February 25, 2010
It is amazing what clever packaging can do for a wine (a pity then that most South African wine labels are so boring).
Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz 2009 by Cape Classics has hit all the right notes in this department and is flying off the shelves both here in South Africa and most importantly in America.
It even featured on NBC’s Today show - view clip here.
It’s hard not to notice the wine on the shelves when you are walking through Pick n Pay (where it sells for R39) - the packaging is unique, fun, nostalgic and a welcome change to the ‘wine label scene’ here in South Africa.
Now what about the wine? Is it any good?
I personally think you could mix water, food colourant and sugar together and end up with a similar result but that’s not the point.
This wine is unashamedly sweet, different and fun - and it has hit it’s intended target market with sugary aplomb.
For those who complain that the wine market is over saturated - dare to be a little different.
For those who have tried the wine - what do you think of it?
Posted in Red Wine, Wine Reviews 
2 Comments »
February 23, 2010
As a wine lover I know I spend a great deal of money on wine -and as my interest in wine grows so do my spending habits.
We don’t need to drink wine, it is a luxury that you and I have a passion for - although I might argue that it’s one of life’s necessities!
Anyway my point is that sometimes it’s worth giving up a portion of that luxury to give to those less fortunate - and in particular to those that cannot fend for themselves.
I found a really awesome charity called the Peninsula School Feeding Association the other day and I thought it would be worthwhile alerting you to it.
They have been around since 1958 and you can read all about them here.
Below is their mission:
To combat the prevalence of hunger in children attending schools or other educational institutions in the Western Cape, through school feeding and development initiatives, that will promote self-sufficiency and household food security.
Our Aims Include:
1. the reduction of short-term hunger
2. the provision of school feeding to enhance children’s ability to learn
3. increasing learner attendance at school
4. the promotion of parental participation at school
5. the promotion of food/vegetable gardens to improve household food security
I think it is an amazing cause as it persuades kids to attend school, gives them much needed nutrition and relieves the burden from parents who cannot afford to provide for their kids.
I remember how terrible it was leaving my lunch box at home and having to go just one day feeling hungry - it’s not cool that this is the daily struggle of many in our country.
By contributing just R235 you will feed one kid for an entire year - which is about the price of one case of Tassies - so I think as wine lovers we can all do without for a day or two and find enough give away.
Click here if you’re interested in donating!
I hope it’s something that speaks to you as much as it did to me and further more, I hope you will tell your friends about it. If not, then that’s fine too, each to their own - skip to the next post!
Posted in Charities No Comments »
February 17, 2010
I need a wine decanter - the plastic jug at home is tainted with traces of JIK and Handy Andy so I’m in the market for one.
So what should I go for - I’m looking for some advice because there some weird and wonderful designs out there, all at varying price points.
Is it even necessary to have a wine decanter or is it just another one of those wine snob “makes my wine appreciation look fancy” type of accessory?
I’ve seen some at Mr Price that go for about R15 or so - it’s just a simple glass jug but should do the job.
Then again it’s hard to ignore the beauty of something like this - A Riedel Cornetto which costs R1200.
But quite easy to ignore this stupid design - have you ever tried to pour wine out of one of these - awkward and tricky to say the least (and they are surprisingly popular - why?)
What decanter do you use at home - if any at all?
Posted in Gadgets 6 Comments »
February 12, 2010
I asked all the wine folk that I follow (and that follow me - stalkers) on Twitter what wines they recommend I try - here is how the conversation unfolded:
The Cru
To all the wine folk - can you recommend one bottle of wine I should try at the moment?
LAvenir1
@thecru try something you haven’t tried yet : -)))
foodie_za
@thecru this one… http://yfrog.com/32nh6kj (via francoisbotha) #Hedonist Swartland Red 2008
underinfluence
@thecru Chateaux Ausone 1996
The Cru
@underinfluence im not a wine snob like you so recommend soemthing i can buy in the local supermarket or wineshop!!
spitorswallow
@thecru Warning wine snob ahead http://wyn.cc/k676d Wine recommendation: Nico van der Merve - Mas Nicolas 2003 http://wyn.cc/lth8e
underinfluence
@thecru Haha! I got the desired effect. Lismore chardonnay on the whites and Shannon vineyards Merlot
HarryReginald
(try that again) Lismore and Shannon? Only if @underinfluence is your wine store. @thecru How about De Grendel’s The Winifred
underinfluence
@harryreginald @thecru ok ok! Two oceans pinot noir. Do it!
The Cru
@underinfluence @harryreginald how about some tassies-wonder what the latest batch tastes like.id love to try some old vintages - seriously
underinfluence
@thecru @harryreginald I used to decant a bottle for six hours every Wednesday at university (my night to cook). Spaghetti did the trick!
Make of it what you will!
To stalk me on Twitter click here.
Posted in Twitter No Comments »
February 1, 2010
I’m half way through completing a year long course in Financial Analysis and Portfolio Management so the next topic is of some interest to me:
Can you make money from wine?
(Click above link to read full Fin24 article)
I have some friends who have dabbled in some wine investment funds in the UK and they have made some good money out of it. In fact one or two of my friends aren’t even wine drinkers and even they bought some Bordeaux First Growths for investment purposes.
With Kanonkop having recently sold 600 bottles of their Black Label Pinotage 2006 for R1000 en primuer - it begs the question: is South Africa ready to enter the En Primeur market? do we have the wines for it? do we have the market presence for it?
What do you think? What wines could you see being sold en primeur in South Africa?
Posted in SA Wine Industry 4 Comments »
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