Tag Archives: Syrah

40th edition of Platter’s by Diners Club International 2020 South African Wine Guide launched, with a record of 125 5-star wines!

On Friday evening I attended the launch of the 40th edition of the Diners Club International 2020 South African Wine Guide, at the Table Bay Hotel in the Waterfront, an event that is pretty much the same in format every year, yet was different this year, in the interest of making the event shorter.   

More than 8000 wines from more than 900 producers were rated for the 2020 Platter’s Wine Guide edition. Of the 125 5-star wines awarded, 26 went to Chenin Blanc brands, 18 to Shiraz/Syrah, and 11 to Chardonnay brands. 

Continue reading →

A first introduction to Argentinian wines!

Before arriving in Buenos Aires on this my second visit to the city, I had not prepared for my visit from a wine perspective, my main goal in spending a month in Argentina being to learn to dance the Tango. I have planned to visit Mendoza, renowned for its Malbec, have attended a wine tasting and food pairing evening at COWI in Buenos Aires, drunk three wines at the dinner at Buenos Aires’ Tegui, 86th Best Restaurant in the World, one wine at Don Julio, the 34th Best Restaurant in the World and Best in Argentina, and two wines at dinner at 1884 Restaurant in Mendoza. I have summarised my initial knowledge about the wine industry of Argentina, the fifth largest in the world, to which I have added some research information too. Continue reading →

Ken Forrester celebrates 20 years of Rhône varietals and blends!

Ken Forrester Wines Whale CottageYesterday we were invited by Ken Forrester Vineyards to attend a tasting of twelve of its Rhône blends, produced in the last twenty years of its journey in making Rhône varietals and blends.  One could not help associate owner Ken Forrester with the character of these wines, having interesting names of Renegade, Three Halves, and Gypsy.  The tasting was followed by lunch at 96 Winery Road, a restaurant co-owned by Ken with his brother.Ken Forrester View Whale Cottage

We met at the Ken Forrester Tasting Room, on a gorgeous sunny autumn day, dressed with a Gypsy theme, in table cloths, carpets, staff outfits, bunting in the vineyard, a banner at the entrance, and ribbons on our media packs, all reflecting the Gypsy theme. Continue reading →

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 5-7 December

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   The image of the late Nelson Mandela was projected onto Table Mountain on FridayMandela on Table Mountain and Saturday evening, to commemorate the passing of our country’s former leader on 5 December 2013.

*   Despite its promise of no more loadshedding in December, Eskom’s severe Stage 3 loadshedding kicked in on Friday, and continue this weekend, meaning twice-daily outages or more per day in most areas.  Eskom says it is building up power reserves for the week ahead!

*   Goldfish fans can win four tickets to their Submerged Sundays concert at Shimmy Beach Club tonight, and will be driven by the Continue reading →