news Events & festivals: Cape Town Nederburg open saturdays 3, 10, 24, 31 January Tel: 021 862 3104 Web: www.nederburg.co.za Enjoy bubbly on arrival, complimentary tastings throughout the day. Visit the historic Manor House and receive discounts on wine and souvenir purchases. Mezze platters will be available along with picnic barbeque lunches. Booking is essential. Time: 10:00 to 16:00 Venue: Nederburg, Paarl
Delvera full moon and sunset hike 11, 24 January Tel: 021 884 4752 Web: www.dirtopia.co.za Bring warm clothes, a torch and hiking shoes and a picnic if you like. Booking essential. Time: 18:30 on the 11th (full moon hike), 17:30 on the 24th (sunset hike). Venue: Dirtopia Trail Centre, Delvera Agri-tourism complex, Stellenbosch Cost: R40 adults, R20 kids under 10 years
Starry, Starry Night harvest dinners 21, 22, 28, 29 January and 4, 5 February Tel: 023 230 0680 Web: www.houseofkrone.co.za Enjoy a three-course dinner, cellar tour with the winemaker and, later, take a ride on the starlight express to experience how the grapes are picked in the cool of the night. Booking essential. Venue: The House of Krone, Twee Jonge Gezellen, Tulbagh Cost: R300
Delaire alfresco winemaker’s lunches Tel: 021 885 8160 Email: info@delaire.co.za
news From now until the end of January 2009, join winemaker Chris Kelly and his team for a languid alfresco affair under the oaks, served up with awe-inspiring views of their vineyards in the sky and valleys below. The meal includes an exclusive barrel tasting and a complimentary glass of Delaire wine. Booking essential. Venue: Delaire, Helshoogte, Stellenbosch Cost: R150
Theatre: K53 For Learner Husbands 5 – 24 January Tel: 021 685 7880 Web: www.baxter.co.za Comedian Stuart Taylor and director Heinrich Reisenhofer team up to create the definitive relationship crash course for the modern South African man. This hysterical step-by-step programme prepares you to survive the most perilous of driving tests: marriage. Time: 20:15 Venue: Concert Hall, Baxter Theatre, Main Road, Rondebosch Cost: R80
The Ugly Duckling and other stories 7 to 20 January Tel: 021 685 7880 Web: www.baxter.co.za The Ugly Duckling, The King's New Clothes and The Princess and the Swineherd are three magical stories by the Danish weaver of dreams, Hans Christian Andersen. Filled with colourful characters, this stage adaptation sticks closely to the original fairytales. The duration of the show is 40 minutes, and it is suitable for children aged four to eight. Time: 10:30 Venue: Concert Hall, Baxter Theatre, Main Road, Rondebosch Cost: R32
Star-studded storm
Events & festivals: Gauteng Jozi’s Summer Break 1 to 11 January Tel: 011 248 6800 Email: nolwazi@ideaengineers.co.za Gold Reef City’s Theme Park has an exciting and diverse entertainment line up for the festive season. The park has everything for everyone, from history and heritage to action and adventure. Time: 9:30 to 18:00 Venue: Gold Reef City’s Theme Park, corner Data Crescent and Northern Parkway, Ormonde Cost: R110 adults, R60 kids shorter than 1.2m.
