Croydon Port Festival

Check back on the blog for news about the Croydon Port Festival 13 March 2008.

Beyers on Croydon's wines

The soil and climate of Croydon makes it ideal for the production of red wines of outstanding quality. The layered clay soil with its rocky topsoil and the cool sea climate reminds me of Bordeaux which is one of the most distinguished regions in the world for the production of top quality red blends.

We aim to concentrate on Cape blends at Croydon and I hope that the name Croydon will be as world-renowned one day as Bordeaux.

For our Cape blend we will use Pinotage, our very own South African variety, as the basis, together with varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Shiraz. From these components we will endeavour to make a wine which is as balanced and classic as the distinguished Burgundy, with a bouquet of pepper and spice unique to the wines of the Rhône Valley but which will have our own distinctive purple fruity character.

A complex blend that could be aged successfully for years, but that could equally well be enjoyed as a young wine. We shall have to experiment for at least another ten years before we have enough understanding of the vines at Croydon to know precisely what percentage of each grape variety to use, the type of oak, how long the wine should be in wood, how long on the skins and at what temperature the wine should be made. We look forward to a gratifying time of experimentation for everyone at Croydon.

Beyers Truter.

Home owners enjoying the harvest!

Corius played host and wine maker to home owners of all ages last week as they personally joined in with the 2008 harvest. They also took some of the pictures you can see above.

From the vineyards to the tanks 2008 style

The 2008 harvest went straight from the Croydon vineyards where they were harvested and into the tanks. The wines will then be moved into barrels for maturation.

This picture is taken from inside the winery, looking down on some of the tanks.

The 2008 harvest - some pics...

Home owners joined Corius and Beyers for the 2008 harvest last week.

Croydon's 2008 harvest invitation

Croydon is getting ready for the 2008 harvest. Join Corius and Beyers at the winery tomorrow for the harvest from 5:30 - 7pm. Invitations are going out via email.

Call Charmain 011 843 3610.

According to Sawis’ (S A Wine Industry Information & Systems) first estimate of the 2008 grape and wine harvest on 4 December 2007, the harvest will be 1053 million litres – approximately 0.4% more than in 2007. This brings the average wine production over the past 10 years to 933 million litres.

DOWNLOAD SAWIS PRESENTATION

The 2008 wine grape harvest is assessed at 1 357 168 tons according to the harvest estimate by the industry (producer cellars and viticulturists). This is a 0.4% increase from the 2007 harvest.

Districts
The Worcester district is expected to have the greatest harvest at 330 000 tons, followed by:
• Olifants River: 207 267 tons
• Robertson: 196 740 tons
• Orange River: 179 381 tons
• Paarl: 157 025 tons
• Stellenbosch: 123 499 tons
• Malmesbury: 119 603 tons

Klein Karoo is the district with the smallest harvest, with a decrease of 7% from 2007 at 43 653 tons. The harvest in Orange River shows the greatest increase of 11% from 2006.

Source: www.sawis.co.za

Join us 20 February from 7pm for food and wine with Mariette Crafford. More information on the site soon.

Mariëtte Crafford has been a freelance journalist, editor, translator and food writer since 1980. Come meet this author who will take you on a journey to the Northern Cape town of Kakamas, with its bright sunshine, wonderful people, fresh produce and scrumptious dishes.

If we don't answer the phone it is because of a power cut! Please email us instead.
info@croydon-estate.co.za

Dreamworld Filmcity near Croydon to go ahead

The City of Cape Town is making R30-million available to restart the development of the Dreamworld Film City project, which is still hoping to turn the eastern suburbs of Cape Town into a southern-hemisphere Hollywood.

Simon Grindrod of the Independent Democrats, mayoral committee member for economic development and tourism, said on Wednesday, after the spending was approved by the city council that his department has spearheaded efforts to make available the city's R30-million contribution -- in terms of the provision of bulk infrastructure for the Dreamworld film studio.

