If the promise of fine wine isn't enough to lure you to next weekend's TOPS at SPAR Wine Show – the seventh consecutive time it will be hosted in the Bay – here are five more very good reasons to pop in after work on Thursday 4th and Friday 5th August or make a Saturday of it on the 6th. 1. It's The Greatest Show Unearthed! This year the show has a fabulous theme: vintage! It's a throw-back to a bygone era and everything from the drapery to the dress will be old-school-is-cool. Having … [Read more...] about Five more reasons to drink wine (Plus a Bonus Sixth)
wine show
Why you need to speak French to understand this term
If you ask a French person to translate the word terroir, their first response will likely be a long pause and a furrowed brow. Not because they're unfamiliar with the term, but because there's no word for it in English. Translating terroir requires the use of complete sentences. Terrior is defined as the environmental conditions, especially soil and climate, in which grapes are grown and that give a wine its unique flavor and aroma. Also called goût de terroir which refers to the unique … [Read more...] about Why you need to speak French to understand this term
Why books and wine go hand in hand
Who doesn't love curling up on the couch, underneath a blanket with a good book in one hand and a glass of wine in the other? Especially as the temperature continues to dip. Pairing the best of both worlds is Maryna Strachan from the TOPS at SPAR Wine Show and Resa Forgarty from local book store, Fogarty's. Presenting a love affair of literature and fine wine, the pair will recommend which wines best complement a thriller, love story, suspense, drama or comedy, among other genres at The TOPS … [Read more...] about Why books and wine go hand in hand
The inspiration behind this range of natural wines
Leonardo da Vinci once said that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. No truer is this than at Babylonstoren, the 580 hectare botanical paradise that is orchard, vineyard, garden and getaway; a serene haven that grounds visitors with its harmony with nature. Opened to the public in 2010, the estate dates back 300 years and today is one of the best preserved farmyards in the Cape. It also boasts a magnificent eight acre garden that - besides seasonally bearing fruit, berries, vegetables … [Read more...] about The inspiration behind this range of natural wines
What is Muscadel and how is it produced
For the 7th consecutive year The TOPS at SPAR Wine Show brings the best of South Africa's wine producers to PE in August, showcasing hundreds of fine wines, vintages and varietals to wine lovers over three days at The Boardwalk. Among them is Orange River Cellars. Unlike the majority of local wine which is produced in the Western Cape, it's located in the Northern Cape's Upington. This unique geography - which attracts hundreds of wine enthusiasts from all over the world each year - produces the … [Read more...] about What is Muscadel and how is it produced
How to start a Wine Club at home
It's no secret, wine club is the new book club. With so many internationally renowned wines right on our doorstep, starting a wine club makes perfect sense. It's also a lot of fun and is an interactive way to get to know your wine in the company of new and old friends. Yet, with so many wines on offer it's difficult to know where to start. CLICK Here to get free tickets to the TOPS at SPAR Wine Show. Maryna Strachan, Managing Editor at Wine-Extra magazine and consultant to The TOPS at SPAR … [Read more...] about How to start a Wine Club at home
One More Excuse to Guzzle Wine
The Nelson Mandela Bay Wine Show Road Show returns to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth in June and will run from from Friday, 10 June 2011 until Sunday, 12 June 2011. After the huge response the inaugural event received in 2010, this year’s edition promises to wow wine lovers with the same informal and fun introduction to some of the best wines in the country. According to show organiser John Woodward, the overwhelmingly positive feedback from visitors and exhibitors showed … [Read more...] about One More Excuse to Guzzle Wine
