De Krans Winemaker A Diners Club Winemaker Of The Year Finalist
De Krans has had a phenomenal award season and it only seems fitting to be able to shine the spotlight on the winemaker, Christoff de Wet, for his selection as as one of the six finalists in the 2022 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year. More than 180 entries were received this year, and after an intense judging process the field was narrowed down to 12 finalists – six for Winemaker of the Year and six for Young Winemaker of the year. The nominations are presented to the winemakers who produce a wine that the judging panel considers to be the best in a specified class. The category for 2022 is Sauvignon Blanc for Winemaker of the Year, with Christoff receiving the nomination for producing the 2022 Garden Route Sauvignon Blanc. The Garden Route wine label was created with the aim of also producing quality, typically cooler-climate cultivars, with the grapes grown in the Upper-Langkloof area, therefore sourcing these grapes from the Upper-Langkloof area, but making the wine at De Krans. The 2022 Garden Route Sauvignon Blanc is everything a modern and quality Sauvignon Blanc should be – soft on the palate, with a great complexity of flavours including green pepper, fynbos, passion fruit and guava, with restrained and integrated acidity, and a lingering aftertaste with a smooth finish. Harvesting usually takes place in early March in the early morning hours to ensure the coolest possible berries. The wine pairs excellent with fresh cob, stump nose, served with a lime dressing, or a snoek or salmon pâté.
The winner will be announced at a prestigious event at the Arabella Hotel & Spa on 19 November.