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    Per Capita Consumption, captivating per se

    Do you think the French drinks the most wine, the Dutch is the world leaders in cheese consumption and pizza-eating patterns are a close-cal...
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    From Somm Sophistication to Simple Enjoyment

    Sommelier is such a beautiful word. It has that lovely French pronunciation and it implies a passion and knowledge that is a little foreign ...
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    Benchmarking Beverages

    With the third budget speech for the year and the eagerly anticipated meeting between Trump and Ramaphosa both set for the same week, there ...
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    Seasonal Sipping

    A well-chilled Sauvignon Blanc is synonymous with a hot summer's day in the Winelands. So is a complex red in front of a fire in winter rain...
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    Ingest, but also Invest

    There is an expression about not trusting a skinny chef, but most chefs I know are quite lean and their food is fabulous. We know it is abou...
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    Hein on Coffee

    What does it require to change habits and preferences? We've been talking a lot about wine and how it seems to be falling out of favour with...
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    Friends in Business

    Trump's “In many cases, the friend is worse than the foe in terms of trade", made me think of the importance of having friends in business...
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    The Power of Food & Wine

    I've been attending ProWein for many years and this year I was particularly looking forward to it for a few reasons. Leopard's Leap won a be...
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    The Lesser of Two Evils?

    The much debated and long-awaited budget was delivered this week and despite all the drama and postponement of the annual budget speech, it ...
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    A Tough Spot for Wine

    Decanter reports that Constellation Brands is considering selling its wine portfolio because of the continuous, global decline in wine consu...
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    What’s in a Name?

    Does your family name some of their favourite dishes after the person who created them, cooks them well, or really enjoys them? Ouma Annelin...
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    Our Daily Bread

    With the budget speech postponed due to disagreements within the GNU, the focus has been mainly on the proposed VAT hike and the suggested e...
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    Counting on Cape Town

    Cape Town is having a bumper tourism season and it is good news all around. While South Africa has done little over the last couple of years...
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    A Day for the Rose

    7 February is Rose Day. And no, I didn't just forget the é. It is the start of Valentine's week and therefore a day celebrating the rose fl...
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    Harvest 2025 – it’s a celebration!

    The most exciting time in the Cape Winelands has arrived with the 2025 harvest kicking off across the various growing areas. It is such a ti...
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    Changing for Climate Change

    Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is reversing the U.S. climate policy, but the topic of climate change didn't need the new Americ...
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    Identity in Diversity

    A recent Wine Enthusiast article focused on the "identity crisis" of Australian wine with the large country's diversity of terroir and wine ...
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    Ageing – an asset in 2025

    With the arrival of a New Year, one sometimes has the same ambivalent feelings that you have with a birthday. Grateful for having made it th...
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    From the exotic to the expected – Drinks in 2025

    It is trend time and if you are in the wine industry, you will obviously be interested in drinks trends. We need to look wider than our own ...
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    Magnificent Mistakes

    The first weekend of December is always about celebrating our valley's joie de vivre with the fabulous Franschhoek Cap Classique & C...
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    A Jung Family with Children listen live Musik on the Art and Craft Market in Franschhoek, South Africa

    A Sense of Community

    The Franschhoek Village Market has been a trending topic on Franschhoek social platforms recently. A request from some local businesses to l...
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    Orange

    Orange is Back!

    Orange is back in fashion. From the subtle shade of peach fuzz that is the colour of the year to the more leathery skin tone of the newly el...
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    Server, smile and holding plates in coffee shop with salad, happiness and black woman in cafe. Female person, joy and portrait in startup business of food industry in hospitality, waitress or staff

    Variety is on the menu

    Ask any foodie you know and they will probably list Italy, Spain and Japan as their dream food destinations. Whether you have been there, ar...
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    Superhero Sommeliers

    Superhero Sommeliers

    A Wine Enthusiast article on a new generation of sommeliers caught my eye. When last did you go to a restaurant with a sommelier? I find it ...
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    An Economy of Sharing

    Recently when we tried out a new bake in the La Motte Bakery, I noticed that it fell open into beautiful petals when it was cut - just ready...
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    people enjoy a summer day in the busy Nyhavn quarter on the waterfront in Copenhagen with many restaurants and bars and Danish flags above

    Exploring Danish Wine

    Have you tried Danish wine? On a recent trip to Copenhagen, I learned that Denmark is about much more than Carlsberg and that this northernm...
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    Food traditions

    Local Food Traditions

    Food is an essential part of culture. It tells our story. Much more than how we survived or sustained ourselves, the food we prepare reflect...
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    Young woman loving nature

    Tourism – Sustainability is our Responsibility

    September announces a new season, and in South Africa, we take the opportunity to celebrate our heritage, our love for braai, and the import...
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    Reflections of wine filled vintage glasses

    A Special Moment with Stemware

    Sometimes we have a moment that feels like pure perfection. I had one this week at a rehearsal for JAN Franschhoek Season III. With the Fran...
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    Crowded Basilica of Sacred Heart. Paris

    Tourism – can we have too much of a good thing?

