Get ready for the 2023 South African Cheese Festival with only a few days to go
Springtime outdoor culinary feast promises unforgettable experiences
As the calendar inches closer to the September Heritage Day long weekend, excitement builds for the eagerly anticipated 20th edition of the South African Cheese Festival.
As usual, Sandringham Estate outside Stellenbosch plays host to this festival, which this year will be held from Saturday 23 September to Monday 25 September. The 2023 SA Cheese Festival promises to immerse food lovers of all ages in a world of gourmet delights.
SECOND WORLD’S BEST BRANDY AWARD FOR VAN RYN’S THIS YEAR
For the second time in the short space of only four months, Van Ryn’s brandies have received another World’s Best Brandy Trophy. This time it was Van Ryn’s 12-year-old potstill brandy that received the World’s Best Brandy Trophy for brandies 11 years and older at the 2023 International Spirits Challenge announced in London.
Meerendal celebrates 50 years as Wine of Origin Estate Wine
50 years ago on 1 September 1973, Meerendal was officially declared as a Wine Estate together with the first 14 wine farms in South Africa to receive this privilege. The Wine of Origin Scheme came into operation on this day granting Estate Wine status to the 14 farms.
Iconic SA wine launches new red-hot blend – Roodeberg Black
Roodeberg Black, a sizzling new red blend spawned by a raging fire and crafted for a new generation of wine lovers in line with global trends, has just been launched by this iconic South African wine brand.
Emboldened by its fiery origins, Roodeberg Black is a rich and fruity blend tailormade for fun loving wine lovers yearning for a generous, ultra-smooth taste experience.
Laborie Named Overall Winner of Amorim Cap Classique Challenge in a Year of Record Entries
In a year that saw a record number of entries for the Amorim Cap Classique Challenge, KWV Laborie walked away with the top award, winning the trophy for Best Producer Overall with the Laborie Blanc de Blancs 2017. Laborie, which also took the competition trophy for Best Blanc de Blancs, was joined on the winners' rostrum by trophy winners Domaine des Dieux Claudia 2017 (Best Brut), Louisvale MCC Rosé NV (Best Rosé), Newstead Blanc de Blanc 2016 (Best Extended Aged Cap Classique for vintages from 2016 and older) and Darling Cellars Nectar 2020 (Best Nectar).
Celebrating Heritage Month: Survivor Wines Triumph in 28th annual Absa Top 10 competition
Survivor Wines is proud to announce its victory in the 28th annual Absa Top 10 Pinotage competition with the Survivor Pinotage Reserve 2021. This accolade marks Survivor's third triumph in the competition, reaffirming its commitment to excellence - an exceptional achievement that pays homage to the enduring spirit of Pinotage but also underscores Survivor Wines' dedication to crafting world-class wines. Earlier this year, the Survivor Chardonnay also received the distinguished titles of Best Chardonnay and Best White Wine overall at the annual Investec Trophy Wine Show.
Backsberg upholds its legacy of excellence in Tim Atkin’s 2023 South African Report
With a legacy spanning over a century of winemaking, Backsberg Family Wines embody a pioneering spirit that has been carried forward through four generations of dedicated South African family ownership. Rooted in this history, the winery's core philosophy revolves around crafting premium, carbon neutral wines for a diverse spectrum of wine enthusiasts.
SA WINE QUALITY STILL ON THE UP THANKS TO QUALITY INNOVATION, SAYS TIM ATKIN MW
International wine critic and commentator Tim Atkin MW is upbeat about the South African wine industry and says it is “producing the greatest wines in its history” despite the prevailing economic and structural setbacks faced by many. The reasons, he believes, are: “Better viticulture and site-selection, superior virus-free plant material and a broader palette of grape varieties.”
In his just-released 319-page 2023 South Africa Report, now in its 11th annual edition, he contends that the country’s whites are “some of the best on the planet” and claims “the Cape has eclipsed the Loire Valley as the source of the world’s best dry Chenin Blancs”. Meanwhile, its reds “are now a match for … its world-class whites”.
Bellingham celebrates outstanding achievements in the 2023 Tim Atkin Report
With the release of the highly esteemed 2023 Tim Atkin Report, a definitive benchmark in the world of South African wines, the Bellingham team is thrilled to unveil their long list of worthy awards and accolades.