Cape Weekly Digest | Friday, 26th March, 2021
Curated roundup of local news & events for Wine & Travel
Hello,
This week has been much quieter, which is something of a relief really. Even though I enjoy getting out & about, it can be very enjoyable when things are calm & less hectic.
Last week I meet with Paul from Maanschijn who graciously showed and allowed me to taste some of their new releases, ie the Herbarium 2020 red and white Cape blends. I loved that they were both specifically Cape blends, instead of trying to augment traditional French or Italian blends with our varietals (Chenin Blanc and Pinotage), these intrepid winemakers put our grapes front and center.
I also enjoyed a delicious meal at the pop-up restaurant Oxalis, with their tiny menu of small but oh so yummy plates, what a treat. The flavours were both delicious and exciting, and the fact that it was set right above The Secret Gin Bar in Wale Street is just down right convenient.
- Shirley
News Roundup
Discovery of possible elephant teeth on Dyer Island opens up many mysteries - CapeNature has discovered what appears to be elephant teeth on Dyer Island, and MEC Anton Bredell says this could open up mysteries which could take years to unravel. Full Article
Fugard Theatre closure: Dear Friends of The Fugard Theatre, after a year of Covid closures it is with great regret and sadness that I have to confirm that The Fugard Theatre will close permanently with immediate effect. Full Article
Nando’s Fired Up About South African Art - When people think of Nando’s, they think of the brand’s famous PERi-PERi chicken and cheeky advertising. But, thanks to the long-running Nando’s Art Initiative and the Nando’s Creativity programmes that… Full Article
Cape Town Pride Parade goes virtual but not invisible this year - Despite going virtual, the Cape Town Pride Parade is all about visibility this year, said festival director Mathew van As. The annual festive parade is set to follow other large-scale events… Full Article
Restaurant Mosaic’s magnificent wine cellar to go on sale - In November 2020, they announced that it will be closing its doors at the end of March this year. The restaurant, which has won numerous awards… Full Article
Cape Wine News
Tokara Sauvignon Blanc crowned best in the world in Brussels - Tokara Sauvignon Blanc has claimed its rightful place on the world stage as overall winner of the 12th Concours Mondial du Sauvignon in Brussels. Full Article & Tokara Listing
Kleine Zalze awarded best South African Producer, 6 Gold Medals as well as Best of Show South African Red by Mundus Vini in Germany - With the 2021 harvest in full swing, the winemaking team at Kleine Zalze wine estate received very welcome news and recognition for their painstaking efforts from Mundus Vini–one. Full Article & Kleine Zalze Listing
Greg Sherwood MW: Big brand clout – can South Africa join the international party? - One of my last trips to France pre-lockdown was an inspired long weekend excursion in late July to Bordeaux… Full Article
The South African Region with Celestial Beauty and Heavenly Wines - In the Cape South Coast region of South Africa’s Western Cape lies an area so breathtakingly idyllic, its name is the stuff of poetry: Hemel-en-Aarde, or “heaven and earth” in Afrikaans. Full Article
A look into the crystal wine glass - Quoin Rock’s award-winning winemaker, Schalk Opperman, takes a look in his crystal wine glass to share his predictions for the upcoming year. With the uncertainty that 2020 has unleashed on the South African wine industry, accurately predicting the next wine craze is no easy task. Full Article & Quoin Rock Listing
International Wine News
Walnuts are a Surprisingly Excellent Accompaniment to Wine - Ancient Greeks and Romans alike valued walnuts highly. The latter attributed the nut’s trees to Jupiter, the king of Roman gods, which gave rise to the common walnut’s scientific name, Juglans regia, translating roughly to “royal nut of Jupiter.” Full Article
Vermouth: The Bar Cart Staple Every Cook Needs in the Kitchen - One of the greatest revelations I’ve had as a cook came after I switched from working in kitchens to writing about booze. Only as an avid Martini drinker, rather than a classically trained professional chef, did I realize that vermouth... Full Article
Southern French reds to lay down – Ask Decanter - Adrian Beatty, by email, asks: If I wanted to try ageing some good reds from southern France, would the Syrah-based wines of Pic St-Loup be the best option, or are there others I could try? Full Article
A Second Airport Popup Shot Bar Makes This A Trend - Las Vegas (KTNV) — In true Las Vegas fashion we want you to get the party started as soon as you hop off the plane. A pop-up "shot bar" is set up at McCarran airport! Full Article
Women Pinot Noir Winemakers - Here is a current list of lead women winemakers at wineries that focus completely or at least some production on Pinot Noir. Full Article
Local Events
Cocktail Culture Club: Join us for an evening of cocktails, history & fine spirits. Presented by passionate industry professionals. All proceeds donated to KG Schlechter Bartender Enrichment Fund. 23 March Cause|Effect Cocktail Kitchen, V&A Waterfront 18:45 pm. Cocktail Bar Details
Sugar Easter Eggs: In this fun and hands-on class, learn how to make hollow sugar eggs, pipe tiny royal icing flowers and create your own Sugar Easter Eggs. Take home your 3 decorated sugar eggs, filled with sweets. Book online at Grace Stevens. 23 March 09:30-13:30, R650 all inclusive, Bergvleit, Cape Town.
Bot River Barrel & Beards: A harvest tradition sees Bot River winemakers compete for the most luxuriant beard. The Shave Off on the1st February marks the start of harvest each year as well… Read More…
Tokai’s Earth Fair Food Market is the bee’s knees: With all the weekend markets in the Mother City, it’s hard to decide which one to visit. Let us point you in the right direction: the Earth Fair Market in Tokai is an absolute must-do. Read More…
Easter and More at the Manor this April - Make the most of gorgeous autumn days by visiting our beautiful eatery, The Manor, situated in our iconic manor house. It spills out onto the manor house terrace… Read More…
Community Shout Out & Local Listings
Beyond Restaurant - From rare-breed meats, and seasonal heirloom vegetables to artisanally crafted cheeses, this diversity serves to showcase and celebrate the 'weird and wonderful' and the beauty of unique strains and flavours beyond mass production. Restaurant Details
Blockhouse Kitchen - We are a conscious kitchen, focusing on the freshest seasonal and local produce. We work with sustainable food and follow ethical practices like using whole animals, fish, and vegetables. Nose to tail, root to leaf. Restaurant Details
The Bistro at Klein Constantia - Focusing on fresh, seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, our menu embodies a 'farm to table & head to toe' theme. Restaurant Details
Chardonnay Deli - Upmarket farm stall that serves light meals where you will be able to find a variety of healthy & homemade products situated in the Constantia Valley. Restaurant Details
Jonkershuis Restaurant - Jonkershuis Constantia is nestled in the historic core of the Groot Constantia Wine Estate next to the historic Manor House and overlooking the False Bay Coastline through vineyards and beautiful old oak trees. Restaurant Details
More from the Local Listings section
For next weeks Cape Weekly Newsletter, please email us your news or shout outs by the 31st of March for inclusion in our next newsletter.
And Finally The Tweet of The Week…..
I decided to get more familiar with our wine regions, so I started with our oldest continuous wine producing region and all it offers.
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