    Tourism is such a positive concept to most of us. For tourists it implies travel, holiday and leisure and for those of us in the industry, i...
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    All’s fine with fine dining

    Are we even talking about the future of fine dining anymore? Perhaps, by now, we've come to realise that it will always be there, it will ju...
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    American And South African Flag Pair On A Desk Over Defocused Background

    Profit vs Politics & Policy

    With an assassination attempt on Trump and Biden stepping out of the presidential race, America is making the headlines, but South Africans ...
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    La Motte Winter Landscape (30) low res

    A Season to Reflect, Renew & Restore

    When the rain messes with your plans and you are chilled to the bone, you might wish for summer, but rather reschedule your activity and tha...
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    fynbos poetry

    The Poetry of Fynbos

    Terminology like biodiversity and sustainability are part of our everyday wine jargon and in the Cape Winelands, fynbos is at the essence of...
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    Economics

    The Enigma of the Economy

    The Economy. What an enigmatic concept! Whether it is the global economy or the economic situation of your household, the economy determines...
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    The fisherman catches fish for spinning and stands in the water against a beautiful sunset.

    Keep a line in the water

    To win a raffle, you have to buy a ticket. It is as simple as that. Your chances might be slim and you might have no way of influencing the ...
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    bearded senior man drinking red wine

    Trends and Truths

    Most of us agree that the world is a challenging place to live in today and there are many reasons why we might feel a little despondent. In...
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    wine tastings

    The Elegant Classroom

    If you still think serious wine drinkers are only those who know how to pronounce terroir, who book for tutored wine tastings, belong to a w...
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    leopard

    Shining the light on the Cape leopard

    On 3 May we celebrate International Leopard Day. Many of us admire these magnificent creatures, but why do we have a specific day dedicated ...
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    Why we choose wine

    There's not a wine show or wine publication that haven't been focusing on the no and low wine category over the past few years. We've done e...
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    La Motte Manor House

    Custodians of Cape Winelands Culture

    Following one of the windiest nights I've experienced while living in the Cape Winelands, we awoke on Sunday morning to social media sharing...
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    Nervous man talking smartphone at urban bar close up. Businessman holding wine

    A Shift in Focus

    We've just returned from Germany after another successful edition of the annual Prowein trade show in Dusseldorf. I've lost track of how man...
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    Congratulating on successful business seminar!

    A Round of Applause

    One shouldn’t need a specific day like Valentine's Day or Mother's Day to love or appreciate but while there is no denying the commercial ...
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    Multiracial people having fun eating at food truck outdoor - Focus on left girl face

    Restaurant Reality

    I remember when I grew up, farmers used to say that if in your lifetime, you manage to double the land you own, you know you are farming su...
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    La Motte_Blessing of the Harvest_2024_Stills_46

    The Blessing of the Harvest

    Our annual Blessing of the Harvest ceremony at La Motte stays such a special opportunity to express our gratitude for another harv...
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    Large stacked container ship leaving the port of Cape Town with Table mountain and the city in the background, South Africa.

    Our Best Shot?

    After the rush that was 2023, I promised myself that I'd approach this year a little more sensibly... Seems to be tougher than I thought, th...
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    Vlogging about make-up

    Courting via Co-lab

    There's a recent trend in marketing that combines the traditional business practice of partnerships with modern-day influencer marketing. It...
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    LM Harvest (52) LR

    2024 Harvest Expectations: Short and Sweet

    According to Forbes.com, sommeliers listed South Africa as one of the 7 wine regions to watch in 2024. Those of us involved with the industr...
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    Colourful surreal psychedelic abstract liquid background. Water and oil drops with small air bubbles

    Blurred Boundaries

    I enjoy trend-watching, but I have to admit over the last few years, I feel that wine consumer trends have been predominantly focused on sus...
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    Glass of red wine detail

    Wine – its place, beauty and business

    Here we are - at the end of 2023! I always love doing an overview of the top performing blogs to see what appealed most to readers in the pa...
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    La Motte MCC & the Motte loaf (1)

    The Culture of Bubbles and Bread

    A festival of Champagne and Cap Classique? Isn’t that exactly where one should be going at this time of year? And indeed, during the first...
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    Singapore Skyline and view of Marina Bay at twilight

    Inspired by the Singapore Dream

    With all the global conflict, positive news is always welcome and Singapore's Forward Singapore initiative feels like just that. It is about...
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    Multiracial friends drinking red wine outside at farm house vineyard countryside - Group of young people taking selfie picture outdoor - Life style concept with guys and girls enjoying summer vacation

    Making friends for wine

    After the countrywide elation of the Springbok win, it was back to reality in the office this week. The festive season is upon us, and it is...
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    LL Alfresco (34)

    Raising a glass to SA Wine Tourism

    This week I attended the awards ceremony of the South African edition of the Great Wine Capitals of the World Best of Wine Tourism Awards. (...
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    vloed

    What’s on in Franschhoek?

