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The Dollar IS Rising? In South Africa, That Is With aging power plants and failing infrastructure, South Africa needs an injection of investment cash into its power sector. And while its economy technically maintains a budget surplus, it?s constantly battling things like unemployment and poverty. The chart you?re looking at compares the South African rand?s performance (versus the U.S. dollar) and the iShares MSCI South Africa ETF (EZA). This is what?s called an inverse correlation. When the rand becomes inflated, South African companies
My Obsession - Part 1 Obsession - Part 1 Wine Decanters. I vaguely recall how I began to collect them, but it somehow happened. I ?discovered? the benefits of decanting wine about four or so years ago quite by accident, and it was a two-step process. The first time was when I uncorked a bottle of Whitehall Lane Merlot. I was visiting my friend Michael when I opened it, but we decided to go out to grab a bite to eat before sipping the wine. I left it open and we departed. An hour or more later when we returned,
PN makes moves in Asia, South Africa BEIJING: Porter Novelli appointed heads in Beijing and Singapore who will serve as leaders of its Asia-Pacific (APAC) regional hub: John Orme, president of Shunya International, PN?s new agency partner in China; and Ed Dixon, MD of PN in Singapore. In addition to serving clients, the two will develop business opportunities between APAC and other emerging regions, such as Eastern Europe. In addition, PN partnered with RedCube Agency, an independent firm in South Africa. RedCube will be rebranded
We're All Foreigners Today Logo1 After hearing all of the stories from back home about the Xenophobic attacks in South Africa, my friend @mohamed sent out a tweet asking someone to put together a web badge that said "We're All Foreigners Today" - I put together the badge and sent it out via twitter... to my surprise the logo has now been popping up all over FB as users profile pics! Use the pic on your blog, set it as your profile pic, use it as an avatar or anything else to show solidarity with whats happe
Violence Flarin', Bullets loadin' And marches alone can?t bring integration When human respect is disintegratin? This whole crazy world is just too frustratin? And you tell me Over and over and over again, my friend Ah, you don?t believe We?re on the eve of destruction. Like the Barry McGuire anthem Eve of Destruction riots against immigrants in South Africa have taken a turn for the worst with over 25 people killed and the army sent in to quell the violence. Apparently the attacks have included Necklacing, a brutal form of m
South Africa police dealing with attacks Politicians are blaming the police in South Africa for not stopping attacks on foreigners. The ruling African National Congress party hit out after at least 42 immigrants were beaten and burned to death. Poor black South Africans accuse the foreigners of keeping them unemployed by taking their jobs. Al Jazeera?s Kalay Maistry reports on the latest from Johannesburg. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v... South Africa
Xenophobia Attacks - What next before we say enough is enough? state of corruption within the Home Affairs department has once again come under question, during the recent xenophobia-related violence. This problem has been brewing for many years now and however sad the repercussions, I belief that it is doing a very good job of highlighting the level of incompetencies of our various government departments. Don't get me wrong, I am not a government basher, in fact I have the utmost respect and admiration for some of our departments that continually impr
South Africa: ANC Deputy President Condemns 'Ugly, Barbaric' Attacks - AllAfrica.com Louise MarslandCape Town ANC deputy sheriff president Kgalema Motlanthe told the International Media Forum in Johannesburg this morning, Thursday, 22 May 2008, that onslaughts on foreign subjects over the past hebdomad was an onslaught on the values of our civil society in South Africa and needed to be condemned as hatred crimes. He called on all South Africans to reprobate these barbaric acts. "South Africa have in the past few years been confronted with one of ugliest incidents in the post-a
Pratley: Doll Sticks in seconds. Advertising Agency: TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris, Johannesburg, South Africa Executive Creative Director: Damon Stapleton Creative Director: Adam Weber Art Director: David Joubert Copywriter: Lauren Shewitz
Pratley: Teeth Sticks in seconds. Advertising Agency: TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris, Johannesburg, South Africa Executive Creative Director: Damon Stapleton Creative Director: Adam Weber Art Director: David Joubert Copywriter: Lauren Shewitz
Zimbabwe?s (Maybe) Weapons Zimbabwe?s (Maybe) Weapons Speaking of Mr. Keating, he also points out an interesting story from China Digital Times. Confusion about whether or not Zimbabwe?s government received the shipment that South African dockworkers refused to unload remains. On one hand: THE ZIMBABWEAN government said yesterday that weapons carried by China?s so-called ?ship of shame?, the An Yue Jiang, had arrived in Harare, Zimbabwe?s capital, despite an international campaign to prevent the 77 tonnes of arms reac
