Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*  On 27 October Virgin Atlantic resumes its daily non-stop flights between Cape Town and London, and will be using larger aircraft on the route three days per week.

*   Delheim is celebrating Heritage Day on 24 September with a Snoek Braai.  ‘Fuelled by more than six decades of quality winemaking, Delheim was the first wine estate in the country to serve food almost four decades ago. Today good food and wine still play an integral part in our daily existence as it brings people from across the world together. We invite everyone to gather their taste buds and celebrate Braai Day in the warm company of Delheim, where the spirit of Ubuntu makes one truly feel at home,’  shares Victor Sperling, son of pioneer Spatz Sperling, who was one of the founders of the Stellenbosch Wine Route. (via media release from Random Hat Communications)

*   Wolf Blass is calling on his 2500  fellow Australian winemakers to contribute to a joint wine marketing fund, small producers in particular being ‘parasites‘ in not making a contribution.  He also complains about the flooding of New Zealand’s Sauvignon Blanc in his country, and says the majority of his colleagues are not making a profit.

*   Are Buddymoons a new tourism trend?  Increasingly couples are taking groups of friends and/or family with them on holiday.

*   Catharina’s diners will be entertained by the Blacksmith band on Sundays during September.  Catharina’s has recently been redesigned, with the dining space being transformed. (via media release from Communication Services Africa)

*   Chinese tourists are being taught how to behave in foreign countries, and a new tourism law has been introduced to penalise those who give their country a bad name.  A TV program has also been launched to teach them ‘polite tourism behaviour‘.

*   The  Bosman Family Vineyards Release Celebration will be held 16 and 17 November,  on the eighth-generation Lelienfontein in Wellington. It will celebrate the release of new vintages,  including the De Bos Walker Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2013, the De Bos Sur Lie Chenin Blanc 2013, the De Bos Walker Bay Chardonnay 2013, the Bosman Adama Red 2011, the Bosman Adama White 2012, the Bosman Pinotage 2011, the Bosman Dolce Primitivo 2012, and the Bosman Erfenis 2011.  Winemaker Corlea Fourie will host tasting sessions, and vine grafting will be demonstrated.  Catering will be by Moerby Kultuur team of Mynhardt Joubert, the joint winner of kykNET’s Kokkedoor.  (via media release from Manley Communications)

*   South Africa’s first 24 hour news channel ANN7 was launched today, and is broadcast on DStv channel 405.

*   Shoprite has sold more Moët et Chandon in its 7 Nigerian stores than in all its South African store jointly, said its Chief Executive Whitey Basson!  The company is looking to grow its presence in Nigeria to 600 – 800 stores ‘in the near future‘.

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com  Twitter: @WhaleCottage