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Please note that for orders in excess of R 1 500 value, we are glad to offer you FREE SHIPPING (South Africa only).
In this interview we chat to top Dutch sommelier, Koen van der Plas, better known as the head sommelier of Inter Scaldes, a two star Michelin restaurant in the Netherlands. In this article, Koen shares his passion for travelling, South African wines, exceptional food and wine pairings and his plans for the future with us.
Koen, thank you for visiting our home, De Toren, during your recent trip to South Africa. We loved sharing our wines with you and also what we do on a daily basis here on the farm. It is great for us to get to know you a bit better – thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule.
Tell us a bit more about yourself and your life in the Netherlands?
My name is Koen van der Plas and I’m the Head Sommelier of Restaurant Inter Scaldes in the Netherlands. We are a fine dining restaurant, awarded with two Michelin stars, and are located in the south of our country, close to Antwerp. As sommelier of one of the finest restaurants in our country, I think I can say that I’m always working… The hunt for new wines goes on and on – it never stops.
In my private time you will find me mostly in a restaurant, among colleagues or at wine tastings. It is very interesting to know what other colleagues do, how they build up their wine lists, which choices they make regarding wine, compared to my decisions. So I think I can say I really turned my hobby into a profession.
A few years back, you were awarded the honorary title of ‘Talented Sommelier Gault Millau 2014’. This is an astounding achievement - what did this mean to you and for your career?
It was great winning that award, especially because I was only 22 at the time! The Gault Millau Guide is a counterpart to the Michelin Guide. It is mostly read by people working in gastronomy, so it meant a lot to me. Even if somebody doubted my capability at the time, that award changed those opinions, as suddenly the telephone was ringing. Everybody wanted to sell some bottles to our restaurant and today they still do. It helped a lot, as my name was suddenly known in the industry.
BUT, in my opinion you should look at winning awards such as this one, as a bonus. It’s just proof that you are doing a good job in the restaurant. For me there’s nothing better than to see how guests enjoy their food and wine, and the combination – that’s the true reward.
Tell us a bit more about your journey into the world of wine and how that crossed paths with the wine industry?
It actually all started when I was 15 years old; my father wanted me to get a job. The options were either working in a supermarket or to do some dishwashing in a restaurant. Guess what I chose! The owners of that restaurant had a lot of experience with wine and that’s where I got dragged into it. I remember the first wine I tasted! At that time the legal drinking age was 16(!), luckily they changed it to 18 nowadays.
Following this, I started studying at a Hotel Management School, where they quickly found out that I had huge interest in wine. They gave me some more space to focus on this subject. At school we had to assist at big wine fairs, where I got the opportunity to meet a lot of interesting people from the wine industry. I had a good connection with some of them and they took me along on their great journeys in the wine industry.
At this wine fair, I was sitting at a private table behind the scenes with wine writers. They allowed me to taste many different vintages of Château Mouton-Rothschild before their tasting even started. I couldn’t believe my luck. They gave me one piece of advice whilst tasting - “don’t say anything, just shut your mouth and taste”. This moment I knew I wanted to have a career in the wine business.
You travel quite regularly and must see the most remarkable places. Which country is on your list to visit again in the near future?
My girlfriend Sofie and I travel as much as we can, last year we went to Spain, Dubai and Hong Kong for example. January we did a long trip through South Africa and I look forward to see where the coming months will take us. We are young, so now is the time to feel free!
My first visit to South Africa was in 2009 and I really loved it! I had such warm feeling towards the country from my very first visit, so I simply had to show Sofie! Usually a second time to a country isn’t as good and special as the first time, but South Africa is the exception! She loved it and I loved it all over again! After this trip we both said, if we could work in South Africa one day, we would do it, without a doubt!
When you dine out, what do you look for on a wine list of a restaurant?
That will have to be diversity… A good focus in the classical world as well as in the new world. My wine list at the restaurant for example, is largely Burgundy’s whites and reds, but there is enough to find outside of that… The reason for the skew towards Burgundy is the preference of our restaurant’s clientele. After that comes Spain and third will be South Africa!
How did you come to know of De Toren’s wines?
As I love South Africa and its wines, and our restaurant only demands the best, it was actually an easy match. The wines of De Toren show a lot of character without being too much of a New World style. With experience I can say, a lot of classic Bordeaux drinkers are very surprised by the De Toren wines.
I first tasted the wines in our restaurant, even though I have been at Inter Scaldes for 5 years now, the De Toren wines were there before I even started working there. I also had the opportunity to taste the entire range and different vintages of it, at a wine fair in Holland.
What is your favourite De Toren wine and why?
When I visited De Toren in January, I again tasted the whole range of De Toren wines. A positive fact in my opinion is that De Toren focuses just on a few different wines and not like twenty different ones. I think it’s a good way to keep on track and remain focussed on what you are best at.
