LIQUOR NEWS
Y R T S U D N I E H SHAKING UP T or and wine qu li e th in es av w g in mak The people and brands
industries
-YEAR-OLD 2 1 R E D A LE H IS T T O SC WHISKIES LD R O W T A LD O G S WIN AWARDS 2018! The luxuriously silky and rich Scottish Leader 12-year-old whisky, the flagship of the internationally renowned collection, has been awarded a prestigious gold medal by the World Whiskies Awards in the UK during a first-round tasting. The judges praised the whisky for its signature smooth, rich and sweet profile that has earned the brand a significant international following over the years. Scottish Leader 12-year-old is crafted using a bespoke blend of the finest unpeated Highland and Speyside malts, combined with Scottish grains for a smooth, approachable style. The majority of the Highland and Speyside malts selected are matured in American oak casks which contribute toward the rich oak and vanilla characteristics, and the fruity, floral elegance. Find out more about Scottish Leader by visiting its website www.scottishleader.com
EUP OF CHANGING THE MAK SA’S WINE INDUSTRY We have come a long way as a country where black people’s participation in the wine industry was confined to being unskilled labourers on wine farms. That was until Ntsiki Biyela arrived on the scene! Growing up in Mahlabathini, a far-flung rural village north of the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province, Biyela never dreamt of being a winemaker, and only tasted wine for the first time at the age of 20. Biyela entered the industry after studying viticulture at Stellenbosch University, and worked as head winemaker at Stellekaya Winery, a family-owned producer, where her cabernet sauvignon earned her South Africa’s Woman Winemaker of the Year award in 2009. Aslina Wines, her export-focused company, is the realisation of a dream. Launched in 2013, the Aslina brand is named after Ntsiki’s grandmother, whose care and guidance provided her with the inspiration and vision to succeed. Producing sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and a bordeaux blend sourced from around Stellenbosch outside Cape Town, Biyela produces the wine herself and oversees the process from beginning to end. Aslina Wines has grown from producing 2 400 bottles of wine in 2013 to 12 000 units in 2017. Ntsiki aims to increase output to 18 000 this year. Ntsiki Biyela has certainly changed the makeup of the wine industry and is an inspiration to the new black players emerging in the industry. For more information visit www. aslinawines.com
38
www.spotongmag.co.za
