One of our favourite wines – De Grendel have literally cleaned up at this years Michelangelo International Wine & Spirts Awards, walking away with the African Cellar Suppliers Pinot Noir Trophy for their Op Die Berg Pinot Noir 2015 – as well as three double gold medals awarded to the De Grendel Koetshuis Sauvignon Blanc 2017 and 2013 and the De Grendel Loyalty Club-exclusive Elim Shiraz 2016. Well done guys! Apparently the competition was really stiff this year, and the competition, now in it’s 22nd year received an incredible 2 225 entries, making it the largest competition of its kind on the African continent and one of the leaders in the Southern Hemisphere. Since its inception the Michelangelo Awards has differentiated itself from other competitions in using a judging panel comprising a majority of international wine and spirits experts. Says Charles Hopkins, winemaker at De Grendel “We are incredibly proud…
Summer has never looked so fine – and we see cocktails on our horizon, that’s for sure! Thanks to the team at one of SA’s premium drinks companies – Truman & Orange we can now happily sip on our fave gin cocktails with the latest craze – Malfy Gin Rosa! As the name suggests, the gin is stunning pink in colour and, typical of the exceptional, Italian quality we’ve come to expect from Malfy, no detail has been spared. The bottle is beautifully frosted and boasts traditional Italian glass painting techniques, with the liquid bearing testament to the centuries of experience and heritage behind the Vergnano family and the traditional pot stills used to produce it. Malfy Gin Rosa is an expert composition of classic Southern Italian citrus, Pompelmo Rosa (pink grapefruit) with Rabarbaro (rhubarb), which is grown widely and used in many classic Italian drinks such as Aperol. Add…
We love an excuse to celebrate and recently headed through to Montecasino’s Casa Bella to hellp them celebrate their first birthday, in true Italian style, of course. Nestled in the heart of Jozi’s premier entertainment destinations, Casa Bella, means “Beautiful Home” in Italian, and that it certainly is. Beautifully tiled floors and polished wood feature in the stylish interior which, combined with a warm, inviting ambience, provides an upmarket yet friendly dining experience. It is literally a home that runs on love, laughter, delicious food, outstanding wines and exceptional quality and service. The standard menu features fresh, authentic and carefully considered cuisine made from the finest quality ingredients such as imported Italian flour, 100% Durum wheat and locally sourced fresh food items. They are also ranked in the top 10 according to TripAdvisor, as well as a recent nomination from the Restaurant Association of South Africa (RASA). Authentic food is…
If you are heading down to the Cape soon, and are going to be in the Durbanville area, then may we suggest a stop in at the beautiful Meerendal Estate. You can taste some vino of course, but there is loads more on offer and Meerendal boasts biking and running trails, paragliding (when the weather’s just right!), and its family friendly weekend vibe. There are two restaurants on the estate, The Crown Restaurant and Carlucci’s – the latter is the one that fills up fast so that come lunchtime, one would be hard pressed to find a seat in the restaurant – either in the undercover area or the garden with its sweeping views of the Boland mountains. The restaurant has been open since 2016 – initially as a small restaurant which has evolved into a full blown restaurant with rolling lawns, ample space for kids to play in a…
It was just recently announced, and not that surprising either that one of our favourite restaurants ever (and one of the most popular in SA since Chef Chantel Dartnall won best chef) Orient Boutique Hotel – home of the acclaimed Restaurant Mosaic – has won the Best Hotel Wine List in the World for 2018 beating off strong competition from around the globe. The 2018 Fine Wine World’s Best Wine List Awards, now in its fifth year, honoured Restaurant Mosaic in the following categories: • Best Hotel Wine List in the World 2018. • Best Long Wine List in Middle East and Africa 2018. • Best Champagne & Sparkling Wine List in Middle East and Africa 2018. • Best Dessert & Fortified Wine List in Middle East and Africa 2018. • Best By-the-Glass Wine List Without Coravin in Middle East and Africa 2018. • Jury Prize Mosaic’s competition in the…