During this tasting, I also tasted Fusion V 2001 vintage, which was quite an experience. I haven’t had the opportunity before to taste a De Toren Fusion V that was that evolved yet. And what a condition it had! Also considering the winery have not produced as many vintages yet compared to nowadays. The 2001 had a ripe nose with a lot of earthy notes and very noticeable evolution. It was very soft in taste, with tones of dried plums and blackberries and also bay leaf and juniper berry. The earthiness, vegetation and ripe spices set the tone - a beautifully developed wine. I only wish there were many more bottles left!
What are your thoughts on South African wines, having visited South Africa quite recently?
I am a big fan of South African wines myself. I love the diversity within grape varieties and the styles of winemaking. It actually is a very diverse country with light and fresh wines as well as heavy and severe wines meant for ageing. It’s a wine country on its own and we should look at it like that more often. In my opinion we, wine connoisseurs, always want to compare every region with another region. Why is this necessary? Can’t we look at a region being an individual with individual wines?
In your opinion, what are the things that one should consider when selecting a South African wine?
Like in every wine region in the world, there are a lot of custom made wines and also commercially made wines. Sometimes the line between them is very thin. Look for originality and purity in every wine you select. A key feature in a wine for me is the acidity, whether it’s light and crisp or thick and heavy - acidity brings life and tension in wine. Without it I will never be able to enjoy a wine.
You are currently working on completing the Master Sommelier diploma, the ultimate qualification in this profession – where to next from here?
I force myself to finish something once I have started it. So that also counts for the Master Sommelier diploma. Today there are 236 people who mastered the exam in 40 years’ time. I still need some more years to get there, but number 250 in the world sounds like a good number to me!
It seems you are a man with a vision and big dreams, what does the future hold for a top sommelier like yourself?
As we already discussed, the world isn’t that big anymore. You hop on an airplane and within 24 hours you are on the other side of the world. So where I will be in ten years? I actually don’t know yet, to be honest. What I do know is that wine is running through my veins and as long as I am able to keep working in that niche market, I will be happy.
We are honoured that you work with the De Toren wines on a very regular basis and we look forward to visiting you at the restaurant again in the near future, Koen.
In light of Koen’s love for South African wines and the De Toren wine range, we share a glimpse of our beloved clients’ thoughts on our range of wines… Click here to read more.
To browse through our collection of De Toren wines, visit our online cellar here.
Earlier this year we received the spectacular news of being awarded the honourary Certificate of Excellence by the respected South African Wine Index (SAWI) . In addition to that, we are remarkably proud of the exceptional accolades our range boasted with this year. In the spirit of...
In this interview we chat to Greg Sherwood, eminent London-based South African Master of Wine and Senior Fine Wine Buyer for Handford Wines. Best known for his wealth of knowledge and experience in the industry, Greg shares more about himself, his journey and the beautiful world of wine....
In every quarterly newsletter we share with you the latest news from De Toren, the newest updates, as well as photos of restaurants and sommeliers around the world. So, by now you might know that De Toren is available around the globe, but the question is, where and how do you gain access to it...
Inspired by the world-renowned wines of the famed 'Right Bank' of Bordeaux's Garonne River, the vision of De Toren Z originated, followed by the maiden vintage release in 2004. The exact same quality, precision and winemaking philosophy that De Toren is so well known for, would be used to...
The year 2018 draws to a close, officially marking the finale of De Toren's second year of the required three-year organic conversion period. In light of this, we review another successful year of organic farming by answering a few of the frequently asked questions... Why the decision for De...
From the outset De Toren's focus has been on the cultivars native to Bordeaux, but in 2008 the winemaking team faced a challenge: with no restrictions on viticulture, cellar practice or costs, and with the singular goal of quality, how would they craft the best wine in the world to help establish...
The soon-to-be, premiere release of yet another exceptional vintage of the De Toren Fusion V is almost here! The long-awaited 2016 vintage of this iconic, Cabernet Sauvignon dominated Bordeaux-style blend is the perfect reflection of the outstanding grapes harvested during this particular...
In this interview, we chat to Mike Buthelezi, Sommelier of Sandton's esteemed Epicure Restaurant, well recognized as one of South Africa's top culinary experiences. Having had the opportunity to work in various dimensions of SA's hospitality industry and regarded as one of SA's leading...
In South Africa, the month of September is synonymous with Spring and everything this season symbolises, including new beginnings... And speaking of which, we are delighted to officially announce the brand new and striking new packaging of our famed De Toren Délicate! This...
There is nothing better than being served (a great) wine in a great glass - it truly gladdens the heart of a wine enthusiast! A top wine is obviously fantastic in any glass of any shape or size, no one is disputing that, but isn't it just all the more enjoyable when served in the perfect...
