Fine Brandy Fusion Festival returns to the Mother City

Celebrate South Africa’s sweet spirit at this luxury showcase’s bigger, better sophomore appearance

Cape Town’s brandy lovers can experience the return of one of South Africa’s most talked about drinks events, the Fine Brandy Fusion festival, when it touches down in the Mother City for its second outing, on Thursday, 22 and Friday, 23 May 2014, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). 

After a successful inaugural event in 2013, the annual sophisticated soiree is back with a bigger selection of Mzansi’s fine, award-winning brandies and more ‘masterclasses’ on the bill to give attendees a not-to-be-missed opportunity to learn about the local exports putting South Africa on the global brandy map.

“Year after year South African brandies return triumphantly with the 'Worldwide Best Brandy' accolade from London's International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC). This is the gold standard of competitions. Winning 11 times in the last 14 years is a Herculean feat indeed,” says Danie Pretorius, general manager of the SA Brandy Foundation.

Part learning experience and part party, the swanky affair includes unique tasting sessions, interactive brand spaces and boutique stands; plus, the fête looks to shed some light on trendy creative cocktail recipes and the ancient craft of barrel-making. And for those who want to rub shoulders with celebs, we’re pretty sure some famous faces will populate the CTICC, and a socialite is more than likely to bump into you as they desperately seek a camera lens (10 points if you can spot Jen Su!).

15 reasons why the 2014 Brandy Fusion Festival is a not-to-be-missed calendar highlight

1. There are over 50 top brandies, all under the same roof, available to sample including rare expressions which have been matured for up to three decades - need we say more?
   
   
2. Relative newcomers like Elsenburg’s 13 Year Old Potstill brandy and Bezalel’s 5 Year Old Potstill from Upington will be there to help reinvigorate your palate. So even the most seasoned brandy lover can count on sipping something they’ve likely never tried, let alone heard of.
     
3. There are six FREE masterclasses (informative, sit-down tasting sessions) on offer.  Our recommendation? Internationally renowned French distiller Loïc Rakotomalala will present a session, so you can learn the basics about the legendary Bisquit range from one of the best in the world. Bookings are essential for all masterclasses and can be done at www.brandyfusion.co.za. These sessions are free.
   
   
4. You can mingle with other notable local distillers and ambassadors, so the next time you try and impress your friends from behind your tulip-shaped glass with your knowledge of the amber–coloured spirit; you might actually raise some eyebrows.
   
   
5. If you’re a budding brandy connoisseur or collector of old with some extra cash to spend, you’ll find plenty to invest in. Look out for the Van Ryn’s range, the KWV 15 and 20 Year Olds as well as the Oude Molen VOV and Backsberg Sydney Back. 
   
   
6. You can try South Africa’s only organically made brandy – the Upland Pure.
   
   
7. Even if you are on a shoestring budget but still want a taste of the good stuff, you can come away with some excellent additions to the liquor cabinet - think the Oude Meester Demant, KWV 10, Kingna 5 Year Old and Klipdrift Gold.
   
   
8. Experience sublime food and brandy pairings, including a KWV and Huguenot chocolate combination which sounds like the best collaboration since Sonny and Cher if you ask us.
   
   
9. In keeping with 2014’s “World Brandy Capital” theme, which is an homage to the Mother City’s tenure as World Design Capital, cocktail makers from Cape Town’s luxurious One&Only hotel have concocted a special “Capital Cocktail” featuring Collison’s White Gold Brandy, rooibos syrup and apple juice. This can be enjoyed at the Urban Brandy Cocktail bar.
   
   
10. The award-winning drinks consultant Kurt Schlechter will be hosting special molecular mixology demonstrations (classes that show the process of creating cocktails using the equipment and techniques of molecular gastronomy). So, you can find out how special gels, foams and airs are incorporated into the colourful concoctions.
    
    
11. J’Something, Dr. Duda and Mo-T (not cocktails), collectively known as the chart-topping act Mi Casa, will be providing the entertainment at the after party, so you will have no excuse but to jika the night away.
    
    
12.  Winter is coming, and what better way to warm your bones than with a beverage which aptly traces its routes to  the Dutch word brandewijn (meaning “burnt wine”)?
    
    
13.  You can pick up a great gift: a sophisticated and classy bottle of the liquid gold is an excellent present idea  and, with so many varieties on display, you will be spoilt for choice.
    
    
14. It’s not just about the beverage, but also how it is presented, and the affair’s 2014 design highlights include the winning entry for the Fine Brandy Bar Design competition – a creation by Pretoria furniture designer Peet van Straaten that aims to elevate the experience for the brandy drinker to a level of installation art.
    
    
15. You can mingle and toast with the eternally cool ProVerb, who will be the emcee for the event.

Tickets for the 2014 Fine Brandy Fusion festival in Cape Town

Tickets for Cape Town’s Fine Brandy Fusion cost R195p/p and include 15 beverage coupons, 2 coffee coupons and a 400-ml crystal brandy balloon glass.  Tickets can be purchased at Computicket.com or at the door. No visitors under 18 years old.

Masterclasses are free but should be booked in advance via the Fine Brandy Fusion website.

The event runs from 5:30pm to 9:30pm, and no one will be allowed in after 9pm.

---

Use our events section for an up-to-date overview of happenings in Cape Town. Also don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, join our Google+ circle, connect with us on LinkedIn and check out our Pinterest boards for updates. 

---

Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, join our Google+ circle, connect with us on LinkedIn, check out our photos on Instagram and follow our Pinterest boards for updates on what’s happening in and around the Mother City!

---