Archive for June, 2010

The ever popular Stellenbosch Wine Festival has taken a different format this year as festival goers will be visiting the farms. The wines from the company of winepeople^TM have arranged a lovely programme and activities for festival goers.

Bring the family and come and enjoy some of the best wines in one of the most beautiful parts of the county.

Arniston Bay, Kumkani, Versus and Welmoed will the wines that will be showcased at this great festival.

Here are some more details about what we’re planning for the Stellenbosch Wine Festival:

• Kiddies corner: Face painting, jumping Castle, colouring in fun
• Tickle your tummies: Spitbraai/ potjiekos. The Duck Pond restaurant will be open daily.
• Free wine tasting!
• Specials on selected wines daily
• A complimentary cool de sac with every case of wine purchased, and other POS materials on sale.
• Foosball fun
• Massages for the ladies
• A jazz band
• A magician

For more info about the Stellenbosch Wine Festival please visit wineroute.co.za

South Africa is synonymous with the amazing Big Five animals and many travellers regard a visit to South Africa as incomplete without having spotted, and perhaps photographed, the Big Five.

Originally used only by hunters, the term ‘Big Five’ refers to five of Africa’s greatest wild animals – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. As during the bygone hunting era the term “Big Five” still conjure up the romance and excitement of Africa’s exotic destinations and experiences.

With the World Cup reaching the knockout phases it seems that the soccer world is also choosing football’s Big Five as the big teams are proclaiming their place in history.

Brazil, Argentina, Holland, Germany and Spain are the probable big five teams of this tournament with other teams like Italy, England and Portugal breathing down their necks.

It is a privilege to have the Big Five and the other Big Five on South African soil. I believe that Kumkani, the king of South African wine, is the perfect souvenir to take back home as an uniquely South African memory.   

Source: places.co.za

The World Cup has created a lot of attention on South Africa and South African products, especially SA wines. In numerous campaigns all over the world, WOSA put together events to showcase SA’s wines, cuisine and cultures.

It seems that these events are paying dividends has many wine critics has commented about the South African wine in past few weeks.

One such comment came from Canadian wine critic, Rod Phillips, who wrote that he found that only a handful of SA wines could be described as not interesting. He added that “The great majority (of SA wines) were expressive and had good character, and there were some real stand-outs”.

Some of these stand-outs were the Kumkani Sauvignon Blanc 2009 and the Kumkani Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, which he described as “stylish from start to finish, with great structure and balance”.

I think it is  great that WOSA has initiated these global events and promotions to take advantage of the attention that the World Cup is focusing on South Africa.

Source: communities.canada.com

South Africa is buzzing with tourists and World Cup visitors who are enjoying and experiencing our amazing country. An American Soccer tourist asked me the other day how I would describe South African cuisine? My answer was something like this.

South African cuisine is based on numerous influences from both the indigenous populations of South Africa and immigrants or transient workers from the colonial period. The Khoisan and Xhosa, Zulu- and Sotho-speaking people’s cuisine relied heavily on wild game, milk products, and local fruits and vegetables. To this day the ingredients and method of cooking can still be found in some aspect of local cuisine enjoyed by all South Africans. From the colonial period, those from Afrikaner and British descent, India, and Malaysia, brought some of the flavours, spices, and cooking techniques, that turned South African cuisine into a mesh of international flavours yet still greatly retain local traditions.

Braai, the traditional South African method of barbecue consists of a variety of cuts of meat and the local sausage favourite boerewors, as well as sosaties, kebabs, marinated chicken, pork and lamb chops, steaks, and other sausages of different flavours. Monkeygland sauce is an extremely rich and tangy condiment that goes along well with these meats.

Bobotie, what many call one of the more popular national dishes of South Africa, is a savoury meat dish with hints of sweetness due to the addition of sultanas, or raisins.

To add to this lovely cuisine South Africa also has great wines. The iconic Kumkani is one of the award winning wine brands which personifies the South African tradition and heritage.

Source: world-recipes.info

South African wine industry has come a long way and recently some international wine critics were full of praise for the transformation of our wines to quality and premium wines.

The Rainbow nation is no stranger to transformation and similarly, its wine industry is an excellent case study on how to bring about a major change. This according to wine critic, Brian Elliot. He added that making large volumes of poor-quality wine was ditched once international help pointed out that South African winegrowing areas were especially suited to premium, rather than value, wines. This paved the way for more reds and for sophisticated and complex wines of any type – which are less price-sensitive.

This point of view is shared by Chief Wine critic of the New York Times ,Eric Asimov. He notes “The most surprising thing is the consistently good quality. South Africa today is teeming with good Chenin Blanc, wines of freshness and character, at prices that make them exceptional value.”

Brian Elliot also praises South African  wine companies and indicated that “This skilled winemaking is also evident in large-scale operations like the company of wine people^TM. From its Arniston Bay brand, through the Fairtrade Thandi wines to the rich and aromatic Kumkani range, the professionalism shines through. Kumkani’s top-of-the-range Sauvignon Blanc has vibrant flavours of flint and gooseberry reminiscent of Sancerre”.

Source: scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com

Congratulations to Rob Ambler, Janine Peters and Charm Mobothe. They are the winners of double tickets to The Wine Show Joburg. Enjoy the show.