Winter truly arrived in full force on the farm last week. We also received the very first email about upcoming wine shows results, signaling the start of the awards season. It is like we are finally able to take a breath since the start of the year, only to realize that we are about half way through. Everyone is busier, time never seems to be enough, and how we spend our time seems more calculated and selective. They say time is our most valuable commodity and the greatest gift you can give someone else – let’s make it count and be sure to carve out the time to spend with our loved ones, and most importantly, ourselves.
We look forward to share in this winter moments with you – whether you enjoy a glass of white for a Sunday lunch in the winter sun, have a glass of red in front of the fireplace, or use one of our port-style wines (we definitely recommend the Cape Ruby) when cooking. When you place your order, we hope that you not only order your favourites, but also take the chance to try something new.
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We are so grateful for a cold autumn, especially May, with plenty of rain – something we definitely aren’t used to say. As a result, the Calitzdorp dam, situated in the Nelsriver, has been overflowing continuously for the last two weeks, and the level of the Gamkapoort dam, which provides water to the Gamka Valley, is currently at more than 90% – absolutely amazing. It is so heartwarming to see the veld being so green and lush, the first time since 2012! Due to the relatively early cold weather we had since the beginning of May, the vineyards are already in hibernation, allowing for the vineyards and apricot trees to get adequate rest during winter to ensure a successful 2024 harvest.
Things are finally starting to slow down in the cellar with the 2023 vintages of the Premium Moscato Range, Pinotage Rosé and Free Run Chenin Blanc all in the bottle, and with the wines showing a wonderful complexity, great fruit character, and impressive balance. The 2023 harvest was also great for red wines, resulting in healthy wines with rich colours and complex varietal flavours. While the 2023 harvest was slightly bigger in comparison to 2022, the berries were exceptionally small, leading to wines with great intensity and good balance. That’s what we’d like to call a win-win!
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We are so excited about the annual Expressed Festival taking place in Calitzdorp from 16 – 18 June 2023. This yearly winter celebration, formerly known as the Port Festival, gives visitors the opportunity to explore the beauty of the Klein Karoo, the small-town hospitality, and of course the fantastic selection of wines in the area. At De Krans Wines we shall be celebrating with live music on Saturday the 17th June, with the much-anticipated fun run hosted by Jakhals Events also taking place on the Saturday morning. Choose from a selection of 5km, 9km, and 21km, bring your family and friends, or even your dog (yes, they are welcome, just remember the leash), and enjoy this special route through the De Krans vineyards with plenty of prizes up for grabs afterwards. The 21km starts at 9am, with the 9km kicking off at 9.10am followed by the 5km fun run/walk at 9.20am. For more information about the fun run and to book your place, please visit www.jakhalsevents.co.za. Throughout the weekend our wide variety of award-winning wines will be on offer to taste and buy, with our bistro and deli offering delicious, homemade, hearty meals including some new winter specials.
Also visit our P&T (Port & Tonic) stand, which will be open on all three days of the festival.
Celebrate Father’s Day with us on the 18th June by treating dad for lunch at our bistro – make your booking by contacting us at 044 21 33 314 or send an email to bistro@dekrans.co.za
Please note our weekend trading hours:
Tasting room:
Friday: 09:00 – 16:30 (Tastings close at 16:00, Sales at 16:30)
Saturday: 09:00 – 18:00 (Tastings close at 17:00, Sales at 17:30)
Sunday: 09:00 – 16:30 (Tastings close at 16:00, Sales at 16:30)
Bistro and Deli:
Friday: 09:00 – 16:00 (kitchen closes at 16:00)
Saturday: 08:00 – 21:30 (kitchen closes at 21:30)
Sunday: 09:00 – 16:00 (kitchen closes at 16:00)
We are also excited to share the dates of the annual Calitzdorp Succulent Festival which will be taking place from 15 – 17 September 2023. Be sure to save the date and keep an eye on our social media platforms and Spring newsletter for more information and details of how we will be celebrating at De Krans Wines.
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When it was decided that the South African Wine industry can no longer use the word “port” on their labels back in 2011 (similar to not using Champagne in SA, but rather Cap Classique, because it isn’t made in the Champagne region in France), it was decided by the Cape Port Producers Association (CAPPA) that the word “Cape” will be used, together with the specific style, like Cape Tawny, Cape Ruby, etc. An easy solution, it was initially thought, but it has come as no surprise that the local consumer (with the slight exception of the seasoned, sophisticated wine fundi), isn’t always aware of this change and as a result, that a Cape Ruby, is in fact, a Ruby port-style wine (how we refer to “port” in written media). Perhaps somewhat confusing, but if it walks like a duck, and talks like a duck, right? Of course, produced worlds apart, and with the ports produced in Portugal leaning towards a slightly drier style similar to our De Krans port-style wines, the same grape varieties are used, the same techniques implemented, and no doubt the same passion that filters through into the product. Naturally, there is something to be said about enjoying a cold glass of white port with a Douro Valley sunset as a backdrop or visiting one of the Quinta’s for a glass of aged Vintage. But if there’s anything that we have learned from the Portuguese it is that port-style wine should be enjoyed, embraced, and celebrated by all, regardless of the occasion.
