Brandy industry creates forum for debate

The brandy production industry has come together to share information and debate matters in the form of a Potstill Forum, created by the South African Brandy Foundation.

Quality as well as local and international brandy and spirits trends are some of the industry issues to be discussed at the six-monthly forum meetings. The Potstill Forum will be open to all brandy producers as well as prospective future producers. It will be convened by Dave Hughes, brandy guild member and in the spirits industry.

GM of the South African Brandy Foundation Ielanda Koen says: “It holds special significance for us to launch this new learning forum in a year that we celebrate the international achievements of South African brandy with a theme South African Brandy: the world’s finest. While South African brandy has earned its best in the world status, this new initiative is proof that the local brandy industry does not rest on its laurels.”

According to Koen, the Potstill Forum is aimed at creating greater awareness and understanding of factors influencing brandy quality and styles, global brandy styles and products relating to South African brandy.

“It also endeavours to help raise the quality and profile of the country through sharing and expanding technical knowledge, build a base of international market knowledge and identify synergies and joint opportunities to further build the image and appeal of South African brandy.”

The activities of the Potstill Forum will range from tastings, talks by guest speakers and discussion groups to outings to places of interest.

The first meeting took place recently at Van Ryn’s Brandy Distillery in Stellenbosch and was led by Kobus Gelderblom, KWV’s chief brandy master. Gelderblom’s discussion focused on the role of wood in brandy’s ageing process.

Southern Cape Vineyards, Tokara, Van Ryn, KWV, Backsberg, Louisenhof, Oude Molen, Oude Wellington and Distell were represented at the forum and Professor Tim Rypstra and Jan Swart of the Department of Forest and Wood Science at Stellenbosch University also attended.

The next meeting will take place on August 11th at Nederburg. For more information contact the SA Brandy Foundation at Tel: 021 809 7617 or email info@sabrandy.co.za.