South Africa won five International Trophies out of 33 in this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards in London, outperforming other New World wine countries such as Argentina, Australia, Chile and the US.
Sibylla and Bruce Tindale bring out the flavours of the English countryside at the launch of their 2009 vintage sparkling wines with a ‘Sculpture in the Vineyards’ exhibition displaying the works of noted Surrey Hills artists
Some of the best fun in South Africa happens outside, and perhaps our excellent street food has something to do with it. Here’s a round up of old favourites and a guide for newbies.
And we’re not just talking gelato and escargot (although you should keep those on your list!)
The Starfish wine tasting evening was a great success, raising £5,000 to support projects in South Africa
Nine kilometres of cycling to two South African wine estates and a brandy distillery
28th May 2014 marks World Hunger Day. You can make a difference in South Africa’s hunger epidemic by supporting FoodBank SA with a 12-hour sponsored fast and a donation of £10, which will feed one person in Mzansi for four months. Read on for details
OVER THE BARREL | South African Rieslings are often noted for their characteristic lime aroma and taste. Try with grilled garlic chicken.
How it happened I’m not sure, but in two weekends, I managed to stumble across two places of heavenly indulgence.
Professor Mark Solms both delighted and challenged University of Cape Town alumni in London with the story of his ambitious and successful approach to land reform in South Africa as practised on his own wine farm, a model of black empowerment where all who work the farm own shares.
Mat Hartley has been braaiing every day for nearly 365 days as a challenge to raise funds and awareness for rhino conservation. So he knows a thing or two about cooking meat! Here’s his recipe for the perfect steak on the barbecue.
OVER THE BARREL | Viognier is an aromatic white grape variety known for producing textured white wines with prominent stone-fruit flavours. Aroma wise, these wines can be very floral, showing lavender like aromas that are quite honeyed in sweeter examples.
Before I knew it, the sun had started to shine and blossoms and bulbs sprouted on random trees and fields of green. Spring is teasing the Londoners! Despite taking the pre-warned caution that this might be only a momentary thing, South Africans instinctively race to their webers and braai tongs.
Award-winning SA food blogger and expat Jeanne Horak-Druiff chats to The South African about her love affair with food, London, and the perfect Valentine’s Day menu
Sales of South African wine to wine-producing countries such as France, Italy and Spain increased so dramatically due to the poor European harvest, while sales to the UK, still the country’s biggest export destination accounting for just over one-fifth of total volumes exported last year, rose 21%.
With the festive season coming to an end; clearly evidenced by the pork stuffing bloated stomaches and Christmas lights being pulled down from the trees, I decided to turn the conditioned indulgence cravings into active baking experiments.
The combination of unusual tasting fillings, set amongst a milk chocolate casing and placed in a strikingly designed box; makes you think you just entered the golden door to the bespoke end of Willy Wonker’s Chocolate Factory.
After we have surpassed any normal human being’s intake of all things savoury, and finally filled our ‘fat pants’ to its maximum capacity, we can (finally) sit down for dessert.
After we have surpassed any normal human being’s intake of all things savoury, and finally filled our ‘fat pants’ to its maximum capacity, we can (finally) sit down for dessert.
There are few places in the world where vineyards melt into the scenery more majestically than in the Hemel-en-Aarde (‘Heaven and Earth’) Valley – home to the Tollman family-owned Bouchard Finlayson Vineyard and Winery. Located on South Africa’s Southern Cape coast, the area is defined by the backdrop of magnificent mountains and the roar of the wild oceans of the southern seas.
When it’s time for the main course, only the best meals will do on a South African’s Christmas table.
Once you have tickled your guests’ tastebuds with some tasty snacks you have to make sure your starter is a knock out.
Morgenster extra virgin olive oil comes from Morgenster Estate in Somerset West outside Cape Town in South Africa. On 1 December 2013, in Rome, it was awarded the top score of 98 points out of a possible 100 in the international Flos Olei competition, and it was also jointly awarded the accolade “Made with Love” by the editors. It is one of only 11 oils to be awarded this score. The other ten farms are in Spain (two), Italy (seven) and Chile (one).
Three specialist importers and distributors of boutique South African wines will be holding a tasting at the SA High Commission on 26 November.
The new John Platter Wine Guide for 2014 (‘aquamarine edition’) will be released on Friday 8 November with a couple of great additions to the already packed annual book on SA wines.