We are really looking forward to attending one of Joburg’s favourite ‘super secret’ events – Diner En Blanc, which will see foodies, fun lovers, media personalities and others donning their beautiful white outfits, packing their picnic baskets all while enjoying it at a secret destination. This is set to be the signature event for Spring- Le Diner En Blanc will take place on Saturday 29th September and the exceptional gastronomic experience is to be accompanied by a host of outstanding sponsors. Michelin trained Chef Wandile Mabaso is highly regarded as one of the most innovative chefs in South Africa and will no doubt take this fine dining event to new heights. Says Wandile “Diner En Blanc gives a wide scale access to French food cooked at the highest level, rather than the elite few that can afford it.” The wine partner is award winning Stellenbosch producer, The Idiom Collection, a…
It was such a hit last year, and we are really looking forward to the second edition of the much talked about Pinotage and Biltong Festival, which will be showcasing 18 of the countries top Pinotage producers at this event, taking place on the 13th and 14th of October! The wineries are: Bellevue Wine Estate, Beyerskloof, De Krans, Ernst Gouws & Co, Flagstone Wines, Grande Provence, Hill & Dale, Jakkalsvlei, Koelenhof, Mellasat Vineyards, Mount Vernon, Neethlingshof, Perdeberg Cellar, Simonsvlei Winery, Taillard Wines, Van Loveren Family Vineyards Whalehaven and Wellington Wines. The Festival will once again be hosted at Leriba Hotel in Centurion and will the same procedure as last year, namely seeing one wine from each winery being paired with a biltong flavour, but most of these producers also have other Pinotage’s which will be for tasting and for sale directly from their stands. The festival concept offers visitors a…
Whatever you do, make sure that you have Saturday 29th September diarised as the much anticipated Steenberg Garden Party is heading to our beautiful city! The venue is the picturesque l’antico giardino part of the forum company in Lanseria which boasts the most stunning gardens and is the perfect fit to host laid back live music with ample seating in relaxed garden lounge areas, which will keep you delighted for the duration of the afternoon. Not only is the view a good one, but you can also savour the best of spring with fine bubblies and wines at this annual event which is brought to the people of Jozi by Steenberg Vineyards, one of the jewels of the Constantia Wine Route, this elegant outdoor affair invites you to explore Steenberg wines and tuck into a harvest table laden with fresh culinary delights. From the youthful and vivacious Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc…
We are loving the beauty that being out of the city brings – don’t get us wrong we love our home in Sandton, but the fact that we live in one of the most beautiful parts of the continent does not escape us, and so we travel! La Petite Ferme – Franschhoek Pass, Western Cape Situated on the slopes of the Franschhoek Pass and the Middagkrans Mountain Range lies one of the finest spots the infamous town of Franschhoek has to offer, famous for having the best view in the valley. This picturesque spot offers exceptional hospitality and traditional yet luxurious country-style accommodation, with a range of Vineyard Suites or the Manor House to pick from for your stay. With the spectacular views of the rolling hills, out-of-this-world comfort and serene tranquility, you really will feel like you’ve been transported to a picture-perfect paradise that you may have to be…
We love good food, and we also love trying all the latest and newest restaurants in Sandton, so that we can share them with our avid foodie readers. Acclaimed international chef, David Higgs has just opened his latest offering, Saint ‘Pazzo Italiano’ in partnership with entrepreneur Gary Kyriacou of Marble fame, in the brand spanking new The Marc precinct in Sandton and a visit to Saint is nothing short of an experience from start to finish. While Marble has gained kudos for celebrating quintessentially South African fair, Saint sees the powerhouse duo introduce the concept of “Pazzo Italiano”, meaning “Mad Italian” – an offering which encompasses pizza and pasta as well as a range of dishes cooked on woks and an open fire.” It’s not an Italian restaurant but there is a definite Italian feel,” says David. No attention to details was spared in the décor and layout, and we…









