TULBAGH is one of those places on the way to nowhere really, a destination in itself, tucked away between the Obiqua, Winterhoek and Witzenberg mountains. Named after a former Dutch governor of the Cape, Rijk Tulbagh, the town is accessed via Malmesbury or Piketberg off the N7 and via Wellington or Worcester off the N1. It includes some lovely countryside, is popular
The greenhouse at Babylonstoren, Paarl: great place for a snack and a glass of vino, or for some tea and cake if you’d prefer THEY ARE TWO of the most talked-about destinations on the wine routes within easy travelling distance of Cape Town, highly recommended on several fronts and each better than the other for this or that. Nobody’s perfect,
RICKETY BRIDGE has become more and more attractive for visitors to Franschhoek: smart wine tasting centre, a growing reputation for good wines, a lunch venue offering tasty food and a couple of lovely guesthouses. Plus, Rickety Bridge is among the few stops on the route travelled by Franschhoek’s very own wine tram. One of the best places to relax at
WORD IS GETTING OUT! It was just a few months back that he impressed with a 5 Star rating in Platter’s SA Wine Guide for his 2007 Bordeaux-style blend, Wine of Origin Stellenbosch. Then he released a tiny quantity of the first top-end Pinot Noir under his own label, a 2011 WO Polkadraai Hills. And now we can look forward
WITH SOUTH AFRICA’S 2013 wine grape harvest fast approaching, many farmers are re-assessing their cost structures and modus operandi in the wake of wage demands that turned ugly. The following was first published in the Cape Argus newspaper last week… * * * * * Published in the Cape Argus on 18 January 2013 As the smoke clears following the
FOLLOWING the recent announcement of South Africa’s benchmarks in terms of the latest SA Wine Classification and with the full 2013 Classifications carried on the Top Wine SA website, here are the highlights of the 2013 SA Cellar Classification – see below, given in alphabetical order. TOP 20 SA WHITE WINE CELLARS – 2013 CLASSIFICATION Bergkelder (Fleur du Cap) Cape Point
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, Top Wine SA keeps followers right up to date regarding the leading examples of South African wine as recommended by the top tasting panels on the planet – the Top SA Wine Ratings also include the prices that the various vintages of top wines are selling for, will be selling for or were selling for before they sold out.
WHERE TO LUNCH when wine-routing in Wellington? Especially if you’d like a good table at one of the cellars in the area? Until recently this has been quite a challenge, a really big ask. Then in stepped ‘Groot’ Schalk Burger of Welbedacht Estate on Oakdene Road in the foothills of the Groenberg Mountain. Converting his office into a wine tasting room
Jacques Kallis EARLIER THIS YEAR, shortly after former South African golf star David Frost sold his wine farm in Paarl it was announced that Protea cricketers Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher had teamed up with Rietvallei Wine Estate in Robertson to launch a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Sauvignon Blanc under The Innings label – good value wines, with the 2010 Cab at
THE TRUTH WILL OUT! On 1 October, the Excelsior wine estate outside Ashton in the Robertson district posted an article under the headline “How important is winning medals?” (to read in full, click here). On 2 October, freelance writer and professional wine judge Christian Eedes posted an article under the headline “Bling it on – the relative merits of wine
FRYER’S COVE VINEYARDS on South Africa’s West Coast some three-and-half hours drive north of Cape Town are so close to the sea that there is a distinct maritime influence on the wines! In fact some of their grapes grow just 600m from the waves where the cold Atlantic Ocean crashes onto the shores of Doringbaai, the fishing village south of
THE COGNOSCENTI are curious about Spioenkop Wines for a number of reasons – not the least of which is the free-spirited nature of owner-cellarmaster Koen Roose. To meet this Belgian newcomer to the Elgin wine scene is to engage with somebody who’s obviously passionate about making seriously good, characterful wine on his hilltop in the Elgin valley – so passionate
VILLIERA cellarmaster Jeff Grier and sales boss Cathy Grier-Brewer are among the best ambassadors for the Stellenbosch wine route. Cape Wine Masters of many years standing and, together with fellow director and viticulturist Simon Grier, at the helm of a winery with a reputation for good Cap Classique sparklers and several other fine wines, the siblings were as welcoming as
After over a year of ‘downtime’, Top Wine SA is being relaunched this month following a makeover and full maintenance service, so to speak. Now linked to this blog, it’s an online showcase of the best quality and best value South African wines that remains unique as a buyer’s guide. It’s about the who’s who among the country’s leading wine producers