105 Day Luxury World Cruise about a 105 day Cunard Ocean Liner World Tour dubbed the "Exploration of Distant Horizons". It is scheduled to leave New York City, NY on January 10, 2009 and return to New York City, NY on April 26, 2009. It does require a transfer in Southampton, England from the Queen Victoria to the Queen Mary 2. You would be on the QM2 for only 7 days, at the end of the cruise, for a total cruise of 105 days. Traveling in the VERY BEST accommodations, in the "Queens Grill - Grand Suites Q1" will cost y
Mike Nicol scores 10/10 for Payback Watch out Elmore Leonard - here comes Mike Nicol! So says Brian Joss who gives Crime Beat editor Mike Nicol a perfect score for Payback, Nicol?s most recent release from Umuzi This review first appeared in The Tatler. Payback is a gritty, fast-paced thriller about revenge. Set in Cape Town, it centres on Mace Bishop and his partner Pylon Buso. Both men were involved in the struggle as gun runners ?now with a thin veneer of respectability they run a company, Complete Security, dedicated to k
NECKLACING RETURNING TO S. AFRICA been a rash of anti-immigrant violence in Johannesburg, South Africa in the last few weeks. 28,000 have been made homeless, while some 40-50 people have been killed. South Africa is also seeing a reoccurrence in the old style of lynching called "necklacing". "Used on suspected informants, the "necklace" is a car tire, filled with petrol, put around the person's neck and set alight." -
10 Year-old Raped in School Restroom A ten year-old girl from South Africa says she was raped in her school?s toilet on Monday. According to the victim, she went to use the restroom while her friend waited outside. While she was inside, a fellow pupil raped her, said police spokesperson Superintendent Malcolm Mokhomene. Another student heard what was happening and scared the attacker away. The attacker was arrested a short while later.
Toshiba Expects 33 Reactor Orders by 2015 the World Nuclear News:Japan's Toshiba Corporation expects orders for at least 33 nuclear power reactors by 2015, and plans to expand all its nuclear businesses over the period to 2020, according to the company's president. The predictions were made earlier this month in Strategies for Growth 2008, the company's outline of the business directions planned for all its divisions. In a question and answer session, the company said that 33 units could be a conservative estimate, adding "we beli
The bloodandmud.com awards You?ve seen the real ones, now here are our gongs for the season past. You can add any we may have missed in the comments, you lovely people. Lazarus Award ? England, for managing to reach a World Cup final despite being dead and buried a fortnight earlier. Paul Burrell Award for Solidarity - Lawrence Dallaglio & Mike Catt, for not letting a trifling thing like a relative tournament success get in the way of having their say and selling their books Keystone Kops Award ? Iain Balshaw,
Woolworths pulls yoghurt with gelatine off shelves pulls yoghurt with gelatine off shelves 22 May 2008 by abuusamah Woolworths will take the majority of its yoghurt products off the shelves because a supplier had included gelatine as an ingredient, the company said on Thursday. Julian Novak, head of food, said Woolworths had an explicit agreement with its yoghurt suppliers not to include gelatine in their products. This agreement was made after feedback from customers who did not want gelatine in their yoghurt. He stressed tha
Nine milliion South Africans want to emigrate According to a recent survey, some nine million South Africans want to emigrate. And 2430000 believe they have the funds and qualifications to do it. Something tells me that this survey is deeply flawed. clipped from www.theherald.co.za TWENTY per cent of South Africans are planning to emigrate or are seriously considering it, according to the results of a survey released yesterday by global market research company Synovate. Spokesman Jake Orpen said 600 respondents were interviewed in all n
Immigrants flee South Africa?s wave of violence (AP) AP - Hundreds of terrified immigrants fled South Africa on Thursday from a wave of anti-foreigner violence that has killed at least 42 people and shredded the nation?s reputation for economic and political stability.
I've been checking in with winemakers in the regions of the Southern Hemisphere that I cover (Chile, Argentina and South Africa) as their harvest is wrapping up, as I want to get an early read on potential quality for the 2008 vintage. I'll file individual reports on each of these regions in the next week or so.
Midweek - too tired after a day in the office and too hot after the commute to want to do too much in the kitchen; a dive into the supermarket to grab a bottle and something to throw on to a plate without too much fuss. The wine should be cheap - lacking in energy to think too much about the alcohol we are slurping.
