Archive for December, 2008
Happy New Year from My Wine Cellar!
So which bottle of bubbly will see you into the New Year? Whichever it may be, My Wine Cellar would like to wish you all a Happy New Year!
Join me in the cool depths of My Wine Cellar for yet another year of fine South African wine!
Cheers!
Brandon Marc
Seasons Greetings from My Wine Cellar!
Do you have a favourite type of wine for the festive season? I do… for some reason Shiraz always puts me in that festive spirit, and if in the northern hemisphere I like to warm myself up with some spicy Gluwein (If you’re Austrian/German), Glögg (if you’re Scandinavian) or Mulled wine (if you’re English).
My Wine [...]
You Say Syrah, I Say Shiraz
There’s something that often confuses the newcomer to the wine fraternity, and I’d like to take this opportunity to enlighten you. On many occasions I’ve heard people make the mistake of confusing Shiraz, Syrah, Petite Sirah and even Shirazi with each other.
First, let’s confirm that Syrah is a grape variety originating from the northern Rhône [...]
Wine and Biodiversity
As a Capetonian you should consider yourself lucky. The Western Cape is home to the Cape Floral Kingdom, the richest plant kingdom in the world with 9600 plant species, totalling more than the entire northern hemisphere.
Approximately 90% of South Africa’s 110 000 hectares of vineyards are situated in the Cape Floral Kingdom. For this reason [...]
Sauvignon Blanc in the Summer
By now most of my subscribers already know that I’m more of a red wine drinker… but that’s slowly changing as I start to gain a broader appreciation of wine. If I can recall correctly it all started with a simple Neethlingshof Gewürztraminer and progressed to a Jordan Chenin Blanc.
But what of Sauvignon Blanc you [...]
Cape Cocktail
Here’s a (very!) simple recipe for a refreshing summer cocktail. Not for those of you who aren’t partial to Rosé, but seemingly very popular amongst the ladies…
Simply add crushed ice and thinly sliced strawberries to your favourite glass of Rosé before topping off with finely chopped fresh mint leaves … and voila!
To select your favorite [...]
Systembolaget… Say What!?
I said Systembolaget… the Swedish alcohol retail monopoly with an annual 2007 turnover of more than 20 billion SEK (26 billion ZAR). To put you in the picture let me start by quoting the Systembolaget webpage:
‘Systembolaget, the Swedish Alcohol Retail Monopoly, exists for one reason only: To minimize alcohol-related problems by selling alcohol in a [...]
Guess the Wine Farm!
I thought this might be a good way for the global wine community to familiarize themselves with South African wine producers… and indeed an opportunity for South African’s to test their general knowledge!
So I challenge you all and ask… the photograph alongside is the aerial view of which South African wine farm? Post all answers and [...]