Beatlemania on Tour From 22 January Tel: 083 915 8000 Email: claire@claireclark.co.za Beatlemania will take you on a nostalgic, romantic and time-honoured musical journey with hits such as Strawberry Fields Forever, Let It Be, She Loves Me, Can’t Buy Me Love, Ticket To Ride, Hey Jude, A Hard Day’s Night, Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and many more. From the same people who brought you Queen: It’s a Kind of Magic. Venue: Nelson Mandela Theatre, Civic Theatre, Braamfontein Cost: From R750
Bridal Indaba 26 to 27 January Tel: 011 469 3825 The most memorable day in the life of most people is their wedding day. The Bridal Indaba 2008 at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways is the top bridal show in South Africa, drawing experts in their fields who will assist in making your dream come true. There will be designer fashion shows, with the latest trends and fashions in bridal attire, presented by Gauteng's top designers, Bridal Workshops that will include presentations
by Wedding specialists on issues such as: invitations, cakes, favours, marriage contracts, skin care and make up, hair styling, music, photography, flowers and décor. Venue: Indaba Hotel, Fourways, Sandton Cost: R50 a person including a fashion show
MPH Live Motor Theatre 29 January to 1 February Tel: 082 857 5276 www.mphjoburg.co.za Join Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond and Sasha Martinengo in this highoctane event with completely new stunts and live-action sequences for 2009, it features 90 minutes of awe-inspiring and gravity-defying acts that push both cars and drivers to their limits. Packed with car chases, crashes, explosions and an amazing line-up of the world’s most desirable cars, take a seat to enjoy a tyre-screeching, engine-screaming performance like no other. Venue: The Coca Cola Dome Cost: From R100
High School Musical From 31 January Tel: +27 83 915 8000 www.montecasino.co.za Loved by kids, teenagers and parents alike, c’mon South Africa, it’s time to bop to the top with Troy, Gabriella and the kids from East High. The home-grown version of Disney’s hugely successful High School Musical comes to Joburg under the auspices of theatre impresarios Pieter Toerien and Hazel Feldman. Venue: Teatro at Monte Casino Cost: Prices start at R100 a person
Out and about in Gauteng
he play has an unrivalled power to inspire in almost all sensitive readers a belief that it contains a secret meaning. Even those who make no attempt to search it out retain the feeling that it is there and that if it could only be found it would lead close not merely to the heart of Shakespeare’s convictions about life but close to the heart of life itself,” wrote scholar Harold Goddard. The play has been variously interpreted as Shakespeare’s riff on the creative process, an analysis of the blurring between the living and spirit world, to a more contemporary reading that it is his definitive black play that can be viewed through a post-colonial lens. And it is this perspective that acclaimed director Janice Honeyman will bring to the South African production, collaboration between the Royal Shakespeare Theatre Company and The Baxter Theatre that will run at the latter from January 17 to February 6. A star-studded cast, including Sir Antony Sher, John Kani, Ivan Abrahams, Jeremy Crutchley, Thami Mbongo, Omphile Molusi, Lionel Newton, Nicholas Pauling, Chuma Sopotela, Royston Stoffels, Wayne van Rooyen and Tinarie van Wyk Loots promises a provocative and original local production. The play is set on an island where Prospero (Sher) and his daughter Miranda and his two 10 | Wine Tourism News | January 2009
familiars – a sprite named Ariel and a slave named Caliban (Kani) live. Caliban resents Prospero as he believes the island belongs to him. Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, ended up on the island with his small daughter after his brother, Antonio, in league with the Alonso, King of Naples, usurped Prospero’s crown. On a journey home from his daughter’s wedding in Tunis, Alonso and his entourage are washed up on the island after surviving a violent storm. Caliban then plots with some of Alonso's men to murder Prospero. Woven between this apparently simple story are many complex and engaging themes. This production promises to be a highlight on the 2009 Cape Town theatre calendar and provides a showcase of some of the finest local talent. Book early to avoid disappointment. Booking has opened. www.capetheatre.co.za
