Archive for the ‘Business’ Category

It’s almost that time again, the time for delicious wine at a mere fraction of the price.

The company of winepeople^TM ‘s famous Market Day Sale is happening at Welmoed Wine Estate from the 27^th of February to the 4^th of March.

Remember it is first come first serve, so be that early bird and catch the wine-worm!

Directions to Welmoed Wine Estate.

Here is the list of wines to look forward to. Purchases are only by the case.

The company of wine people TM is pleased to announce a restructure of its Kumkani brand as a Black owned business with a strong commercial focus to grow sales in both the local and international markets.

Allison S Adams-Witbooi, a former winemaker at Stellenbosch Wine Services, has agreed to form a 50/50 partnership with the Company to grow the brand and take it in a new direction. Her co-ownership of the brand will make it a Black owned brand within the wine industry, allowing it access to the network of Black owned businesses with its resources to grow in international markets.

Adams-Witbooi (30) has demonstrated considerable leadership capabilities and an entrepreneurial spirit while employed at the company of wine peopleTM and its Board feels her demonstrated enthusiasm and personality are key in her steering Kumkani to new heights. In addition, her winemaking background is an important capability in dealing with wine buyers, consumers and the media.

“We believe the Kumkani brand, with its positioning of African sophistication, is the ideal vehicle for such a partnership,” says CEO of the company of wine peopleTM, Hermann Böhmer. “This new development also demonstrates our strong commitment to empowerment as well as the entrepreneurial development of the talent within our company.”

Adams-Witbooi has an extensive background in working in the wine industry. She completed harvest seasons at Rustenberg, Grootte Post and Hartenberg, and worked in cellars and tasting venues while still a student. After graduation, she also worked for The Winery of Good Hope, Meinert Wines and Wines of South Africa (Wosa). Stints overseas at wineries in Northern Italy and the South of France gave her some insight into the international wine scene. She was appointed at the company of wine peopleTM in 2009.

“This road has lead me to get to know the industry, its players and consumers of the product,” she says. “I’m looking forward to this new challenge. I see a lot of potential for growth and I want to ensure a consistency in Kumkani’s quality.”

One thing that will not change, is the brand’s South African identity. “Kumkani is uniquely South African and it is going to remain so, from the varietal choices to the packaging. My vision is that people will be proud to drink the wine and be associated with it.”

The venture will be called Kumkani Wines and it will be operated as a division of the company of wine peopleTM, who will serve as a mentor to Allison. She will, supported by the Company, be responsible for all sales and marketing and be the primary face of the brand to wine buyers, consumers, industry bodies and the media. Initially, her sales focus will be on the South African market. In turn, Wine People will take responsibility for all financial and administration functions. She will work closely with the winemaking team and be involved in approving the wine styles in the brand’s portfolio.

the company of wine people TM expresses its confidence in this new partnership to present Kumkani to both the local and overseas market as a modern, intriguing, top quality wine with pedigree and status. Click here for more information on Kumkani

The uniquely South African wine brand Kumkani (derived from the Xhosa word for ‘king’ ) were awarded a gold medal at this year’s Veritas Awards.

The impressive Kumkani Sauvignon Blanc 2010 received a gold medal while five other Kumkani  wines were also in the medals.

Here is a summary of the Kumkani wine which received medals at this year Veritas Awards

GOLD

• Kumkani Sauvignon Blanc 2010

SILVER

• Kumkani Cradle Hill Cab 2005
• Kumkani Shiraz 2009

BRONZE

• Kumkani Infiniti Brut 2007
• Kumkani Shiraz/Cab 2009
• Kumkani Pinotage 2009

About the competition:

Out of the 1,739 entries, 42 double golds were awarded, 158 golds, 609 silvers and 619 bronze.

For more information you can visit www.veritas.co.za

The Gugulethu Wine Festival is new and exiting event on the South African wine calendar.

The Gugulethu Wine Festival is the brainchild of Lungile Mbalo and Mzoli Ngcawuzele.

