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Welmoed range of premium wines are already known for delivering great value for just about any occasion. These wines confirmed this status of ‘over delivering  for its price point’ by having three wines in Best Value Wine Guide 2012.

These three wines will feature in this guide:

Welmoed Chardonnay 2011

Welmoed Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Welmoed Sauvignon Blanc 2011

For more info about this guide visit winemag.co.za

Welmoed celebrates centuries of tradition whilst embracing modern times with the launch of stunning new packaging that’s as distinctive as their hand-crafted wines.

The fresh, contemporary labels not only pay tribute to Welmoed’s position on one of Stellenbosch’s most historic farms by featuring the beloved Cape-Dutch gable, they also better showcase the Welmoed range of premium wines, which are already known for delivering great value for just about any occasion – from sundowners and picnics to dinner parties and weddings.

Whether you’re looking for Chardonnay or Shiraz, the new and trendier label for Welmoed makes the varietal of the wine easier to see.

Since Welmoed continuously strives for quality, premium value and craftsmanship, each bottle now showcases the endorsement of the winemaker Bernard Claassen. “As a wine producer we are well-known for our award winning wines and we believe our success relies, in large part, on the handcrafted approach we take to our winemaking,” says Chris O’Shea, Executive Director for Sales and Marketing, at the company of wine people.

Starting in September 2011, the new look will be available on-shelf across the Welmoed’s Heritage Range of wines, which will soon be expanding to include an all-new Viognier option.

12 lucky iafrica.com readers could win a contemporary Welmoed wine hamper worth R200!

Simply enter on iafrica.com

Welmoed, the South African wine known for its centuries of handcrafted tradition with a modern twist, simply shined this weekend after scooping up three silver medals at the 21st annual Veritas Awards ceremony.

The Veritas Awards is South Africa’s biggest wine competition, and is widely regarded as its most highly esteemed indicator of quality, market-ready wines.

The three Veritas silver medals were awarded to Welmoed Heyden’s Courage White 2009, which also took silver at the prestigious 2011 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show, Welmoed Heyden’s Courage Red 2009, and finally, Welmoed Sauvignon Blanc 2011, which will also be featured in the 2012 edition of Wine Magazine’s Best Value Wine Guide.

A tribute to one of the farm’s first owners, Jacobus van der Heyden, the Welmoed ‘Heyden’s Courage’ reserve range of wines shun convention with its unique blend of diverse varietals in both Red and White.

Welmoed Heyden’s Courage White 2009 – a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Verdelho, Chardonnay, Viognier and Gewurtztraminer – is a medium-to-full bodied wine characterised by a complex balance of fresh fruit, grassy notes and a tropical nose.

The second silver-awarded wine, the Welmoed Heyden’s Courage Red 2009, is a blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. With a deep red colour and ripe blackberry fruit, this wine offers seamless tannins and well integrated oak.

Completing the trio, the Welmoed Sauvignon Blanc 2011 is a fresh, easy-drinking wine that offers excellent value-for-money with its layers of gooseberry, lemongrass and tropical fruit flavours.

“One always wants to be recognised for the good quality of one’s wine, and I’m simply delighted that we’ve managed to win a few accolades along the way,” says proud winemaker Bernard Claassen.

Welmoed Sauvignon Blanc wines sells at approximately R34 in leading outlets, whilst the reserve Welmoed Heyden’s Courage wines are available at chosen boutique wine stores at around R44 per bottle.

Welmoed entered three of our better wines and were awarded three silver medals at the ‘Oscars of SA wine competitions’ – The Veritas Awards.

The three silver medallist were:

• Welmoed Heyden’s Courage White 2009
• Welmoed Heyden’s Courage Red 2009
• Welmoed Sauvignon Blanc 2011

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

Welmoed celebrates centuries of tradition whilst embracing modern times with the launch of stunning new packaging that’s as distinctive as their hand-crafted wines.

The fresh, contemporary labels not only pay tribute to Welmoed’s position on one of Stellenbosch’s most historic farms by featuring the beloved Cape-Dutch gable, they also better showcase the Welmoed range of premium wines, which are already known for delivering great value for just about any occasion – from sundowners and picnics to dinner parties and weddings.

Plus, the inclusion of QR-codes on the label means consumers have instant access to information about Welmoed wines, promotions or competitions.

