Klein Constantia appoints Bordeaux négociants

Klein Constantia is to become the first South African winery to have its wine distributed through La Place de Bordeaux with the release of the 2016 Vin de Constance this autumn.

Starting from 1 September this year, the estate’s flagship wine, Vin de Constance, will be distributed by three of the leading Bordeaux négociant houses: Compagnie des Vins de Bordeaux et de la Gironde (CVBG), Duclot and Maison Joanne.

The new 2016 vintage will be the first to be offered this way, which the estate sees as an opportunity to “strengthen the international visibility” of the wine and also, said managing director Hans Astrom, “further elevate its nobility”.

Joint shareholder Hubert de Boüard, added: “In order to perpetuate the heritage of this incomparable South African gold, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest sweet wines in the world, and to help it continue to live and grow for hundreds of years more, we have undertaken to seek constantly for appropriate, balanced improvements while preserving the incomparable style of the Vin de Constance.

“We now pursue this strategy of excellence in partnership with the CVBG, Duclot and Joanne négociant houses.”

Klein Constantia joins an ever-expanding list of Italian, Chilean, Argentine and American fine wine labels that have turned to La Place to help grow their international distribution.

Other labels distributed through Bordeaux include; Almaviva, Catena Zapata, Luce, Solaia, Opus One, Joseph Phelps, Inglenook and Masseto.