De Grendel Shiraz 2018, made by the expert hand of charles Hopins and his team from Paarl and Firgrove Shiraz...
What a privilege and a total joy to drink a bottle of the Kleinood Tamboerskloof John Spicer Syrah 2013 the other evening...
Saxenburg Private Collection Shiraz 2016, a gem of a wine, matured in French Oak. So good as a contemplative sipper, great with food...
Zandvliet Shiraz Rosé, from the Home of Shiraz in South Africa, this beautiful old Estate in Ashton in the Robertson Appellation...
La Bri Syrah 2017, from the much awarded Franschhoek Wine Estate. Irene de Fleuriot GM & Winemaker produces some fine wines...
Landskroon Shiraz 2018 , a gem of a wine in its brand new livery and bottle shape, watch my Instagram TV Video...
La Boucher Shiraz 2018, a handsome big fella from Stellenbosch. Iron fist in velvet glove by the larger than life Kwagga Boucher...
Oldenburg Vineyards Syrah 2017, from the Banghoek Valley on the Eastern side of the Simonsberg, a cooler part of the Stellenbosch Wine Appellation...
Delaire Graff Shiraz 2018, a fine expression of the grape in the final year of the worst drought in living memory...
Vine by Post, or in the winelands known as ’Stok by Paaltjie’, is used in Peter Falke Wines vineyards, Syrah planted in 2010...
La Motte Pierneef Syrah Viognier 2017, one of the Estate's fine blends, with grapes from Elim, Walker Bay and Franschhoek, dry and delicious...
The Old Road Wine Company The Anvil Shiraz 2017, Ryan Puttick's sappy, fruity, spice Shiraz, such a great food wine...
Landskroon Cinsaut Shiraz 2017, a red blend for today in the #sawinelockdown programme. A delicious Autumn wine...
12 Mile Syrah 2017, a single vineyard wine from The Old road Wine Company, Ryan Puttick has produced a stonker of a wine...
The Alto Shiraz 2016, a fine red from the Estate high up on the Helderberg in the Stellenbosch Appellation and benefiting from its maritime climate...
The Old Road Wine Company in Franschhoek has a range of wines called The Quirky Ones and this delicious red blend Spotted Hound 2018 is one of them...
I made a Berry & Apple Sauce from larder ingredients, it was so good with a Pork Belly we had with a bottle of Alto Shiraz from the Helderberg...
The Asara The Vineyard Collection Cape Fusion 2016 is a Cape Blend, an unusual one which contains a good dollop of Malbec, the 'forgotten grape' of Bordeaux...
Landskroon Shiraz 2017, a star from the estate, well known in earlier days for Port style and red wines...
Spier’s new Seaward Shiraz 2017 & the Chardonnay 2018, uses grapes which are affected by maritime climates, gentle sea breezes cooling the vineyards...
De Grendel Shiraz 2017 made in the worst year of the recent drought, is a shining example of great grapes making great wines....
Asara Vineyard Collection Shiraz 2015 Asara Wine Estate lies in the folding hills of Polkadraai in the western side of the Stellenbosch Wine Appellation. These hills offer different soils, different aspects and different altitudes which make for interesting winemaking. The grapes for the Asara Vineyard Collection Shiraz 2015 come from two vineyards. The higher of
Winners of the 2019 Shiraz Challenge were announced last week at Ashanti Wine Estate in Paarl - here they are...
The Annual Shiraz & Charcuterie Festival 2019 takes place in Franschhoek on May 25th at the home of Anthonij Rupert Wines...
Robertson Constitution Road Flagship Constitution Road, Chardonnay and Shiraz are the jewels in the Robertson Winery Crown...
Luddite, Genevieve & Urbanologi Go Large in Jozi, with Salmanazars and Magnums and some fabulous food...
Unusual for a Cape Blend, the Asara The Vineyard Collection Cape Fusion 2015, has apart from the Pinotage and the Shiraz, an equal portion of Malbec...