    Last week I wrote about our wonderful walking holiday through rural Italy. Often during this unique experience, I noticed similarities with ...
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    Italy walking holiday

    The Charm of Hidden Italy

    I've been fortunate to enjoy many wonderful holidays in my life, but a recent walking holiday in the Italian countryside has bowled me over ...
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    Beautiful Southeast Asian Influencer Taking Selfie While Tasting Red Wine

    All About Influence

    The online world is capitalising on the amount of time we spend there, but in this cacophony of advertisements, what are brands to do to dis...
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    Happy woman reading a book drinking wine on a couch

    Make time to read

    It doesn't matter how much you know through practical experience; we do need literacy to ensure a way of sharing our knowledge or to obtain ...
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    Christmas dinner with friends. Home is decorated with Christmas string lights. Everyone wearing elegant clothing. Eating sushi and drinking champagne.

    Table Talk

    With the arrival of Spring on 1 September, we are also launching a new season of JAN Franschhoek, the exceptional food and wine experience b...
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    Shiraz & Friends

    Shiraz & Friends

    In South Africa, we celebrate National Shiraz Day on 21 August as the international version of this celebration falls in the peak of our loc...
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    wine bottle opening

    Raise a glass to the humble corkscrew

    Sometimes the most effective tool has the simplest design. Take the corkscrew, for instance. The original design might have been ingenious, ...
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    Bastille 2020

    En Primeur – an investment for pocket, palate & patronage

    The concept of En Primeur has been practiced in Bordeaux since the 18th century. Such a historic wine tradition might be regarded as romanti...
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    african union on world map with national borders

    Wine for Africa!

    While it seemed most Capetonians chose Mauritius to escape the cold and wet winter, we were doing the same, but just ended up a little to th...
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    A young businessman sitting in a bar with a martini

    As Classic as a Cocktail

    The Wimbledon crowd is expected to drink more than 270 000 servings of Pimm's Cup cocktails during this year's tournament. While a refreshin...
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    JAN Franschhoek_HR-4905

    The Taste of a Place

    Planning the menu for JAN Franschhoek, the seasonal food and wine experience presented on La Motte, Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen was insp...
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    Rain

    Taking a Rain Check

    What a start to winter! The Cape Winelands have been receiving good, albeit unseasonal, rain from as early as March, but June has been an ex...
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    Venison, fire & wine

    Winter, venison & wine

    For many of us, venison is a favourite winter ingredient, but as it is not a type of meat that we usually find on supermarket shelves, seaso...
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    Business concepts with businessman holding hourglass with graph chart on computer laptop

    Preparation in Anticipation

    "There's always a miracle coming. You just have to wait long enough. Some people get discouraged, but you just have to WAIT." - Madame May-...
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    Close-up of food with wine glasses on table of luxury yacht.

    Every wine has its day

    This week we celebrated Chardonnay Day and like most of these days – Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day… - enjoying your favourite wine o...
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    Brand concept on chalkboard. Magnet and figures of people

    The Brand Being

    In business, brand is always top of mind and for me, even more so after yesterday's Wine Tourism Conference with the theme Brands, Brand Bui...
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    Young couple in sports clothing hydrating themselves while resting together after exercising in a park

    Lessons from an “energy” drink

    PRIME hydration drinks have taken the South African youth by storm. Hyped up by celebrity influencers Logan Paul and Olajide "KSI" Olatunji,...
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    Woman taking picture of her friends at dinner party

    The Company We Keep

    Some sayings just always stay relevant. “You are the company you keep” refers to how the people you choose to associate with - as well a...
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    Village lifestyle is the best for our family

    The Descendants

    Most of us are interested in our own genealogy - especially in a country like South Africa with a diverse society originating from various i...
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    Wine tasting event.

    Pop Culture at ProWein 2023

    Just last week I said that wine festivals have a shelf life. (Read more) The same is often true about wine fairs, but one that has stood the...
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    Rear view of a bar man handing a wine glass over to a mid adult woman. The woman is standing with a mid adult man. In the background there is a group of friends standing and talking.

    Events – evaluated

    How do you keep the economy of a tourism focused area alive in the off-season? You create a reason for people to come. According to a recent...
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    heineken distell

    Competition vs Regulation

    Big news this week was that, after nearly 18 months since announcing its intentions, Heineken and Distell finally received merger approval f...
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    Barmaid cleaning a glass

    Charm & Courage

    Authenticity is a buzz word in tourism today. For many travellers and holiday makers, it is about having a once-in-a-lifetime experience or ...
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    Occupied senior businessman having a headache.

