Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines
* The South African Football Federation (SAFA) has declined the offer to host the 2015 African Confederations (Afcon) Cup, due to Morocco cancelling its hosting due to the Ebola threat. SAFA says that our country does not have the funds to host the event.
* A host of South African companies is participating in the South Africa-China Expos next week, 51 local companies participating in the expos in five Chinese cities. Their participation is supported by the Department of Trade and Industry, so that trade and investment between the two countries can be increased. Bayede wine company is one of the participants, and wants to enhance its presence in China. Robinson and Sinclair Wine Company is another exhibitor, while Rooibos Tea will be promoted generically.
* The Nedbank Green Wine Awards 2014 recognised Reyneke Chenin Blanc 2013 as Best Wine Overall in the Made from Organically Grown Grapes category, as well as Organic Best White Wine. Hermanuspietersfontein Die Bartho 2012 won Best Biodiversity and Wine Initiative Wine Overall, as well as Best Biodiversity and Wine Initiative Best White Wine. La Motte was recognised for Best Farming Practices Overall, and also received awards for Best Sustainable Contribution to Tourism, and Best Contribution to Community Development. Best Red for Organically Grown Grapes went to Waverley Hills CW Reserve Shiraz 2012, Best Value went to Nederburg Earthbound Chenin Blanc 2014, Best Biodiversity and Wine Initiative Red went to Cederberg Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, and Best Value went to Jordan Chameleon Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay 2013. Best Contribution to Conservation went to Paul Cluver, and Best Contribution to Farming Practices and Production Integrity was won by Bartinney.
* Christian Eedes’ Chardonnay Report 2014 has been released, with Hartenberg The Eleanor 2012 and Uva Mira 2013 awarded five stars; and 4½ stars going to Chamonix Reserve 2013, Eikendal 2013, Grand Vin de Glenelly 2013, Haskell Anvil 2012, Longridge 2013, Newton Johnson Southend 2013, Paul Cluver 2013, and Stellenrust Barrel Fermented 2013 making the Top 10, out of 60 invited entries.
* Good news in preventing lion poaching is Australia’s ban on import of any lion parts emanating from South Africa. More than 700 ‘captive-bred lions‘ are shot in our country every year, the canned lion hunting damaging our country’s image as a responsible tourism destination.
* Promoting South African wine promotes tourism to our country, say the organisers of the 5th South Africa Wine Festival in Kampala next week, sponsored by Wines of South Africa (WOSA), SAA, and Sun International, amongst others. Fifteen wine estates will be putting their wines on show.
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Tel (021) 433-2100, Twitter:@WhaleCottage Facebook: click here