Asara The Vineyard Collection Cape Fusion 2015, an unusual Cape Blend. While it contains the requisite amount of Pinotage, it is unique in that it is 30% Malbec...
One of a stable of fine wines from this old Constantia Wine Estate, much awarded Boela Gerber's Groot Constantia Shiraz 2016.....
My Asara #8 in my series of Asara Wines, The Vineyard Collection Cape Fusion 2015, great with Dianne Bibby's Pasta...
From the greatest vintage of the century, in the middle of the worst drought in living memory, the truly sublime Oldenburg Vineyards Series Syrah 2015...
Part of a sublime range of wines made by Albertus Louw and his team, Perdeberg The Vineyard Collection Shiraz 2017. Made mainly from old bush vine vineyards...
Asara Avalon 2012, an Amarone style wine made from Pinotage and Shiraz with grapes desiccated on the vine, flagship Asara Wine Estate wine...
Live in Gauteng? Want to know more about Shiraz or Syrah? The Syrah Masterclass features top wines from SA and the world...
Rooiberg Winery in the Robertson Valley has for years produced excellent wines, the Rooiberg Flagship Reserve Shiraz 2016 is a stunner.
Excelsior Evanthius Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 and Excelsior San Louis Shiraz 2012, two fine wines from this Robertson Wine Valley Estate, named for two of their stud horses.
De Grendel Elim Shiraz 2016, made from grapes from our southernmost vineyards at Elim, a cooler and rainier Appellation.
A pair of reds from Lozärn Wines from Bonnievale, are deep, dark, delicious and serious. Alida Ryder provides the food matches
Bellingham The Bernard Series Basket Press Syrah 2015, a truly premium expression of a grape and its vintage year.
Landskroon Shiraz 2016, a wine with all the classical Shiraz flavours and ready for drinking now. Excellent food wine...
The Flagstone Dark Horse 2014, is a fine expression of Shiraz which just calls out for food, Ina Paarman comes to the rescue.
Founded in 1942 by Negociant Douglas Green, the company still adheres to his philosophy of excellent wines at even handed prices, and a good expression of the grapes used.
A fine expression of Stellenbosch Shiraz is the Delaire Graff Shiraz 2016. And a great fingerprint of the vintage. Lovely midweek supper wine with Alida Ryder's Bolognese Pasta Bake
Matthew Copeland is 'very excited' about his newest release of Vondeling's Flagship Rhone Blend, Vondeling Monsonia 2015. Named for a species of flower, named for Lady Anne Monson, great granddaughter of King Charles 11, a renowned botanist who visited the Cape in the early days of the settlement.
Perfectly positioned in the Polkadraai Hills, Asara Wine Estate & Luxury Hotel, offers both Food destinations and delicious Asara Wine. A short drive from Cape Town and well worth the trip as they say in the Michelin Guide....
Oldenburg Syrah 2014, a gem of a wine from an Estate high up in the Banghoek Valley. Perfect food wine with our spicy foods or something completely different, like Pasta.
Groot Constantia Shiraz 2015, Boela Gerber's great expression of what Groot Constantia can do with Shiraz. A fine noble wine, so good with food.
A new range of blended wines, offering some fabulous flavours, by Ross Sleet. The Word Collection's Pandiculation 2015, a welcome addition to the Cape Wine Scene...
Bellingham Small Barrel SMV 2014 is a masterful blend of Shiraz, Mourvèdre and Viognier. Barrel aged for 14 months, it is a perfect wine for a well cooked meal.
A fine range of MCC Wines for my Advent Calendar #17 - The Silverthorns. Produced by John and Karen Loubser on their farm within sight of the Riviersonderend Mountains.
With Shiraz grapes from the southernmost tip of the African Continent and the vineyards around Elim, Charles Hopkins has made my Advent Calendar #16 wine, De Grendel Elim Shiraz 2016....
Father and son, Andre and Jacques Bruwer's Bon Courage The Pepper Tree Shiraz 2013 features as my Advent Calendar #11 wine. A sublime wine which will sit happily on your Christmas lunch table.
