LOVERS of bubbly can delight in this latest announcement from Franschhoek Tourism, as it puts Cap Classique firmly on the map and on our radars with the launch of a reignited route that features top estates open for interactive tastings and ultimate appreciation of local sparkling wines. Perfectly timed with International Cap Classique day, September 1st 2022 sees us raising glasses for a…
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Steenberg toasts Cap Classique Day on 1 September

JOIN Steenberg in celebrating the magnificence of South African sparkling wine on Cap Classique Day, Thursday, 1 September 2022. Together with fellow Cap Classique producers, Steenberg Vineyards is honouring this annual showcase of diversity and splendour on the first day of spring with captivating Cap Classique experiences and a new vintage of its ultra-elegant prestige cuvée, Lady R. All…

Tokara releases outstanding new Cap Classique vintage 

CELEBRATE the wonder of Cap Classique with Tokara’s glorious 2014 vintage just released by this prestigious family owned Stellenbosch wine estate. The fourth cuvée of this magnificent blanc de blancs is crafted exclusively from Tokara’s prized cool climate Chardonnay vineyard in Elgin. The extraordinary depth of flavour, elegance and complexity of the 2014 vintage can be attributed to barrel…
The launch of the Pongrácz Nectar Rosé Light Demi-Sec is a welcome addition to the Cap Classique category. The bottle-fermented and lees-matured Cap Classique is a blend of the traditional full, rich flavour of Pinot Noir and the elegance of Chardonnay.  It is lower in alcohol at 8% without compromising on flavour and taste. Inviting cherry blossom in colour, the Cap Classique is complex…
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A sparkling celebration is in order this Thursday

POP open a bottle of Krone Vintage Rosé Cuvée Brut 2020, crafted on the historic Twee Jonge Gezellen Estate in the Tulbagh Valley to celebrate Cap Classique Day on September 1. The making of vintage-only Krone Cap Classique is a commitment to the vintage showcasing the character of each harvest and celebrating a moment in time and place, the unique hallmarks of every vintage as directed by…

Stellenbosch Wine Routes launches Sommelier Bootcamp

TO remain competitive, renowned wine regions must not only produce quality wines, but tell engaging stories about themselves. While the quality track record of Stellenbosch is undeniable, the wine route is now going beyond this by embarking on an educational programme to give sommeliers a common language to describe Stellenbosch’s terroir, so that they can communicate the district’s unique…
GROUCHO MARX famously said, "I refuse to join/don't want to belong to any club that would have me as a member". That because there was no Pick n Pay Wine Club back in his day; if there was he would most certainly want to be a member. There's no downside to being part of this club. Not only do you get special offers and discounts, and triple Smart Shopper points on wine purchases, but you also…
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How to make mushroom risotto and live to tell the tale

TODAY'S recipes from the South African Mushroom Farmers Association are two of my personal favourites to make. Some people may be intimidated by risotto and I blame MasterChef Australia, where the judges always put so much pressure on contestants... "Oh no, I can't believe she's making risotto!" they'd cry. It became known as the "death dish", seeing more than one contestant eliminated. It's…

Do the can-can with eye-catching new Polka by Stellenbosch Hills 

STEPPING out with wine just became a whole lot easier thanks to Polka, the snappy new cousin of the easy-drinking, fun-loving Polkadraai range by Stellenbosch Hills. Polka is itself a range of quality wines but packaged in convenient 250ml cans. With sunnier weather up ahead, Polka will undoubtedly be your preference for the picnic; the range for your ramble; and, the fav with your friends -…
THE Old Bailey Whiskey Bar has opened on the top floor of Cape Town’s new three-level dining hot spot, The Bailey, at 91 Bree Street. Evocative of top-end members’ clubs and bars in New York and London, The Old Bailey is open from 3pm until late as the ideal meeting point with friends and colleagues, and the perfect venue for pre-dinner drinks or late-night nightcaps. A light bar menu is available…
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TOOR, a new whisky from Redford Beverages and Doña Distillery

WITH a distinctly warm, amber hue, TOOR, a new entrant onto the South African whisky scene, is the first of a collective of whiskies set to challenge the whisky category. Produced with 100% local grain and matured in ex-bourbon American oak casks for five years before being finished in French oak casks, the first TOOR whisky is an easy drinking, smooth and fruity grain whisky between Redford…

Fordsburg’s Finest at Theatre On The Bay is a must-see

PAUL SLABOLEPSZY is, according to his Wikipedia page, "Arguably South Africa's preeminent playwright after Athol Fugard, Slabolepszy is a prolific writer and performer. He was a founder member of The Space Theatre, South Africa's first non-racial theatre company, with Athol Fugard, Yvonne Bryceland and John Kani in 1972. Also a founder member of world-renowned The Market Theatre in Johannesburg,…
WHAT is it about July and August that just seems to drag on forever? I swear last month was at least seven weeks long, and August is creeping along just as slowly. "Don't wish your life away," I was told as a child but when you're waiting for payday you can be forgiven for this. The South African Mushroom Farmers' Association has this budget-friendly dish to ease the pain, and it could not be…
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New trophy to celebrate decade of Shiraz SA Challenge

SHIRAZ SA revealed the winners of the 10th annual Shiraz SA Challenge on 17 August 2022 in Paarl. In honour of the competition's 10th anniversary, a new trophy and a sizeable cash prize were announced. Celebrities from the wine industry and finalists gathered for this year's glitzy awards ceremony at Santé Wellness Retreat & Spa. The master of ceremonies was well-known radio and television…

New: hot chocolate and wine tasting at Durbanville Hills

IN a first for the Cape winelands, Durbanville Hills has combined its love for wine and chocolate in creating a light-hearted treat: a hot chocolate and wine tasting. From now until the end of September, the winery will be offering a limited-edition hot chocolate wine tasting of four red wines each paired with four different hand-crafted chocolate bombs, to add to steaming milk. The tasting…