    The Question of Balance

    Balance is a very important concept and in wine, even the positives aren't positive when there's no balance. But how important is balance in...
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    honey bee on a ripening grape fruits

    Where there are bees there are flowers

    When wine is your trade and passion, it is also your reference. Recently, I have been chatting quite a bit to bakers and have noticed the si...
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    La Motte CEO Hein Koegelenberg (19)

    #HappyBirthdaySAWine

    As the only wine producing country in the world that has an exact date for its day of birth, this week, SA wine celebrated its 364th birthda...
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    La Motte_Hein and workers_Blog_004 2

    Small Volume, Big League

    The 2023 SA wine grape harvest is expected to be smaller than last year. While the decline is nothing drastic, it is supposed to be the four...
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    unexpected resilience: a few glass bottles bear the weight of a column. 3D digital render

    Resilience, Responsibility & Revolution

    Sometimes you spend a few hours with people whose thoughts and ideas challenge you and open your mind to introspection and reflection. As in...
    Read More
    Snacks table - canned sardines, mussels, octopus, grape, olives, tomato

    Food Trends for 2023 – Sentimental, sustainable & serotonin-friendly

    From swicy flavours, mushrooms and the “little black dress” of sustainable food to the humble curry or chicken sandwich… How will food...
    Read More
    Dandelion seeds in the air, orange evening sun

    Keeping the dream alive

    This is the time of year to reflect on the biggest stories, events and highlights of 2022. At the beginning of 2020, we didn't expect a pand...
    Read More
    LM Lavender & Veepos by Andrew Dunkin

    Honesty, Bravery & Passion

    As a family, we are always looking for interesting and creative ways to share our passion for wine and food with our guests. Reinventing you...
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    La Motte Aerial Sunset 011

    Reconciling Wine Production with Conservation

    Sustainability is the buzzword of the century. Yet, acting on its pivotal role in economic viability, environmental protection and social eq...
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    Customer service evaluation concept.

    A Strategy for Satisfaction

    "A satisfied customer is the best business strategy of all." Regardless of your industry or what your customer looks like, it is hard to arg...
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    Compliments to the Chef

    Compliments to the Chef

    We already celebrate Mother's and Father's Day, Secretary's Day, Boss's Day, Milk Tart Day, Shiraz Day... so why not have International Chef...
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    Man drinking and smelling coffee

    Value – it’s a question of expectation

    Regardless of whether you're able to spend R25 or R85 on a cup of coffee, we all want value for money.  So what is the value of that warmin...
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    Cape Wine 2022

    Cape Wine 2022 – Love, Resilience and Sustainability

    “We shouldn’t waste a good crisis” says Gerard Martin of WineTechSA when asked about South Africa’s electricity challenge and its ef...
    Read More
    Friends around the campfire

    Heritage & Harmony

    Two special days are celebrated this week. International Day of Peace on 21 September and South Africa's Heritage Day on 24 September. One a...
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    Two friends leaving a store with smiles that promotes sustainable living in the North East of England. The store has refill stations to reduce plastic and food waste. The store sells homemade organic bars of soap as well as vegan based foods.

    Waste not, want not

    With Cape Wine 2022 happening in a few weeks, its theme, Sustainability 360, has put responsible practices top of mind again. Going through ...
    Read More
    Celebration toast with champagne

    A Toast to Texture

    This week we celebrated Cap Classique Day and it made me think about the popularity of sparkling wines. What is it that distinguish them fro...
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    Hein on Wine_Digital_Game of thrones_Option 2_ver1

    A Game of Thrones

    While it is still glorious red wine weather in the Cape Winelands, Shiraz SA revealed its Shiraz Challenge winners this week and we celebrat...
    Read More
    Woman using tablet and holding credit card

    Palate vs Purse

    Returning from a trip to the UK where I was lucky enough to try some interesting wines, I realised that with less wine-related travel, shows...
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    Close up shot of sommelier pouring red wine from bottle in glass

    Aspiration – it’s about Appreciation

    Sometimes you get an opportunity to dine really well. In an environment with old world grandeur, attention to detail, polished service and a...
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    Ripe wine grapes and wine leaf in sunlight - horizontal

    Things are heating up for English Wine

    There is some charm to winter, even if it is only in a glass of red wine or a cozy fire, but I must admit that I'm happy to escape some of t...
    Read More
    Shot,Of,Franschhoek,Wine,Town,During,Sunset

    The Sun Shines in Franschhoek

    The Franschhoek Valley has just been announced as one of TIME's 2022 World's Greatest Places. What an honour for our small community and wha...
    Read More
    Creative business team (Bulb, Pencil, Brain, Plan) meeting their investor.

