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.

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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Stellenbosch wine region

With 17 265 hectares under vine, 17% of the national total, the Stellenbosch district represents the heartland of the South African winelands. The plantings and cellars span an area stretching from the boundary with Paarl in the north, the outskirts of Cape Town suburbs Kraaifontein, Brakenfell and Kuils River in the west, the Simonsberg, Jonkershoek, Stellenbosch and Helderberg mountains in the east and the Hottentots Holland mountains in the south.
Published on: 10 Feb 09
 
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Robertson wine region

The most popular district in the sun-baked Breede River Valley region of South Africa’s winelands, Robertson comprises a variety of cellars, some among the country’s top-quality producers, more than some at the forefront of the country’s good-value winemaking operations. 160km and two hours’ drive inland from Cape Town, it’s where thousands upon thousands head in June every year for the Wacky Wine Weekend…
Published on: 11 Feb 09
 
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Klein Karoo wine region

With 2996 hectares under vine, the Klein Karoo accounts for just 3% of the National vineyard. It’s renowned for its fortified wines, and famous for its ports – especially those from Calitzdorp, the “Port Capital of South Africa” and home to award-winning cellars Boplaas and De Krans.
Published on: 11 Feb 09
 
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Franschhoek wine region

Franschhoek is regarded as the “Gourmet Capital” of the South African winelands. Its restaurants are among the best in the Cape, and, besides the fine establishments in the main road of the town, a number are located next to the cellars, in the vineyards.
Published on: 11 Feb 09
 
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Constantia wine ward and Cape Point wine district

Constantia is where some of South Africa’s first wines were made several hundred years ago. Today, Groot Constantia, Klein Constantia (both registered estates) and Buitenverwachting share the Cape peninsula with High Constantia as well as Constantia Glen and Eagles’ Nest just north of them on Constantianek, which leads to Hout Bay and bubbly specialist Ambeloui.
Published on: 11 Feb 09
 
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Bot River wine ward and Hermanus wine district

The Walker Bay district includes the wards of Bot River and three just north of Hermanus in the south – Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and one north-east of these that has yet to be named. In the south-east is Springfontein Estate, close to Stanford but closer to the Hermanus lagoon, with Walker Bay’s other registered estates including Wildekrans and Hamilton Russell.
Published on: 11 Feb 09
 
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Overberg and Cape Agulhas wine regions

The Overberg wine district spans the area east of Somerset West and Sir Lowry’s Pass, east of the Hottentots Holland mountains from Elgin to Caledon, Greyton and beyond, then south, skirting Walker Bay to the Klein River ward and Stanford, and east to where it shares a boundary with the district of Cape Agulhas.
Published on: 11 Feb 09
 
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Paarl wine region

The Simondium road south of the N1 (R44 exit) takes you from Anura, past Glen Carlou, Niel Joubert and Backsberg, to Rupert & Rothschild, Vrede en Lust and onto the R45 to Plaisir de Merle, Boschendal and Franschhoek. To the north of Simondium on the other side of the N1, just south of Paarl Mountain, the Suid-Agter Paarl route from the R44 to the old Stellenbosch-Paarl road (R101) takes in Ruitersvlei, Landskroon, Seidelberg and Fairview.
Published on: 11 Feb 09
 
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Durbanville wine region

Durbanville is one of two wards in the Tygerberg wine district north of Cape Town, east of the N7 to Malmesbury. The Philadelphia ward, also off the N7, is half-way between the Mother City and the Swartland.
Published on: 11 Feb 09
 
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Darling and Swartland wine regions

Together, the Darling and Swartland wine districts include 14 883 hectares of vineyards representing 14% of the national total. Once part of the Swartland district, Darling with its ward of Groenekloof broke away a few years ago – these producers are closer to the Atlantic, and there’s something different about their cellars and the environs relative to those in the Swartland and its wards, Malmesbury and Riebeekberg.
Published on: 11 Feb 09
 
 

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]
 
 

onewaterfront

With most negative restaurant experiences, it's easy to pin down why one leaves the table dissatisfied - the food was lousy, the service stank, the prices were way too high, etc. 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.