For me that supermarket is Waitrose. The wine is a bottle of £4.99 South African white while the eye is drawn to a tortilla from the new Delicatezze range. Specifically Edamame Bean, Artichoke and Lemon Pesto Tortilla made from free range eggs, which appeared better value than other dishes in the same range; and more substantial too. Add a salad and a meal is made.
Taking little more than 15 minutes in the oven you might need to make use of the quick-chill machine to get the white to non-shelf, drinkable temperature.
Wine Tasting Note: Nederburg Chardonnay-Viognier, 2007, Western Cape, South Africa. Available from Waitrose for £4.99. Crisp and refreshing - a touch acidic perhaps but nicely rounded with peach, melon and floral notes. The Chardonnay has seen some barrel ageing, but the whole is lifted by the lemon floweriness of the Viognier. It's fine and fine summer-garden drinking. Alcohol 13.5%. Fine with the salad-tortilla combination; you don't afterall, want anything you have to think too much about.
This South African beauty is a steal at just $6! Well, that was the sale price. Regardless, the regular price is more like $10 which is still a good deal for a fruity, elegant, and nicely textured wine.
I could see this pairing well with a variety of dishes, and it also was delicious to drink on its own. I encourage you to seek out South African Chenin Blanc. Some wineries use the grape name Steen, however, it seems more of them are reverting back to the French name for the grape on the label. Either way, it's often great stuff at a modest price. Raise a glass!
Compassion and California wine-making skills have combined to create a home for 90 mentally disabled "students" of all ages and to craft some surprisingly good wine. Coco Farm, founded in the 1950s, has been making wine since the 1980s, using mentally-challenged students to tend the vines, harvest the grapes, and perform a range of responsibilities from labeling to scraring crows away from the vines. In 1989, the winery brought in Sonoma wine-maker, Bruce Gutlove and the quality of the wine has been improving. So much, in fact, that Coco Winery's sparkling wine, "Novo," was served at the recent G-7 Summit of world leaders.
Coco Farm and Winery is located about one hour north of Tokyo. Because of its small production-just 150,000 to 180,000 bottles annually-Coco wines are not available in the United States. However, the winery welcomes visitors and has a tasting room and cafe.
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Compassion and California wine-making skills have combined to create a home for 90 mentally disabled "students" of all ages and to craft some surprisingly good wine. Coco Farm, founded in the 1950s, has been making wine since the 1980s, using mentally-challenged students to tend the vines, harvest the grapes, and perform a range of responsibilities from labeling to scraring crows away from the vines. In 1989, the winery brought in Sonoma wine-maker, Bruce Gutlove and the quality of the wine has been improving. So much, in fact, that Coco Winery's sparkling wine, "Novo," was served at the recent G-7 Summit of world leaders.
Coco Farm and Winery is located about one hour north of Tokyo. Because of its small production-just 150,000 to 180,000 bottles annually-Coco wines are not available in the United States. However, the winery welcomes visitors and has a tasting room and cafe.
Contents of this feed are a property of Creative Weblogging Limited and are protected by copyright laws. Violations will be prosecuted. Please email us if you'd like to use this feed for non-commercial activities at feeds - at - creative-weblogging.com.
Just in case? you were wondering; Matt Kramer (winespectator.com) writes:
You've probably been in this situation yourself. You're the one choosing the wines for a dinner with friends. You look at the menu and perform the usual mental matchups about what goes with what. But then, much more subtly?even furtively?you also do a mental matchup about which wines go with, ahem, the guests.
If you're a lover of Italian wines, especially traditional-style? versions, you might find yourself in this situation more often than most.
This subject is not much discussed because it makes you feel like, sound like, or realize that you actually are, a snob. Nevertheless, most people who know their way around wine pay as much attention to the "who's drinking" as to the "which dish."
This lesson is often first (painfully) learned at the family Thanksgiving table. You trot out some of the treasures you've been hoarding for that special moment. Big? mistake. Emergency wards are filled with wine lovers traumatized by watching guests guzzle their prized bottles like elephants at a watering hole.
I thought about this when deciding recently which wines to bring to a high-end Italian restaurant. A good host, by definition, wants his or her guests to feel comfortable. Our guests were, thankfully, wine lovers. However, that's not the same as wine savvy. No crime there, of course. But when the time came to reach for Barolo or even Barbera, my hand hovered over those bottles and then, Ouija board-like, moved to red Burgundy and California Pinot Noir.