"This project represents the single biggest opportunity to secure billions of rands' more income for the city in terms of film production and associated industries," he said. "The Cape Town film industry is estimated to be worth R20-billion."

South African film producer Anant Singh was chosen to build the country's first major Hollywood-style film studio in Cape Town four years ago. It was to be built on the Vergenoegd Farm in Faure off the N2 just outside Somerset West.

That decision came four years after the construction of a mega film studio in the city was first proposed by the Western Cape provincial government.

Grindrod said: "The Film City project can now move forward and I am happy that all outstanding issues have been clarified. My department's R30-million contribution will finally be spent on creating the jobs and investment linked to this venture." -- I-Net Bridge

Belgium's Rouseu Wines markets Croydon

Croydon Title Deed has been well received on the European market. The estate is represented by the wine seller Rouseu Wines in Belgium. Ann Rouseu from their sales division reports, "Title Deed is almost sold out and we are waiting to assemble a mixed container for a new order. The Croydon wines are also being marketed in the national wine guide of the best 300 wines under 10 Euros."

Title Deed is selling at 8.30 Euros and Covenant 22.50 Euros over double the price in South Africa.

An article about the Croydon wines will soon be published in a culinary magazine in Belgium.

Visit the Rouseu web site at http://www.rouseu.be

Good news for South African wines

South Africa's wine industry has cause to lift a glass or two after the latest overseas sales figures were released in early December.

An industry report compiled by South African Wine Industry Statistics (SAWIS) showed that wine exports had jumped by 16% in the 11 months ending on November 30, with year-end exports predicted to hit 300m litres, a record performance and a far cry from the 20m litres of 15 years ago.

Su Birch, chief executive of Wines of South Africa (WOSA), said the industry was now in a stronger position, thanks to the diversification of its markets.

"Whereas five years ago, 72% of our packaged exports went to just the UK and the Netherlands, the net has widened so that the UK, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany and the US currently account for 70% of total export volumes," Birch said in an interview with local press on December 12.

The strong growth in exports was especially powered by increased sales to Sweden, where South African wines are second only to Australian products in terms of imports, as well as across Scandinavia, where sales improved by more than 10%.

Even more significant was the 40% growth in the volume of sales to Germany, with South Africa moving into fifth place as a supplier of imported wines to that country.

According to WOSA spokesman André Morgenthal, South Africa's wine industry has also benefited from the long running drought in Australia, which has curbed production over the past few years.

The drop in Australian output has seen locals seize the opportunity to fill the gap, with an estimated 4m litres of South African wines being exported to meet the shortfall, he said.

South Africa has long been a leading producer of wines and currently accounts for around 3.4% of global output, making it the ninth biggest international producer.

With just over 100,000 hectares of land planted for vines, a figure that is increasing as demand is stepping up, South Africa regularly produces more than 700m litres of wine annually, with the 2007 harvest yielding around 736m litres, according to SAWIS.

The coming grape harvest is set to continue the trend, with SAWIS estimating that around 1.3m tonnes of grapes of all varieties will be picked, similar to the figures for the previous season.

South Africa's wine growers take industry standards seriously. In September the department of agriculture's council on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) ruled against an application to sell genetically modified yeast made by a South African-born scientist and his business partners to local wine producers.

The council said allowing the use of genetically modified yeast could pose a threat to South Africa's export trade with Europe, the backbone of the industry. On December 5, Julian Jaftha, the chairman of the council, said the application had been rejected purely on trade grounds, rather than environmental or health concerns. The council made its ruling after intense lobbying from South Africa's leading wine producers, the South African Wine Council and the local non-governmental organisation Biowatch, which campaigns against GMOs.

In another move for the wine industry, Mosibudi Mangena, the minister of science and technology, gave a commitment at the end of October to provide additional funding to boost research so as to help ensure the sector's future.

"The wine industry cannot afford to lag behind in terms of innovation and research," Mangena said in a joint press statement with Kader Asmal, chairperson of the SA Wine Industry Council. "Apart from substantial export earnings of $480m per annum, the wine industry also played an important role in economic growth and rural development in South Africa."

