Kleine Zalze looks to spread its appeal to independents and on-trade

South African producer Kleine Zalze is looking to widen its range to appeal more to independent wine merchants and restaurants.

It is to push its Vineyard Selection and Family Reserve ranges to both sectors as it looks to complement its off-trade offer, which includes its Zalze wines which have gained good distribution in the likes of Waitrose.

It is working with Matthew Clark and its dedicated independent division, Wine Studio, to really drive the six-strong Vineyard Selection and three wines in the Family Reserve stable, explained winemaker Bertho van der Westhuizen at this week's Vinexpo exhibition in Bordeaux.

For both ranges it buys in what it considers to be the best grapes from its partner growers across South Africa, depending on the blend or varietal, said Van der Westhuizen. The wines will therefore differ from vintage to vintage and blend to blend. "We want wines that are going to age well. We want wines that have a lot of fruit forward characteristics, but are not looking to peak until at least 18 months after production for the Family Reserve and up to three years for Vineyard Selection," he added.

The wines would be ideal for restaurant at around the £30 price point and £15.99 in the independents. But Kleine Zalze was working closely with Matthew Clark to ensure the wines were distributed carefully in different regions to ensure exclusivity between the on and off-trades was maintained where appropriate. But the wines are available for both sectors.

Van der Westhuizen said the company was proud of its profile in the restaurant sector where it is said to be South Africa's number one player, according to Wine Business Solutions with 40,000 cases sold per year.
Some of the wines are also available through sawinesonline.co.uk.

In the off-trade its Zalze and Foot of Africa ranges are still handled by Stevens Garnier.