Now, maybe it was timidity on my part. Perhaps I've lost my belief in the redemptive, even transformative, power of fine wine?never mind the grape variety? or region?. Surely a traditional Barolo can move not merely the uninitiated but even the unreceptive, especially when served with the right food.
I used to think so. Ask any of my long-suffering friends who have been subjected to my evangelical enthusiasm for, say, Gattinara. Or Recioto? della Valpolicella. Or more bizarrely yet, the caramel-colored, sediment?-rich delights of Italy's new-wave/old-way whites, fermented with skin contact?, from Radikon, Massa Vecchia, Castello? di Lispida or Josko Gravner, among others.
But now I find myself hesitating. I've come to the conclusion that really characterful wines?none more so than traditionally made Italian wines?often require a certain receptivity, maybe even a little study. That you can't just spring upon an unsuspecting, not-especially-interested-in-Italian-wines guest the magnificently traditional likes of, say, Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo or even the easier to understand but still true-to-its-old-school Brunello di Montalcino from Tenuta? Il Poggione.
This flies in the face of today's wine democratization?a belief that anybody should be able to understand, without any fuss, any wine put in front of them. And if they don't, well then, it's the wine's fault, not theirs.
This, of course, is why so many Italian reds today are so modernistic, slathered with the creamy? vanilla? toastiness of new French oak??, miscegenated with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah and practically hot-waxed to a tannin?-free smoothness. Do they sell? They sure do. They're easy to understand, familiar-tasting, and?here it comes?you can serve them to anybody.
Do these wines represent the best of Italy? For me, they do not. But they are ambassadors of Italian wines, and for that reason alone they're worthwhile. Italian wines at their best?the reds especially?are different from all others. And this difference, which lies at the very root of Italian wine greatness, is not an instantly seductive one.
The taste? of France is rich and smooth? in the mouth (think foie gras) while that of Italy?classically anyway?is about a slight, mouthwatering bitterness (think Campari). It's easy to see why France's seductive model has become universal, including in Italy. The rigors of traditional Barolo, Brunello, Barbera and Aglianico, among others, are formidable and not immediately come-hither.
So that's why I stayed my hand in choosing the traditional Italian reds I've come to love when deciding what to serve my guests. They're not instantly likable (the wines, not the guests). Of course, I could have chosen modern-style Italian reds, wines that I know are made for just this very easygoingness. You can use instant polenta? these days, too.
Maybe I didn't give my guests enough credit. Or maybe?just maybe?it's fair to say that some people just aren't ready for some wines. Is that snobbish? Or is it a fair reality?
Yes, that was basically the point of this quick weekend post.Over the past week I made the best attempt I could at finding all six single-variety wines that the South African producers released, and have only achieved partial success (3/6).Though not so entirely happy with one of the whites (sadly the only one I could track down), I return to the reds to find a very interesting Shiraz.
A small clarification about how I view value wines though.Obviously, the MAN Shiraz is no Crozes-Hermitages, but that simply isn?t the objective with a value selection recommendation.It doesn?t make it better than say, a Northern Rhône Syrah that usually sells for more.Value selections like this one are unusually interesting for the price point.That shortsighted all-or-nothing approach people have the tendency to apply to so many things in life seems absurdly inappropriate even with wine.I thought about that today when I read the latest post over at The Pour, which somewhat deals with a new book on wine reminiscent of that 20/20 segment from 2005 which relegates the value of art and art criticism (good parallel with wine) to that of upper-brow contempt for the masses.How many certifiable idiots have you overheard in a hotel lobby asking trite questions that more or less resemble ?which one?s the best, Flemish art or Florentine art?The inanity of an exchange like this swiftly reveals the poverty of knowledge, or perhaps more crucial to the matter, lack of genuine appreciation which the participants must have for art.
As someone who seriously studies literature and has a couple of degrees to back that up, I have always cringed at those book club type questions where two writers from completely different perspectives and time periods are given the old CNN Crossfire treatment, ?George Sand or Danielle Steele??On a whole, more people would likely prefer Steele, who no doubt is an accomplished writer; her work could thus be considered better, right?No, no and no.As with artists or writers, let?s please leave wine out of that sort of thing.
