Wine Country

Chocolate was used by the Mayans and the Aztecs to make a drink they named nahuatl which means bitter water - the seeds of the cacao tree are insanely bitter and have to be fermented first. It’s only after they’ve been dried, cleaned, roasted and had the shells removed that the nibs (which are also ground and liquefied) are produced. That, in turn, is made into chocolate solids and ....

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According to Elisa Alanis, a journalist from Mexico’s Canal 34 Television Mexiquense who recently visited Boschendal on assignment in preparation for 2010, the South African wine industry could benefit tremendously from the World Cup. “Not only in terms of the hundreds of thousands of tourists visiting the tournament for the one month of the tournament, but the international media coverage will give the South African wine industry exposure it ....

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Wine Concepts will host their sixth exclusive Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon festival at The Vineyard Hotel and Spa in August. Sample a voluptuous selection of just two varieties! This popular annual festival gives wine lovers the opportunity to taste and compare over 60 of the 2008 vintage Sauvignon Blancs.  Robust red cousin, Cabernet Sauvignon will also be putting in an appearance with new vintage releases. Another feature of this ....

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Welcome to South Africa’s 1st ever Country-Living Showcase…- highlighting the essential elements that a natural country lifestyle offers. The LiveAlive Country Lifestyle Festival from 5-7 September 2008 celebrates the good life and presents key aspects to naturally-good-living. This year ’s festival programme includes some enlightening presentations, inspiring people and natural-living motivation. We’ll also be presenting various other activities and attractions throughout the area offering good food, great culture, relaxation, ....

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Paarl’s Ridgeback Shiraz 2005 was first in the line up of the 10 delicious Shirazes we tasted last night at the public tasting of the Lexus Shiraz Challenge 2008. I know I am biased – but the delicious coconut and green spices in the Ridgeback made it one of my favourites and, in my opinion, it stood up brilliantly to the other wines in the line-up. And we were ....

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Scouring international wine waters I docked at a pretty interesting argument between, yes, the media and the wine making fraternity again. Oak. The cornerstone of wine culture and sophistication. In the good old days, before the interference of the media it seems, wines were typically fermented in these colossal oak barrels, usually imported at exorbitant cost from France, Spain and other old world wine regions. Of course, many wineries ....

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Directions to Nederburg coming from Wellington or Northern Paarl are missing in action. (map) Once I cross the set of traffic lights into Daljosaphat, rolling hills of vineyards far ahead indicates a nearby winery and I decide to proceed. Not too far ahead, on the right, are the majestic white walls indicating the entrance to Nederburg. However, once you set foot on the farm, signage ....

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