Platter’s by Diners Club South African Wine Guide 2020 – a mouth-full for what is essentially known as the Platter’s Wine Guide – turns 40! For a wine guide 40 IS 40 and every single colour coded publication added to the bulky book we consult when we need some wine guidance. The first Platter’s published in 1980 cost… Read More Platter’s Celebrates 40 Years of Wine
Every day is pretty much a wine day in my books. Then there are those really special wine days specifically dedicated to one varietal only. Today, 4 May, is International Sauvignon Blanc Day and on the Cape Whale Coast the weather certainly played along to make sure that it was the best Sauvignon Blanc Day… Read More International Sauvignon Blanc Day #SauvBlancDay
Fridays are always good. But last night was extraordinary. The amount of old white wines tasted on a casual evening superseded any other tasting I remember. First up was a Hemel-en-Aarde Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay. A 1999 vintage. Beautiful! A linear, clear taste that’s undeniably Chardonnay doing Hermanus and the Walker Bay appellation proud. The Decanter Vintage… Read More Fine Wine Friday
The first weekend of 2018 was celebrated with great friends and equally great drinks. Friday night was get-together-night and I shared a meal with no fewer than 3 South Africa winemakers. Needless to say there were many liquid options. I remember the following wines that I drank with braaied chicken and summer salad: Ataraxia Sauvignon… Read More Weekend Wines
There are not many supper options in Hemel-en-Aarde wine country just outside Hermanus. But those few establishments that open their doors when the sun goes down are great. Romantic settings with fine food and even finer wines. One such place is The Restaurant at Newton Johnson. Open only on Friday and Saturday nights during the… Read More Dinner in Hemel-en-Aarde
Once a year Elim wineries get together and lay on a festival. This year it was held again at Black Oyster Catcher farm. Early arrival guarantees a seat in the shade but who wants to sit with so many good wines and beer to taste, There are also tutored tastings presented by the winemakers. Loads… Read More Elim Wine Festival #loveoverberg
Elim is a 2 hour journey south from where I live in Hermanus. This drive down south feels like a real road trip as the best way to undertake it is to start early and stop over in Stanford for supplies of the sweet and flaky kind. The best time to make this voyage is during… Read More Elim Wine Festival – Sip Sip Hooray
The Veritas Awards was hosted for the 26th time this year making it South Africa’s oldest wine competition. From the original 801 submissions the contest has grown to close to 1700 entries this year. All the double gold and gold Veritas medal winning wines were up for tasting this past week at the Cape Town Convention… Read More Wines I tasted at Veritas
Sun is out, vineyard buds are breaking and the living is easier. Not quite tucking the reds in for a summer snooze but definitely hauling the whites out for a chill. Almost weekend and the weather prediction is… Fine Wine. I look forward to trying the following five wines this weekend: Going to Gansbaai for… Read More Spring Wine Time
Abalone is a sought after delicacy that is linked to poaching, black-market trading and drugs. The negative association does not make it less desirable. Perlemoen, as South Africans know this sea snail, is becoming more popular as its supply diminishes. It favours the cold water between Hangklip and Agulhas and thrives in the dynamic ecosystems of kelp… Read More Alluring Abalone
Frieda Lloyd Explores 