WeeklySA_AdminBOTANICALS: The well-balanced spirit consists of a combination of 10 botanicals which give it harmonious flavours and pleasant aromas…
By Len Maseko
Just a week ago, on October 19, gin romantics across the world paused to celebrate the International Gin and Tonic Day, toasting the longevity of one of the world’s most iconic cocktails.
Not needlessly – of course – as surely all the incurable lovers of the cocktail have, not only been irrevocably held in the thrall of this potent cocktail combination, but must also carry with them a trove of enduring memories to treasure for life – all created by gin and its mixing partner-in-crime, the tonic.
Thanks to the Gin Guide, the cocktail is now immortalised through the International Gin & Tonic Day in collaboration with one Jayne Withers, who launched the commemoration date in 2012 in honour of her gin-loving grandmother, Mary Edith Keyburn, of whom she wrote: “Mary Edith was a remarkable woman who loved to have the occasional tipple of Gin & Tonic”.
For its part, gin is made by distilling a neutral grain alcohol with juniper berries and other botanicals to make the fragrant spirit. The botanicals are infused into the raw spirit to release their flavours. London Dry Gin originated in England, and is most commonly used for a Martini recipe or a Gin and Tonic recipe.
There are several styles of gin available, of which the London Dry Gin is the most emulated and held in reverence by most tipplers worldwide. As always, there is an opportunity to explore the spirit neat or to mix with other ingredients of one’s liking.
Meanwhile, just to add to the International Gin and Tonic Day’s euphoria, Belgravia London Gin launched its Platinum Label early this month to inject more excitement in the worldwide auspicious celebrations of the legendary spirit and mixer. The well-balanced Platinum Label is made in the style of London Dry Gin, and a premium addition to the Belgravia range of gins.
At first neat sip, one is instantly wowed by its sumptuously smooth palate – something that stands as a testament to quality and craftsmanship, skilfully blending 10 aromatic botanicals to create a symphony of complex flavours.
Gin lovers will delight – as I did – in savouring the complex flavours from the bouquet of botanicals that give it discernible finesse, freshness and fragrance.
Unmissable too from the symphony of textures are the earthy and herbal notes of coriander and angelica root to the warm and spicy flavours of cassia bark, bay leaves and cardamom pods. This is in addition to the mouthfeel of citrus notes of lemon peel and orange zest that beautifully complement the quintessential gin ingredient of juniper berries.
The distillers add that, while under the irrevocable spell of the gin, one is certain to discern a little sweetness that comes liquorice root and orris root that offer a floral and violet-like aroma – delectable characteristics which I could not what they were until reading the tasting notes later.
Belgravia London Gin Platinum Label is now available at select retailers as well as Takealot at R159.
EVENTS
JOZI WHISKY LIVE
Dive headlong into an ocean of flavours at the Whisky Live Festival, which will showcase a staggering showcase of over 200 whiskies, when it opens at The Firs in Rosebank from November to 3.
The organisers have carefully curated a collection spanning rare gems to time-honoured favourites, representing the crème de la crème of whiskies, promising an unforgettable odyssey for the palate of both wannabe connoisseurs and aficionados.
The whiskies will be relished against the opulent backdrop of The Firs venue, nestled in the heart of Johannesburg’s bustling Rosebank suburb. This chic destination interlaces a rich tapestry of experiences, encompassing shopping, fine dining and work. The Firs’ exclusive restaurant piazza serves an exquisite blend of indoor and outdoor culinary experiences, while the array of retail outlets offers a tantalising shopping spree. Tickets cost R495 and are available through TicketPro.
VERITAS TASTINGS
Veritas wine competition avails market-ready wines for wine aficionados across the country annually, and this year is no different as several public tasting shows are scheduled in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town again from this week.
The Cape Town tasting will take place at the Deloitte office, The Ridge, 6 Marina Rd, Portswood District, V&A Waterfront, on October 27 from 17:00-20:00. Tickets available at R250 a person through Quicket and will include wine, and brandy tasting, including tasting glass.
Wine enthusiasts can get themselves ready to experience the star-studded Veritas double gold and gold medal winning wines and brandies at a series of tastings that will be presented countrywide.
From there, it will be Johannesburg wine lovers’ turn to taste the award-winning Veritas wines at Deloitte office, 5 Magwa Crescent, Waterfall City on November 1, from 17h00. Tickets cost R250 a person.
The Durban tastings will take place at Deloitte office, 1st floor, The Skye, Vuna Close, Umhlanga Ridgeside, Umhlanga Ridge on November 9. Tickets available at R200 a person .
