A PARADE OF PINOTAGES WITH WHICH TO CELEBRATE THE MONTH OF PINOTAGE AND THROUGH THE NEXT MONTHS…

A Parade of Pinotages, not only in celebration of Pinotage Day, but for any day of the week. South Africa's own red wine Grape...

October 11th, 2021|Categories: wine of the day|Tags: Abri Beeslaar, , Anri and Beyers Truter, , Beeslaar Pinotage 2019, Beyerskloof Pinotage Reserve 2018, Boela Gerber, Chamonix Pinotage Greywacke 2017, Charl Myburgh, Charles Hopkins, Cloof Pinotage 2018, Conradie Family Vineyards Pinotage 2020, CP Conradie, De Grendel Amandelboord Pinotage 2020, , Fairview 2019, Fairview Primo 2018, Francois Malan, Francois van Niekerk, Francois van Niekerk Pinotage 2019, , , , , Landskroon Pinotage 2019, Meerendal The Heritage Block Pinotage 2017, Neil Bruwer, Paul de Villiers V, Perdeberg Dry Land Collection Resolve Pinotage 2019, , Spier Signature Collection Pinotage 2019, Stellenbosch Hills Bush Vine Pinotage 2018, Swartland Bush Vine Pinotage 2019, Thys Smit, |
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IT’S INTERNATIONAL CABERNET SAUVIGNON DAY TODAY – HERE ARE SOME OF MY CURRENT FAVOURITES…

International Cabernet Sauvignon Day, on September 2nd. Time to celebrate this King of Grapes, a vineyard crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc...

September 2nd, 2021|Categories: wine of the day|Tags: Charles Hopkins, Dalewood Fromage, , , Delaire Graff Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, , , , , , Morné Vrey, , , , , , , , , |
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SIMONSIG LABYRINTH CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017, PERFECT WITH A TRANCHE OF SKIRT STEAK WITH MUSTARD SAUCE…

Simonsig Labyrinth Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, first bottled on the Estate in 1976, presents a fine wine as a result of improved clones on suitable sites...

August 30th, 2021|Categories: podcasts, wine of the day|Tags: , , Francois Malan, , , , , , Simonsig Wine Estate, , |
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REVISITING UNUSUAL & DIFFERENT WINES OF OUR WEBSITE PARTNERS…

I visit unusual and different wines from our website partners, from which I derive a lot of fun, all perfect for this time of the year...

July 24th, 2021|Categories: Michael's Writings|Tags: Boela Gerber, Charles Hopkins, Danie de Wet, , , , , Francois Malan, , , , , Morné Vrey, , Oldenburg, , , , , |
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Simonsig Cuvée Royale 2014, in the Top Ten of The Prescient Cap Classique Report 2020…

Simonsig Cuvée Royale 2014, perfectly placed in Winemag's Prescient Cap Classique Report 2020. A Chardonnay only MCC, ready for drinking now...

March 19th, 2020|Categories: wine of the day|Tags: Francois Malan, Ina Paarman, , , , , Seafood Pasta Stack, Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel, Simonsig Wine Estate, , Stellenbosch, |
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Valentine’s Day Podcast #2, Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut Rosé 2018…

Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut Rosé first appeared in 2004 when Johan Malan blended Pinotage with the Pinots Noir & Meuniére, 2018 is the current vintage...

February 2nd, 2020|Categories: wine of the day|Tags: , , , , , , Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel, , Simonsig Wine Estate, , , Stellenbosch|
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Simonsig Cuvée Royale 2014, so good with Alida Ryder’s Crispy Bacon Brie Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Caramelised Onions…

Simonsig Cuvée Royale 2014, a Blanc de Blanc made from the finest Chardonnay grapes from the Simonsig Vineyards, a treat for any time...

September 5th, 2019|Categories: wine of the day|Tags: , Francois Malan, , , , , , , Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel, Simonsig Wine Estate, |
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Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel 2016, the pioneering Methode Cap Classique, a ZA Confidential podcast…

Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Methode Cap Classique Brut 2016, the pioneering Methode Cap Classique in South Africa, a ZA Confidential podcast...

August 24th, 2019|Categories: wine of the day|Tags: Francois Malan, , , , , Simonsig Wine Estate, Stellenbosch|
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Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Satin Nectar Rosé 2017, perfect with Dianne Bibby’s Cognac Apple Cake…

Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Satin Nectar Rosé 2017, the latest and very welcome addition to the fabulous range of Methode Cap Classique Kaapse...

July 10th, 2019|Categories: wine of the day|Tags: , Francois Malan, , , Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel, , , , , , |
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Crush – 100 South African Wines to drink now, #15, Simonsig Mr Borio’s Shiraz 2016, try it with Ina Paarman’s Twice Cooked Sticky Ribs…

Named for Alessandro Borio, Simonsig Mr Borio’s Shiraz 2016 pays homage to the man who built their early cement fermenting tanks...