he Christmas glut is behind us and New Year’s resolutions to improve our lifestyles have been made. All may be a little chaotic and uncertain in the world but there are a few things we can take control of and our health and fitness is one of them. There is so much to do in this vibrant province and it's incredible to think that within 45 minutes drive from most suburbs is beautiful, open country ideal for the enthusiastic cyclist to explore. One of these areas is Kromdraai in the Cradle of Mankind – very near Lanseria airport and Krugersdorp, boasting beautiful scenery and dedicated cyclists’ lanes in many parts. A wonderful base to start exploring this area is Teak Place, which offers a large, secure parking area to depart from and a great restaurant to return back to – you may need a good breakfast/brunch/lunch and glass of wine to help recover from all that fresh air. If you are more of an adrenalin junkie, why not try out an invigorating canopy tour through the Ysterhout Kloof in Magaliesberg? A mere hour’s drive from most Northern suburbs of Joburg is the Sparkling Waters Hotel, the base of Magaliesberg Canopy Tours. They will take you on an amazing two-and-a-half hour ecoadventure while you are suspended 30m above the ground along long steel cables across different platforms, allowing you to admire this beautiful, ancient landscape with a real bird’s eye view. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure will set you back about R400, but is not too
If you were to assign movie characters to grapes then Semillon would be the Shrek of the Winelands. Neil Pendock savours the fat flavours of the Big Greenie. y the time the 1820 settlers arrived in the Eastern Cape, Semillon was so widely cultivated in South Africa it went under the name wyndruif (wine grape) or groendruif (green grape). Over 90 per cent of the national vineyard was planted to the Big Greenie of Sauternes and at one stage it was the most widely planted cultivar in the world. In Australia it was confused with Riesling, around the time SA boere were mixing up Riesling with Crouchen Blanc – a case of mistaken identity only corrected last year. To this day, Hunter Valley Semillon (nee Riesling) is one of the crown jewels of Aussie wine: buttercup yellow with deep and richly flavours which apparently lasts forever. Perhaps it was the oiliness of the juice that threw the pioneers and the delicate floral notes of young Semillon that has a flavour profile of green apples, lemons and limes which develop into honey and lanolin over time. Easy to grow, large yields and low acidity explain its popularity. White blends are the flavour of the minute with André van Rensburg from Vergelegen and Duncan Savage from Cape Point Vineyards, in the vanguard with mixtures of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, the latter often fermented in barrels to add an extra dimension of wood flavours. For pure Semillon, Franschhoek shines with wines like Landau du Val made from 100-yearold vines and those from Rickety Bridge worth
searching for. The former is so popular it’s sold out and so goes unrated in Platter 2009 which waxes lyrical on the “inviting lanolin and candlewick textures” of the Boekenhoutskloof ’06. Whether candlewick texture is a positive or negative feature is left unexplained. French wino Michel Bettane makes the point that Semillon is the only South African variety with detectable terroir. Taste reflecting geographies such as the Helderberg and the barrel fermented Eikendal Semillon 2007 in particular – a wine so mysteriously alluring it is called Cleopatra’s Wedding Present. Egyptian connections popped up again last year when Duncan showcased his new maturation vessels: 300-litre earthenware amphorae. He embraced the pots in an attempt to “move away from linear styles to more expansive expressions” through more oxidative treatments. Bizarre fermentation vessels are the latest toys for boys in the Winelands, like concrete eggs at R30 000 a pop from Mr Nomblot. Shortly after buying his, Marc Kent won a Diner’s Club Winemaker of the Year Award with his Boekenhoutskloof Syrah. Coincidence? The idea can be tracked down to Nicolas Joly and it’s all to do with vortices and energy. To confirm the importance of shape, he notes that any dog would far rather sleep in an empty barrel than a kennel because of its lifegiving shape. “It’s important to rediscover the sense of shapes,” he maintains.
WHERE TO PICK UP YOUR FREE WTN
Gauteng boasts one of the best climates in the world so it makes sense to spend more time in the great outdoors and get fit and healthy at the same time. Here's a few ideas of what outdoor activities Gauteng has to offer. By Karen Green The Tempest, widely held to be one of Shakespeare’s last plays, has an enduring fascination for directors across the world who constantly seek to re-interpret this magical tale of life, freedom, magic and wonder.
