Simonsig Estate has upped the stakes by clinching a Gold medal for its Bordeaux-style red, the Tiara 2009 at the 20th Concours Mondial de Bruxelle. Proudly wearing the crown as this family owned estate's flagship red wine for over two decades, the Tiara 2009 competed against 8 200 wines and spirits from 50 producer countries in this prestigious competition held in Bratislava, Slovakia. On the local front this win...

Taste outstanding cool climate Pinot Noir from Africa’s southernmost winery, Strandveld Wines, at the Burgundy Lover’s Festival to be held at the Vineyard Hotel & Spa on Friday, 31 May. A true expression of the unique Strandveld terroir, the top tier, single vineyard Strandveld Vineyards Pinot Noir 2010 and more accessible First Sighting Pinot Noir 2010, are shaped by a variety of stony soils and unabating ...

Fleur du Cap wines clinched no less than six 90+ ratings from accomplished wine commentator and British Master of Wine, Tim Atkin, in his report on South African wines released at Wine Fair (22 May 2013). With his vast experience spanning 23 years of tasting Cape wines, Atkin’s South African report provides an alternative point of view to the wines from this region. Atkin, who feels “very positive about the ...

(Cape Town, 15 May 2013) Moms and kids are invited to treat dad to a delectable Father’s Day feast at the Vineyard Hotel & Spa this Father’s Day. The hotel’s popular restaurant, The Square Restaurant, is offering a terrific three-course lunch menu to spoil local dads on Sunday 16 June. Executive chef Alex Docherty has developed a range of dishes tailor-made to suit dad’s taste buds, commencing with a choi...

Be sure to get your taste of exceptional cool climate wines from Constantia Glen when you visit the Kaya FM Wine & Malt Whisky Affair from Friday, 30 May to Saturday, 31 May at The Firs, Rosebank. The classic Constantia Glen flagship, Constantia Glen FIVE 2008, as well as the refreshing Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blanc 2012 will be showcased alongside top wineries and malt whisky distillers.

Constantia Glen has swept the board in London as the Regional Trophy winner for the best South African Bordeaux red over £15 and two Gold medals at the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards 2013 as well as breaking the venerable 90 point barrier with two wines in Tim Atkin’s 2013 SA Wine Report. The graceful Constantia Glen THREE 2009, a full-bodied blend of three classic Bordeaux varietals, Merlot, Cabernet ...

The Blushing Bride, a rare white or pink flower with silky, pointy petals, is somewhat of a legend in the Franschhoek Valley. The story goes that it was discovered in the surrounding mountains in 1773 and came by its romantic name from its use in a rather romantic tradition. A French Huguenot farmer who was in love would wear this flower in his lapel when he decided to propose to the girl he fancied. The pinker the f...

Hartenberg’s dedication to produce fine Shiraz spanning more than 40 years has been rewarded at the 2013 Decanter World Wine Awards in London with a Regional Gold medal. The Decanter Gold medal for the Hartenberg Estate Shiraz 2009 is the latest in a long line of prestigious awards for the producer of the world’s No. 1 Shiraz after The Stork 2008 was declared overall winner by Syrah du Monde in 2012.

The Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2013 public tastings take place on Friday 7 June in Sandton and on Thursday 13 June in Cape Town. These single night tastings showcase just more than 100 wines achieving Trophy, Gold and Silver medals at this year’s judging held in May. Now in its 12th year, the competition is widely considered the country's most revered wine selection process and attracts more than 1 000 wines annu...

The Cape Winemakers Guild has expanded its Protégé Programme, an ongoing initiative to further young, aspirant winemakers, by incorporating the internationally-recognised Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) qualifications into its 3-year mentorship scheme. The first participant in the WSET Level 3 course is Elmarie Botes, a 3rd year Protégé who begins her classes in June. Elmarie is currently completing her ...

Fleur du Cap’s star- studded Noble Late Harvest 2011 has been crowned best South African sweet wine under £15 (R210), clinching the Regional Trophy at the 2013 Decanter World Wine Awards in London. The results of the 2013 Decanter World Wine Awards, considered to be the biggest global wine competition, were announced at the London Trade Fair, on 20 May 2013. Already in its 30th year, the Decanter panel of judg...

Restaurant puts lid on winter blues with complimentary lunchtime tastings The Restaurant @ Clos Malverne, a hidden culinary hotspot, idyllically situated on a family-run wine farm in the Devon Valley outside Stellenbosch, offers its guests the rare opportunity to taste the estate’s exclusive Limited Release wines on the house with their lunch on Saturdays.

OBiKWA, the adventurous, everyday range of affordable varietal wines, has stuck its neck out in London at the 2013 International Wine Challenge with a commendation for both the Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc. These two commended 2012 Obikwa wines will slot right into your weekly dinner plans. Try the Shiraz with a quick and easy prego roll or the crisp Sauvignon Blanc with comforting, creamy pasta.

Wine Route in the run for Best Contribution To Tourism title South Africa’s first and foremost wine destination, the Stellenbosch American Express ® Wine Routes, has made the sought-after shortlist for The Drinks Business Awards 2013 – an annual competition held by Europe’s leading drinks trade publication, which recognises those companies achieving excellence amongst their peers across the global drinks in...

Waterkloof, a biodynamic marvel on the outskirts of the Helderberg Winelands, celebrated for its elegant wines and passionate commitment to sustainable wine farming ethics, has appointed a new winemaker who is everything but a newcomer to this conservation-minded estate, the young and vibrant Nadia Barnard. “A combination of destiny and good judgement brought me to the wine industry and ultimately to Waterkloof...

OBiKWA, the range of adventurous, fun loving, varietal wines has just released an ultra-convenient mini-pack of four wines for your everyday enjoyment. Sticking their necks out at selected Pick ‘n Pay stores country-wide, these nifty OBIKWA mini-packs bring you four 750 ml bottles of either OBiKWA Sauvignon Blanc or Merlot perfect to go with your chicken or beef. Keep your eye out for the purple and green box-...

Quality tastes, quality times in one gastronomic hub. Food lovers visiting the 2013 Taste of the Helderberg showcase on Thursday, 6 June, are in for a royal taste bud treat, with an exceptional line-up of eminent winery restaurants and artisan producers all stirred up to transform the NH Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West into a foodie hub of the finest local delights.

Back by popular demand, Constantia Glen’s delicious homemade soups served with crusty,freshly baked bread, are a must for the ultimate winter wine tasting experience on offer from May onwards at this picturesque wine estate. Available in single servings or as a trio of smaller soups, visitors can tuck into hearty Beef goulash, French onion, or Honey roasted butternut and sage soup. Each soup is perfectly paired ...

Spoil your Mom with an irresistible pairing of Sauvignon Blanc with a lemon & passion fruit tartlet on Mother’s Day, Sunday, 12 May at the idyllic Constantia Glen wine estate. This delectable pairing is complimentary for all mothers who visit the Constantia Glen tasting room situated amidst rolling vineyards with panoramic views, this Sunday.

Kick the cold weather to the curb by revelling in some of South Africa’s finest Syrahs from leading cellars paired with an array of meaty indulgencies at the annual Feast of Shiraz & Charcuterie at Hartenberg Wine Estate on Saturday, 1 June 2013. Carl Schultz, celebrated winemaker at Hartenberg, widely regarded as one of South Africa’s oldest and leading producers of Shiraz for almost 40 years, has invited ...