Brandy enthusiasts in Velddrif enjoyed a warm and flavourful evening on Friday 21 November, when Alex Wheeler of Avanté Cape Brandy visited 3DOM & Co Coffee and Cocktail.
Well-known for making brandy approachable and enjoyable, he hosted a relaxed brandy-and-chocolate tasting that drew locals and visitors looking for something different.
He guided the group through a series of pairings, matching carefully-aged brandies with handcrafted chocolates. Each pairing helped guests experience new flavours, deeper aromas, softer notes and how chocolate can lift the natural character of a quality brandy. “Brandy is about storytelling,” Wheeler explained. “Every bottle carries the hands of the people who made it, the time it spent ageing and the richness of the South African landscape. With the right chocolate that story becomes even clearer.”
The evening was cheerful and interactive, with guests trying aroma tests, chatting about what they tasted and learning small but fascinating details about brandy making.
Many described the experience as elegant yet easy-going and a welcome addition to Velddrif’s growing food-and-drink scene. Wheeler also shared where the word brandewyn came from. It can be traced back to the Dutch word brandewijn, meaning “burnt wine,” a reference to the heating process used during distillation. Afrikaans aside, it eventually became “brandy” in English.
These spirits have been produced since 1313, and today South Africa is recognised worldwide for its award-winning products.
To end the evening on a fun note, guests could win a bottle of fine brandy by answering questions from Wheeler’s talk.
The lucky winner, AJ de Wilzin, said he planned to open the bottle when his twins arrived in April next year.
With good company, clinking glasses and plenty of smiles the night proved memorable and educational, leaving many guests hoping for more.