Mzoli is best known as owner of the successful restaurant called Mzoli’s Place and as a property developer constructing the first mall to be built in Gugulethu – The Gugulethu Square Mall..

Join Kumkani Wines  for a glass of wine at this year’s festival 27 – 28 May.

For more info about the event visit gugulethuwinefestival.co.za

In selection criteria of wines for the annual Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction have been revised to boost creativity and achieve greater diversity of wines crafted exclusively for this Auction.

In terms of the new criteria adopted by the Guild this year, the final selection of the auction line-up will no longer be at the behest of tasting panels alone, but all 43 members will be able to have a wine on auction, provided it is free of technical defects and meets the highest standards of wine health measurement.

“We look forward to creating the most exciting and varied selection of fine wines available on auction by harnessing the exceptional talent of every one of our members to raise the quality and international ranking of South African wines,” says Guild Chairman Louis Strydom, who believes the new selection criteria will encourage members to be bold and to experiment in terms of terroir, cultivar and wine styles.

All wines will still be subjected to tastings by Guild members and chemical and microbiological analysis to ensure they meet the Guild’s high standards; but contrary to previous Auctions, the final decision now lies with the Guild member submitting the wine.

The Guild’s management committee introduced these changes after it appeared that the Auction wine selection process had the unintended consequence of encouraging the production of wines that would please the tasting panel and therefore created an averaging effect to the detriment of more unique and unusual styles.

Recognised as South Africa’s leading auction of rare wines open to the liquor and restaurant trade as well as the general public, the Guild Auction will remain unique in offering small quantities of wine, specially crafted to showcase the potential of South African wines to the trade and private buyer.

The 27th Nedbank CWG Auction will be held at the Spier Conference Centre in the Stellenbosch Winelands on Saturday, 1 October 2011.

For further details and to attend the Auction tastings, visit www.capewinemakersguild.com

Source: wine.co.za

The King of South African wines, Kumkani,  will be one of the international exhibitors at this year’s ProWein.

ProWein is one of the major wine trade shows in Europe and it seems that the entire world of wine and spirits get together for three eventful days long. Besides the uniquely extensive, international range of wines and spirits, ProWein also offers a comprehensive exhibitors’ event programme, a unique tasting area and special shows with presentations on particular themes.

Kumkani enjoys recognition within the industry and the marketplace as a result of its consistent wine quality. New vintages of the award-winning wines, Kumkani Lanner Hill Sauvignon Blanc and Kumkani Cradle Hill Cabernet Sauvignon will be available for tasting.

Join us for a tasting (Stand 6H80 Booth 49) and for more info on the event visit  prowein.com

South African wine leads the world in environmental sustainability and regulated production integrity. This is due one of the most technically advanced wine industries with coherent institutions (like WOSA) and governing organizations regulating all aspect of the wine industry.

The Wine of Origin Certification process was introduced in 1973 and the Wine and Spirits Board are monitoring these guidelines which ensure that the wine is what it claims to be.

South Africa also launched the first ever Fairtrade wine and has currently more Fairtrade brands than any other country.

South Africa is unique in that the wine industry has established WIETA , the Wine Industry Ethical Trade Association, an independent, non-profit , multi-shareholder organization committed to ethical trading, and improving and safeguarding the working conditions of employees in agriculture.

The wine is also produced in harmony with nature, as the conversation footprint allows vineyards to flourish alongside the natural habit.

Kumkuni Wines embodies these uniquely South African aspects. Derived from the Xhosa word for “king” these wine salute and celebrates our lovely and diverse country.

Source: WOSA-DNA SA

The 2011 wine grape crop should amount to 1,351,993 tons, according to the crop estimate by the industry participants.

This represents an increase of 7.3% compared to the 2010 crop, but is nevertheless 5.2% smaller than the record crop in 2008. The 2011 wine grape crop - including juice and concentrate for non-alcoholic purposes, wine for brandy and distilling wine - is expected to amount to 1 043.7 million litres, calculated at an average recovery of 772 litres per ton of grapes.

In all wine regions, except the Orange River region, the estimated increase should be between 4% and 18% compared to the 2010 crop.

