Higgo grew up in Calitzdorp in the Klein Karoo wine district of South Africa and no doubt developed a love for the complex, delicious port wines that the area is famous for.

Early in his career he made his mark by achieving an Advanced Certificate at the UK Wine and Spirit Education Trust as well as passing the Michael Fridjohn Wine Tasting Academy course with distinction. Higgo has worked for Jeroboams Wine Merchants and Anthony Byrne Fine Wines in London and has also served on many wine assessment panels.

Higgo is soon to open his own wine consultancy. He can be contacted at higgo.jacobs@steenberghotel.com or on (27) 21 7132222.

The flight of wines were:

Villiersdorp Kelder Rose 2009

A drinkable, honest, cheerful rose with freshness of fruit made from Muscat d’Alexandrie.

Jordan Riesling 2008

Showing drier than what it is with sugar levels that vary according to the vintage.

Thelema Muscat de Frontignan 2009

All Hanepoort and a great accompaniment to pate and charcuterie.

Domaine Huet Lemont Vineyard Vouvray 2005

Simonsig Gewurtztraminer 2007

A clean and straightforward wine which pairs well with spicy food.

Kanu KC Chenin blanc 2006

A winning wine which earned an Old Mutual Gold medal and a Veritas Gold medal.

Donhoff Spattlese Riesling 2007

This Riesling was voted wine of the night by the tasting group and originates from the Nahe wine-growing region of Germany.

Hazendal The Last Straw 2006

The Chenin blanc grapes were dried on straw mats to concentrate the sugar and reduce the must to give 200gm residual sugar to the finished wine.

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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.

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The renowned Port producers, Boplaas, De Krans, Calitzdorp Wine Cellar, Axe Hill, Withoek, Peter Bayley and TTT Cellars, will once again host the Port Festival in Calitzdorp, and visitors will be treated to a showcase of the finest Ports these cellars produce, ranging from value for money Ruby and Tawny Ports, to the multiple award winning Vintage Reserve Ports – the finest Ports outside the wines’ original home in the Douro in Portugal.

For more detailed information contact Nita Bailey on 044-2133137 or email to tonybailey@telkomsa.net.

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