WeeklySA_AdminMANIA: This year has witnessed the spirit’s great revival with more than 5 500 labels on the market…
By Own Correspondent
Drinking trends like fashion change from season to season, with a big rave now the demand for premium handcrafted cocktails especially amongst millennials.
Pre-mixed and fresh cocktail recipes are moving away from artificial colourants and flavours in preference for high-quality ingredients with a natural appeal. Gin is valued for its earthy appeal and a natural flavour.
In a 2024 drinks survey, gin was voted as the most popular spirit to be ordered at bars worldwide with the gin & tonic topping the list for mixers.
Cocktail culture makes experimenting with flavour an exciting past time for those who love gin! Because of gin’s highly adaptable flavour it makes the perfect infusion for just about any cocktail. But it wasn’t always like this.
Monks during the 1100s used it to make medicines by distilling sharp, fiery, alcoholic tonics, one of which was distilled from wine infused with juniper berries.
As a medicinal herb, juniper had been an essential part of doctors’ kits for centuries. But its vile taste made it unpalatable until the Dutch tinkered with its flavour in the 17th century contributing to gin’s massive growth in popularity.
For the next few centuries new and faster ways were found to improve the distilling process, the G&T was discovered, and gin boomed.
But by 1950 vodka had its moment coinciding with the invention of convenience foods and mechanical solutions like soda guns and syrup dispensers. The first pre-mix cocktail eliminated the need to juice fresh citrus or balance it with sugar. By the 1980s bar tending cocktails and gin were at an all-time low.
Then in 2009, everything changed. The focus on juniper berries for flavour shifted incorporating more botanicals leading to the craft gin movement.
Fast-forward to 2024, gin is back on top with more than 5 500 gins on the market. According to Whitley Neill Gin South Africa, the market revenue generated for all gins sold in supermarkets and convenience stores at home should amount to US$45.8m in 2024 and is expected to grow annually by 14.29 percent.
A true gin must be made with juniper berries but thanks to the craft gin trend each producer is allowed to use their own secret formula. Combinations of botanicals used include orris, angelica, and liquorice roots, lemon and orange peels, cassia bark, caraway, coriander, cardamom, anise, and fennel.
Boasting seven flavour variants, Whitley Neill recommends their Original Gin, Raspberry or Protea & Hibiscus.
Protea and hibiscus flavours combine to bring a distinctive floral note to create a smooth gin with a unique and remarkable taste that reflects the majestic beauty of the two flowers.
A cocktail using the Whitley Neill Protea and Hibiscus variant, made exclusively in South Africa using fresh and local ingredients, is currently in the rave. Herewith is the recipe…
Ingredients:
• 50ml Protea & Hibiscus Gin
• 15ml lime juice
• Fresh blueberries
• Hall & Bramley Blackcurrant Purple Tonic Water
• Rosemary, blueberries, and lime to garnish
Crush the blueberries with a muddler before adding ice into the shaker. Shake all the ingredients (except the purple tonic water) together in a shaker. Strain into a glass and top with the tonic water and garnish with rosemary, blueberries, and lime.
EVENTS
JOZI WHISKYLIVE
Whisky Live is the largest one-stop tasting and shopping experience showcasing 200 international and local labels annually. Celebrating 22 years this year, the show will be hosted at The Firs in Rosebank, Johannesburg from November 7 to 9.
General access tickets afford visitors to the Whisky Live entrance to the tasting hall and includes 18 tasting tokens. They cost R495 via TicketPro. And VIP tickets, costing R 1 995 a person, will provide access to exclusive seating and premium service throughout the night. This ticket will include 22 tasting tokens. Top-up stations will be available to purchase more tokens.
Meanwhile general access and masterclass combo tickets, costing R995 a person, will allow access to the tasting hall and a master class and will include 18 tasting tokens.
WineX Coming Soon
South Africa’s premier consumer event – Standard Bank WineX – takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre from October 30 to November 1.
Early Bird tickets are on sale now, with special offers via online purchases valid until 20 October.
Thereafter, full rate tickets are available online and at the door. Johannesburg is soon to be awash with the shades of wine in time for the arrival of at least 140 exhibitors in Sandton – to comprise a variety of well-known award-winning cellars and boutique brands, a range of artisanal foodies and bespoke accessory suppliers.
The all-popular Tasting Theatre programme (small group themed 30-minute tastings with the winemaker) will again be in full swing.
