WINE TUMBLER

• 2013-05-14

  

  Namibia White Wine

  Lauren Mowery was drink enough to drink from Kristall Kellerei …. blessed are some …

• 2012-07-23

  

  Namibia’s Wine Route Map

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  Namibia Winery - Kristall Kellerei Vineyard

• 2012-05-07

  

  African Wine Bible

  “A vinous voyage across the length and breadth of Africa, a continent more renowned for its famine, drought and deserts. This book reveals that the desire by man to grow vines and produce wine is far greater than environmental constraints. Wine writer John Platter and his wife Erica travel around this vast continent, exploring countries as diverse as Egypt and Ethiopia, Morocco and Mauritius, Algeria and East Africa, tasting their way through an eclectic array of viteous offerings. Engagingly written and hilarious in places, the Platters describe their safari in detail, drawing in the reader and making them feel a part of their great adventure. A must for all wine lovers and travel enthusiasts.”

                                                  — Lucy Watson on “Africa Uncorked”

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  Namibia Wines

• 2012-05-02

  Namibia Reds

  Namibia has a population of 2.2 million, a number which indicates the harsh agricultural conditions - few people are up for the challenge. There are vast stretches of inhabitable, arid land with little or no water. Leaving Windhoek, this absolute desolation is an almost immediate occurrence.

  Neuras Winery is located within the Namib desert where there is little rain, only raining from February to April, but best wines are produced at the wine farm, with succulent shiraz, one of the best in Namibia. In the local Koikoi language, Neuras means the “place of abandoned water”. Palm-fringed springs, close to Neuras farm house irrigate the small and unique vineyard of Shiraz and Merlot grapes, from which the NEURAS NAMIB RED wine is made. The Namib Red (a Merlot and Shiraz blend) is a refreshingly low 12.8% (a result of blocks ripening in stages) alcohol content wine.

  According to Jeanri-Tine van Zyl, “Remarkably poised, the [Neuras] Shiraz 2008 is stylistically more cool-climate in character, with appealing aromas of black cherries and sweet pepper, silky tannins and fantastic follow-through.”

  Michael Olivier, a Cape Town-based wine writer and consultant, described the 2004 Namib Red as “absolutely stunning, amazing wine”, with “nice dark berries,” slight acidity, plums, and just a little bit of that peppery Italian leather”.

• 2012-05-01

  NAMIBIA REDS

  On only four hectares, Kristall Kellerei Winery produces about 10 000 bottles of red and white wine on average each year, getting some 5 000 litres from the annual harvest.The bottles come in a handy 500 ml size. They grow Ruby Cabernet and Colombard varieties, both imported from South Africa, but originally cultivated in California, and the two are known for being suitable for hot climates.

  The Kristall Kellerei Red wines are said to compare favourably with international wines and included in his portfolio are two red wines – Ruby Cabernet and Cabernet Sauvignon. In addition, they have their red blend, made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Tinta Barocca and Merlot, and is named Paradise Flycatcher.

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  NAMIBIA WHITES

  The Kristall Colombard is a white wine from Omaruru in Namibia produced by Kristall Kellerei Vineyard. As stated on the wine label, ”The Kristall Kellerei Vineyards are subject to unique climatic conditions such as frost, extreme heat and water scarcity. Our wines are dry with a distinct Namibian character and are best enjoyed young.”

  Colombard used to be grown en masse in places like California and it has a reputation for being a neutral, perhaps even bland wine suitable for table wines or blending. Colombard is the only white wine Kristall Kellerei planted on just a few hectares when they started in 1990.

  According to a wine tasting review of the Colombard 2010 by the WineRambler from Germany, “ The honey flavours were there, but receded slowly over time, and it featured some light fruit (apple) and herbal flavours too, also some liquorice. The texture was a little bit on the creamy side and, like the bouquet, the Colombard was pleasant but not exactly deep or exciting. It also lacked the vibrant dynamic of my favourite cool climate wines. Starting out more flavoursome, the wine then fell a little short on the tongue, especially mid-palate, but luckily came back with a somewhat stronger finish ....”

  And Jeanri-Tine Van Zyl from South Africa has this to say for the 2010 Colombard “Kristall Kellerei’s Colombard can compete with the best on offer in South Africa, with the 2010 showing generous fruit aromas and a zesty, lingering palate.”