“The brand has evolved to portray Welmoed’s unique heritage on one of the Cape’s most historic farms, while at the same time embracing a more modern and elegant look that communicates the sense of quality and craftsmanship that we deliver as a proudly South African brand,” says Chris O’Shea, Executive Director for Sales and Marketing, at ‘the company of wine people™’

O’Shea continues, “At a time when cost is a major factor in choice and options are varied, Welmoed offers handcrafted, premium wine that over delivers for its price point.”

While retail shops can offer a daunting number of options to shoppers, the new labels make it easier for shoppers to find what they want. “Whether you’re looking for Chardonnay or Shiraz, the new label makes the varietal of the wine easier to see, and an updated tasting note on each front label now describes what’s in the bottle.”

Since Welmoed continuously strives for quality, premium value and craftsmanship, each bottle now showcases the endorsement of the winemaker Bernard Claassen. “As a wine producer we are well-known for our award winning wines and we believe our success relies, in large part, on the handcrafted approach we take to our winemaking,” says O’Shea.

The brand is also known for its innovations and will soon unveil a uniquely-styled Viognier. In keeping with the Heritage Range, which has gained a loyal following for its sophisticated yet approachable style, the newest member of the family will deliver a fresh nose and beautiful varietal characters, perfect for casual picnics or more formal affairs – from dinner parties to weddings.

Starting in September 2011, the new look will be available on-shelf across the Welmoed’s Heritage Range of wines, which will soon be expanding to include an all-new Viognier option.

A roast rack of lamb is just the right dish to prepare on South Africa’s Heritage weekend . This dish maybe time consuming to prepare but the result is an amazingly delicious dish which is well worth the effort.

To keep within the heritage theme, serve this meal with a traditional South African Pinotage. The Welmoed Pinotage is a medium to full bodied wine with a vivid ruby-red colour. Raspberry and ripe fruit on the nose. Ripe mulberry fruit palate with elegant tannin and soft fruity finish.

Ingredients

• 2 racks of lamb, 600 – 800 g each, trimmed
• 1 small clove garlic, peeled and minced
• 2 teaspoons  salt
• 1/3 cup loosely packed fresh rosemary leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Fresh rosemary, thyme, or lavender sprigs

Directions

1. Prepare the racks of lamb at least 1 hour (or up to 4 hours) before cooking: Chop together the garlic, salt, rosemary, and pepper to make a coarse rub. Rub the racks with the mixture, cover, and set aside. (If you are not going to cook them within 2 hours, refrigerate, then bring to room temperature an hour before cooking.)
2. Preheat oven to 220° C. Heat a roasting pan in the oven for 10 minutes. Pat the racks of lamb dry with paper towels and coat lightly with the olive oil. Place the racks flesh-side down in the pan. Roast 15 to 20 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part reads 65° C for medium rare
3. Transfer the racks to a carving board. Let rest for 10 minutes. Slice between the ribs to separate the chops for serving. Garnish with the fresh herb sprigs

Source: realsimple

Durbanites are in for a treat– Welmoed wines will be available for complimentary tastings on 23 and 24 September at selected SuperSpar, Pick-n-Pay Hyper and Tops locations. So if you’re in the area, why not join us for a wine tasting?

Here is the schedule:

September is Heritage Month in South Africa – and at Welmoed, with our proud winemaking tradition and a rich history dating back to 1690, we have much to celebrate.

If you’re a South African resident, you can help us raise a glass by participating in our Heritage Month give-away.

Visit our Facebook page to enter and you can stand a chance of winning a fantastic prize hamper valued at R750, including Welmoed wine and the beautiful coffee table book, “Stellenbosch: Heart of the South African Winelands”

Soweto is again showing its hospitality as the Soweto Wine Festival is set to again be a huge hit. This relative contemporary festival is in its seventh year and is starting to become a highlight on the South African wine festival scene

In contrast to this ‘contemporary’ festival ,  classic wine brands like Welmoed is again set to be one of the outstanding exhibitors with wines that over deliver on quality at the price point.

With a history which date back to the 1690 and with centuries of winemaking traditions it is a perfect fusion as the classic  brands meet the ‘contemporary’ Soweto wine festival.

So please join us for a glass of wine at this great event and experience the fusion of old meets new in Soweto.

For more details, visit:  sowetowinefestival.co.za