Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines
* The 2014 season will be remembered by local winemakers as one of the most challenging. For Sumaridge Wines in the Hemel en Aarde Valley it was the smallest harvest in ten years, and the most stressful for winemaker Gavin Patterson. For Kleine Zalze winemaker Johan Joubert it was the most challenging too, brought about by unseasonal rain in October, November, and January, which affected the Kleine Zalze Chenin Blanc bushvine in particular, the bunches doubling in volume. Spraying regimes were affected too. For Sumaridge’s investors it was a ‘year of sacrifice’. For Kleine Zalze the harvest was delayed, and more tartaric acid was added. Chardonnay, Pinotage, and Merlot benefited from the weather conditions, while Sauvignon Blanc was negatively affected, with disease and ripeness. The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley in Hermanus was more strongly influenced by the weather than was the Swartland. Patterson said about the 2014 vintage: ‘It’s really going to sort the sheep from the goats. Very sadly many winemakers are driven by accountants at the head of their companies and that will have an effect on how 2014 is judged’.
* Next year sees two major motor shows in Johannesburg: AutoMechanika will take place from 6 – 9 May, while The Johannesburg International Motor Show will be held from 14 – 25 October.
* Alan Winde, the Western Cape Minister of Economic Development, Tourism, and Agriculture, is at the Regional Leaders Summit in Atlanta in Georgia, to sign a ‘strategic agreement’ between the province/state. The agreement will focus on closer co-operation in tourism, agriculture, trade, investment, and renewable energy. ‘These are growth industries in the Western Cape. The Western Cape agricultural sector accounts for 23% of the country’s agricultural GDP. Tourism is another major economic driver for our province and our tourism landmarks welcomed 25 million visitors in 2012. In that same year, the Western Cape attracted R4 billion in Foreign Direct Investment. Over the past ten years, the USA led Foreign Direct Investment projects into the Western Cape worth R19.3 billion. Exports from the Western Cape to the United States totalled over R3 billion in 2012. We want to build on this foundation and I believe we are well-positioned to increase economic opportunities between the Western Cape and Georgia’, said Minister Winde. The Summit will also be attended by the states of Bavaria, Upper Austria, Quebec, and Shandong. (received via media release from Minister Winde’s office)
* The Stellenbosch American Express Wine Routes has been shortlisted for the category Best Contribution to Wine & Spirits Tourism of The Drinks Business Awards 2014 for the second year running. La Motte and Taste Hungary have also been short-listed for the award. (received via media release from Random Hat Communications)
* The Franschhoek Bastille Festival turns 21 this year, celebrating this anniversary with a new venue, being a marquee adjacent to the Huguenot Monument. The Festival takes place over the weekend of 12 and 13 July, and will have a troupe of dancers and musicians from the Seychelles. Tickets cost R180 via www.webtickets.co.za. (received via media release from Smart Communications & Events)
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter: @WhaleCottage
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