Cape Weekly Digest | Friday, 29th January, 2021
Our curated roundup of local news & events for wine tourism
Hello,
So, the end of the month has almost come and gone, and it’s time to look forward to what February has to offer. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and as usual it looks like we’ll be celebrating without the bubbles, but hey who said tea wasn’t sexy…...
I had the opportunity to visit Saxenburg Wines in Kuils River, and was treated to an amazing tour of their beautiful vineyards with grapes undergoing a gentle veraison (a fancy way of describing when grapes ripen and change colour). It was such a wonderful experience that I’d encourage all of you to try it at some point.
- Shirley
Cape News Roundup
Have you ever thought about where rooibos comes from? A teatime staple famous for its healing properties, this humble South African plant has soared in popularity internationally. But there’s only one place in the world where it’s grown: Clanwilliam. Read More…
An Insider's Guide to Durbanville Wine Valley - Some wineries offer unique pairings, such as ice cream or nougat and wine, pizza and wine, beer and biltong, or MCC and Macarons, while others are perfectly suited to families. This is thanks to great facilities for kids and parents alike, as well as non-alcoholic pairings. Read More…
Hungry for business, restaurant industry faces more red tape - Amid an intensified lockdown – under which the sale of alcohol is banned – a stalling economy and Eskom load shedding, South Africa’s hospitality industry is already financially distressed. Now the government has introduced new worker remuneration regulations for the sector. Read More…
Calls for UK trade to help crippled SA by freeing up tank space - Richard Bampfield MW has issued a call to the UK trade to support the beleaguered South African wine industry as producers continue to suffer crippling government restriction and oversupply issues. Winemakers in the country suffered a roller coaster of a year in 2020 (see timeline below), and are still currently legally banned from selling wine domestically. Read More…
Tamsin Snyman’s journey to plant-based healing - An extensive career in the world of food, coupled with a family history of dread disease and the necessity of proper diet, have led Tamsin Snyman to create a range of plant-based products. Read More…
International News Roundup
The 2020 wildfires could cost California’s wine industry $3.7 billion — but it doesn’t have to be that way - If the wildfires of 2020 hadn’t already served as a wake-up call for California’s wine industry, just wait until it sees the bill. The damage to the state’s wine companies by last year’s fires, according to one industry analyst, may amount to as much as $3.7 billion. That’s taking into account the losses of property, wine inventory, grapes and future sales of the wine that those grapes would have made. Read More…
Winemaker Interview: Randy Meyer - As our regular readers know, from time to time, we pose a series of questions to a winemaker to probe their winemaking philosophy and to gain insight into how they became who they are. This week, we are featuring Randy Meyer, the Director of Winemaking for BARRA of Mendocino in Mendocino County, California. Read More…
Nonalcoholic Drinks Finally Taste Great — Here Are 12 of Our Faves - For too long, the options in the non-alcoholic section of restaurant menus or liquor stores were cloying “mocktails” and syrupy fruit sodas, or maybe a dusty bottle of barely-hoppy 0% ABV beer. Not the case these days. As sobriety, “dry” months, or even just saying “I’m not drinking tonight” become more socially acceptable than ever before, the beverages had to catch up. Read More…
The Aroma of Progress at the Court of Master Sommeliers - It has been six weeks since the installation of a newly-elected board of directors for the Court of Master Sommeliers Americas. Earlier today, I sat in on the first of several “listening sessions” conducted by the board to discuss the way forward following the allegations of sexual misconduct and assault brought to light in a harrowing series of New York Times articles at the end of October 2019, to which I responded with a post entitled “The Wine World Owes Women More Than an Apology, It Owes Them a Reckoning.” Read More…
Why Is Screaming Eagle’s Winemaker Making $90 6-Packs of Lager? - Screaming Eagle famously makes some of the most well-regarded, limited, and absolutely jaw-droppingly expensive wine in all of America. Owned today by billionaire Stan Kroenke, Screaming Eagle’s Sauvignon Blanc sells for over $5,000 a bottle on average, and currently has a waiting list that reportedly takes over a decade to ascend to the top of, simply to be allowed to purchase bottles from the mere 400 to 750 cases released per year. This remains such an achievement to would-be buyers that it’s the third most prominent link on the winery’s website. Read More…
Home Dining Services
Esmari, was/ is in the travel industry so to get through the month she's now baking delicious bran & cream rusks if anyone is interested - R70 for 500g! Let her know if you’d like to buy some and she'll arrange collection and delivery of your order in the Cape Town area!
