Tag Archives: BWI

‘Hayden Quinn: South Africa’ episode 4: Franschhoek food and wine highlight, Fairview moves to Franschhoek!

Hayden Quinn 4 Huguenot Monument Whale CottageLast night’s episode 4 of ‘Hayden Quinn: South Africa’ was good marketing for Franschhoek, known for its food and wine, combined with its beauty, being filmed on a perfect summer’s day.  There was minimal, if any, Woolworths punting in the episode!

Hayden started his Franschhoek journey at the Huguenot Monument, erected in honour of the French Huguenots, ‘exiles‘ who picked Franschhoek to grow vines viewers were told, a bit of creative licence, as they were given the land.  Hayden explained that the village name, which he pronounced close to perfectly, means ‘French Corner’.  He  said that the monument represents peace, agriculture, and viticulture, copywriting nonsense, as the monument (erected in 1948) represents religious freedom, something the Huguenots could only experience in Franschhoek, having to flee France.  The village was previously called Olifantshoek, after the elephants roaming in the valley. The main road of Franschhoek was shown, and Hayden referred to it as having buildings with ‘French style architecture‘ (sic)! Continue reading →

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 15 October

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   The fourth largest game reserve, the 120000 ha Central Escarpment Reserve in Mpumalanga is to be developed, and stocked with the Big 5.

*   Steenberg has launched its first Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc, which its winemaker JD Pretorius describes as follows: ‘This is made to be fun, fruity & fresh. The nose bursts with aromas of passion fruit, litchi, guava, pineapple, mango & green apples. The palate is fresh & fizzy with a fruit explosion. Sweet fruits linger on the aftertaste with a refreshing finish, perfect for a hot summer’s day’.   (Received via e-mail from Steenberg) 

*   Airlines will soon be able to obtain immediate on-board feedback Continue reading →

WOSA Sommelier World Cup clever way to market South African wines!

WOSA Sommelier Cup Will Predhomme Whale Cottage PortfolioYesterday I spent a most entertaining afternoon at the Grande Roche hotel in Paarl, to observe the last phase of the Wines of South Africa (WOSA) Sommelier World Cup competition, the announcement and evaluation of the Top 3, and the awarding of the prize to the winning sommelier Will Predhomme.

The invited guests were the twelve finalists for the Sommelier World Cup, media representatives from the USA (I sat next to Rebecca Canan from the Terroirist Blog), Sweden, and Belgium, local writers, the local and international sommelier judges, and WOSA staff from its international offices as well as from its head office in Stellenbosch.   After a welcome glass of wine, we sat down for lunch at Bosman’s, and it was clear to see why this Continue reading →

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 26 July

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   Agricultural Tourism is a new opportunity for our country, reports Southern African Tourism Update, offering a learning opportunity for international farmers, according to Margi Biggs, MD at Specialized Tours & Events, Marius Botha, Owner at Guttera Tours, and Eugene Booysen, MD of Cape AgriTours. Farmers from other countries want to learn about new farming products, to network,  and to meet farmers to learn about techniques, to apply in their home countries.  The top source markets for agricultural tours include the UK, Germany, Brazil, France, Austria, India, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Canada, Ukraine, Chile, and the USA.

*   Champagne sales are bubbling in the UK, reports Decanter, almost doubling.   Best sellers include  Dom Perignon 2004, Taittinger 2002 and 2004 and Pol Roger Winston Churchill 2000.

*   South Africa has 14 million internet users, representing 39% of adults, according to research conducted by Digital Media & Marketing Association. Continue reading →