gulp! - written by WINE magazine editor Christian Eedes, this blog has provided an irreverent take on the local wine scene since 2002.
Latest on wine
South Africa wins at Decanter World Wine Awards
SA has claimed two International Trophies at the annual Decanter World Wine Awards.
Heading heavenward
Emma Odendaal discovers that world-class wines and
a wide range of restaurants complement the sweeping
vistas of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.
Most popular
Are you a diner from hell? Read this to check
Are South Africans agreeable diners or do we have unrealistic expectations? Kim Maxwell opens the floor to local restaurateurs.
SA's most romantic restaurants
Forget the wilted roses and cheesy card. The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and few are the women who won’t go weak at the knees for an intimate dinner. Leigh Robertson and Andrea
Beneath the Andes
In pursuit of the perfect Malbec, Dan Nicholl explores the
heart of Argentina’s winemaking industry, but discovers
that there’s more to Mendoza than just one varietal.
New 'Blonde' restaurant opens in Cape Town
The company behind Blonde, Caviar, that's also responsible for bringing us Sevruga and Beluga, has broken away from its typical menu style in creating the offering at Blonde.
Boekenhoutskloof
First conceived in 2002, Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block has grown its red blend market share every year since.
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Old media entities need to re-invent themselves and embrace the Internet
Free is emerging as a fully fledged economy.
Published on: 01 Dec 09
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The magnificent seven
I am delighted to report that we had seven wines that received the magazine's ultimate accolade this month.
Published on: 20 Oct 09
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Is specificity the key to wine quality?
Does the conventional wisdom that specificity is the key to wine quality hold true? By Christian Eedes.
Published on: 17 Aug 09
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Oak Valley Blend 2005 released
Elgin Bordeaux-style red blend you can count on.
Published on: 07 Aug 09
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Family-owned farms
Handing the business over to the kids makes for easy succession planning.
Published on: 31 Jul 09
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How to achieve distinction?
South African reds can only stand out by being true to site.
Published on: 24 Jul 09
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A Champagne occasion
If you can't justify drinking the best on the birth of your child, when can you? By Christian Eedes.
Published on: 21 Jul 09
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Cork vs. screwcap
The use of screwcap seems ever more prevalent but don’t write off natural cork just yet.
Published on: 17 Jul 09
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Tannin management in SA red wines
No-one should defend green, aggressive wines but you have to wonder if local winemakers haven’t gone too far the other way.
Published on: 10 Jul 09
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Brett in evidence at Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2009
Spoilage yeast brettanomyces is as much of a problem as ever.
Published on: 24 Jun 09
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Has quality of South African wine got better in the last couple of years?
25 gold medals, 70 silver and 331 bronze at OMTWS 2009.
Published on: 08 May 09
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Icy cool and that's not just the sea temperature
Christian Eedes was invited to a dinner party this past Friday that also saw the likes of Tammy-Anne Fortuin, Lee-Anne Summers, Arno and Mel Carstens, Natalie Becker, Marc Lottering, Soli Philander, Dave Levinsohn and Kurt Schoonraad in attendance.
Published on: 28 Apr 09
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Breakfast of champions
This morning's launch of Pol Roger's new zero-dosage Champagne called Pure took place, appropriately enough, at Pure, the fine dining restaurant at Hout Bay Manor hotel in Cape Town.
Published on: 23 Apr 09
Discover More!
Win A One-Night Stay For Two Sharing At Kurland Luxury Hotel
Enjoy a luxurious stay-over at Kurland Hotel, near the picturesque beach resorts of Plettenberg Bay and Nature's Valley, in the heart of the Garden Route in South Africa. For more. [click here]
Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2010
Everything you need to know about this year's Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show.
For more. [click here]
Panel chairman's choice: September 2010
This month Christian Eedes looks at wines from Hermanuspietersfontein; Durbanville Hills; Capaia and Rupert & Rothschild. For more. [click here]
Indian Cuisine: In search of SA's best Curry restaurants
Tasked with finding winning flavours, Kim Maxwell, Andrea
Burgener and Tracy Gielink went on the curry trail in Cape Town, Jo’burg and Durban. For more. [click here]
I wanted to write an ode to Cyprus. But instead I discovered that I had to discard everything I believed about the island. I went searching for romance and found wine. I went looking for a tasting experience, and had to settle for wine poured into shooter glasses. If I had to write a tasting room review it would’ve gone something like this…
Why the blend is beautiful.
