Distell Group Limited, South Africa’s leading producer of spirits, wines and ready-to-drinks, has made its first fully-fledged international acquisition with the purchase from Pernod Ricard of renowned heritage brand Bisquit, a top name in cognac. The €31 million (approximately R390 m) deal gives Distell, the world’s fourth biggest brandy producer, […]
The March 2009 edition of Decanter Wine Magazine carries a feature on South African Rhone style wines recently judged by an independent panel. The Decanter World Wine Awards 2008 results brought home the fact that SA wines have improved and shall continue to impress. So were people really surprised or even shocked […]
Set along the waters edge in the seaside hamlet of Keurboomstrand, this Italian restaurant has got it all: views, great food with an impressive winelist. Owner Enrico Iacopini has been at the helm for several years now, having relocated from Johannesburg via Rome! The fact that he has the bluest eyes […]
WINEMAKERS in Victoria’s Yarra Valley and Heathcote regions are assessing the damage from bushfires just weeks before harvest. The fires followed days of intense heat that has shrivelled fruit in some areas, reducing potential wine quality as well as yield for the 2009 vintage, which is just getting under way. […]
In March 2007 I had the pleasure of conducting a site inspection over several days with Pam Rathke, owner of African Art Tours, based in Colorado, USA. Pam’s enthusiasm for Africa and approach to learning meant that I could take her off the beaten track and introduce her to people and places most […]
By Michael Hamlyn in Business Report Johannesburg – Wine producers are blaming the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for shifting its export focus away from developed countries because of the global credit crunch. Su Birch, the chief executive of the industry organisation Wines of South Africa (Wosa), said on […]
With temperatures averaging 35 – 42 deg C in the Okavango Delta, one is inclined to think that beer and G&T’s are the only way to refresh the palate. Mistake! The 2008 Simonsig Sauvignon Blanc Semillon is a gem of a wine to be enjoyed as an aperitif or with a meal. The 70/30 […]
On a recent tour of Vic Falls the beautiful rainbow linking Zimbabwe with Zambia reminded me of previous visits to the town of Victoria Falls and I was struck by the symbolism of the rainbow – the shifting of the pot of gold. Whilst Vic Falls sleeps, the main street of Livingstone […]