The reasons for the good crop expectations are mainly due to the smaller yields of 2010, a favourable post-harvest autumn period in 2010 with good accumulation of reserves in the grapevines, sufficient winter cold and subsequently a good budding percentage.

The stock level on 31 December 2011 at producer and private cellars is expected to increase to 393.4 million litres, compared to 348.8 million litres on 31 December 2010.

Kumkani’s winemaker Nicky Versfeld indicated that a normal harvest with good volume and quality is expected. He confirmed that the higher stock levels are just a normal adjustment because of the previous year’s below average yields.

Read more

The Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG) has announced its new management committee for 2011, with Louis Strydom of Ernie Els Wines taking over the chairmanship from Simonsig’s Johan Malan.

Renowned for his excellent winemaking principles and enduring dedication to the creation of world-class, quality wines, Strydom is tasked with managing the Guild’s affairs for the next two years.

Kumkani’s winemaker Nicky Versfeld , who is also a member of the CWG, congratulates Louis Strydom and wishes him all of the best for the next two years as chairman. 

Source: wine.co.za

National carrier, South African Airways (SAA), has selected the award-winning Kumkani Lanner Hill Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2009 as one of their premium class white wines, and this wine also won the Best Overall White Wine at the SAA Awards ceremony.

The wines were tasted by a panel of judges as part of the 2011 SAA Wine Selection, and Kumkani Lanner Hill emerged as a firm favourite in the Sauvignon Blanc category, and subsequently winning the prestigious Best Overall White Wine award for the third time.

It has previously been named the top Sauvignon Blanc in the Swartland and Darling District at the South African Terroir Awards and was also awarded a sterling 4 ½ stars by WINE magazine this year, proving the wine’s consistently superb quality.

The company of wine people^TM’s Brand and Business Development Manager for SA and SADC, Corne Oosthuizen, said: “Kumkani is a sophisticated, contemporary, new style of wine and it embodies the finest modern treasures Africa has to offer. Kumkani is the premium brand of the company of wine people^TM and continues to deliver on quality as in the case of our award-winning Kumkani Lanner Hill Sauvignon Blanc”.

The grapes for this wine are harvested from a single vineyard block in the Groenekloof region (near Darling). This location has proven to be ideal for producing grapes with intense flavour and crispness. Kumkani Lanner Hill Sauvignon Blanc is a well-balanced, wine with expressive varietal aromas, ripe gooseberry flavours, a rich palate and a lingering finish.  The wine undergoes no oak treatment. It complements a variety of inherently South African dishes such as game or lamb, served with a fresh salad.

The Kumkani Lanner Hill Sauvignon Blanc 2009 retails for R99 at the Welmoed cellar door (tel: 021 881 8062) and is also available at selected retail outlets.

Lovers of sparkling wine will be able to taste a selection of the Cape’s top Methode Cap Classique (MCC) sparkling wine at tonight’s public tastings in Johannesburg.

The event will be hosted by Wine Magazine and include a line-up of all the top scoring entrants to the recent Amorim Cork Cap Classique Challenge.

The Johannesburg tasting will take place at the Sandton Sun on November 11 at 6.30pm.

The tastings will be presented by Jean-Philippe Colmant of Colmant Cap Classique and Champagne.

The Kumkani Infiniti MCC 2004 will be one of the wines as it received the best vintage prize in the Amorim Cork Cap Classique Challenge.

For more info visit: winemag.co.za

South African wine has developed in leaps and bounds as the Rainbow Nations has truly established itself as a quality wine country.

At helm of the success of South African wines in the global markets are Wines of South Africa (WOSA). This institution started ten years ago and has elevated the perception of South African wine to new highs in all the major global wine markets.

Su Birch , CEO of WOSA, recently said strategies of opening new markets for SA wines has been successful as exports grew and more countries are selling SA wines.

Su Birch writes:

“South Africa’s traditional export market is Europe. When we re-entered the international wine market in the early 90s, two countries accounted for almost all our exports. Those were the countries with which SA had the strongest colonial ties, namely the UK and Netherlands.