    Be a Smart Cookie

    Have you noticed that logos are getting simpler? Less artistic elements, clearer and bigger fonts, fewer colours? They almost start to look ...
    Read More
    Portrait of elegant adult woman complaining about food quality and taste to young waitress in cafe, copy space

    Coping with Criticism

    Minister Bheki Cele didn’t react well to criticism this week. (See video) He was called on some police matters and, in his response, made ...
    Read More
    Shot of a young woman having a glass of wine poured

    A Jargon Issue

    Important historic events often result in changes to our vocabulary. Recently, Covid made an existing term like lockdown part of our everyda...
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    Senior business mentorship

    Embrace rather than Estrange

    This month’s Youth Day celebrations recognise the importance of our country's young people. While originally in honour of the courage and ...
    Read More
    Close-up of carton packaging of wine on a store shelf and a man takes one

    Can Premium be a Problem?

    The premiumisation of SA wine has been the focus of Wines of South Africa for a while. Getting away from our cheap and cheerful image and se...
    Read More
    No Exit Sign

    Barriers for Business

    Doing business isn't always easy. Sometimes you might just find yourself in the right place at the right time, but often, running a successf...
    Read More
    Preparing a healthy dinner.

    Add Quality

    Whether you follow former Minister of Finance, Tito Mboweni, on Twitter or not, chances are you stumbled across one of his popular posts sha...
    Read More
    Couple of man with a glass of wine at social event wearing elegant cloth.

    Same But Different

    I am on my way to Prowein again. Covid cancelled Europe's biggest wine trade fair in 2020 and 2021 and packing my bags for the 2022 edition ...
    Read More
    Pouring white wine in a glass goblet.

    The Seduction of Sauvignon Blanc

    6 May is International Sauvignon Blanc Day. Sauvignon Blanc's popularity in a country with a warm climate and alfresco lifestyle, is easy to...
    Read More
    Happy couple toasting wine in cottage

    Look East, but not too far

    A week or two ago, in my blog Tourism - creating sales for Africa, I asked whether we are really capitalising on South Africa's exceptional ...
    Read More
    Scenic Franschhoek in the middle of the South African winelands with its beautiful vinyards

    A Valley of Dreams and Doers

    The Franschhoek Valley is very close to my heart. It is where I live and make a living and it is important to me that it goes well with the ...
    Read More
    Friends having a glass of wine outdoors

    Tourism – creating sales for Africa

    When thinking about wine marketing, we often focus on consumer trends and we look at what is new within the wine drinking community. But how...
    Read More
    French soldiers, Grandeur d'ame drinking wine, 19th Century

    War and Wine

    War is a serious and sad subject. Although political agendas and strategies are at the heart of such conflict, it is actual human beings who...
    Read More
    Sommelier in the wine cellar

    Quality over Quantity

    When we had small kids, we often felt bad about working so hard and not spending enough time with them. We then reassured ourselves with the...
    Read More
    Beautiful young brunette sitting on a fallen autumn leaves in a park, eating chocolate bar

    Do you taste what I taste?

    Much of what we keep ourselves busy with in the wine industry, is the taste of wine. Taste when it comes to quality, consumer expectations a...
    Read More
    2021 Harvest RS 3

    Celebrate the Harvest!

    This morning we picked the first grapes for the season and on 2 February, we celebrate SA wine's 363rd birthday. The 2022 SA harvest is here...
    Read More

    “Revive. Recover. Rebuild”

    I thought the theme for this year's Nedbank Vinpro Information Day for the SA wine industry, quite apt: Revive, Recover. Rebuild. These thre...
    Read More
    Businessman hand holding 2022 number,happy new year concept digital trends,industry and business trend of world full modernity advanced technology,artificial intelligence or AI,banner header panoramic

    Trends for 2022

    Other than the usual resolutions for a healthier lifestyle and more conservative spending habits, I felt predictions for 2022 have been rath...
    Read More
    Barbecue party in back yard

    In our own backyard

    Without the opportunity to travel as extensively as we usually do, my blogs for 2021 had a strong local flavour. Other than the lessons from...
    Read More
    Rose wine glasses set on wine tasting. Different varieties, colors and shades of pink wines on white background. Top view

    Pink Perception

    December brings summer to the Southern hemisphere and in the wine world that means a focus on wines for warmer weather. Refreshing whites, l...
    Read More
    Female restaurant employee supporting the campaign for vaccination against COVID-19.

    Is there safety in numbers?