July 8th, 2019|Categories: wine of the day|Tags: , Ina Paarman, , , Simonsig Wine Estate, , , Stellenbosch, |
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Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Satin Nectar 2017, at afternoon tea with Dianne Bibby’s Greek Yoghurt Cake with Granadilla Syrup…

Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Satin Nectar 2017, continues the Kaapse Vonkel innovation going on Simonsig with Francois & Johan Malan...

April 26th, 2019|Categories: wine of the day|Tags: , Francois Malan, , , , , , , Stellenbosch, |
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Simonsig GSM 2017, so good with Christine Capendale’s Easter Roast Lamb with Roasted Onions & Chimichurri…

The Simonsig GSM 2017, a delicious blend of Mourvèdre, Shiraz and Grenache Noir, perfect Easter Lamb...

April 9th, 2019|Categories: wine of the day|Tags: #redblend, Christine Capendale, Francois Malan, GSM Dart, , , Simonsig Wine Estate, South Africn Wine|
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Simonsig The Labyrinth Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, perfect match to Roberta Muir’s Asparagus & Goat Cheese Risotto…

Simonsig Wine Estate first produced Cabernet in 1976, 1977 it won the General Smuts Trophy for SA Champion Wine, current vintage is the Simonsig The Labyrinth Cabernet Sauvignon 2016...

March 7th, 2019|Categories: wine of the day|Tags: , Francois Malan, , , Simonsig Cabernet Sauvignon, , , Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon, |
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Simonsig Malan Family Collection Frans Malan 2006, good with Cheryl Bennett’s Vegan Crispy Tofu Asian Noodle Bowl

Simonsig Malan Family Collection Frans Malan 2006, named for pioneer Wine Estate Owner, Frans Malan. A Cape Blend, 60% Pinotage. A fine Stellenbosch wine matched with some fine Florida food....

June 3rd, 2018|Categories: wine of the day|Tags: , , Francois Malan, , , , , Pook's Pantry, Simonsig Wine Estate, , Stellenbosch|
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Simonsig Labyrinth Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 & Ina Paarman’s Venison Pie – 02.08.2017

Simonsig Labyrinth Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 If you want to know which as the first private estate in Stellenbosch to have bottled almost any single variety, Simonsig is one of the first you would investigate. Frans Malan, the founder was a real pioneer in the wine industry, first bottled his Cabernet Sauvignon in 1976. The 1977

August 6th, 2017|Categories: wine of the day|Tags: , , Francois Malan, Ina Paarman, , Simonsig Wine Estate, , |
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Simonsig Merindol Takes Rare Gold at Syrah du Monde

Simonsig Merindol Syrah 2010 A single-vineyard Syrah from the Cape‘s 2010 vintage made on Simonsig Estate won one of the few Gold medals awarded at this year’s Syrah du Monde competition in France. The Simonsig Merindol Syrah 2010 was among only 35 Gold medal winners out of 372 wines entered by 26 countries at this

May 25th, 2017|Categories: Michael's Writings|Tags: Francois Malan, , , , , |
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Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel, SAA Wine of the Year

Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel on ice South African Airways announced its annual Wine of the Year Awards at a dinner held at Cape Sun Hotel in Cape Town on Saturday, 8 April. The awards were made in four categories: white wines, red wines, Cape Tawny and Méthode Cap Classique wines. Frans & Liza Malan The Wine of

April 21st, 2017|Categories: Michael's Writings|Tags: Francois Malan, , , Simonsig Wine Estate, , |
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Johan Malan offers variety at CWG Auction with Vintage Cap Classique & a Mediterranean White Blend

Johan Malan CWG, Owner & Cellarmaster of Simonsig Wine Estate A Simonsig stalwart Cap Classique plus an adventurous Mediterranean blended white wine comprise the offering Simonsig cellar master Johan Malan has made for this year’s Cape Winemakers (CWG) Guild Auction, South Africa’s leading fine wine auction that takes place this year on 1 October. As

September 5th, 2016|Categories: Michael's Writings|Tags: Cap Classique, , Simonsig Wine Estate, |
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about

fav-57 As a young aspiring chef, Michael laid a solid foundation for his career at the Cordon Bleu Cooking School in London. Over the next 30 years he had a series of high profile hospitality management posts, was the Public Relations Manager for Boschendal and ran three successful restaurants in the Cape, one of which, Parks, featured in the national top 10 restaurants.

Michael is a family man, author and broadcaster.
A lifetime devoted to the promotion and appreciation of the South African wine and food industry has earned him many accolades, including the Lannice Snyman Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2013 Eat Out Awards.

Michael continues to be prolific, informative and entertaining on his wine and food website, michaelolivier.co.za

Copyright 2025 Michael Olivier | All Rights Reserved
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