Blog
IWSC – SA Tasting 2012
January 31st, 2012 by karen
I thoroughly enjoyed the informal SA 2012 tasting of IWSC wines hosted at the Grand Roche Hotel last week. I was glad I got there early as the wines were available on a “pour you own” system with whites warming up quite quickly in the heat we have been experiencing over the past few weeks. …
In the Glass – Jan 2012
January 24th, 2012 by karen
With the L’Ormarins range shifts to new packaging and ranging of their wines they are selling this lovely 2008 Chardonnay for R35 from the cellar door whilst stocks last. Get there! I’ve worked with the Bouchard Finlayson range of wines, hosting tastings and doing hotel and restaurant staff training on their behalf for several years. …
The Gentle Giant of Haut Espoir
January 24th, 2012 by karen
I have been interacting with Rob on Twitter for over a year now, as we do in this “modern” age I’ve tasted, and been impressed by, the Haut Espoir (meaning “high hope”) wines I’ve enjoyed with meals at Wakame and Holden Manz. As is so often the case though, nothing can compare to the real…
The Metamorphasis of L’Ormarins
January 19th, 2012 by karen
We recently had some friends visiting from Amsterdam and since one of the lads is very interested in motor cars I automatically added L’Ormarins Estate and Motor Museum to their list of “must see’s” whilst on their self-drive trip through the winelands. What a bonus the suggestion ended up being for us as well, as…
Bouchard Finlayson’s Harmonious Hannibal
January 16th, 2012 by karen
Bouchard Finlayson, established in 1989, has always been a favourite boutique winery of mine and I believe they totally uphold their philosophy and focus to produce wines of the finest quality. Although they are dedicated to the making of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc it is their Hannibal that continues to capture my palate.…
Elegantly Elgin Spring Festival
October 17th, 2011 by karen
PRESS RELEASE: The Elegantly Elgin Spring Festival is the perfect way to experience wines of Elgin and discover why this region is fast becoming the newly celebrated wine-producing area of the Cape. On the 21 October, Southern Sun hotel in Newlands will play host to over 80 exciting wines for the public to sample and…
In the Glass – Sept 2011
September 20th, 2011 by karen
Enjoying a glass of Laibach‘s Lady Bird Red 2009 brings back memories of many laughs with the highly amusing winemaker Francois van Zyl whom I hosted for a series at KGB Wine Club last year Having purchased this bottle of Freedom Hill Shiraz 2004 a few years ago we caught it just before it crossed…
Sabrage and fun at Haute Cabriere
September 20th, 2011 by karen
Achim von Arnim, owner and MD at Haute Cabriere is a well respected presence in the wine industry. Indeed, he was even included in Wine Magazine’s South African Wine Legends article in their final issue. Getting to meet the eccentric Achim was similar to that of a larger than life legend who entertained us with…
KGB Wine Club hosts Lyngrove Estate
September 20th, 2011 by karen
Lyngrove Wines and Guest House is based in the golden triangle of Stellenbsoch which is where I discovered them at the Helderberg Festival last year. They are not generally open for tasting so my hubby and I took advantage of this occasion to explore the guest house grounds, 80 hectares of vineyards, and taste their…
Spreading the local love of wine to USA guests
September 20th, 2011 by karen
With Spring on its way it looks like tourism has increased to the Cape and not many of them are able to leave without a few days in our majestic winelands. I’m grateful to have met and spent a few days with a wine student from Switzerland and a couple from Tokyo. I also met…
