DE KRANS WINES LAUNCHES NEW LABEL DESIGN FOR CLASSIC VARIETAL RANGE
Shortly after the release of their rebranded Moscato range in April this year, De Krans Wines is back with more exciting news with the launch of their brand-new label design for their Classic Varietal range. This range consists of four wines, which includes the Basket Press Cabernet Sauvignon, Free Run Chenin Blanc, Wild Ferment Chardonnay, and Dry Pinotage Rosé.
De Krans Wines has always been known for their award-winning port-style wines, being based in Calitzdorp – the Port-style capital of South Africa. With the release of the first Premium White Moscato Perlé in South Africa back in 2012, De Krans quickly gained popularity as a Moscato producer, with the Premium Moscato Red released in 2017 and the Premium Moscato Rosé in 2021. Situated in the Klein Karoo, De Krans Wines has certainly made the most of the unique Calitzdorp terroir when it comes to grapes that grow well in the area, including Portuguese grape varieties and varietals like Hanepoot and Muscadel (both used in the production of their Moscato Range).
However, nestled between the sweet, the fortified, and the bubbly lies an elegant range of classic varietal wines that ticks just about every box. The Classic Varietal range is easy drinking, has intense and beautiful varietal character, balanced acidity levels, which implements and showcases unique underlying winemaking methods, and of course, is available at an affordable price. There really is nothing better than finding an all-in-one, everyday favourite that serves consistent quality and doesn’t break the bank.
With the rebranding of the De Krans logo earlier this year, which showcases a beautiful, hand-illustrated drawing of a buffalo by designer John Pace, it seemed only natural to incorporate it into our labels as well. The Classic Varietal range proved the ideal range to use this design, as the aim was to incorporate both traditional and modern into the new label – where the old meets the new. The use of the buffalo, heavily steeped in tradition, pays tribute to the original De Krans farm name, “Buffelsvallei” or Buffalo Valley. Bespoke Stellenbosch-based design company, GRAFT, took the buffalo and proverbially ran with it, as they presented this illustration in a modern, simplistic and creative way, combined with the use of white, open space, modern design layout and a pop of colour.
This new design seeks to elevate this range of everyday favourites, while keeping the focus on the unique winemaking technique implemented with each wine. Not unlike these new labels, are the wines that fill the bottles – traditional varietals, well-adapted to our climate, creative and unique in our winemaking approach.
The Free Run Chenin Blanc utilizes only the free-run juice after destemming and before pressing the grapes. This juice contains less phenols, making the wine more fruit-driven and it also matures better.
In turn, the Wild Ferment Chardonnay allows for spontaneous fermentation, with no yeast added. This results in a much slower fermentation process, intensifying the complexity of the wine, and giving it a better mouthfeel.
The Pinotage Rosé only has less than an hour of skin contact before the wine is lightly pressed, resulting in a light blush pink colour. This dry Rosé boasts beautiful aromas of strawberries and candy floss, with a balanced and refreshing acidity.
Lastly, in the production of the Basket Press Cabernet Sauvignon, the De Krans basket press is used to ensure a softer press action and eliminating any harsh tannins. What makes the press so special is that it was imported from France in 1955 and acquired by De Krans Wines in the 1985. Made from French oak, this beautiful, old press has become an integral part of the winemaking process at De Krans Wines.