There is something quite beguiling about a Cinsaut when giving it a bit of beef by blending it with Shiraz. Chill it lightly before serving. It will partner Cheryl Bennett's Pasta dish perfectly.
Reyneke Biodynamic Syrah 2015 - Johan Reyneke's biodynamically produced wine from the Stellenbosch Wine Appellation.
De Grendel Shiraz 2016, silky as a Persian rug, perfect with Jan Braai’s Democratic Lamb Salad on the last day of Heritage Month.
Groot Constantia, a superb cool climate Shiraz made for food like Nadia Graves's Slow Cooked Mutton Curry.
Award winner in Top Shiraz 2017, sublime blend by Niël Groenewald. Perfect with Ina Paarman's Venison Pie.
A perfect expression of dryland bush vine Shiraz. Lovely partner in Dianne Bibby's Chinese Mandarin Chicken Tray Bake.
Landskroon Shiraz 2015 Landskroon sits on the slopes of the iconic Paarl Mountain, so named because the three large rocks on the top shine like pearls in the sun after rain. The South-Western slope face towards Cape Town. Nelie & Paul de Villiers Since the family bought the farm some 5 generations ago, the Cellar
Another cracker of a wine by Johan Malan and his team. Beautiful soft round fruited red blend. Perfect with Dianne Bibby's Stuffed Cabbage with Freekah Meatballs.
Oldenburg Vineyards, situated at the top of the Banghoek Valley, produces a fine range of premium wines. This Syrah is a superb food wine.
Fairview Shiraz 2014 When a wine you truly like does well for the umpteenth in a national competition. Two Fairview Wines are the most recent award winners in the 2017 Shiraz SA Wine Challenge. At the end of May, Fairview again proved its prowess in the cultivation and winemaking of this popular red wine grape
Lanzerac, Stellenbosch's oldest Country House Hotel In May 1966, I started working at Lanzerac, the beautiful country hotel in the very heart of the Stellenbosch Wine Appellation. At the time, Lanzerac was amongst the first f the Country House style of hotels and the fist in South African to served a buffet breakfast. The Cheese
Boschendal 1685 Shiraz 2014 The grapes for the Boschendal 1685 Shiraz 2014 come from prime vineyard sites in the Stellenbosch, Elgin and Swartland Wine Appellations, each component especially selected to bring a unique attribute to the final blending. Richard Duckitt in Boschendal's Red Wine Barrel Cellar Vineyard management techniques were practiced. Shoots were thinned in
La Bri Syrah 2014 La Bri Vineyards is beautifully positioned in the south west corner of the Franschhoek Valley. Blessed with an enchanting Manor House and cutting edge winery and well tended vineyards, Irene Waller the General Manager and Cellarmaster makes a superb range of award winning wines. Each wine is cleverly labelled with Cape
Delaire Graff Shiraz 2015 The Delaire Graff Estate is situated at the top of the Helshoogte Pass in Banghoek, Stellenbosch. Overlooking the beautiful Banghoek Valley with its soaring mountains, the Delaire Graff Restaurant has the most perfect views from its deck. Morné Vrey, the award-winning winemaker was recently invited to be a member of the
Twenty million wine lovers have voted in the annual Vivino Wine Style Awards and reviewers have recognised Bellingham’s The Bernard Series Basket Press Syrah as one of the top wines from South Africa. Vivino is the world’s largest wine application (app), allowing a global wine community to buy, rate and review wines. This popular wine
The Ploughman Wines Perdeberg Winery echoes the saying of Pliny the Elder, Roman Statesman and Scholar, who said ‘always something new out of Africa,’ for there is always something new out of Perdeberg Cellar. Dawid “Dappies” Diederiks of Klein Môrewag Perdeberg wines is a strategic partner of the state in developing Klein Môrewag to the
Durbanville Hills Shiraz 2014 There is magic in the Hills of Durbanville, a unique little wine appellation, a valley running up from the sea into the immediate interior. My parents were wine farmers in Durbanville and many of the 9 wine farms which supply the Durbanville Hills Winery, I knew as a child as I
