My Discussions
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 [...]
SA Dabbles in GM Vineyards
After a 2006 application from the Institute of Wine Biotechnology (IWB) to conduct field trials of genetically modified (GM) Sultana and Chardonnay grapevine varieties was denied, South African authorities have now given the go-ahead for open-air field trials of grapevines genetically modified to resist fungal disease. This, despite failed fungal resistant GM grapevines in German [...]
Bordeaux Blends… From South Africa!?
How is it possible that South Africa can produce ‘Bordeaux blends’? For one thing, Bordeaux lies 8972 km north of the Cape Winelands! The reason, of course, is that red blends from Bordeaux are so stylistically distinctive that they have become the benchmark of red blends the world over.
I find this broad method [...]
SA Wine: New World or Old World?
Traditionally, South Africa as a wine producing region is classified as a New World wine producer, as opposed to an Old World producer.
New World producers include, among others, countries such as Australia, Chile, Argentina and the US. Wines produced in New World regions are often characterized as being fruity, full-bodied with slightly higher alcohol content [...]
The Importance of Wine Blogging
I think as someone who blogs about wine, and particularly the South African wine industry, I feel a certain sense of responsibility towards the wine community as a whole. I believe we, as proud flag bearers of the SA wine industry, have an obligation to support the industry.
I’m certainly not trying to sell the [...]
Power to the Consumer!
For far too long has the wine industry being pouring wine down the throats of consumers. Behind the facade of a label, wine finds its way onto the tables of the average wine consumer. The problem lies in that fact that the wine fraternity is such a bottomless pit of information, guarded intently by wine [...]
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 [...]
Organic Wine: What’s the Big Deal?
What makes organic wine so special? Is it really that special? But wait a second… what IS organic wine? One hears vegetables described as ‘organic’ as if it were Mother Nature herself who conjured up the over-priced carrot in your shopping basket. So what about organic wine then?
‘One hears vegetables described as ‘organic’ as if it [...]
Nanotech and Wine
I believe that the next age will be the age of Nanotechnology. Nanotech will undoubtedly change our lives in ways that can’t yet be comprehended. Science, medicine, engineering, agriculture, geology all stand to benefit from the technology. Even what we eat… and the wine we drink. That’s right… wine.
‘I believe that nanotechnology will have applications [...]
The Corkage Phenomenon
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the concept of `corkage´, allow me to explain… If a restaurant or even a bar allows corkage, it means that patrons of the locality are allowed to bring their own bottle/bottles of wine with them paying a small fee per bottle opened.
Growing up and living most of [...]