    "Franschhoek’s population is officially safe and it is the first town in South Africa to have more than 80% of its people vaccinated again...
    Read More
    Grandparents showing their vineyard to their grandchildren

    Agriculture – more than farming

    Combined, Agriculture and Agri-processing exports from the Western Cape amounted to R77 billion during the troubled 2020. The Western Cape a...
    Read More

    “Bounce Forward”

    A rollercoaster ride for SA wine in 2020 - the topic of my blog on 24 January last year. The caption proved to be right on the money. Almost...
    Read More
    Female Splitting The Bubble Wrap Cover

    Burst that Bubble

    In a world of less travel and socialising and even lockdown (!), we had time. Time to reconsider relevance and importance and also to think ...
    Read More
    Braai

    More than fire and food

    September sees South Africans celebrate tourism and heritage. The official Heritage Day on 24 September is also fondly called Braai Day and ...
    Read More
    Celebration

    Depth and Drama

    While wine and rugby might share adjectives like robust and smooth, when they do, it is purely accidental and in my opinion, the ultimate wi...
    Read More
    Wine cellars

    The Timelessness of Wine

    Much of wine’s romance lies in its age. Wine is predominantly vintage-specific. Each year has a unique character depending on the growing ...
    Read More
    Group of people toasting wine at party

    The How of Experience

    Much has been said about the importance of creating an experience around your brand. On this platform, I've even called experience the fifth...
    Read More
    Food delivery during covid lockdown

    When you need more than a plan

    Change is part of life and I believe we have to roll with the punches - adapt, adjust, make a new plan. But the level of uncertainty over th...
    Read More
    Anonymous guy in medical uniform holding sign with closed writing while standing behind glass in office

    Why Wine Matters

    When the new Covid restrictions were announced last week, the wine industry was concerned about a renewed ban on alcohol. Talking to some fr...
    Read More
    Bastille 2020

    The Wine in Your Glass

    Recently someone asked me what it is that makes wine so special. What are we going on about all the time? Why are there specialist wine writ...
    Read More
    Old wine bottles in a wine-cellar

    Finding a fit for older vintages

    With the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction putting the spotlight on some of South African wine treasures and Tim James addressing the age-wo...
    Read More
    Pardus_Portrait_11_New Label

    All about passions and plans

    Remember the five-year plan? Did you dread that question in an interview? While some of us have set goals, for many the idea is vague. Regar...
    Read More
    South African Parliament building, Cape Town

    Friends in high places – a lesson from SA Citrus

    At its core - despite fancy branding, old-fashioned snobbery and all the lifestyle associations that come with it - wine is an agricultural ...
    Read More
    Sales man helping a customer buying wine

    How about a Supermarket Sommelier?

    My weekly blog gives me an opportunity to share my thoughts and opinions and often a response or reaction to what I put out there inspires a...
    Read More
    Close up, Pink flower growing on crack street sunset background

    Creativity in the Cracks

    A crisis compels you to be creative. There hasn't been a clearer example than Covid forcing us to rethink and reposition. In many instances,...
    Read More
    2021 Harvest

    Grape Courage

    Among all last year's challenges as well as the worries about our health and the immense pressure on our industry, there was at least one br...
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    big vs small

    Size matters – in the way you think

    A large container vessel that's stuck in the Suez Canal is quite a newsworthy event (read more), but it was pictures of a rescue effort by a...
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    A four-day work week – fit for all?

    More flexibility when it comes to working hours has been on the agenda for a while. While working remotely has become more acceptable, espec...
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    Redefining dining

    The future of fine-dining might be hot news right now, but in reality, the debate is nothing new. As with many other matters, Covid is just ...
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    Calling on the Consumer

    Tito Mboweni's Budget Speech has been well-received in most circles. Not touching taxes, the Finance Minister dismissed the gloomy forecasts...
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    A Scapegoat and a Strategy

    Haven't seen someone for a long time? Didn't reach your targets? Left a promise unfulfilled? Covid's lockdown rules and regulations are prob...
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    Harvest-inspired Hope

    We all need something to be positive about. And while the inauguration of US President Joe Biden brought a definite ray of light to America ...
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    Riding the Wave

    What a ride 2020 has been! Who would have thought that when we went into the initial three week lockdown that similar considerations would s...
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    Something to Celebrate

    The festive season is here. Under normal circumstances our diaries would be filled with social events, but this year our schedules are quiet...
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    The fine line between distribution and disappointment

    The world is excited about the first Covid vaccines. How can we not be? After a year of this virus disrupting lives globally, it seems that ...
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    Uncomplicated Eating

    I am a self-confessed trend-watcher. I love how our choices are influenced by what is happening in the world and I enjoy seeing how our ever...
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    Get out!

    "We're so nature-deprived that even footage of wilderness lifts our spirits", says Adrienne Matei in The Guardian. While lockdown might hav...
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    Here’s to Hope!

