YOUR VDJ WEEKEND TIPPLE GUIDE

Alcohol consumption over the weekend of the Vodacom Durban July is legendary; so who better to tell you how to tipple, than the man behind the bar. Mo Therese shares what to sip on

CAFE 1999’s Mo Therese is far more than a bar tender – he’s a connoisseur with a wealth of information.

He says dark spirits are making a definitive move in popularity stakes, especially when it comes to well-aged rums, brandies and malt whisky Rums.

“Ron Zacapa is the most luxurious rum on the South Africa market, and while a premium price is an unbelievable sip – neat, on the rocks or blended into a Dark n Stormy (lime, ginger beer and bitters) also works.” He also mentions SA’s Inverroche, who have released a 10-year-old Rum called Limestone. The bottle is topped with a piece of limestone to signify the mineral source of the water they use for distillation.

“Brandies – Van Ryns range, be it 12, 15 or 18 (years) are for me more price conscious than any French

VSOP one might purchase – the alliteration of course being that only the elite enjoy cognac not brandy, but I think fashionable drinking should also be pleasurable to your palate and your pocket,” he says.

See also Oude Molen and then estate brandies, like Kaapzicht amazing 15-year-old from Bottleray, Stellenbosch.

Also of note is Musgrave Gin’s new departure – Copper. These are two brandies, one a pale gold infused with vanilla, think a warm cocktail of Rooibos, ginger, and Vanilla brandy, finished with a cream froth scented with vanilla and cinnamon.

“The counterpart, and my personal fave is the Black Honey – a combo of 5 and 20-year-old brandies laden with Zambian Black honey – preferably over the rocks, but here topped with a decent ginger ale, squeeze of fresh blood orange, and a dash of orange bitters to take it slow and easy.

“When it comes to bubbles, SA is in the same league or in some cases offering better affordability and quality than imported bottles.

“Silverthorn from Robertson are some of the most unique and luxurious efforts by industry stalwart John Loubser. The Genie (100% Shiraz) beguiles with rose and Turkish delight on the nose, fresh and clean mouth feel with excellent compact mousse.

His Green Man is a biscuity 100% chardonnay pleasure, but the crème de la crème is definitely the jewel in the box – the Cuvee Kappa Cruxis.

“Lest we forget the rest, the Cuvee Clive from Graham Beck, Desiderius from the Pongratz peeps, and Le Lude and Moreson in Franschoek, and Krone’s stylish RD 2001 (15 years in the making) and their brand new single vineyard effort which prices alongside champers like Möet and Veuve.

“I shouldn’t also forget that SA’s grandaddy of bubbles Pieter Ferreria has recently come to market with his fantastic efforts and the other old man of bubbles is Elgin’s Charles Fox,” he says.