Diverse Flavours has launched an intriguing new product by Mt Vernon – Cape Nectar Muscat Gold Soetwijn – which will be presented at the TFWA World Exhibition next month (stand number: Red Village L34).
According to the company, soetwijn has been part of South African culture for many generations, each of which has passed on its secrets and know-how in the making of this style of wine.
“This is a fantastically designed product that beautifully blends the story behind the wine into the packaging,” said Diverse Flavours Managing Director Anthony Budd. “It should have strong appeal to Chinese, Japanese and Korean female consumers and customers looking to purchase a special and unique gift.”
Mount Vernon Wine Estate owner John Hooper added: “This product has been made from Hanepoot (Muscat grapes) harvested in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom – one of the richest, most diverse floral habitats on earth.
“The picture on the label shows the orange-breasted sunbird expertly extracting sweet nectar from the King Protea. Similarly selected vineyards of Muscat grapes, harvested at optimum ripeness, yield up their sun blessed fruit to become the very foundation of Cape Nectar soetwijn.”
The Protea is the national flower of South Africa and is said to be unique to the Cape. The sunbird has a beak adapted to drawing out the nectar from the Protea flower, and in doing so helps pollinate the King Protea, underscoring their dependence on each other for survival.
Grown in South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, Cape Nectar is born from the Hanepoot or Muscat grape. Large and globular in shape with an unmistakable flavour and character, it imparts a rich taste of honey to the wine.
The natural process is born through the warm Cape summer sun, grown alongside the South African fynbos and allowed to develop on the vine until ready for harvest.
The grapes are harvested at 26° balling which allows them to develop flavour and character while on the vine. The grape skins are left on the juice overnight in order to draw maximum extraction; thereafter grape spirit is added to prevent any fermentation from taking place. This fortification process also helps to draw on the raisin grape extracts which give the Cape Nectar its distinct characteristics.
Cape Nectar (16.5%abv) has a taste profile of honey blossom and citrus with “a weighty mouth feel”, according to Diverse Flavours. Best served chilled, it is said to be an ideal after-dinner aperitif and a suitable complement to cheeses.
About Mount Vernon
Based in the Simonsberg-Paarl region, Mount Vernon Wine Estate is owned and run by the Hooper family and was established in 2003. Covering 110 hectares of which 28 hectares are under vine, it produces two estate ranges: Mt. Vernon single vineyard wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Chardonnay and the Three Peaks range: Cantata (red blend), Pinotage, and Sauvignon Blanc.
For more information, contact Anthony Budd, tel: +27 71 255 7344 /+27 21 851 1358, fax: +27 86 668 0755, or e-mail: anthonybudd@diverseflavours.com.