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For winter we are focusing on the De Krans Wines made of Portuguese grape varieties, and even though winter means red wine and more red wine, we simply had to include our white wine pick of the season, the delicious, wooded Tritonia Verdelho. From dry to sweet, elegant and subtle, to bold and full-bodied, our winter picks truly have something for every palate, and every preference:
The Sunday Lunch Wine: Tritonia Verdelho 2021
After making the change from a Malvasia Rei and Verdelho blend to a 100% Verdelho, the Tritonia Verdelho 2021 delights with its fresh acidity, complex character and beautiful floral notes and flavours of orange peel, ripe melon and vanilla oak on the nose. The wine is smooth and elegant with a subtle aftertaste, and pair well with seafood dishes like salmon and sea trout. It also pairs really well with slow roasted pork or a typical Cape Malay Curry.
The Foodie Wine: Tinta Roriz 2020
This single variety, also known as Tempranillo in Spain, is truly something special. One of the four building blocks used in producing a port-style wine, Tinta Roriz brings structure and tannin to the table, making this a full-bodied wine smooth enough to enjoy on its own, yet complex enough to elevate a food pairing, including dishes like roasted lamb chops, springbok carpaccio, or pan seared kudu steaks. The wine has a vibrant, dark red colour with savoury spice and earthiness on the palate, with soft red fruit flavours.
The New Release: Tritonia Red (Calitzdorp Blend) 2021
We have just released the new vintage, the 2021 Tritonia Red (Calitzdorp Blend) and we couldn’t be more excited – not only is it a beautiful, elegant and complex wine, but it is also the first vintage we were able to produce since 2019, as a result of the severe drought we had on the farm and in the Klein Karoo. This flagship blend consists of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and a small amount of Tinta Barocca, and spent 12 months in new, 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill French oak. The wine boasts a dark red plum colour with aromas of raspberry, prune, mulberries, and spice with dark fruit and savoury notes. On the palate, the wine is full- bodied, with flavours of violets and dark fruit, with savoury notes, with a structured tannin, and balanced, integrated oak. While the wine is smooth and elegant to enjoy now, it also has amazing ageing potential.
The Cooking Wine: Premium Cape Ruby (Non-vintage)
The De Krans Premium Cape Ruby, named after its rich, vibrant Ruby colour, is a non-vintage port-style wine, indicating a blend of different vintages to produce a well-rounded wine. The wine is smooth and has velvety tannins to compliment the ripe plum, blue and red berries with a touch of cinnamon, spice, and violets, making it the perfect port-style wine to use for cooking (or baking). Go ahead and add the De Krans Premium Cape Ruby generously to your potjie or any meat dish in a slow cooker – guaranteed to take your meat dish to that next level. The Cape Ruby also pairs well with traditional Cape bobotie, waterblommetjie–bredie, rustic pasta, and hearty soups.
The Perfect Gift: Cape Vintage 2019
If you are looking to enjoy your port-style wine either on its own or paired with a yummy dessert, you definitely can’t go wrong with the De Krans Cape Vintage, which pairs beautifully with a baked dessert like chocolate fondant, a piece of dark chocolate, or well-matured cheese. Vintage ports also pair well with Karoo lamb potjie, venison pie, or roasted vegetable lasagna. This port-style wine has a deep purple-red colour, indicative of its intense, full, and rich palate of red fruits, dried prunes, cocoa, and spice. Tannins are more prominent in this port and this style is made to bottle age (up to 20 years) or can be enjoyed at an early age as well. This port-style wine is an excellent, value-for-money, and quality port-style wine and is the perfect gift for dad, or any wine lover in your life.
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Order wine to the value of R2000 and stand a chance to be one of the three lucky winners who will each stand a chance to win a mixed case of our port-style wines.
The competition is open to SA residents with a valid delivery address, aged 18 and over. The competition will close at 5pm on the 30th of June 2023. Winners will be selected at random and will be announced on the 4th of July 2023.
Order wine to a minimum value of R2000 and receive a FREE door-to-door delivery nationwide (one delivery address per order). Should your order be for less than R2000, we are happy to calculate a delivery quote based on your delivery address. We will then furnish you with a pro forma invoice with our banking details. Please note that, regardless of the value of your order, we will only be able to courier wine in multiples of 6 bottles (a full case), and in the case of our P&T a total of 24 x 275ml bottles will make up a full case, to minimize breakages.
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