THE SCOOP AWARDS ADD UP FOR KWV South Africa’s KWV Cruxland Gin is on a roll, having recently won International Spirit of the Year 2019 at the World Spirits Awards as well as being pronounced the best South African London Dry Gin at the World Gin Awards. As a result of the Spirit of the Year award, a double gold medal for Cruxland Gin and a further seven gold medals for a range of KWV brandies, the KWV was also classified a World-Class Distillery for 2019 by the World Spirits Awards. “This is only made possible through the hard work, passion and dedication of our whole team,” said Ilse du Toit, the KWV’s Blending Manager. “To have been recognised and awarded these awards amongst some of the world’s best distilleries is a tremendous honour, not only for us but also for the country.” Since its inception in 2004, The WorldSpirits Awards (WSA) has established itself as the global benchmark in the world of spirits. The credibility of the WSA lies in the expert knowledgeability of the jury, based on their meticulous training and the unique underlying system of assessment. Distilleries from 25 different nations participated in the World Spirits Award 2019 with 493 spirits submitted from 117 distilleries – more than 90 of them being gin! Cruxland’s infusion of eight exotic signature botanicals and rare Kalahari !N’abbas is a world-first. Also known as ‘Kalahari truffles’, this unique ingredient grows in the Kalahari region and is only harvested after the first rains by those who have the rare skill to find this gem of the desert. The judges commented on the Gin’s masterful variety spectrum calling it exciting and fresh with delicate juniper aromas and floral aspects.
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BABOONS, FLOWERS & WINE South Africa’s people are culturally diverse, as are the various provinces – from the dry Karoo to sub-tropical KwaZulu-Natal, the oceans are cold in the west and warm on the east coast and the country’s wines are too. Vondeling, a wine farm in the VoorPaardeberg region near Paarl, has a blended white wine which encapsulates this magnificent diversity in its blend of Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc. The wine – Vondeling Babiana – also pays homage to a unique little plant which is found ONLY on the slopes of the Paardeberg, in the wine farm’s backyard. The Babiana Noctiflora is an endangered species and is a delicate, pale creamy yellow tubular flower with a sky-blue stamen. It’s a member of the Iris family and takes its name from
the Dutch word baviaantje meaning little baboon because early settlers noted the primates eating the corms of these plants. The Noctiflora part of the name comes because its releases a strong scent at night to attract a rare moth which pollinates it. The newly released vintage of Vondeling’s Babiana is the 2017 and MD Julian Johnsen said the age and low yield of the old Chenin Blanc vines planted in 1986 ensured consistent quality and concentration. “That’s why the Chenin forms the backbone of the blend.” The aromatics and verve of the Grenache Blanc, Viognier and Roussanne temper the older Chenin’s full richness. Winemaker Matthew Copeland praised the vibrant, textured palate, saying it reminded him of white pepper, jasmine, creamy lemon meringue all supported by subtle oak.
