Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines
* Mosaic Team South Africa participating in the World Blind Challenge on 18 October in Champagne against 22 other teams will consist of the winners of the South African Wine Tasting Championship 2014: wine writer Samarie Smith, Chris Groenewald, Lizé Oosthuizen, Ralph Reynolds, and Gavin Whittaker. (received via e-mail from Jean Vincent Ridon)
* Nominations for the 34th Diners Club Winemaker of the Year (dry white blends) and 14th Young Winemaker of the Year (30 years or younger, producers of red blend) are now open, the winners receiving a flight to the USA for two as well as prize monies of R50000 and R25000, respectively. The winners will be announced in November. (received via media release from African Sky Media)
* Guinness is targeting its (black) beer at Africa, via a multimedia campaign using artists and performers from Africa, which positions the brand as #madeofblack.
* The 17 gold medal winners of the SA Olive Awards have been announced in three categories: in the Delicate category gold went to Cederberg Olives, Muiskraal, and Porterville Olives; in the Medium category Tokara and Willow Creek each won two awards, and one each went to Gabriëlskloof, Groote Vallei, Rio Largo Olive Estate, and Voordenberg; in the Intense category L’Ormarins, Marbring Farm, Morgenster Estate, Mulderbosch Vineyards, Rio Largo Olive Estate, and The Ou Pastorie each won gold. A further 35 silver and 14 bronze medals were awarded. A total of 76 entries was received, down from the 100 received last year, due in part to ‘challenging harvest conditions‘. The SA Olive Mentorship Award was presented to Leana Stevens of Olyfberg, reflecting the association’s commitment to mentoring up-and-coming olive growers and olive oil producers. (received via media release from Marlene Truter Communications)
* Hamilton Russell Vineyards is celebrating 20 years of producing its Sauvignon Blanc and Pinotage, a brand which we proudly stock at our Whale Cottages due to its beautiful Southern Right whale label design. (received via e-mail via Hamilton Russell Vineyards)
* Strandveld Vineyards is celebrating Spring at the Wine, Whales, and Music event at De Hoop Collection Nature Reserve next weekend, from 5 – 7 September. The southernmost winery in Africa, Strandveld is hosting a dinner at Fig Tree restaurant on 5 September, pairing the dishes to its Strandveld and First Sighting wines, at a fee of R220. On 6 September the Strandveld wines can be tasted alongside other wines from Elim, at a fee of R40. (received via media release from GC Communications)
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter:@WhaleCottage Facebook: click here