Pinotage: Everything You Need To Know
Pinotage is a bold red wine and its history is a wild one. From its somewhat mysterious and humble beginnings, this rockstar wine has had its ups and downs. From almost disappearing completely, to a reputation-damaging fall from grace and eventual re-emergence as one of the greats, the Pinotage profile makes a great read (and taste). Now that it’s firmly back as a vine favourite, we explore all the pleasures it has to offer.
A Cape Cheese & Wine Tour – From Start to Finish
I’ll tell you a secret. Don’t hate me and stop reading right away but I’ll be perfectly up front. I’m not a wine expert, and I’m not even a visitor to South Africa. I have had the privilege of living in Cape Town since 2009, and I’m no stranger to the Cape winelands.In spite of all this, I’m a lucky @#$% who managed to secure a free cheese and wine tour, courtesy of Luhambo Tours.
Transformation in the South African Wine Industry
South Africa is a popular tourist destination due to its wildlife, natural beauty and wealth of activities available. However, many travellers may have a recollection of times when South Africa was synonymous with institutionalized racism, and no South Africans travelling abroad could get away without being questioned about that. The 2010 FIFA World Cup was instrumental in transforming South Africa’s international image, illuminating the fact that the country has managed to transform for the large part into a more culturally accepting, welcoming nation, especially when compared with its past.
Excuse Me, Do You Speak Wine?
I once saw a phrase in a magazine that read “It’s no longer ‘Box Wine’. The classy term is ‘Cardboarddeaux’. One of the most fascinating things about wine is that it is not its own language. You’re probably really confused right now, let me explain. Food as an example is its own language because if I say an apple tastes like an apple, you know what I mean. But if I say a ‘Merlot’ tastes like a ‘Merlot’ or that the ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ has ‘grip’…not very helpful is it?