GOOD JUICE IN JOZI
The inaugural Good Juice Wine Fair Jozi will be hosted at Bad Manors, 28 Rhodes Avenue, Parktown, Johannesburg on November 4.
Event organisers have teamed up with the crew at ACID to bring the first Johannesburg staging of the Good Juice Wine Fair following the positive response to the first fair in Jan ‘23 in Cape Town, which featured a 28-strong winemaker line-up.
The fair will celebrate a diverse range of producers working in the low-intervention and natural wine space in South Africa and abroad, along with a curated selection of the best local street food and music.
Visitors can expect to taste over 100 local wines as well as a showcase of choice imports from top international winemakers. The show starts at 11h00, and tickets cost R550 a person.
MICHELANGELO WINE SHOW
A tasting show featuring top wines and spirits brands from the recent Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards are scheduled for November 10 and 11.
Southern Sun will host the exclusive showcase, from which guests can anticipate an adventurous journey through an extensive selection of more than 100 premium South African wine and spirits brands at both shows.
Wines to be featured at the tastings were announced at a glittering Michelangelo Awards ceremony at the Cape Sun recently.
The awards are renowned for assembling an outstanding panel comprising 18 international judges from 15 countries and six accomplished South African wine judges, using the universally acknowledged 100-point OIV judging system, with judges conducting their assessments ‘blind’, guaranteeing impartiality.
Tickets can be purchased online at Computicket for R350 per person. Each ticket provides bottomless wine tasting, and a light meal.
CAROLINE’S WINE REVIEW
Caroline’s White Wine & Cap Classique Review 2023, hailed as one of the most coveted tasting events on the South African wine calendar, returns to the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town on November 1.
Presented by Cape Town’s legendary Caroline Rillema, this world-class annual showcase gives wine enthusiasts the rare opportunity to discover and savour the Cape’s very best flagship white wines and Cap Classiques all under one roof.
A total of 85 accolade-achieving winemakers, the crème de la crème of South African wine producers, are invited exclusively to present a single wine on the night.
The event will take place from 17h00 to 21h00. Tickets available at R450 per person via Quicket.
Stellies Street Soirées
The Stellenbosch Street Soirées, the ever-popular series of social events of food, wine and live music beneath the wine capital’s famous oak trees, take place on November 22. This year’s pop-up series on Drostdy Street will be held on specific days from November to March with the first Soirée happening next month.
The hours of each Soirée is limited to between 18:00 and 20:00. They’re ideal for enjoying pre-dinner drinks with friends ahead of a meal at one of Stellenbosch’s many fine restaurants.
During the event, wine lovers converge for a vibrant sundowner occasion, tasting and snacking. A portion of Drostdy Street will be closed off from traffic and decorated in elegant festive style. Food is supplied in the form of stalls selling light bites while each evening also features a different selection of wineries. The dates pencilled for the whoopee are November 22, December 6, January 10 and 24, February 7 and 21, and March 6 and 20. Tickets cost R190 a person.
FOOD & WINE IN SOWETO
The Jozi Food and Wine Experience is billed to take place at Onion And All, 1347-1341 Mtangai St, Zone 1, Pimville, Soweto, on November 4.
The organisers want revellers attending the event to discover a world of best wines and celebrate the finer things in life. They will taste over 10 different wines paired with good food. They also say they have put together some important attractions to remember to try and make the day memorable and much more enjoyable.
To add to the “vibe” there will be live DJ’s and R&B artists. The event starts at 18:00 for 18:30. Please note food will be served from 18h30 until 20h00.
Tickets only cost R450 per person and R850 for a couple. Only 120 tickets will be sold, so please buy tickets early to avoid disappointment. Each couple will get a bottle of white wine paired with a starter and main course.
LESOTHO WINE EXPERIENCE
Friends of the Brunch will be hosting a Wine Tasting Experience at Black Swan Guesthouse, 28 Manong Road, New Europa, Maseru, Lesotho on November 4, starting from 12 noon.
The organisers promise an informative wine tasting experience for locals and tourists visiting the mountain kingdom.
The event is a collaboration between #FriendsOfTheBrunch and Tasting Room (SA) will expose guests to an afternoon of a fun, relaxed informative wine tasting experience at the Black Swan Guesthouse. A light lunch will be served.
The tickets include: wine tasting of some red & white wines and entertainment. No ticket sales on the day of the event or at the venue. No outside food and beverages allowed at the venue, and alcohol will NOT be served to any persons under the age of 18.