At any rate, this Coastal Region Shiraz is all about straightforward flavors and food-accompanying functionality.I thought it a bit complex for the price point, with nice plum, berry, spice and smoke.Balance wasn?t too far off, with medium acidity, high body, medium-high tannin and solid fruit which stood up to the vegetal and spice flavors for three days after opening.An added bonus, considering most sub-$10 reds, was that the oak presence was never overwhelming.I?ll certainly consider the MAN Syrah and Pinotage again when looking for value-priced accompaniments to grilled meats and those ostrich burgers I have come to enjoy recently.
Yes, that was basically the point of this quick weekend post.Over the past week I made the best attempt I could at finding all six single-variety wines that the South African producers released, and have only achieved partial success (3/6).Though not so entirely happy with one of the whites (sadly the only one I could track down), I return to the reds to find a very interesting Shiraz.
A small clarification about how I view value wines though.Obviously, the MAN Shiraz is no Crozes-Hermitages, but that simply isn?t the objective with a value selection recommendation.It doesn?t make it better than say, a Northern Rhône Syrah that usually sells for more.Value selections like this one are unusually interesting for the price point.That shortsighted all-or-nothing approach people have the tendency to apply to so many things in life seems absurdly inappropriate even with wine.I thought about that today when I read the latest post over at The Pour, which somewhat deals with a new book on wine reminiscent of that 20/20 segment from 2005 which relegates the value of art and art criticism (good parallel with wine) to that of upper-brow contempt for the masses.How many certifiable idiots have you overheard in a hotel lobby asking trite questions that more or less resemble ?which one?s the best, Flemish art or Florentine art?The inanity of an exchange like this swiftly reveals the poverty of knowledge, or perhaps more crucial to the matter, lack of genuine appreciation which the participants must have for art.
As someone who seriously studies literature and has a couple of degrees to back that up, I have always cringed at those book club type questions where two writers from completely different perspectives and time periods are given the old CNN Crossfire treatment, ?George Sand or Danielle Steele??On a whole, more people would likely prefer Steele, who no doubt is an accomplished writer; her work could thus be considered better, right?No, no and no.As with artists or writers, let?s please leave wine out of that sort of thing.
At any rate, this Coastal Region Shiraz is all about straightforward flavors and food-accompanying functionality.I thought it a bit complex for the price point, with nice plum, berry, spice and smoke.Balance wasn?t too far off, with medium acidity, high body, medium-high tannin and solid fruit which stood up to the vegetal and spice flavors for three days after opening.An added bonus, considering most sub-$10 reds, was that the oak presence was never overwhelming.I?ll certainly consider the MAN Syrah and Pinotage again when looking for value-priced accompaniments to grilled meats and those ostrich burgers I have come to enjoy recently.
MAN, out of Stellenbosch, produces my quick intelligent value weekender vino.I?ve always fallen easily for a wine with an underlying story.You can read all about the guys here, since I won?t pull off the usual wine blogger thing and claim that I?m writing original content that was subsequently re-hashed from producer?s websites.Oh and yes, I publish boring tasting notes which are only meant as a rough guide/tool for people to assess how much they?d probably like the wine?so deal with it and try the wines for yourself.
At any rate, the MAN 2005 Pinotage, sourced from Perdeberg Hills (Coastal), is a very pleasant surprise. I remember being in London last year, trying many of the paltry £4,99 South African wines available in major supermarkets. Small clarification?I?ve had very nice supermarket selections there, though I wasn?t lucky enough to stumble upon wines like these?unexpectedly balanced and satisfying for the price-point ($5.99).If you must buy a wine this inexpensive, you?d always hope for a comparable standard.Unlike some of the other cheaper reds which gratuitously used terms such as ?barrel-aged? on the back-labels, MAN openly discloses their use of oak staves for maturing part of the wine, in addition to fining and filtering.As I mentioned before, you can read the technical sheets on their website.Now, for the sake of consistency, if I can just get my hands on the other wines in their line?wouldn?t it be something if the other varieties were quaffable at $5.99?
Visual/Aromatic Profile:Medium ruby with translucent edges in the glass.The nose is clean, with pronounced intensity of the predominant red fruit (red cherry & plum), soft earth, spice and minerality.
Texture and Finish:Dry, with medium acidity, medium tannin and high body.Bold plum and red cherry sweetness are accompanied by pepper, spice and stony minerality.The spices, minerality and soft earth lead into the interesting medium finish.
MAN, out of Stellenbosch, produces my quick intelligent value weekender vino.I?ve always fallen easily for a wine with an underlying story.You can read all about the guys here, since I won?t pull off the usual wine blogger thing and claim that I?m writing original content that was subsequently re-hashed from producer?s websites.Oh and yes, I publish boring tasting notes which are only meant as a rough guide/tool for people to assess how much they?d probably like the wine?so deal with it and try the wines for yourself.
