It’s been one hectic year for most of us. Credit crunches, economic downturns and plain old recessions. Most of us have burned the candle at both ends to keep jobs, businesses and families going through tough times. It all takes it toll on us both physically and mentally. Maryna Strachan decided to investigate what the Winelands can offer those in need of some rest and relaxation above and beyond a good bottle of wine.
As we say good bye to 2009 and open the door to 2010, it is obvious that most people are drained, stressed and in dire need of a bit of TLC and a getaway. So, with exactly this in mind, I headed off to my favourite place, the Cape Winelands in search of an experience to relax and revive my weary bones.
What is it I’m looking for? A spa, perhaps? Big comfy beds with stunning views? Oh, and lets not forget good wine! Now… to find the place that has all of the above…
Curry and spicy foods seem to be on the increase everywhere you look. More and more Indian and Asian restaurants are opening, especially at the high end of the market, and as South Africans we’ve never been afraid of heating up our food with a little (or a lot) of spice.
But what if your preferred tipple with lunch or dinner is wine? Often regarded as the more delicate, complex and refined of alcoholic accompaniments to good food, many wines can easily be overpowered by spicy food or contradict on the palate. Does that mean a good curry evening with friends has to mean beer with dinner? Well, no, not by a long shot.
The basics of good curry-cooking see chefs carefully balancing sugar and spice to attain the desired “heat” or spice level. This is a simple principal that can serve wine fans well when choosing a bottle to go with curry or spicy dishes.
FOR THE LOVE OF WINE Do you enjoy drinking good wine? Do you love life? Do you enjoy doing fun things with fun people? If so, then you simply have to check out the new marketing initiative from Kleine Zalze at www.fortheloveofwine.co.za.
This very clever new campaign enlists YOUR help to try out their wine and have some fun doing so. By becoming a Kleine Zalze Ambassador, you will be sent free wine along with a simple challenge, centred around the good things in life, which will ensure that you have the complete Kleine Zalze experience.
All you then need to do is go onto the site and tell everyone else about the fun times. Simple! Read More
If you’re in the Winelands during February then you can join the harvest at Nederberg. They’ll show you how to pick the best grapes, you can barrel taste previous vintages and there’s even a picnic. click here
Under 30’s are staying in and entertaining at home. Leopard’s Leap research shows. click here
Popular The Wine Show participants Versus are once again sponsoring Splashy Fen Festival in 2010. click here
Nederberg have joined in the 2010 FIFA World Cup fever by becoming official licensed to market a special range of premium wines for the tournament. click here
Arniston Bay recently blogged that SA domestic wine consumption dropped by as much as 5.7% in 2009. Also hit were bulk wine exports, but packaged wine increased by up to 9.4%. Seems we need to try harder! click here News articles link to wine.co.za with our thanks
Ever wondered how many bubbles there are in a bottle of Champagne or MCC? No? Actually, neither had we. The answer(s) though can be found here
Our friends at Douglas Green are asking the question “Do women approach wine differently to men?". click here
Oz Clarke admits wine is just “alcoholic grape juice”. click here
There’s a highly amusing clip from UK’s “A Bit of Fry and Laurie” about wine tasting (with some excellent ideas for messing with Exhibitors at next years Show). click here
Forget Swine Flu, “Wine Flu” pandemic hits Italy". click here
Pendock Uncorked, Neil Pendock’s amusing and sometimes controversial wine blog for the Sunday Times has been in full swing over the holidays. He’s come out in defence of pinotage and attacked closed-mindedness from some UK journalists, seeing as many comments posted as Twitter retweets (at time of writing). click here
There’s plenty of “handbags at dawn” over at Grape.co.za this month also. The “debate” rages still over the boundaries of the Franschhoek Valley, the Huguenots and their role in planting vineyards. Comments and disagreements abound. It’s pretty interesting none-the-less. click here
Brendon Shaw’s “The Cru” blog is also focusing on a wide-ranging historical debate where several well-know estates are all claiming to be the “first”. click here
At Winemag.co.za, Christian Eedes seems to be forecasting the demise of printed wine magazines in favour of online publications… despite their experience of finding it hard to attract advertising rands. click here
