Van Ryn’s 15 YO Potstill Brandy has been chosen World’s Best Brandy in four of the last five years.
Photo, courtesy Van Ryn’s
For the second consecutive year, the prestigious title of the world’s best brandy at the 2024 World Drink Awards was bestowed upon a South African brandy, Van Ryn’s 15 YO Potstill Brandy. This remarkable achievement marks the fourth time in five years that Van Ryn’s brandy has been recognized as the pinnacle of excellence. To delve deeper into the South African brandy industry, I recently sat down with Christelle Reade-Jahn, the Executive Director of the South African Brandy Foundation, and Shane Mumba, one of South Africa’s leading sommeliers.
South Africa not only produces exceptional brandy but also offers it at a remarkably competitive price, making South African brandy an extraordinary value.
Before we explore the present, let’s take a moment to appreciate the rich history of South African brandy. Its origins can be traced back to the 17th century, a time when European settlers first arrived in the Cape. The first recorded brandy distillation in South Africa took place in 1672 aboard a Dutch ship anchored in Table Bay. The early settlers, particularly the Dutch and later the French Huguenots, brought with them a wealth of knowledge in viticulture and distillation, laying the foundation for the South African brandy we know today.
The development of the South African brandy industry gained momentum in the 19th century with the establishment of the wine industry. As vineyards expanded, surplus grapes were distilled into brandy. However, it was in the early 20th century that the industry truly came into its own, with significant advancements in production techniques and regulations to ensure quality. The establishment of the KWV (Koöperatieve Wijnbouwers Vereniging van Zuid-Afrika) in 1918 played a crucial role in standardizing and promoting South African brandy.
Today, South African brandy is renowned for its quality and craftsmanship. The industry adheres to strict regulations that dictate production methods, aging, and classification. South African brandy must be distilled from wine made from locally grown grapes and aged for a minimum of three years in oak barrels.
According to Christelle Reade-Jahn, South African brandy is classified into three main types:
Potstill Brandy is made exclusively from pot still distillation and aged for at least three years. It represents the traditional and artisanal style of brandy production.
Vintage Brandy is a blend of minimum 30% pot still brandy, and the rest can be matured column still brandy. Both portions are also aged for at least eight years.
Blended Brandy is a mix of at least 30% pot still and column still brandy, designed to be more affordable and versatile.
The term “Potstill” refers to the style of brandy while “pot still” refers to the distillation aperatus.
Among the top brands are KWV, a pioneering brand with a rich history in the South African wine and brandy industry, known for its premium potstill and blended brandies.
Van Ryn’s is another leading South African brandy producer. Renowned for its high-quality potstill brandies, it has multiple awards for excellence.
Oude Molen XO Cape Brandy is one of South Africa’s leading brand expressions.
Photo, courtesy Oude Molen
Oude Molen is another historic brand that is celebrated for its craftsmanship and traditional production methods. The founder of Oude Molen, Rene Santagen, was in fact the father of South African brandy and brought the Cognac production methodology to the country, elevating the quality of South African brandy immeasurably.
Below are tasting notes from some of South Africa’s leading craft brandies. Many of these expressions are not available in North America or are hard to find. They are generally easier to find in Europe and may be available from UK internet dealers. Consult winesearcher.com to find out which domestic and international retailers carry these brandies.
The tasting notes are from Shane Mumba, one of South Africa’s leading sommeliers.
Oude Molen XO 40% ABV, 750 ml
Ultimate expression of a fruit-forward, expertly aged brandy. Coconut and tropical fruit are present on the nose, with hints of litchi and banana, followed by peach and apricot undertones on the palate. Unsurpassed oak selection ensures a soft mouth feel with a long and rewarding finish.
KWV 15 YO 38% ABV, 750 ml
One of the best if not the best 15 YO I’ve tasted, very smooth, easy to drink and enjoy, slightly smoother than the 12 YO. Ripe and dried fruit, plum, cinnamon, citrus, honey, sweet tobacco on the nose. The taste of oak, dried fruit, hint of coffee, caramel and nuts soft finish.
Rust en Vrede 12 YO Cabernet Sauvignon brandy, 38% ABV, 750 ml
It is one of only three red wine-based brands produced in South Africa and currently the only Cabernet Sauvignon-based brand. Rust en Vrede as one of South Africa’s premium red wine estates with full-bodied and complex wines that reflect the uniqueness of the Helderberg terroir. This rich aroma of candied orange peel, toffee, and potpourri. The palate delivers a rich flavor of pecan nut pie, with notes of vanilla and nutmeg spice adding complexity. Mouth-filling and smooth, the satin texture on the palate seamlessly ties together layers of flavor that linger endlessly on the finish.
A selection of some of South Africa’s leading brandies
Photo, courtesy South African Brandy Foundation
The Inventer Blanco XO, 40% ABV, 750 ml
A South African brandy with a twist. Parcels of Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Ugni blanc and Hanepoot (Muscat D’Alexandrie) were each distilled separately in the traditional method associated with cognac production. Golden dark brown in color, very fruity profile with ripe apricot and peach flavors. The palate delivers dark fruit, rich spices, chocolate, and French oak. Long, silky, complex finish with hints of wood, fruit, and spice.
