond their fortified range, resulting in a diverse and unique range of dry, still wines, known as the Terroir range. Appropriately so, since the Calitzdorp terroir is so similar to that of the Douro Valley in Portugal, making it a perfect area to produce quality wines from Portuguese varieties. The first Portuguese grape vines planted in 1973 at De Krans in Calitzdorp, were actually intended to be Shiraz grapes. Only when the first grapes were harvested a few years later, were these vines discovered to be Tinta Barocca, one of the most important grape varieties for most of our Portuguese red wines and port-style wines. This fortunate accident is not only the perfect example of the beauty that can unfold following a mistake, but it also set up a most interesting and unique path of discovery, growth and innovation.

The Touriga Nacional a 100% single variety was planted for the first time at De Krans in 1994, with 2000 seeing the maiden vintage dry red Touriga Nacional produced by De Krans. The current release Touriga Nacional, bursts with juicy, dark fruit flavours, spice and bold tannins, providing the wine with a good structure. This wine had a particular rewarding 2019, with the 2017 vintage being named the National Winner in its category at the Novare SA Terroir Awards as well as receiving 90 points on the coveted Tim Atkin MW 2019 Report.

The Tritonia Red (Calitzdorp blend) named after a plant, found in the species-rich Klein Karoo area, is a blend of Portuguese grape varieties including Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barocca and Tinta Amarela. This full-bodied, yet elegant blend is the perfect combination of fruit and earthiness with savoury notes on the palate and integrated oak. Both the Tritonia Red and Touriga Nacional pair perfectly with any type of red meat, especially venison and ostrich. Next time you order that steak or braai that lamb chop, do try and switch your habitual merlot or cab for something unique and interesting.

The flagship red blend has been rapidly racking in the accolades after winning the Old Mutual Trophy for Best Non–Bordeaux Red Blend both in 2017 and 2019, receiving 4.5 stars in the 2019 Platter guide, scoring 93 points in the Tim Atkin MW Report as well as winning a gold medal at the Six Nations Wine Competition in both 2017 and 2018.

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