Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines
* Cape Town has made the top 25 list of TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Destinations for 2014, but has dropped from 16th last year to 19th in its ranking this year. The Top 10 city destinations are Istanbul, Rome, London, Beijing, Prague, Marrakesh, Paris, Hanoi, Siem Reap (Cambodia), and Shanghai, reflecting a larger number of Asian cities than in the past.
* Local Fairtrade wine producers are reinvesting the extra money earned on their wines due to the weak Rand rather than drop their prices. This was agreed to by UK wine buyers, in the interest of improving the quality of the wines in our country.
* The Wine & Spirit Board has welcomed new members to its Board, including its new Chairman Matome Mbathe, WOSA’s Market Manager in Africa, South America and North America, adding new thinking and skills. Four young winemakers serve on the Board: Deon Boshoff, a cellar master at Distell, Olivia Poona from Robertson Winery, Carmen Stevens of Amani Vineyards, and Mario Damon from Bellingham. Other industry representatives are Kurt Moore of SALBA (SA Liquor Brand Owners’ Association), Michael Mokhoro of Distell, and Riaan Kruger, chairman of the Wine and Spirit Board’s management committee. (received via media release from De Kock Communications)
* Local Getaway magazine, focusing on affordable travel in Africa, has just published its 25th anniversary
issue, with Table Mountain featuring on its front cover.
* Three Ships Select and Three Ships Bourbon Cask Finish whisky each won double gold at the 2014 San Francisco Spirits Competition. The brand is produced by James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington, and is 39 years old. The Three Ships Select is matured in oak for three years, while the Bourbon Cask Finish is a blend of malt and grain, matured for three years, and then for a further six months in bourbon flasks. (received via media release from De Kock Communications)
* Graham Beck Wines has donated close to R350000 to the Wilderness Foundation for the R3 donation on every bottle of its The Game Reserve range that was sold in the past quarter. The monies are to be used by the Wilderness Foundation to conserve our continent’s wildlife and wilderness. ‘The Game Reserve range of wines symbolises our unwavering commitment to restoring balance. The symbiosis between our wines, our people and the earth is the golden thread which runs throughout all our actions. Leaving a lasting legacy for tomorrow means we’re duty bound to take fundamental and far-reaching steps today – a responsibility we’re deeply passionate about’, said Chris du Toit, CEO at Graham Beck Enterprises. Specific projects that will benefit from the donation are The Forever Wild Rhino Protection Initiative, Pride Environmental Education Project, and The Rooiberg Breederivier Conservancy. (received via media release from Waterford Communications)
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter:@WhaleCottage
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