In 2000, when Wines of South Africa (WOSA) was started, the UK and Netherlands still accounted for 70% of packaged wine exports. The industry adopted a strategy to open up new markets and, while growing exports, to also diversify risk. Today, five countries would have to be included to reach that 70% figure, namely the UK, Sweden, Germany, Netherlands and Denmark. The Netherlands, which in 2000 accounted for 21%, is now at 9%, and the UK has dropped from 48% to 31%, yet in both countries we have significantly increased market share. It is cost-effective for our producers to work across Europe and the image of South Africa is strongest in countries where our tourism market share is highest. South Africa has a competitive advantage in Europe, as we have the shortest shipping time of all southern hemisphere wine countries.” Read more:

Iconic South African wine brand, Kumkani, congratulates WOSA on their 10th year and salutes their efforts to promote SA wine globally.

Kumkani Infiniti 2004 was awarded the best vintage prize and awarded 4 stars in the prestigious WINE magazine Amorim Cork Cap Classique Challenge.

 The wines were judged (in a blind tasting by a panel of judges) in four categories, namely best non-vintage, vintage, Blanc de Blancs and Rosé.

Made by winemaker Nicky Versfeld, from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes, Kumkani Infiniti 2004 has a good, frothy mousse, and a fine, hazy bead with a toasty, yeasty nose. It has a creamy entrance with a rich, complex palate of nuts, warm toast and medium spicy, fruity candy flavours with a complex, full persistent finish. Delicious served on its own, with oysters or a decadent breakfast, Kumkani Infiniti is ideal for any occasion.

Brand and Business Development Manager (SA and SADC), Corne Oosthuizen, said the award cements Kumkani’s status as one of South Africa’s top quality wines.

Kumkani Infiniti 2004 is available from Welmoed cellar door (tel: 021 881-8062), and retails for R70 per bottle.

Visit www.kumkani.com for more details.

South Africa plays host to another World Cup as the best sommeliers in the world gather in the Cape winelands for the finals.

The world’s best sommeliers will gather in South Africa this weekend when they take part in the WOSA 2010 Sommelier World Cup finals to be hosted by Grande Roche Hotel in Paarl. 

The 12 finalists, representing various countries from around the world, will be hosted in South Africa for a week-long tour of the winelands, visiting some of the Cape’s most prestigious wineries.

The eight month long competition (which has held heats world-wide) will culminate with the final on the October 16th at the Grande Roche Hotel and Restaurant, where all sommeliers will be put through their paces by an esteemed panel of judges.

Iconic South African wine brand , Kumkani , congratulates all the finalists and we hope they enjoy their stay in our amazing country.

Source: food24.com

Zoliswa Kafile

Our cellar door manager, Zoliswa Kafile, has been selected to attend the prestigious Burgundy Sommelier Exchange Programme in Beaune, France.

The programme is funded by the French government and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, and will be held from 10 to 24 October 2010 in one of the most renowned wine regions in the world. 

A total of four candidates were selected to attend the programme after a rigorous selection process, and will learn about elements such as viticulture, wine tasting, and food and wine pairing.

Congratulations Zoliswa!

The coveted Kumkani Infiniti 2004 won the best vintage prize at this year’s Wine Magazine and Amorim Cap Classique Challenge.

The Amorim Cap Classique Challenge is one of the main competitions for premium South African sparkling wines. Methode Cap Classique is sparkling wine made in the traditional bottle-fermented champagne style, but because the of restrictions enforced by the Champagne wine region in France, had to be given an alternative name.

The competition, now in its ninth year, was judged blind (labels out of sight) by a panel of five, including two international judges, namely Hervé Dantan, chef de cave of Champagne Mailly Grand Cru and Nicolas Follet of Oenosense Consulting based in Riems, France.

This wine is made from Chardonnay,  Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes and was also on the Wine magazine Top10 MCC list, cementing its status as one of South Africa’s top MCC wines.

Tasting notes:

Good frothy mousse pale straw colour with fine lazy bead. Toasty yeasty nose with hints of nuts. It has a creamy entrance with a rich complex palate of nuts warm toast and medium spicy, fruity candy flavours with a complex, persistent finish.