At any rate, the MAN 2005 Pinotage, sourced from Perdeberg Hills (Coastal), is a very pleasant surprise. I remember being in London last year, trying many of the paltry £4,99 South African wines available in major supermarkets. Small clarification?I?ve had very nice supermarket selections there, though I wasn?t lucky enough to stumble upon wines like these?unexpectedly balanced and satisfying for the price-point ($5.99).If you must buy a wine this inexpensive, you?d always hope for a comparable standard.Unlike some of the other cheaper reds which gratuitously used terms such as ?barrel-aged? on the back-labels, MAN openly discloses their use of oak staves for maturing part of the wine, in addition to fining and filtering.As I mentioned before, you can read the technical sheets on their website.Now, for the sake of consistency, if I can just get my hands on the other wines in their line?wouldn?t it be something if the other varieties were quaffable at $5.99?
Visual/Aromatic Profile:Medium ruby with translucent edges in the glass.The nose is clean, with pronounced intensity of the predominant red fruit (red cherry & plum), soft earth, spice and minerality.
Texture and Finish:Dry, with medium acidity, medium tannin and high body.Bold plum and red cherry sweetness are accompanied by pepper, spice and stony minerality.The spices, minerality and soft earth lead into the interesting medium finish.
The magistrate of Siena, an appointed judicial authority, has questioned the controls exercised by the consortium of Brunello di Montalcino, which governs the stipulations of how the wine is made in both the vineyard? and the cellar?.
Authorities are scanning thousands of documents, including winemaker? notes, harvest and bottling records, Consorzio? registrations and DOCG? stamps.
If the slightest discrepancy is found, even if subject to interpretation and explanation, the existing stocks of the 2003 vintage? Brunello, the year in question, will be sequestered from distribution, the company said in a statement.
Stocks already on store shelves and restaurant cellars will not be affected.
"The situation has quickly become political and threatens the commerce of innumerable small businesses and the pleasure of millions of consumers around the world,? Marc? Goodrich, chief operating officer of Banfi Vintners, a US importer of the wines, said.
?The promise of Brunello to the consumer remains valid and unquestioned, but has been caught in crossfire between warring factions in what amounts to a political disgrace.?
Goodrich claims the majority of Brunello producers are likely to come under scrutiny. This could lead to the sale? of the 2003 vintage suspended, potentially for several months if not longer.
?We will not know what really happened until all the political dust settles and the authorities retreat,? he said. "But in the meantime, they have put at risk the commercial, social and governmental reputation of all Italy.?
The Greeks called Italy Oenotria - the land of wine. A large, colourful wine map of Italy hangs on my study wall. I've been exploring the viticultural tastes and textures of Italy from Abruzzo, Piedmont and Tuscany to Sardinia, Sicily and Venice. Melgab, an Italian father-and-son company, import a wide range of fine wines and grappa? of origin from Argentina, France, Italy, Portugal and Spain to South Africa.
Treat your taste? buds to a range of new flavours? in classic Italian varieties such as Barbera, Chianti, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese and Trebbiano. The dry?, fruity?, minerality of Lamberti Santepietre Pinot Grigio or the fine, fruity bubbles of Teresa Rizzi Prosecco, the vino? spumante? of Veneto will take you all the way to Harry's Bar in Venice. I loved the herbal? quality of Medici Sangiovese Rubicone from Emilia, the main grape of the great Chianti Classico? wines. Last but not least, try the intense?, robust ruby red Montepulciano d'Abruzzo with its evocative forest fruit and liquorice flavours.
Watch out for Melgab's Italian wines in wine stores at R60-R85.
I discovered the seductive delights of limoncello? this summer - a traditional Italian liqueur? made from steeping the juiciest, fresh lemon peels in alcohol?. Commonly called limoncello in Tuscany, this zesty digestif is made in family cellars in the region? from age-old recipes. The rinds from lemons? freshly picked in the orchards are steeped in alcohol until they reach a perfect infusion of colour, flavour and zest. Made by A&G Distillery, Limonello is sold in an elegant frosted glass bottle in South Africa. Drink frozen, on the rocks or drizzle over ice cream
Tecnorati
Wine Tasting Note: Nederburg Chardonnay-Viognier, 2007, Western Cape, South Africa.
