IMAGINE: a good red wine selling for R30 a bottle that comes recommended by one of the best judging panels in the country. We’re talking about the blend from a winery off the beaten track between Worcester and Villiersdorp that won silver and a score of 81 out of 100 at this year’s Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show. Be warned
Read moreTHE SUCCESS of KWV at the 2012 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show didn’t surprise those who’ve been tracking the quality and character of The Mentors range launched by this Paarl producer a few years ago. Australian cellarmaster Richard Rowe, local winemaker Johann Fourie and their team at the winery have been turning heads with The Mentors since day one. However,
Read moreIT DOESN’T look like it used to, doesn’t taste like it used to, doesn’t cost what it used to… Actually, I wonder who’s drinking Chateau Libertas these days, what with the producer Distell itself fielding both better quality and better value wines under different brand names. Much as I was a fan in years gone by I’d now rather drink
Read moreDoesn’t it make you wince when given a restaurant winelist headed ALCOHOL… Don’t you cringe when the sign above a bottle store proclaims LIQUOR… And another pet hate is when wine scribes insist on using the word BOOZE to describe one of the finer things in life. To me, you might as well then refer to Dom P, Margaux, Petrus,
Read morePurists frown on them, but the number of coffee- as well as chocolate- and other obviously sweet-flavoured red wines on the market continues to climb. I’m keeping an open mind on this front and have had some enjoyable mocha moments with wine glass in hand. However, there comes a point where what’s in the bottle just isn’t kosher…It’s one thing
Read moreTwice during the movie Safe House which was released onto the cinema circuits mid-February, renowned actor and film producer Denzel Washington is seen to be enjoying a glass of red wine while relaxing with friends – once in a Cape Town club and later in the city’s satellite township of Langa. The exact identity of the wine(s) isn’t revealed, but
Read moreNo doubt one or two wineries on the Pinotage Association’s recently-published list of the 10 best Pinotage producers would have come as a surprise to some, but for followers of the Absa Top 10 competition that has been running since 1997 it all made sense. The following cellars, given in alphabetical order, have excelled consistently over the years with quality track
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