    It is Spring in the Southern Hemisphere and even though it had a lazy start in South Africa, the oak trees are now covered in those distinct...
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    Back to Basics

    27 September is World Tourism Day and the theme for 2020 is, Building Peace, Fostering Knowledge. I think it is quite a fitting topic for a...
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    What Tourism Needs

    September in South Africa is more than the start of Spring, the celebration of our heritage diversity and a communal love for the braai, it ...
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    Survival is on the table – but recovery?

    The SA liquor industry as well as the South African public breathed a collective sigh of relief when Level 2 regulations were announced - an...
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    Partnership – the only choice

    It is hard not to be moved by the phenomenal international support for South African wine via social media groups such as SaveSAWine and Mov...
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    But the booze keeps flowing…

    Perhaps it shouldn't be a surprise that despite a Government-instated ban on alcohol and cigarettes, there is a roaring black market and whi...
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    The Power of Protest

    This week, restaurants across South Africa protested the restrictions on trade, introduced by the government's COVID-19 regulations. Althoug...
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    A Chilling Week for Wine

    What a week it has been in the Winelands! While the cold weather and snow-capped mountains are what the vine wants, an unexpected reintroduc...
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    Celebrating our French heritage in a new way

    The Franschhoek Bastille Festival is a highlight on the Western Cape social calendar. Each year the town and valley are dressed up in the co...
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    Two Types for Tourism

    In the middle of winter, when tourism is slow in the Cape Winelands, the Franschhoek Valley celebrates its Huguenot heritage with a popular ...
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    Rosé on the rise

    Today is International Rosé Day and while we might have thought the craze for pink was over, it seems that to drink pink is all but a phase...
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    Testing Theory

    We all have theories and ideas and we like to share them, but there is no time like a crisis to test them! My late father in law's theory wa...
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    Finding a new way for food

    Invention in a time of Crisis - the topic of my blog on 20 March. Corona was here, we already saw the impact on the tourism industry and I p...
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    The Sense of Smelling

    Wine is all about smell and taste. Wine professionals are always sniffing and sampling and perhaps that might also be the reason why they ar...
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    “Let’s all suffer a little”

    “Let’s all suffer a little, so no one has to suffer a great deal.” What a profound quote. These few simple words give such perspective...
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    What Waits for Wine?

    It's impossible not to speculate about what would be waiting post-lockdown, post-Corona. Intelligent lockdown, social distancing, voluntary ...
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    Perfect Time, Perfect Place

    For the time being, our homes seem to be the perfect place if we want to stay safe, but this time of isolation means different things to dif...
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    In the Eye of the Beholder

    Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but it is crucial to have a broader perspective. Even when something is not your taste or culture, you...
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    Sustainability – not as clear as glass

    Sustainability is a term that we use every day, but it is because it is so very relevant. For me, sustainability is an overarching term and ...
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    Lessons for Corona

    Nowadays all conversations lead to Corona. If you're not in immediate danger of contracting the virus, you worry about how it will affect yo...
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    The Blessing of the Harvest

    January 2020 was a challenging month. This seems to be the sentiment everywhere I go. There's no escaping the economic, social and climatic ...
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    Don’t drop the ball!

    On 2 February 1990, South African State President FW de Klerk surprised most of his parliament, the banned ANC, the SA public and world medi...
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    A rollercoaster ride for SA wine in 2020 – insights from #VinproDay

    At the annual wine industry Nedbank Vinpro Information Day we were in for a serious reality check, allowed time to get our hopes up, plumbin...
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    Trends for 2020

    It is the time of the year for trend watching. Here are the trends for 2020 that I found most interesting. 1. Green - from eco-st...
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    Come to Cape Town, non-stop!

    It would not be stretching to call Cape Town the jewel in the South African tourism crown, but recently no one could blame tourists for reco...
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    At the top, or not?

    Making way for new generations to perform and be recognised is a sincere and positive sentiment, but the issue can be more complex. What do...
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    Sometimes all it takes is time

    "It’s pretty obvious what Franschhoek needs most is time", says wine writer Christian Eedes in a recent profile about our valley. This is ...
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    All Things to All People

    "You can't be all things to all people" is a phrase often used in business and private life. It's a phrase that is not often disputed. We kn...
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    Older and Wiser

    This week I celebrated my birthday and I am blessed to say that I feel even fitter and healthier than a few years ago.  Attempting a health...
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    What can algorithms do for wine?

    The saying goes "Ask no questions, hear no lies", but in today's world of big data, we might be answering questions without realising that t...
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    “Less stuff, more stories”

    "Less stuff and more stories" is quite an interesting trend, but is it a red flag or an opportunity for business? I followed the recent Wine...
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    Croatia: Familiarity meets Discovery

    The 2006 Bond Movie, Casino Royale, played off in Montenegro and introduced many of us to the spectacular landscapes of the Adriatic. But mu...
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    A Taste for Tourism

    Both Heritage and Tourism are celebrated in South Africa during September and perhaps it is a good time to consider what role heritage can p...
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    For the love of food

    They say fine-dining is on its way out. Why would that be? We surely have a better culinary awareness these days with wider ingredient varie...
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    Taboo or To-Do?

