My Discussions
Who Els?
Ok, the title is a bit cliché but I just couldn’t think of anything Els Jokes aside. To those of you are who are not familiar with international golfing figures, allow me to introduce you to Ernie Els, perhaps South Africa’s greatest golfing export.
What does Ernie have to do with wine you might [...]
The Price of Wine
Have you ever wondered when you buy a bottle of wine for say 100 ZAR, as opposed to a bottle of wine for 50 ZAR, exactly why the one is 100% more expensive than the other? They’re both bottles containing 750ml’s of what is essentially fermented grape juice, so how can prices differ so much?
It’s [...]
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 [...]