Bottle 11:
Cape Point Vineyards Semillon 2006
strenuous. Start the year on a high note. If you prefer to keep your feet on terra firma then a hiking trail may be more appealing. The Johannesburg Hiking Club offers two weekly hikes, on a Wednesday and Sunday, and at least one weekend hike a month, mainly in the scenic Magaliesburg area. Another popular option is the Hennops trail near Hartbeespoort Dam, offering unspoiled natural areas. It consists of two day hikes setting out from either the Krokodilberg or zebra trail and encompasses part of the Hennops River as well as the beautiful surrounding mountains. There are inviting rock pools along the way and one base camp has a swimming pool where you’re able to finish off with a well-deserved dip. For those after a less taxing option why not visit the magnificent Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens in Roodepoort? It covers 300 hectares of landscaped gardens and natural veld. The JCI geological trial offers short walks along the Roodekrans Ridge and nature reserve portion of the garden and gives the opportunity to observe the abundant bird and wildlife living in the area. If this isn’t enough, try sandboarding on the numerous mine dumps, canoeing or kayaking on Emmerentia dam or caving in one of the 165 caves situated in the Cradle of Humankind. So with the multitude of options available, all that is left is to stop procrastinating and go out and enjoy the fresh air, feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle the year ahead. For more details on visit www.joburg.org.za
Wine Route & Tourism Offices: Breedekloof Tourism, Cape Town Information, Cape Town Tourism, Constantia Wine Route, CT Tourism Office in Tyger Valley, Darling Tourism, De Doorns Cellar & Hex River Tourism, Franschhoek Tourism, Green Market Info, McGregor Tourism, Olifants River Wine Route, Orange River Wine Route, Paarl Wine Route Office, Robertson Tourism, Routes Unlimited, Stellenbosch Tourism , Swartland Tourism, Tobi HB, Tulbagh Tourism, Voor Paardeberg Visitors Centre, Wellington Tourism, Wine Desk, Worcester Tourism
Accommodation: Arabella Sheraton, Bantry Suites, Bay Hotel, Cape Cadogan Chapman Peak Hotel, Commodore, Cullinan, Hout Bay Manor, Mount Nelson, Pearls of Hout Bay, Peninsula Suites, President Hotel, Radisson, Steenberg Hotel, Table Bay Hotel, V&A Hotel, Vineyard Hotel Airports: Bidvest Lounge JHB, Bidvest Lounge CT Other: That Newstand
Restaurants & Wine Bars: Caveau Wine Bar, Chappi’s Deli and Wine, Dario’s Deli Delish Restaurant /Wine Bar, Jardine Restaurant, Just Foods Deli, Lush, Manuka Café, Marc’s Mediterranean, Marika’s Restaurant, Newport Deli, Nose Bar, Oblivion Wine Bar, Olive Station, PGW Eat Kitchen, Riboville, The Oven Door, Wildekrans Wine Shop, Wine Sense, Wynhuis Stellenbosch
Gauteng: 10 Bompas, Botleggers, Carnivore, Casalinga, CWA (Cape Wine Academy), Design Quarter - Kitchen Bar, Georges on 4th, Grace Hotel, Hilton Hotel, Johnny’s, Makro, Manuka Café & Wine Bar, Miele, Morara Soweto, Picardi, Solly Kramers – Parkhurst, The Pinotage Café Wine Bar, Tops@Spar
Retail Outlets: Aroma Shop, Bottelary Hills Wine Shop, Carlucci’s – Gardens, Carolines Fine Wines, Cuvee Classiques, Fred’s Fine Wine, Giovanni’s, Hout Bay Gift Shop, Liquor Ranch, Lisa’s Little Wine Shop, Main Ingredients, Mielle, Picardi Rebel, Ristico, Southern Right Wine Shop, Spar Fine Food & Wine, Steven Rhom Liquor , The Noble Grape, Ultra Liquors, Vaughan Johnson, Vino Pronto, Wine Concepts, Wine Village
Wine Farms: Allee Bleue, Arabella, Beyerskloof, Bon Courage, Boschendal , Bramon Wines, Constantia Uitsig, Durbanville Hills, Eaglevlei, Fairview, Flagstone, Glen Carlou, Graham Beck, Grande Provence , Haute Cabriere, Hermanuspietersfontein, Hidden Valley, Janeza, Kanu Wines, Kleine Zalze, Le Grand Chasseur, Nederburg, Noble Hill, Rhebokskloof, Rickety Bridge, Rietvallei, Rooiberg, Seidelberg, Simonsvlei, Spier, Springfield, Twee Jonge Gezellen