Source: wine.co.za

South African born Lynne Sherriff is the new chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine. 

This Institute is seen as one of the leading and most influential bodies in the international wine world and it is a great achievement to have a South African leading the leaders.

The Institute has granted just 280 Masters of Wine to its students across 23 countries since the inaugural examinations were held in 1953. The title, which is the highest professional accreditation conferred in the wine industry, is granted after a rigorous series of practical and theoretical examinations conducted over two years and designed to test the knowledge and ability of candidates in the art, science and business of wine.

Such is the status of the qualification that those seeking to enrol first have to submit extensive proof of their eligibility before being interviewed and considered for candidacy. In addition to submitting essays and proof of tasting acumen, applicants have to hold some form of internationally recognised qualification in wine.

Sherriff, who holds the South African Cape Wine Masters (CWM) qualification, and is a former director of the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Academy, was one of the first two South Africans to earn her MW, in 1993.

Fluent in English, French, Dutch, German and working on her Japanese, she has consulted to some of the world’s leading producers and marketers of wine across Europe, as well as in North America, Chile and Japan, advising major multi-nationals and generic marketing organisations.

Although living in the UK for almost 20 years, she remains closely involved with the South African wine industry. She launched and developed Arniston Bay, one of the country’s top-selling brands in Britain. She returns home regularly, serving on the Veritas judging panel for the annual SA National Wine Awards and consults to local producers.

“That someone from our country now occupies one of the most prestigious and influential positions in the international world of wine, is a great honour for South Africa,” says Wines of South Africa (WOSA) CEO Su Birch.

Iconic South African wine Kumkani salutes this exceptional South African with her great achievement.

Source: supermarket.co.za

 South Africa is a relatively new player in the international wine markets but some wine analysts suggest that this ‘late entry’ is a distinct advantage in comparison with other New World wines.

In a recent article about the current dynamics of the US wine market , wine consumer purchase perceptions with regards to cultivars and country of origin are investigated and it draws some interesting conclusions.

The article suggests that Argentina, Australia and New Zealand become successful and large wine exporters because of one single grape (cultivar).

These single grapes by the different countries include Malbec from Argentina , Shiraz from and  Australia and Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. This created  marketing and new consumer perception problems  as the rigid reputation stem growth in sales of new wine styles.

South Africa does not have such a restrictive single cultivar reputation which will help us in future years.

Kumkani is one of the iconic South African wine brands with a full range of award winning wines from different styles , cultivars and methods.

Source: morssglobalfinance.com

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Thanks to everyone who nominated this blog. If you haven’t already voted, please do vote for us. It’s easy. Click on the banner on the right of the page. Scroll down.  Fill in your email (confirm) and you’re done.

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For centuries Champagne has been synonymous with celebrations in all corners of the world. But the global demand for this popular drink has created a dilemma as Champagne’s carbon footprint is extremely high.

It is estimated that the transportation of billions of litres of Champagne creates a carbon footprint of 200 000 tons, which is the equivalent to the yearly emission of roughly 100 000 cars.

The heavy bottle is the main culprit in Champagne’s high carbon footprint as the production and shipping process are stretched to manage this bulky bottle.

The hefty bottles were designed in the 17^th century by Dom Pierre Pérignon and were created to prevent secondary fermentations and possible ‘explosions’. The bottle is undergoing a redesign as the French aim to reduce the carbon footprint by decreasing the weight by seven percent.

Some sceptics indicated that the lighter (mass) bottles may have an effect on the bubble size which in turn can influence the taste of the Champagne. But the CIVC, the Champagne trade body, indicated that the new bottles will have no meaningful effect on the quality and taste of Champagne.

Kumkani brand news

Kumkani Infiniti Brut is one of South Africa’s best *MCC (Method Cap Classic) wines and we support this environmentally friendly venture.

* South African wines which uses the classic method of making champagne by creating a second fermentation in the bottle is called Méthode Cap Classique (MCC) sparkling wines.