The Corkless Mind

Tag: Proudly South African

  • Van Ryn’s 20 year-old Brandy awarded best in the world

    Van Ryn’s 20 year-old Brandy awarded best in the world

    South Africa is celebrating with the announcement that the locally produced Van Ryn’s 20-year-old potstill brandy has been awarded World’s Best Wine Brandy at the 2022 World Brandy Awards.

    The World Brandy Awards which see the finest brandies enter from around the world, is presented by TheDrinksReport.com, and rewards and promotes the world’s best spirits to global consumers and trade. 

    Each entry is tasted blind and marked to an agreed and strictly enforced scoring system. As well as nose, palate, and finish, judges review balance, character, complexity, and quality. 

    “This World’s Best title is the highest accolade any master distiller aims for. Our commitment to innovation, quality and the art of crafting exceptional brandy, comes full circle with yet another global recognition,” says Van Ryn’s Master Blender, Marlene Bester.”

    “The 20-year-old brandy is timeless and grandiose. The brandy captures the tradition of hand-crafted, authentic potstill brandy; a tradition we continue today, following in the footsteps of our founders who achieved Van Ryn’s first international award as far back as 1884.”  

    The Van Ryn’s 20-year-old potstill brandy started its journey as Chenin Blanc and Colombar wine. This base wine was then distilled in copper pot stills, one of which is over 200 years old and still used daily! The low wine coming off the stills was separated into three parts: the head, heart, and tail. Only the clear and pure liquid from the heart is used to craft Van Ryn’s brandies, and after a second distillation prepared for maturation.

    It’s during the maturation process where the brandy comes alive. When the colourless spirit is drawn off the potstills, the hand-selected oak barrels allow the brandy to come into character, developing the beautiful golden hues and concentrated flavours over twenty years. 

    The 20-year-old potstill brandy is a rich, decadent brandy, with delicate sweet vanilla, spice, and rose water, ending with a supremely velvety finish. 

    For the complete list of the 2022 World Brandy Awards visit the World Brandy Awards.

  • A Very South African Christmas – A Food24 Recipe Round-up

    A Very South African Christmas – A Food24 Recipe Round-up

    Recently I was tasked with developing summer dessert recipes with a South African twist for Food24. So it is official, I am now a Food24 contributor in recipe development. This enables me to go back to my first passion which is being in the kitchen, playing around and adapting recipes. With a week to go until Christmas, I thought I’d share my recipes I developed and photographed for Food24 with you!

    peppermint crisp pavlova wreath 076

    19 NOV 028

    I love making and experimenting with meringue. It’s stiff, glossy peaks are reminiscent of a Christmas snowy summit that I can only dream to experience (for now) The brief was to make summer desserts with a South African twist. The pavlova wreath I made, was topped with decadent caramel, flecked with chunky bits of peppermint crisp chocolate and studded with raspberries to create balance and give a bit of tart flavour. This is my ode to the very South African festive dessert – peppermint crisp fridge tart.

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    peppermint crisp pavlova wreath 077

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    A Lolly to Make You Jolly! 

    Christmas in the Southern hemisphere is a scorcher, so to keep cool and calm, I made rosè, rooibos (the South African twist) and strawberry Ice lollies.

    21NOV 027

    Creme Soda Gummy Bears 

    I’ve been looking for a gummy bear mold and dropper set for ages! Imagine my elation upon finding an affordable set on Takealot! The South African twist you ask? The legendary green fizzy drink that is our version of creme soda. It only takes 20-30 minutes in total to make and set in the fridge. Such a fantastic idea to make with the kiddos in the school holidays. Here’s the recipe.

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    19 NOV 005

    Tropical Fruit Meringue Roulade 

    Inspired by my mom’s famous swiss roll cakes she used to magically conjure up in the kitchen, I made my own modern twist on the traditional by making a roulade with seasonal summer fruits. You can find the recipe here

    peppermint crisp pavlova wreath 033

    What will you be making for your festive table this year? Recreating any of my recipes? Let me know and share a photo of your lovely festive fare 🙂

    Wishing you and yours a joyous and safe festive season!

    Happy feasting x

  • 2019 Diners Club Winemaker and Young Winemaker of the Year Awards Announced

    2019 Diners Club Winemaker and Young Winemaker of the Year Awards Announced

    The winners of the 2019 Diners Club Winemaker and Young Winemaker of the Year awards were announced at a black-tie gala dinner at La Residence Hotel in Franschhoek on Saturday 23rd November, with Daniel Keulder from Nitida Wines, and Herman du Preez from Stellenrust Wines claiming top honours respectively. 

    The Winemaker and Young Winemaker awards, focusing on quality and recognition of excellence, are regarded as the country’s most prestigious and well-respected wine industry competition. Celebrating the skills and talent of the vintners, these awards are open to all in the South African wine industry at no cost, thus affording all winemakers an equal opportunity. The Winemaker of the Year is in its 39th year, while the Young Winemaker has been running for 19 years. 

    NO 3 - 2019 Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year winner Herman du Preez - Stellenrust Wines

    The awards are presented to the winemakers who produce a wine that the judging panel considers the best in a specified class. The categories for 2019 were Pinot Noir for Winemaker of the Year, and White Wines of any varietal or blend for Young Winemaker of the Year. The field was narrowed down to ten finalists through rigorous judging by a panel of wine experts: with five winemakers shortlisted for the prestigious Winemaker of the Year award, and five for the Young Winemaker of the Year title. 

    NO 2 - 2019 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year winner Daniel Keulder - Nitida Wines

     This year’s Diners Club Winemaker of the Year (Pinot Noir category), Daniel Keulder, amazed the judges with his 2017 Nitida Pinot Noir.  The 2019 Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year, Herman Du Preez, received his award (White Wines category) for the 2018 The Apprentice White Cinsault.

    The winning Winemaker receives R50 000 while the Young Winemaker, R25 000 and a trip to an exciting wine-producing destination.

    The 2019 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year Judges include: 

     Nigel Greening – International judge

    • Carrie Adams
    • Debi Van Flymen
    • Michael Crossley
    • Nomonde Kubheka
    • Gregory Mutambe

     

    *End of press release* All information and images provided by the Diners Club.