The government's commitment to the wine industry is leading to increased sales at home and abroad. WOSA's Birch has warned that increasing overseas demand for South African wines could lead to a domestic shortage of reds by 2010, the year South Africa will host the football World Cup.

"South Africa is still a very young exporter in global terms and to be unable to meet market demands could make us vulnerable," she said.

While there may be potential shortages in the future, at the moment South Africa's wine industry is giving off a distinctly appealing bouquet. Oxford Business Group

Croydon reaches UK shores

"Cork out of Africa
We Brits love to go native while abroad, particularly if we can retreat back to the comforts of a luxurious home. Croydon Vineyard Estate in Faure, near Cape Town in South Africa, offers buyers the chance to join in the 'stamping the grapes' festival. The estate, run by world-famous vintners Beyers Truter, will consist of 205 plots, and the first five houses are for sale from £113,000 to £135,000.

Each owner gets an equal share in the winery and a free box of wine each month. For the first five years the developer will pay shortfalls on the vineyard, and full ownership of the winery will be handed over to residents."

Beyerskloof wines at discount for Croydon owners

The winery has secured a range of Beyerskloof wines at discounted prices for home owners. Contact the winery to place an order.

Pinotage 2006 R34

A medium to full bodied Pinotage with a deep red colour. A complex Pinotage with plum and purple berry flavours, and a long aftertaste. A wine that can be enjoued now or age in the bottle for 3 – 5 years. In summer to go with seafood or light meat dishes. It also goes well with any red meat, pasta and spicy food.

Rose 2007 R30

A delicate and warm rose, very pale pink with deeper centre, very inviting. On the nose there is an unexpected grapey richness with soft berry perfume and earthiness. Soft entry, light, velvety, dry without acidic bite, sweet berries, rose, tang of spice and just a hint of pleasant bitter (no pinotage candyfloss). Nicely balanced, low-ish alcohol. Mediterranean style rosé. Nice clean finish. A good appetiser.

Charmat Sparkling Rose R45

Charmat Method. Pink, dry, with berry fruitiness. Well balanced.

Cabernet/Merlot 2003 R155, Cabernet / Merlot 2001 R250

John Platter 2008 5 stars *****

Deep dark royal red, a shimmering crimson colour. On the nose a forceful, enchanting perfume of classic French blend and depth, with a touch of oak vanilla. On taste it has a soft, clean, rounded entrance with immediate note of intensity. Deliciously dry with bold, but soft tannins, medium structure, and yet juicy. No upfront fruitiness, rather the invitation and allure of secondary complexity to come. Cassis, savoury bullion, a tang of citrus and tar. Seamless and inviting complexity of harmony between cab & merlot. Intelligent and challenging. All the promise of things to come. Lingering length for minutes afterwards.

Synergy 2005 R60

Dark colour, tones of purple, seems very bright. Bold, fresh, cheerfully fruity nose. Just a dash of wood and ‘wildness'. Juicy and well-balanced and a solid mouthfeel. Cherries, cassis, mocha, and a touch of coconut. New World upfrontness because of berry fruit. This is an unusual wine which modern, fine and seamlessly crafted.

Pinotage Reserve 2006 R90

Rich blood ruby colour, lively and clear. Initially there is a wood spice, clean, fresh pinot fruit: cherry with almond whiff. Warm entry, light wood spice, leading to fresh dark berries, plum. Soft, but sturdy tannins, nice structure and refreshing acid. Balanced and linear, but a slight alcohol finish. No obvious ripe fruitiness, restrained, quite delicate. Again almonds on the finish with a clean and lingering length. Hints of a modern, New world pinot noir.

Winery opening hours during December 2007

The winery will be open from 20 December 2007 - 2 January 2008 between 10am and 2pm except 25, 26 Dec, 1 Jan 2008. If you arrive at the Estate to visit the winery between 27 December 2007 and 31 December 2007, the security gatehouse will contact the Estate Manager and winemaker, Corius Visser so that you can gain access to the building.

