Wine Course for Beginners
The Cape Wine Academy presents an introductory course into the wines of South Africa. This course will afford participants with an advanced appreciation and broader understanding of South African Wines.
Date: 17th March 2010 – 15th April 2010
Time: 18h30 – 20h30
Location: Michelangelo Hotel Sandton, Johannesburg
Cost: 995 ZAR
For more information, contact Aidan/Busi on +27 (0) 11 783 4585 on; email cwajhb@iafrica.com; or visit www.capewineacademy.co.za.
Cheers!
Brandon Marc
Harvest Time!
It’s that time of year in the Cape Winelands when ripened grapes are harvested, the beginning of wine making process. In this video clip below, Chris Bryant of Fairview Wine Estate introduces us to one of their premier Viognier blocks currently being harvested.
Cheers!
Brandon Marc
Size Does Matter
You might already be familiar with the names given to different bottle sizes such as the 1,5 litre Magnum or the 3 litre Jeroboam perhaps… but did you know that there are officially 24 different bottle sizes?!
Mostly named after Biblical Kings, check out the list bellow of all 24 bottle sizes and their respective names:
Name Size (litres)
Piccolo 0.1875
Chopine 0.250
Demi 0.375
Jennie 0.5
Clavelin 0.620
Standard 0.750
Fifth 0.757
Magnum 1.5
Marie Jeanne 2.25
Double Magnum 3.0
Jeroboam 3.0
Franzia 5.0
Rehoboam 4.5
Imperial 6.0
Methuselah 6.0
Mordechai 9.0
Salmanazar 9.0
Balthazar 12.0
Nebuchadnezzar 15.0
Melchior 18.0
Solomon 20.0
Sovereign 25.0
Primat 27.0
Melchizedek 30.0
Cheers!
Brandon Marc
Valentine Wine
Sure, Valentines Day has come and gone. For some February 14th is a romantic day spent with someone special, for others just another day in the calendar. Either way there’s money to be made.
‘From Valentine’s getaways to Valentine wines, it’s all made possible and comes with heart-shaped chocolates and a big red bow.’
It’s not the least surprising that society’s commercial cogs kick into action come Valentines Day. From Valentine’s getaways to Valentine wines, it’s all made possible and comes with heart-shaped chocolates and a big red bow.
How people associate specific wines with the day of affection, I fail to understand. It’s amazing how many people fall into the commercial trap year after year. I can only hope that as avid subscribers of My Wine Cellar you managed to avoid the annual Valentine’s tragedy! 
Cheers!
Brandon Marc
One Day in Darling
It was 40°C in the shade that day as we drove away from South Africa’s west coast, inland deep into the Swartland wine district. Besides my obvious thirst, I was eager with anticipation for a wine tasting that would no doubt ensue.
Our destination was Cloof, a wine estate offering not only decent wines, but good food too. We sat down to a scrumptious lunch in the coolness of the historic tasting room cum dining room. We moved through an enjoyable series of tastings where wines such as the Very Sexy Shiraz 2007, The Cloof Cellar Blend 2008 and the Dark Side Cabernet/Shiraz 2007 came out tops for me.
However, the highly rated Cloof Lynchpin 2005 failed to impress me… perhaps I was discouraged by the high percentage of Merlot at 71%, since I generally find Merlot a tad ‘uninteresting’. Each to his own
On the whole I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Cloof, and look forward to future releases from the Darling gem!
Cheers!
Brandon Marc
How Do YOU Rate Wine?
Here’s a quick reminder to take part in the My Wine Cellar poll, investigating public perception of common wine rating systems used in categorising wine.
To have your say, and cast your own vote click the link below:
http://www.brandonmarc.com/the-wine-rating-debate
Cheers!
Brandon Marc
Pendock for the People
In preparation of the 2010 edition of ‘The Peoples Guide’, Neil Pendock and colleagues taste over 600 red wines for possible inclusion in the anticipated guide. See the video below, and listen as Neil describes the motivation behind the unique wine guide…
Cheers!
Brandon Marc
That Date…
Ok, so the candles are lit and the subtle smell of sandalwood incense drifts throughout the room. In the background plays your sensual mood music of choice… you know, that album. Some say Kenny G… I say definitely not Kenny G. I digress. The stage is set for what is to be the defining date of any new relationship… you know, that date 
But something is missing… is it your over-worn power shirt perhaps? No. Your leopard print lingerie? Perhaps, but no. The last, but all important factor is of course the wine! Now there are many theories as to which style of wine is best suited for such a date, and this is precisely what I intend to find out… from YOU. Some say you can’t go wrong with a Pinot Gregio, others opt for a spicy Shiraz, and then there’re the people who swear by Rosé.
So, subjectively speaking, if you had to select a style of wine for your defining date which would it be? You know… that wine.
Cheers!
Brandon Marc
My Wine Cellar Comic Relief
As we launch ourselves into 2010, I thought what better way then to kick-off with some light-hearted comic relief. Watch below as Jamie Kennedy holds a wine tasting with a difference…
Cheers!
Brandon Marc
Time to Pop that Bubbly!
From myself, Brandon Marc, and the rest of the team at My Wine Cellar we wish you a happy New Year, and I look forward to seeing you again in My Wine Cellar next year! Take it easy on the bubbly, and stay safe over the festive season!
Cheers!
Brandon Marc