The Inventer Rosso XO, 40% ABV, 750 ml
Rare barrels of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot brandy were hand-selected from two of South Africa’s award-winning vineyards in Stellenbosch. Each variety was distilled separately and aged in French oak for a minimum of ten years. The wine is a golden, dark, amber color. The nose shows dried pear and fruitcake, followed by cinnamon, nutmeg, and caramel. The dried fruit and spice with hints of wood follow on the palate.
Durbanville Hills Merlot 10 YO, 38% ABV, 750 ml
11 years ago, over lunch at Durbanville Hills, the late Cellarmaster Martin Moore and Johan Venter, internationally acclaimed spirits connoisseur and brandy expert, decided that it would have been great to finish off lunch with a Durbanville Hills Merlot Brandy, the only Merlot base brandy. Amber in color, the nose shows mulberries, vanilla, glazed cherries, dried fruit with cinnamon, cedar wood, the taste of raspberries and cherry fruit cake, milky chocolate, and vanilla.
Oude Molen Cask Finish, 40% ABV, 750 ml
It is golden amber in color and brimming with ripe pear, plum, and golden raisin aromas. The taste is exceptionally smooth and mouth-filling. Flavors of caramel and Golden Delicious apples are lifted by hints of cinnamon and cloves, with a lingering, warm finish.
Sydney Back 25-Year-Old, 40% ABV, 750 ml
In addition to its 10 and 15 YO vintages, Sydney Back recently released a Limited Reserve 25 YO Potstill Brandy. With ripe plum, peach, and cigar box aromas on the nose, the palate of Sydney Back 25-Year-Old Potstill Brandy reveals a bouquet of maturation characters of caramel and subtle spices. The palate further develops into notes of dried peaches, almonds, honey, and straw wine. The satin-smooth finish is lasting and savory.
Joseph Barry, Muscat, 40% ABV, 750 ml
Dark amber in color. Muscat aromas with candied pineapple, vanilla, lychee and a hint of lemon rind. The palate is luxuriously complex, featuring golden raisin, honey, marmalade, dried peach, and just a touch of cinnamon spice follows on the palate.
Sugarbird Fynbos Brandy, 38% ABV, 750 ml
The golden liquid has dried peaches, dates, and raisins flavors, delivering a balanced, lingering after-taste. Once matured, it is filtered through honeybush and other fynbos botanicals to give it the true Cape fynbos character that follows through on the palate.
Die Mas Kalahari Truffle, 38% ABV, 750 ml
It is golden, dark brown in color. It has complex aromas of dried apricot and citrus, enhanced by subtle banana, lychee, and raspberry flavors. This brandy is complex and balanced, with a smooth, lingering fruity aftertaste.
Die Mas Kalahari Fynetjie, 38% ABV, 750 ml
Amber in color, this brandy has fresh apple and pear aromas on the nose, enhanced by subtle raisin, oak vanilla, and honey flavors. It is delicate and balanced, with a smooth lingering, fruity aftertaste.
Boplaas 17 YO, 46% ABV, 750 ml
Golden amber in color, the Klein Karoo’s climatic conditions, and the insatiable thirst of the local angels have created a brandy brimming with ripe stone fruits, honey, herbal and floral notes, and a sublimely smooth mouthfeel and finish.
KWV Centenary Brandy is one of South Africa’s top brandy expressions
Photo, courtesy South African Brandy Foundation
KWV Centenary, 37 YO, 38% ABV, 750 ml
Rich golden amber color, an average maturation period of at least 37 years, and a unique flavor profile of honey, tawny port, caramel, vanilla, and ground cinnamon. On the palate, there are expressive notes of caramelized fruit, saffron, tobacco, and chocolate.
Bezalel Rooibos 5-Year-Old, 38% ABV, 750 ml
The first of its kind and, according to the producer, “a truly South African brandy with an unforgettable first whiff, dominated by caramel and intense orange peel on the nose… dark chocolate, orange and smoky spice on the palate, followed by a hint of lingering rooibos.”
South Africa makes some of the world’s finest brandies. They are also incredibly well-priced and represent some of the best values in brandy today. The Van Ryn’s 15 YO Potstill Brandy, for example, retails for less than $50 in South Africa and can often be found at European retailers for under $100. That’s an unbelievable price for a 15 YO brandy that has been chosen the world’s best in four of the last five years.
Unfortunately, Van Ryn’s 15 YO Potstill Brandy is difficult to find in North America. The company, however, has announced plans to expand its distribution in North America.
You can sometimes find South African brandies at Canadian retailers, and they are generally easier to find in Europe. Next time you are overseas, look for South African brandy. Many European internet retailers will ship South African brandies to the US, although shipping costs can be high.
If all else fails, maybe it’s finally time to make that trip to South Africa you’ve always dreamed about. The country’s outstanding brandies will certainly make it worth your while.
Source link : https://www.forbes.com/sites/joemicallef/2024/06/11/the-worlds-best-brandies-are-from-south-africa-a-comprehensive-guide/
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Publish date : 2024-06-11 10:30:00
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