"We have not inherited the earth from our fathers. We have borrowed it from our children." -Lester R. Brown, American Environmental Analyst- Most recently, I came across this very striking quote which resonated quite strongly with me. To be honest, I could not have phrased it any better...
De Toren's wine crafting roadmap is clear and precise. In addition to producing perfectly balanced & complex wines of only the highest quality, our number one objective will always remain the enjoyment of our wines by our valued clients. Our true north. Exclusive Craftsmanship is at the...
We were delighted to recently receive superb news from the respected South African Wine Index (SAWI) , following the publication of their annual list of South Africa's top performing wines. Established in 2009, as an independent body, with the aim of identifying South Africa's finest wines,...
Since the very first introduction of screw caps, the much debated cork vs cap subject has been one of much controversy in the wine industry and a hot topic amongst wine lovers too. Though both methods have its pros & cons (as needed for any good debate, otherwise there wouldn't be one in the...
The exclusive Book XVII was born from a desire to craft the greatest wine in South Africa, and in order to do so, not a single one of the vast expenses or efforts could be spared. This philosophy and approach is what secured Book XVII 2015 the honourable title as Wine Enthusiast's...
The month of June marked the final De Toren Blend Tastings of the phenomenal and already renowned 2017 vintage . These De Toren Z 2017 and De Toren Fusion V 2017 vintage blend tastings were preceded by months of meticulous crafting and conscientious tweaking to ensure the best...
We chat to the Master Sommelier of the luxurious Amstel Hotel's La Rive Restaurant, well recognised as one of Netherland's top culinary experiences. Best known for his wealth of experience and regarded as a leading Maitre d'-Sommelier, Ronald shares his story with us... Before you relocated...
Monday, 9 April marks the official closing of the 2018 harvest here at De Toren Private Cellar. This season was once again a marvellous opportunity to observe how complex Mother Nature is in all her workings. In many senses the vintage challenged our understanding of how multifaceted the...
In this interview, we chat to Lloyd Jusa, Head Sommelier of Johannesburg’s luxurious Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, well recognized as one of South Africa’s top hospitality and culinary experiences. Best known for his wealth of knowledge and regarded as one of SA’s leading...
Wine aficionados, leading businessmen, distinguished entrepreneurs and well-known celebrities and socialites from around the globe gathered on Saturday, 10 February 2018 to raise funds for a good cause. The Cape Wine Auction is internationally regarded one of the most prestigious events on the...
After the spectacular news at the end of last year, about our ‘New World Winery of the Year’ nomination by Wine Enthusiast , for the second time since 2011, we really didn’t think 2018 could top 2017… But boy, were we wrong! The year 2018 started off on an...
Finally it all comes together - the meticulous planning, the exceptionally hard work and the wonderful aromas of an exceptional vintage that ignites all the senses when filling the glass. We have eagerly awaited the reveal of this phenomenal, already award-winning wine , De Toren Z 2015 ....
With recent years’ exceptional vintages behind us, we prepared ourselves for an interesting 2018 vintage. During the course of this season, I was so thankful for the way we do and have been doing things here at De Toren. Always thinking ahead, planning the necessary strategy to its finest...
The year 2017 marks the very first year of De Toren Private Cellar’s three year organic conversion period. For a few years already, we have been hard at work behind the scenes, with immense amounts of research. All in preparation for the commencement of this new methodology to ensure a...
It is almost time for the prestigious 2018 The Cape Wine Auction - an elite gathering regarded as one of the most extraordinary wine events internationally. De Toren Private Cellar has joined forces with the award-winning Tintswalo Hotel Group to offer an absolutely magnificent lot in aid of...
With 2017 drawing to a close, we could not have asked for a better way to end off the year! In addition to the spectacular news about our recent ‘New World Winery of the Year’ nomination by Wine Enthusiast, our ultra-luxurious Book XVII as well as our iconic De Toren Z and De...
In this interview, we chat to Wikus Human, the Head Sommelier of Marble Restaurant, situated in the heart of Johannesburg, well recognized as one of South Africa’s top restaurants. Best known for his recent achievement as winner of the South Africa’s Best young Sommelier’...
The season of festive celebrations, blissful parties, extravagant lunches and jovial dinners is upon us, and what better way to spoil yourself and your guests with the ultimate culinary feast and a beautiful array of wines, decanted of course… We know all too well that during the silly...
The year 2017 marks the third consecutive winter that the Western Cape of South Africa has had below average rainfall. Even though De Toren, as a producer of top quality wines, uses significantly less water compared to more commercial wineries, the effect of this drought is long term and the only...
A wine born from the desire to create the most powerful, yet elegant Shiraz in South Africa. A wine inspired by the world’s finest, most extreme wine growing and winemaking techniques. Crafted from the ancient soils of Africa - that wine is The Black Lion Shiraz. The newly released...