*Mark and Mavis Eats* We’re The “Side Hustle” cooks! Handmade, home-made, no two the same! ORDERS DAILY! We bake-to-order. Pre-order & pre-payment. Located: Claremont-Cavendish neighbourhood +27 83-272-4004
The House of K - Weekend Menu available Friday to Sunday Lunch. WhatsApp +27 64 962 6406 for delivery enquiries and orders. Delivery charges apply based on distance.
The Olive Branch only uses unbleached stoneground flour and free range eggs. Challah bread (kitka) only available on a Friday, place your order on a Thursday by 12pm to guarantee one. Sourdough bread order 24 hours in advance. Farm bread available daily. Birthday cakes, wedding cakes, biscuits available on order. Frozen meals available. Contact number +27 72 281 7600 or +27 76 960 4709
Ant’s Kitchen has added some new dishes which are well balanced using beautiful ingredients - giving you wholesome tasty meals for you to order for only R85 per dish. Contact Ant on +27 73 195 4298 or email to antskitchen1@gmail.com
Community Shout Out & Classifieds
While Antonij Rupert is not able to offer wine tastings at the moment, guests can still enjoy a scenic tram trip through our vineyards, which are looking more lush and beautiful than ever now that the drought has passed! The Antipasto Bar at our Terra Del Capo Tasting Room remains open for lunches, light meals and coffees, and our Anthonij Rupert Tasting Room is open for High Tea service. All visits are per appointment and instantly confirmed reservations can be made at Anthonij Rupert
The Industry is more than just a name of our Bar and Eatery – It is a life styles, a passion of providing a memorable moment from our food to entertaining our clientele with mixology of Classic Cocktails and flaring, down to our notable service. We are a close and enthusiastic team, that only wish to have all our guests leave with a smile of satisfaction and great memories. +27 21 433 1836
Entrée Restaurant has beautiful and spacious outside patio overlooking the gorgeous gardens and Kids’ Zone with playground and water feature. The restaurant is spacious and perfect for social distancing. Bookings Essential Entrée Restaurant Tel: +27 66 083 1145, email: entree@entree-restaurant.co.za
So excited about launching my range of bespoke, Cape Malay Atchars and Masalas. The base of our products are consistent yet each one boasts their own unique, distinct flavour. Not only are they delicious but they are also 100% wholefoods and vegan. It's made up of organic vegetables and turmeric, cold pressed olive oil and nigella seeds. Zero refined sugars and no nasty preservatives!
Koen's Veg: Every week prices change due to the demand and seasonality of fruit and veg. We are here to simplify that process for you by creating budget combos which suit your weekly nutrition needs as well as your pocket. (Delivery charged at R50 flat rate all around Cape Town). Visit our website. www.koensveg.co.za for more deals and single item orders or email Jason@Koensveg.co.za to place orders.
More from the Classifieds section
For next weeks community updates, please email us your update by the 2nd of February for inclusion in our next newsletter.
And Finally The Tweet of The Week…..
If this resembles you after breaking open that special bottle you have been saving… I salute you….
The Wine Tarte is a lifestyle Wine Tourism Directory featuring wine, travel and weddings in Cape Town and surrounding areas. If you would like us to consider your establishment for entry, please free to drop us a line for further information.
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