Boets Nel of De Krans

Steenberg Vineyards presented a breakaway evening of port tasting with the king of Calitzdorp, Boets Nel, owner and winemaker at De Krans, which turned out to be a wonderful reminder of often underrated fortified wine.

We found our ignorance to be embarrassing, thinking that port was only for long, cold, Winter nights, paired with cigars or strong cheese. Boets soon demolished this myth, delighting us with an uber sexy, new style of port, Pink Port, which has good structure and flavour evolving to a long dry finish which will be just the right aperitif on crushed ice, served on a hot, Summer evening. (R28.00 per bottle from the farm)

Boets steadfastly believes in the traditional method of making port, using only the varieties souzao, tinta barocca, touriga nacional, tinta franca and tinta roriz. Port is a passion of the winemakers in Calitzdorp which resembles the Douro Valley, Portugal, with low rainfall, and extremes of temperature.

Ultra sexy Pink Port

Highlights of the evening’s tasting:

Cape Ruby Port

This huge seller, entry level, 4 star port, has gorgeous ruby colour, a firey spirit and a dry dustiness on the finish, and is made for early drinking. (R34.00 per bottle from the farm)

Cape Tawny Port

A delicious port, matured for 10 years in the barrel and collector of many awards such as 2008 Swiss International Air Lines Wine Awards silver award; Veritas 2007 Double Gold; Grand-Prix runner up Michaelangelo 2006 wine awards; as well four star ratings in Platter’s South African Wines 2009 and Wine Magazine, June 2008. (R60.00 per bottle from the farm.)

Cape Vintage Port

This could be the poor man’s vintage reserve port which goes best with cheese after dinner. Four star rating in Platter’s South African Wines 2009.  (R55.00 per bottle from the farm)

Steenberg Vineyards Themed tasting

Vintage Reserve Port 2007

Crafted in an exceptional year, this young wine will be a show stopper in 15 – 20 years time and is worth laying down to reach it’s full potential. One of the few ports which can stand up to a cigar pairing.  (R120.00 per bottle from the farm)

Vintage Reserve Port 2001

Lush, smooth, ultimate port drinking experience which is sadly, sold out.

De Krans will arrange delivery of a case of wine to Cape Town for only R50.00 per delivery and can be contacted on dekrans@mweb.co.za or telephone: 044 2133314.

While the weather is still chilly, don’t miss out by experimenting and appreciating these world class fortified wines.