This month we were honoured to receive superb news from the esteemed and highly reputable USA publisher, Wine Enthusiast Magazine. The craftsmanship invested in each and every step of our winemaking process has truly been rewarded by this most recent nomination. The editors of Wine Enthusiast...
Months of meticulous crafting and duteous tweaking were invested in the potential 2016 vintage blends of the renowned De Toren Fusion V and De Toren Z Bordeaux-style wines. The concluding results of these blends, following three rounds of blend tastings, are finally announced…...
The philosophy of De Toren has always been to produce perfectly balanced and complex wines of the highest quality for our client’s sheer enjoyment. This article is a celebration of appreciation of our wine collection and we thought it well to share the thoughts of our valued clients, as...
To understand the method of ageing wine in barrels, it is important to comprehend the work and science that goes into the selection and preparation of wine barrels before they are filled with wine. This includes the crucial behind the scenes work that goes on in the cellar to make this all...
In this interview we chat to top Dutch sommelier, Koen van der Plas, better known as the head sommelier of Inter Scaldes, a two star Michelin restaurant in the Netherlands. In this article, Koen shares his passion for travelling, South African wines, exceptional food and wine pairings and his...
It is beyond any doubt that South Africa yielded a particularly reputable 2015 harvest. The 2015 vintage hails one of the most sensational, if not the greatest vintages yet. A vintage with a reputation that precedes it, destined to deliver some of the most exceptional wines yet. The wines from...
At De Toren Private Cellar, we pride ourselves on meticulous attention to detail, every step of the way. In this article, Charles shares his approach to protecting the integrity of the vineyards to ensure its long-term sustainability, quality and style of wine. As producers of premium and...
A firm favourite for more than 20 years, situated in the heart of Pretoria, the newly opened Forti Grill & Bar was an absolute must for our first, annual De Toren Z Blend Tasting. The travel across Johannesburg to Pretoria, was well worth it, as the 9 blends on tasting was each...
The Silo, a magical space towering above the V&A Waterfront with a 360˚ degree view! Surrounded by the natural wonder of South Africa’s Mother City, we hosted the very first De Toren Fusion V 2016 Vintage Blend Tasting at the spectacular Silo Hotel. It was an outstanding day,...
A day of appreciating the picturesque view and the signature experience of tapas for two at the renowned Chef’s Warehouse at Beau Constantia was an absolute delight. This, together with the enjoyment of an incredible selection of older De Toren Fusion V vintages, most definitely made...
A private members’ club like no other, founded by wine lovers, for wine lovers. A home for the finest wines in the world, including the De Toren wines . It was only fitting to host the De Toren Z 2016 Blend Tastings here, in the classically elegant Lutyens Room, a private dining...
In every quarterly newsletter we share stories and photos of restaurants and sommeliers from around the world with you. By now you might know that De Toren is available around the globe, but the question is, where exactly and how do you gain access to it. We thought it best to give you as much of...
De Toren has always believed in making wine for the enjoyment and appreciation thereof, especially for the pleasure of our valued clients. Our aim is thus to always to stay true to our philosophy of Exclusive Craftsmanship, in everything we do; from the work we do in our vineyards right through...
As I am writing this 2017 harvest report, my assistant winemaker, Martin, is gently pressing the very last vessel of our Petit Verdot. Harvest 2017 is officially concluded! I always find myself somewhat reminiscent on days like these, emotions similar to enjoying a great glass of wine with best...
Not only is this one of the most frequently asked questions we get in the tasting room or via social media platforms, but this is also one of the top 10 most frequently asked questions about wine, according to Google… In this article, our Cellar Master, Albie Koch, better known to most as...
Better known as The Wine Whisperer , one of South Africa’s finest sommeliers and sommelier for the top South African restaurant, the Test Kitchen … Tinashe Nyamudoka, chats to De Toren about where his career started, his absolute favourite things about his job and what the...
An annual highlight on the social calendar, an event regarded as one of the most extraordinary wine events internationally, an astounding celebration of South African wines - The Cape Wine Auction 2017 was all that and so much more... This is an annual event where the elite, from around the...
The past few years have delivered exceptional vintages, leaving one hopefully wondering, if, with the right planning, experience and expertise, the next one can exceed the results of the preceding vintages. The vintage of 2017 commenced with the successful and gradual bud breaking during...
During his most recent trip to South Africa, we were fortunate enough meet with Luk de Rooze, the youngest sommelier to ever be bestowed the honorary title as 'Belgium's Best Sommelier', at De Toren. In this interview, he shares his passion for fine wine, especially South African wine, with us....
When real dedication, skill and immense knowledge meet meticulous attention to detail and intense passion, the outcome is bound to be remarkable. The renowned Book XVII is the result of our winemaking team's continuous quest for perfection and the extraordinary, soon-to-be-launched 2015 vintage...
- On your favourite Bordeaux Style Wines -
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