If you are planning to visit between Christmas and New Year please try and contact the winery in advance so that they are aware of this. 021 843 3610 info@croydon-estate.co.za

NEWS FLASH John Platter 2008 awards Croydon Four Stars

The John Platter Wine Guide, SA’s leading wine annual since 1980, has announced that Croydon Title Deed 2005 and Covenant 2005 have both been awarded four stars in the upcoming 2008 edition. This categorises the wines as "Excellent". A maximum of five stars is achievable and only 21 wines achieved this distinction, including Beyers Truter's Field Blend 2003.

The Guide, which strives to rate, as far as is practically possible, all of the wines that are available for the duration of the particular edition, locally as well as abroad, tasted and assessed nearly 6 000 individual wines over several months.

Responsible for this mammoth task is an experienced team of tasters, who ranked the wines according to the guide's five-point scale, ranging from 0 stars ('Somewhat less than ordinary') up to 5 stars ('Superlative. A Cape classic').

In the course of this year's evaluations, they identified 88 candidate five-stars across a variety of categories, including reds and whites, dessert wines and port styles. Only finished/bottled wines, available during the currency of the guide, were considered. These candidates were then judged 'blind' by a panel of the guide's tasters.

Andrew McDowall, publisher, extends congratulations to all the five-star winegrowers, and to the makers of the balance of the five-star contenders, whose names will be unveiled with the book launch in November.

The Guide’s Wine of the Year will be announced at the same time, along with the name of the 'Superquaffer' of the Year - the wine judged to be the most drinkable and well-priced of all the entry-level bottlings tasted for the current edition. The book’s first Winery of the Year award will also be made.

Analysing the results, McDowall said: “The best performing category this year was that of Port style wines; we have five five-star wines in this category and Boplaas Family Vineyards receives two of these, for its 2005 Vintage Reserve and NV Cape Tawny.

“The other strong category was that of white blends. Here, four five-star wines were awarded. And chenin blanc, which last year for the first time shone as a variety with three five-stars out of six nominated wines, again achieved a five-star rating.

“Of the red categories, cabernet sauvignon and Cape bordeaux blends did well to achieve two five-stars each. All-in-all, the red categories matched the whites with seven five-stars each.

A selection of the five-star wines will be served at the South African Mega Tasting in London during October.

The 2008 edition will be available from November 2007 from selected book shops and retail outlets, as well as the website, www.platteronline.com. The recommended retail price is R139.95.

Vergenoegd development: how to obtain further information

If you want to obtain more information on the proposed development, you can view if from the link below.

The password and username is WINE.

http://vergenoegd.com/investorhome.php

Your wine allocation: understanding the new rule

At the recent AGM the constitution was changed (Clause 12.2) to deal with the issue of non-collection of wines and also the allocation of wines for owners who have not paid their levies. The clause has had this addition:

“Each Member’s entitlement to the wine as aforesaid is subject to the condition that the Member is not in arrears with levies due to the Association and as such, for every month that the Member is in arrears with his levies, he shall not be entitled to receive wine for that month. Furthermore, wine shall be stored by the Company for a maximum of 3 (Three) months only and accordingly, should a Member fail to collect his wine from the Croydon Winery, alternatively arrange for the delivery thereof and make prepayment of the delivery charges, such Member’s wine shall be forfeited to the Company at no cost.”

Effect: Members who are in arrears with their levies or who do not collect their wine or arrange for same to be collected within a 3 (Three) month period, will not be entitled to the wine.

Reason: The storing, production and bottling of wine is done at a cost and as such, persons who have not paid the levies which are due should not be entitled to such benefits. In addition, the storage facilities at Croydon Winery are at a minimum and therefore it is essential that owners either collect their wine or make pre-payment for such wine to be delivered to an address of their choice.