Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines
* Moody’s has downgraded our country’s debt rating to Baa2, one level lower, due to ‘poor growth prospects and rising public debt’, a rating on a par with the company’s ratings of Russia and Brazil, and two notches removed from ‘junk status‘. Electricity shortages were highlighted as one specific reason for the downgrade.
* The Volvo Ocean Race yachts have arrived in the V&A Waterfront, and a host of activities are planned until the yachts head for Abu Dhabi on 19 November. Only seven teams are participating in the world’s leading offshore sailing race covering four oceans and five continents. An inaugural Open Ocean Festival runs in this period, but has been very poorly publicised (shoppers to the V&A Waterfront received brochures yesterday as they entered the underground parking). Events of the Festival include the Open Ocean Film Festival this weekend, Fly Boarding today, Xtreme Water Polo from 10 – 12 November, Canoe Polo today, a Sunset Mile open ocean swim on 12 November, and the third day of the IRC National Regatta today.
* Waterford Wine Estate has been named a Global Winner in the categories Wine Tourism Service and Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices in the 2015 Great Wine Capitals Best of Tourism Awards. Regional category winners were Babylonstoren (Accommodation, and Architecture and Landscapes), Cavalli Estate (Art & Culture), KWV (Innovative Wine Tourism Experience), and The Restaurant at Waterkloof (Wine Tourism Restaurant, followed by Indochine in second place and Equus at Cavalli in third place in this category).
* Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir 2013 received the highest score (94 points) for South African Pinots evaluated in Wine Advocate by Neal Martin, in his report on South African wines. (received via e-mail from Hamilton Russell Vineyards)
* The One&Only Cape Town Vista Bar & Lounge is undergoing a decor make-over, to better reflect its marine location, with colours of ‘rich greys, moody blues, and splashes of green‘. New bar stools will be covered in silver fabric. (received via media release from Manley Communications)
* Fleur du Cap will partner with entertainer Nataniël for his singing and story show ‘Jeffrey and the Cold Feet’, at the Oude Libertas Amphitheatre in Stellenbosch from 11 – 13 December. Each concert-goer will be offered a glass of Fleur du Cap on arrival. (received via media release from GC Communications)
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Tel (021) 433-2100, Twitter:@WhaleCottage Facebook: click here
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