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) [...]
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 [...]
Tastes Like Home!
The first locally produced single-grain Whisky has been produced in South Africa. Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky, made exclusively from local grain, was produced by master distiller Andy Watts at the James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington.
According to Watts, the Whisky offers ‘toffee, vanilla and floral aromas, with spicy flavours softened by sweet undertones’. Bain’s was subjected [...]
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 [...]
Rockin’ the Daisies 2009
South Africa’s fastest growing eco-friendly music and lifestyle festival is upon us! Besides the best of SA music, this year’s festival includes comedians, art, food and green initiatives.
Tickets must be bought before the festival and are available at Levi stores, Hemporium in Wynberg, Rafiki’s restaurant in Cape Town or online at www.rockingthedaisies.com.
Starts: 9th October 2009
Ends: [...]
Magic Marketing
It’s no wonder that, in its category, Roodeberg was elected ‘best red box of the year 2007’ and ‘best value for money’ in the Swedish market. Quite a feat since Roodeberg is the second most expensive in its category. It is without question that Roodeberg have used an aggressive marketing campaign in Sweden to attain [...]
For Profit or Pleasure… The Choice is Yours!
I’ve always considered the relationship between a vineyard and its produce as nothing but extraordinary. Vineyards are a fascinating junction between nature, the elements and chemistry, chemistry that we are fortunate enough to experience as wine. To any wine enthusiast, vineyards are central to the wine we love so much.
It should come as no surprise [...]
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 [...]
Facts and Figures of the SA Wine Industry
For your interest, and indeed mine, I have compiled some facts and figures of the South African wine industry that might be of interest to you of My Wine Cellar…
Wine was first produced in the Cape in 1659 under instruction from Jan van Riebeeck.
Constantia is the oldest wine-making region in the southern hemisphere.
The South African [...]
Marvelous Muscat
To the South African wine novice ‘Muscat’ might not mean much to you. But, it is in fact an important grape variety grown all over the world. And yes, it certainly is grown in South Africa.
What if I said Muscat is synonymous with Muscadel… perhaps now you follow? Of course, everyone knows South Africa’s favorite [...]
