Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines
* The Ultimate Braai Master Season 3 is being filmed, with the announcement that two changes are taking place: the series of 15 episodes will be broadcast on e.tv for the first time, from 11 September onwards, and a third judge, Chef Petrus Mudetlela returning to South Africa from London, has been added. Fifteen braai teams are vying for the prize package of R500000 in cash, a Renault Duster 4 x 4, two Big Green Eggs, and a holiday tour of India.
* The impact of the European High Court’s decision on Wednesday to allow private individuals living in Europe to have outdated and inaccurate personal data removed from Google searches on request is unclear, potentially leading to the ‘whitewashing’ of profile information.
* The USA has overtaken France as the country with the highest wine consumption, at 29 million hectolitre, closely followed by France, Italy, and Spain. Worldwide consumption declined by roughly 1% between 2012 and 2013, with consumption in the European countries and China declining too. By contrast, consumption in South Africa, Argentina, and Brazil increased in the past year. Despite the decline in volume, the value sold increased slightly to reach €26 billion, with 71% being still wine in bottles and 17% sparkling wine.
* Regarded by many as the best chef in the world, Ferran Adrià closed down his number 1 World’s 50 Best Restaurants elBulli in 2011 to write a book ‘elBulli 2005 – 2011‘ and to work on his Bullipedia, a documentation of food. He has announced that he is hosting four 5-course elBulli inspired dinners in London, New York, Genova, and Hong Kong, at a cost of $1435 and upwards.
* Metrorail has announced that the Cape Town Station will offer free wifi as of Monday, and is the first railway station in the country to offer this service, reports the Cape Times. The wifi service is to give commuters something to do at the station whilst waiting for their trains. An app tracking the progress of their train is also available. A next phase will see wifi introduced on the trains going south, to Muizenberg.
* Van Ryn’s Distillery has created a limited edition of its Collection Reserve range of 10, 12, 15 and 20 year old brandies in 200ml packs, packaged in a luxury wooden box and selling during June at the Distillery at R1100. (received via media release from De Kock Communications)
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter: @WhaleCottage
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