Tourism, Food, and Wine new headlines
* KWV has launched Earth’s Essence Pinotage, with the claim that it is the ‘healthiest wine in the world‘, made with Rooibos bark. No sulphur dioxide has been added in making the wine, and wooden staves made from the bark of rooibos and honeybush plants, having natural anti-oxidant properties, are used. KWV chose to use the staves in the production of Pinotage, both Rooibos and the wine varietal having an iconic South African heritage. The wine should do particularly well in the Scandinavian countries, where organic, sulphur-free or Faitrade wines are high in demand.
* The massive ‘Perceiving Freedom‘ sunglass frame artwork on the Sea Point Promenade has received heavy criticism as being opportunistic and nothing but commercial exploitation for Ray-Ban, sponsors of the installation. It is also criticised for its cost of R170000, paid for by City of Cape Town ratepayers! The City says that its Outdoor Signage by-law is not contravened, as the work carries no branding. The artwork is dedicated to the memory of the late Nelson Mandela, and faces Robben Island. It is a World Design Capital 2014 approved project.
* Sales of Prosecco are popping through the roof in the UK, almost tripling in the super-premium category, and increasing increasing by 50% in the premium category. Prosecco appears to have an established support base in the UK now, no longer being seen to be a cheaper sparkling wine relative to Champagne. It is drunk every day rather than just on special occasions, and customers are now trading up in the category. In 2013 Prosecco sales (307 million bottles) exceeded sales of Champagne (304 million bottles) for the first time.
* Chef Rudi Liebenberg of the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel is the creator of the Col’Cacchio 2014 Celebratory Chef Series pizza for November, his ‘Mrs Periwinkle’ pizza having a tomato base, covered with mozzarella, chili, garlic butter prawns, calamari, and mussels, drizzled with peri-peri. The pizza costs R115, of which R5 goes towards the Red Cross Children’s Hospital Trust.
* Grande Provence has launched a Rosé 2014, made solely from Franschhoek-sourced Merlot and Cabernet grapes. Grande Provence owner Alex van Heeren discovered dry Rosé wines whilst visiting Provence, and this led them to make their own. (received via media release from GC Communications)
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Tel (021) 433-2100, Twitter:@WhaleCottage Facebook: click here
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