News
South Africa
Full of Schist
Schist is just one of many fabulous soils provide grapevines just enough nutrients to stay alive but also an environment that lends a bit of a struggle as well. Wine Enthusiast recently highlighted the facets that make schist so unique. While they didn’t mention South Africa (not going to say lazy journalism 😊), they should […]
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South Africa
The New Mocktail
Non-alc and low-alc spirits and wines have seen a dramatic uptick in awareness and sales over the past few years. We ventured into this realm in 2021 after being exposed to an excellent South African product called Abstinence Spirits. The innovation and quality of Abstinence’s products is second-to-none and would advise anyone thinking these are […]
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Australia
Australian Shiraz: The Chameleon Grape With a French Pedigree
Christina Pickard of Wine Enthusiast spent a number of years living in Australia and her time there coupled with intense tastings of wines around the world have framed her view that Australian Shiraz/Syrah is more than what is expected of the grape. Read here about the grape, which is the foundation of Australian wine around […]
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New Zealand
Wine Press
Auntsfield Estate with Two Top 100 Wines from James Suckling
The Cowley family continues to overdeliver with excellent wine and supreme value and again they have been recognized for the hard work in the vineyard and winery. The 2019 ‘Single Vineyard’ Pinot Noir was named the #80 wine overall from New Zealand with the 2020 ‘Single Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc just behind it at #82, both […]
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South Africa
Mick Craven talks Armrest Etiquette, Pinot Gris, and More
Mick Craven, the larger (but not better) half of Craven Wines sat down with Cape Town’s New Agency founder and creative director James Bisset for a little chat about all things non-wine related. Click here to laugh for nine minutes and learn a bit more about Mick.
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South Africa
Wine Press
Chardonnay Report: Discovery of the Year – Lelie Van Saron
It is probably a bit late in the game to call Natasha Williams’ brand Lelie Van Saron a ‘discovery’ at this stage in the game (and Christian Eedes addresses that at the bottom in the comments), but for many Lelie Van Saron is still an unknown. Congratulations to Natasha and the present and future are incredibly […]
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Australia
Australian Shiraz: Freshness, Definition, and a Sense of Place
Dr. Jamie Goode of Wineanorak recently tasted through a lineup of some top Australian Shiraz from throughout the country via a hosted tasting by Mark Davidson of Wine Australia. The wines spanned warm and cool climates, young vines to old, and really showcased the extremely high quality and diversity that Shiraz/Syrah has in Australia. Luke […]
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South Africa
The Wines and Story of the Lily of Saron: Natasha Williams of Lelie van Saron
Tim James of WineMag profiles the inspiring and beautiful story of Natasha’s rise from growing up in a small town in the Swartland without any exposure to alcohol, least of all wine, to becoming the lead winemaker for Bosman Family Vineyards and establishing her own brand. Tim quotes British biologist Richard Dawkins’s autobiography An Appetite […]
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