Early bird tickets available via webtickets: October 31 (R240); November 1 (R275) per ticket. Full rate tickets from October 21 and at the door: October 31 (R275); November 1 (R345) per ticket. Standard Bank clients will receive a discount of up to 30% on their ticket purchase, limited to four tickets per transaction.
Veritas Tasting
The Cape Town tasting of the Veritas award-winning wines and brandies is taking place at Deloitte Cape Town on October 24.
The esteemed Veritas wine competition for market-ready wines annually grants wine aficionados across the country a chance to taste the top winning wines and brandies.
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.
The tasting will take place at Deloitte Office the Ridge, 6 Marina Rd, Portswood, V&A Waterfront from 17h00 – 20h00. Tickets available via Quicket cost R350 and include a tasting glass.
CHARDONNAY-PINOT NOIR FEST
Wine Concepts will be proudly hosting their 12th annual exclusive Chardonnay & Pinot Noir Celebration at Moyo Restaurant in Kirstenbosch, Cape Town, on October 17.
A total 40 of the Cape’s premium wine producers will be presenting an outstanding showcase of the Cape’s finest Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. Lovers of these two noble Burgundian grapes will have the rare opportunity to discover, explore, sip and savour over 100 flagship wines. Delicious snacks that complement the various styles of wine, prepared by the chefs of Moyo Restaurant, will be served throughout the evening. The event will start at 18h00 and last until 12h00. Tickets available via Quicket cost R350 a person (includes entrance, wine glass, tastings and snacks)
Soweto Wine & Cheese
The Soweto Cheese and Wine Fest takes place at Soweto Theatre on October 27.
Bringing together the best of local wine brands, both established and emerging brands under one roof, throw in cheese delicacies mixed with the tasty food from the Seven Colour Sundays vendors, a beautiful, fun, music loving audience.
To top it off with a line-up of talented Djs and performers to create a unique event that brings happiness and joy to many. Friends and family welcome for a beautiful Sunday. Tickets available through Webtickets cost R100. It starts at 11am.
CLICO’S WINE EXPERIENCE
Joburg’s Clico Boutique Hotel brings an exclusive collaboration between its chef extraordinaire, Dario de Angeli and one of South Africa’s most renowned winemakers.
A special evening of exquisite food and wine tasting with celebrated South African winemaker, Catherine Marshall will take place on October 24. This exclusive event will be held at the hotel’s Sec Restaurant providing an intimate and engaging setting.
Guests will be treated to a meticulously crafted six-course dinner, paired with exceptional wines. The evening costs R895 a person, and starts at 18h00. Clico is situated at 27 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank.
STELLENBOSCH SOIREES
Good times and great vibes are guaranteed with the return of Stellenbosch Street Soirées! Join the traditional throng of merrymakers for this year’s calendar highlight of open-air food, wine and music beneath the Cape wine capital’s famous oak trees.
Once again, the pop-up series on Drostdy Street takes place on specific days from October to March with the first Soirée happening on October 30.
“Street Soirées have become the region’s de facto welcome to what is arguably one of the best seasons in the winelands,” says Stellenbosch Wine Routes manager Elmarie Rabe. “Each soirée is limited to two hours, from 18:00 to 20:00. Guests and visitors often join friends here to sample some great pre-dinner wines with top street-food snacking ahead of a meal at one of Stellenbosch’s many fine restaurants.”
Soiree dates are October 30, November 13 and 27 and December 11. Entry is R220 a person (includes a glass and 10 tasting tokens). Tickets available via Plankton.mobi. Limited sales at the gate.
UNCORKED WINE KLERKSDORP
Uncorked Wine Fest Klerksdorp, a one-day wine and lifestyle event, will take place in Wilkoppies on October 26.
The venue, Theorem House Homeschool, situated at a scenic farm just outside of Klerksdorp, next to the dam. The festival will feature a diverse range of wines from 20 wine farms with more than 80 wines to taste as well as food stalls, a vibrant lifestyle emporium, and kids` entertainment.
The headline act for the event is the renowned South African musician, Karen Zoid. Loads of shade and benches for guests’ comfort. Beer & cocktail tent too. The event starts at 10am. Tickets for adults (access to event, gift bag, wine tasting glass, 80+plus wine tastings, Karen Zoid live show, and more) cost R370 presale, R450 at the door. – Compiled by Len Maseko
