Category Archives: Wine news

Kfm 30 Best of the Cape Awards 2023 announced

Today Kfm, the Cape’s largest radio station, announced its 30 Best of the Cape businesses in the Western Cape, having narrowed down its Top 5 Finalists in each category after its 1,2 million listeners voted, and revealing the 30 category winners.

The 30 winners are the following:

Eat & Drink :

*. Best Breakfast Spot : Bo-Kaap Deli

*. Best Date Night Restaurant : Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia

*. Best Takeaway Spot: Butler’s Pizza

*. Best Coffee: Bootlegger Coffee Company

*. Best Pet-friendly Eatery : The Grill Shack

*. Best Local Craft Beer: Darling Brew in Woodstock

*. Best Family Restaurant: Ashley’s Family Restaurant in Goodwood

*. Best Farm Stall: Peregrine Farm Stall in Grabouw

‘. Best Biltong: J&M

*. Best Bakery : Ou Meul Bakery & Café

*. Best Local Craft Spirit Brand: Hout Bay Harbour Distillery in Hout Bay

Fan Favorites

*. Best Professional Sports Team or Person : DHL Stormers

*. Best Amateur Sports Club : Hamilton’s Rugby Club in Green Point

*. Best Local Musician : YoungstaCPT

Business

*. Best Hairdresser: The Mom Salon in Kuilsriver

*. Best Barber: Moustache Barber Shop in Camps Bay

*. Best Place to Sweat: Parkrun

*. Best Neighbourhood Shop: The Roots Earth Friendly Pantry

*. Best Internet Service Provider : Afrihost

*. Best Online Store : Takealot.com

*. Best Professional Service Provider : Dogs Day Out in Strand

Stay

*. Best Wedding Venue: Joubertsdal Country Estate in Swellendam

*. Best Weekend Stay: Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve in Cederberg

*. Best Dorpie: Knysna

*. Best Hotel: Old MacDaddy Trailer Park

*. Best Market: Elgin Railway Market

Experience

*. Best Farm Stall: Peregrine Farm Stall in Grabouw

*. Best Adventure Experience: Ceres Rail Company in Cape Town

*. Best Tourism Attraction: Table Mountain Cableway

*. Best Wine Farm Experience: Babylonstoren

*. Best Kids Party Spot : Bugs Playpark

A special new Kfm Station Choice Award 2033 went to Bertie, the smallest coffee service in Cape Town.

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323

Twitter:@Ulmenstein

Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein, My Cape Town Guide/Mein Kapstadt Guide, Camps Bay Clean, WhaleTales Blog

Instagram: @Chrissy_Ulmenstein @MyCapeTownGuide @whaletalesblog @campsbayclean

South Africa voted Best Holiday Destination in the World by The Telegraph Readers 2023

South Africa has been voted as the Best Holiday Destination in the world in 2023 by The Telegraph readers. Our country has moved up the ladder gradually, having made third rank in 2017, second place in 2018, and now top of the pops in 2023.

The Top 5 ranked Holiday Destinations in 2023 are the following:

1. South Africa

2. New Zealand

3. Maldives

4. Japan

5. Australia.

Italy, Kenya, India, and Costa Rica follow in the footsteps of the Top 5.

It is evident from the motivation for South Africa’s number one ranking that it is Cape Town and the Cape which largely contributes to our country’s holiday destination attractiveness, with the mention of Cape Town, Table Mountain, the Garden Route, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch.

‘Your reward for 12 hours in the air is a place of true beauty – Cape Town is the super model at the foot of Table Mountain, the Garden Route a ribbon of road-trip nirvana, the wineries of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch crafting fine vintages ….’

Johannesburg, the Drakensberg range, Motlatse Canyon, and Kruger National Park, all located in other parts of our country, are also mentioned in the motivation.

Overall the availability of direct flights between the UK and Cape Town and Johannesburg in almost identical time zones means that visitors do not experience jet lag when travelling to our country. Whilst not mentioned, the favourable exchange rate of the Rand to the Pound must be an added incentive for UK holiday makers.

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog

Tel +27 082 55 11 323

Twitter:@Ulmenstein

Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein, My Cape Town Guide/Mein Kapstadt Guide Camps Bay Clean

Instagram: @Chrissy_Ulmenstein @MyCapeTownGuide @campsbayclean

Utopia Cape Town launches Summer Tasting Menu!

 

Utopia Cape Town launched its latest Tasting Menu in November. Five courses cost R345, and are available on Mondays to Saturdays. A Vegetarian Tasting Menu is also available, at R345.

A 5 course Tasting Menu paired with five wines costs R555.

Utopia Cape Town has brought affordable fine dining to Cape Town. It has recently been named Best Rooftop Restaurant in Africa, for the second year running.

 

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Platter’s by Diners Club Wine Guide 2023 Awards 5 stars to 196 wines!

 

The 43rd edition of Platter’s by Diners Club Wine Guide has announced its 2023 list of 196 wines in 28 categories that were awarded 5 stars this year. A total of 8000 wines by 900 producers was evaluated this year.

Red and White Blends as well as Chenin Blanc are the biggest 5 star classes, with 28, 27 and 28 individual labels, respectively. The Chardonnay, Shiraz/Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon wine categories also performed well, with 22, 16, and 12 brands, respectively.

The Top Performing Winery of the Year goes to the winery that achieves the most five-star ratings after the annual final tasting round, it being Mullineux this year, with 8 five-star wines. It is the Swartland- Continue reading →