Spirits for special moments
Gin and its South African history
If early stories about gin are to be believed, it was already found in Italy in the 11th century. Italian monks used juniper berries as a flavor component in high-proof distillates very early on. It was also known that the Dutch produced juniper berries in distillates for medicinal purposes in the Middle Ages. In the 16th century, gin was used as a high-proof medicine to treat gallstones, stomach complaints and gout. The Dutch administered it to soldiers during the Thirty Years' War, who naturally enjoyed this gin shot.
The main ingredients of gin are primarily wheat, barley, corn or sugar cane, from which a flavorless distillate is produced. Furthermore, juniper is of course always a main component of gin. The addition of herbs, spices, seeds and fruit essences is also permitted and gives the gin its own character. The alcohol content of European gins must be 37.5 %. The biggest gin fans are Spain, Belgium, Holland and England. Germany is only in 10th place, in last place (2017).
Brandy - 1 Liter runde Flasche
- Klipdrift
- Brandy - dry
- South Africa - Robertson
- Colombard
- International Wine & Spirit Competition 2017: Silver Medal
- John Platter: 3.5 stars
Wellington VO Brandy
- Edward Snell & Co.
- Brandy - dry
- South Africa - Wellington
- Colombard
Indlovu Pink Gin
- IBHU
- Gin - dry
- South Africa - Western Cape
Content: 0.7 Liter (€64.07* / 1 Liter)
Sagnac
- Anthonij Rupert Wines
- Fortified - dry
- South Africa - Robertson
- Colombard
- John Platter: 4.5 Sterne / 93 Punkte
Content: 0.5 Liter (€99.90* / 1 Liter)
Gin, South African style
In 2015, South Africa had just a handful of gin distilleries. Since 2018, the market has been booming, and more than 70 distilleries now promote their locally distilled South African gins. And the trend is rising. South African gin distillers have been inspired by the global hype surrounding gin and have found their own creative ways to express South Africa in their gins. Herbs, plants, seeds and fruit are all used – anything is possible. South Africans have defined the criteria for gin production very clearly. Gin must consist of fermented, crushed grains (cereals) and contain its main ingredient, juniper berries. The distillate must be distilled from this. In addition, salt, plants, spices or seeds and fruit extracts may be used. The authentic juniper aroma and flavour must be retained in the gin production process and the alcohol content must be at least 43%. This is higher than the European standard for gin.
What makes South African gin so special?
South Africa has an endless wealth of plants, such as fynbos. There are 9,000 different types of fynbos in South Africa. Rooibos, a bush from which the famous rooibos tea is extracted, also grows only in South Africa and nowhere else in the world. So it's no surprise that rooibos is now also used in gin production. It gives the gin a beautiful copper-red colour and its own slightly nutty and tart flavour. This colourful bouquet of herbs, spices, flowers, plants and fruits gives us a foretaste of the exciting aromas and smells that await us in a South African gin. The global trend for gin and gin and tonic mixed drinks offers a wide variety of flavours and allows for many creative food pairings, if you're willing to give it a try. The tart juniper berry flavour balances out salty, spicy, smoked and rich dishes very well.
Gins in our shop:
Gin with primary fruit character
Clemengold Gin
Pienaar & Son Bloedlemeon Gin
Gin with primary herbal character
Solo Aviator Gin
Iverroche Gin Verdant
Iverroche Empire Gin
Gin with primary oriental character
Pienaar & Son Orient
Gin with primary floral character
Six Dogs Blue Gin