Tag Archives: Johan Malan

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 25 October

TWhaleTalesourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   Minister of Finance Pravin Ghordan has agreed to relook his ban on the purchase of wines with state funds, announced in Parliament on Wednesday, after he received complaints from WOSA as well as Parliamentarians that entertaining foreign dignitaries without wine is unthinkable!

*   The Finalists for the Diners Club Winemaker of the Year 2013, with Diners Club Winemaker of Year Finalists 8c6ddd0d54d944b20bea1bae_630x462the theme of non-Bordeaux red blends,  have been announced:

+   Christiaan Groenewald of New Cape Wines

+   Mary-Louise Nash of Black Pearl

+   William Wilkinson of Wildekrans Wine Estate

+   Johan Malan of Simonsig

+   Johan Jordaan of Spier

+   David Finlayson of Edgebaston.

The 33rd Diners Club Winemaker of the Year will be announced at La 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: 16 July

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   The number of Indian tourists is likely to grow further, as the Rand weakens further, says Hanneli Slabber, the SA Tourism Country Manager in India, reports the Southern African Tourism Update.

*   South Africa is advanced in embracing online tourism sales and marketing, says an international online consultant.

*   Simonsig is hosting a Vintage Wine Day on 24 August, showcasing a selection of older signature wines which were held back for release at optimal maturity, some vintages dating back to the early 1990’s. Cellarmaster Johan Malan will offer Simonsig flagships such as the Bordeaux style Tiara, the Cape blend, Frans Malan Reserve, the award winning Redhill Pinotage and Merindol Syrah.  Rare vintages of Simonsig Pinotage, Simonsig Cabernet Sauvignon and Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Méthode Cap Classiques will also be available to taste, and will be available at special prices for the day only.  Johan will offer master classes free of charge, being interactive vertical wine tastings.  Tickets cost R150  (information received from GC Communications).

*   Bad news for tourism to Cape Town is the report by Travel Mole that bookings with online travel agencies have dropped by 20% due to the heatwave in the UK. Continue reading →