Two wines we have tasted over this weekend are well worth a mention. Current White Wine in the Fridge Eikendal Chardonnay 2015 Complex and elegant, this wine is pronounced by Eikendal’s winemaker Nico Grobler as “This is the best I’ve made.” Made from four different clones planted on different sites and different planting densities. Each
De Grendel Shiraz 2015 As I have said when referring to the 2015 vintage, the dry windy conditions during flowering in late 2014 resulted in lower pollination and led to a drop in the harvest of about 15%. The harvest was earlier by about 2 weeks and though the bunches were smaller there was a
KWV Classic Collection Shiraz Rosé 2016 Get ‘Tickled Pink’ on Valentine’s Day with a Pan Fried Trout Delight with Rosé sauce. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, love is in the air. So, if you want to surprise your loved one with a romantic meal then there is no easier and more flavourful dish than
KWV The Classic Collection Shiraz 2015 With temperatures soaring into the thirties this week, if you are not a person who has ever chilled red wine, now is the time for you to experiment. Fridge reds are just brilliant, the flavours are enhanced, the drinking is easy and I find that it is easier to
Mpho Tshukudu & Anna Trapido's Tripe & Trotters Curry In a very exciting new book, Mpho Tshukudu and Anna Trapido take us into new realms of rustic 'food of the people' South African Cuisine and its traditions. A really interesting read let alone cookery book. Having tried a couple of the recipes, you will want
French Chicken Liver Paté – Nadia Graves Nadia lives in Dordogne in the south west of France. She has a lovely website which is all about cooking in her region, except on Tuesdays when she posts a South African Recipe. French Chicken Liver Paté Serves 6 Ingredients 1 onion, finely chopped 1 garlic clove, crushed
Lamb’s Liver with Bacon & Gravy - Ina Paarman Ina says: “As children we had liver on the menu once a week. My mother believed we needed the iron. Instead of lamb’s liver, calf's liver is very good if you can get it. Chicken livers are widely available and can be prepared in the same
Tracy Foulkes's Osso Bucco Tracy says this is a great one for winter! Curl up by the fire with some delicious red wine and enjoy! Osso Bucco ¼ cup NoMU Extra Virgin Olive Oil 12 small beef shins NoMU Sea Salt Plain flour, for dusting 2 shallots or 1 large onion, thinly sliced 1 tbsp
Harissa Steak Roll with Caramelized Onions by Anina Meyer Anina says: “I love busy weeks. Really, I do. When your days are busy, (work busy) you kind of reach a sense of accomplishment and intellectual fulfillment like no other. It almost feels like the more you do, the more you want to do. And then,
Roasted butternut & buffalo mozzarella pasta bake – Alida Ryder Alida says: "As we are pretty much fully in Winter in South Africa at the moment, recipes have two requirements: 1) Be warm and comforting and 2) Be flippin delicious. I mean, the latter is always a requirement but that first one. That first one is
Nina Timm's Spicy Sausage with Horseradish Mash, Apple & Onion Nina is such an explorer and fixer creator of recipes. She did a post on sausages and said, “strangers emailed me to tell me that they look at sausage in a whole different light. Hard to imagine, I just took it for granted that everyone
Nadia Graves's Venison with Prunes Nadia says: "Another great one pot meal. Try this slow-cooked venison recipe – the meat cooks to the softness of butter within hours and is complemented perfectly with the sweetness of the prunes and wine. In South Africa, the wine used is Muscadel. It is a sweet, full rounded wine
Pulled Beef Shin Chilli con Carne – Lizet Hartley Lizet says: "Chilli con carne – if Wikipedia is to be believed (and that’s a big IF), this dish traces its roots back to the Texas of 1850. According to the same dodgy source, they smaak it so much down South that it was designated the