The Talon ''Some people got it and make it pay; some people can’t even give it away,” sings Gypsy Rose Lee’s mother in the musical Gypsy. By Melinda Talon-Smit t this time of the year, with the release of the new Platter’s Wine Guide, one cannot but think she had a point. More than 6 000 wines were evaluated for this much loved (by many) much maligned (by some) indispensible guide. At Sans Pitié, my Franschhoek wine estate, we always have a ceremony during which we release our new vintage bubbly and burn all the previous year’s editions, just so we don’t get confused by all that new information. People come from all over, even Johannesburg, to take part in this quaint ritual. This year I noticed some of my guests trying to burn the current one but that kind of Fascist behaviour does not sit well with me and they were reprimanded most severely. Poppie Vermeulen, my next-door neighbour, says she is giving up reading altogether because she has been reading the obituaries for years and never sees the names there that she is looking for. We cannot apply that kind of thinking to Platter. I keep telling her she should broaden her choice of reading material but she is very stuck in her ways. The tumbrels are no longer rumbling through the streets of Franschhoek, no matter what the Madame Defarges want. Neil Pendock’s book Sour Grapes is a freewheeling, stream of consciousness, dazzling tour de force, packed with information. How does he manage to remember all those facts? A heady blend of Agatha Christie, Tina Brown, and Kitty Kelley, as filtered through the Larousse Encyclopedia of Wine, it's a page turner for all wine drinkers. A tighter edit would have tamed the fuller sections of the book, but it is, nevertheless, a must have; his legions of admirers will be enthralled. The Grill Room at the Kelvin Grove, Newlands, was the venue for a luncheon celebrating Philip Jordaan’s 25th year at Du Toitskloof Winery at Rawsonville. What a nice bunch those boys the other side of the mountain are; unassuming, down home friendly, sleek and well fed, one really feels that what you see is what you get. No preening, no arrogance, one never hears the word “I” in their conversation. They are always at pains to stress, “Die span en ons medewekers en lede,” so refreshing, I almost forgot that they make wine. This cellar has gone from strength to strength under Philip’s sure hand; if he ever wants to move to a more sophisticated – and
dangerous environment, he should just let me know. I like my winemakers to know that I always have a Plan B and that I’m not a woman intimidated by male sabre rattling; I have had sabres rattled at me on five continents and I am still here. I have never seen a sabre big enough to scare me – I am a Talon. One of the nicest people ever to grace the wine land world is Lynne Aberdeen, who, with her partner Laurille Krug, runs the much loved restaurant Olivello on the Marianne Estate. Lynne turned 60 the other day and invited 100 of her friends to feast on lamb on the spit at the side of the lake where Olivello is situated. During this fabulous day, Lynne announced she is going to fulfil her lifetime dream of going to live in France next year; it couldn’t happen to a nicer person. Bon Voyage to someone who proves that you can be nice and successful. As an ex-SAA hostess, I always feel close to the national carrier. I used to fly around the bulge in our aircraft in the days when it took 24 hours to get to Athens, via Lisbon and Rome (remember them) - and the aircraft were packed. My last husband was an SAA captain and he was gorgeous – especially mile high, so I was especially touched that two of the wines of Sans Pitié, our fabulous bubbly, Brut Willis, and our flagship red, Merlot Streep, were chosen for the Premium Service to New York. The award ceremony at Spier was a knockout – nobody can bling like a black diamond – I could have killed for some of them, they were so gorgeous. I decided to go for something really simple and wore my Gavin Rajah red shantung sheath, with the famous Talon yellow diamond tiara. We stopped the traffic when our Roller broke down at Polkadraai on the way there. The locals thought that I was one of the Royals. I heard someone say, “Nay, dis Princess Di se ouma.” I had to be flown in by the NSRI helicopter, which got me double mileage on the eTV channel—so good for a girl’s ego. I didn’t arrange it—honest.
“A little sincerity is a dangerous thing, and a great deal of it is absolutely fatal.” [Oscar Wilde]
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