    Tattoos, high fat diets, fasting... many things that were once totally taboo are now part of our everyday lives and not even an eyebrow rais...
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    Connect!

    I love playing golf. I like the outdoors, the competitive sport environment and of course the people I meet on the course. I like how the ga...
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    Room for Research

    I join the SA wine industry in mourning the passing of the much-loved and respected viticulturist, Professor Eben Archer. I believe his root...
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    We are aware, but do we care?

    We all seem to be more aware. More than just an interest in global affairs or being nosy about the neighbours, we have access to and are con...
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    Site Specific – taste or talk

    This week we are celebrating Syrah as part of Shiraz South Africa's Seven Days of Shiraz. Tasting our own wines from a number of vintages, I...
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    Change is for the Brave

    They say change is as good as a holiday. They also say not to change a winning recipe. What do they mean? Are we to wait with change until t...
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    Reconsidering British Food

    English food culture, with the possible exception of high tea, does not have the same romantic ring to it as Italian, Japanese or Middle Eas...
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    A chance to ‘fish’

    There is some kind of pride in making your mark on election day. It is as if your contribution can really make a difference. And while colle...
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    Just a friend you do not know

    Except for those who are really adventurous, many of us have some kind of fear for the unknown. And when the unknown comes across as exclusi...
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    Cultural tolerance – lessons from food & wine

    A visit to Malaysia really entices your senses and in some way, I think it is similar to what foreign tourists experience when coming to Sou...
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    Being memorable – a brand dilemma

    If you are in the business of producing or selling a value-adding product, the brand is a most important thing. We all  try to take the c...
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    Pairing Pork

    Indulging in exceptional pork dishes when visiting the Prowein show in Germany has become somewhat of a tradition. While they are usually se...
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    SA wine over time

    One can't help to feel slightly intimidated by the enormity of the global wine offering when walking through hall after hall of wine at the...
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    For the sake of wine

    Nowadays, in wine marketing to the consumer, we often include experience in the conversation and focus much less on product. Experience is t...
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    In the Slipstream of the Strong Brand

    Brand owners often see strong brands in their category as the unobtainable goal and unbeatable competition, but the small brand can not only...
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    Trading Up

    As long as I can remember, trading up has been the number one challenge for South African wine. More than green pepper Sauvignon Blanc and b...
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    2019 Harvest Insights

    "Still small and uneven" is what you will pick up from winemaker conversations. As the pressing season is coming into full swing across the ...
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    Story vs Price – that’s a story!

    "Do you compete on price or do you have a story to tell?" This question by Vinpro's Christo Conradie at the annual Industry Information day,...
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    The Restaurant in 2019

    In a competitive and pressured environment, restaurants today are about more than the food and drink they serve. To be successful in 2019, a...
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    Classics vs Crazes – Culinary Predictions for 2019

    While there is no denying the quality and enjoyment one gets from the classics, any industry needs some excitement and innovation. Regardles...
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    Trade & Travel

    Whether it really saves you money is debatable, but there is something very alluring about duty free shopp...
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    The Existential Angst of the Wine Brand

    The dream is to have a brand. Everyone who is trying to sell a product dreams of the day when that product name becomes something recognisab...
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    Protecting your brand

    There might be something flattering about having your brand copied, but other than stealing from your sales volumes, counterfeits take your ...
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    The Beauty of Balance

    Hannuwa is the theme of Cape Wine 2018. This San word implies a life of harmony and plenty, or success in sustaining life. But what does thi...
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    Social commentary from the British Pubs

    Pubs in the UK are closing down at a rate of 18 per week. They have been doing so for a while and the rate is increasing. Are the reasons p...
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    Women – making a difference in the world of wine

    "To treat them equally, you have to treat them differently". Someone said this to me a long time ago, but it stays an important perspective ...
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    Consolidation and Competition

    “If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner”, a famous quote by Nelson Ma...
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    Entertain, but above all, educate

    Experience marketing brings the opportunity of turning consumers into ambassadors. Wine Tourism is doing an exceptional job for the wine ind...
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    Winter cold – what the vine wants

    After three dry seasons, the 2018 Winelands winter is a delight. The vital rain has come and with it, the much-needed cold conditions. But w...
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    Diversity – a challenge with charisma

    Diversity is one of the key descriptors when it comes to South Africa - for its people, landscape, culture and wine! As challenging as it ...
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    Employment vs Technology

    JOBS, JOBS, JOBS! tweets Wandile Sihlobo on opportunities within South African agriculture. On the other side of the world in China, Alib...
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    Mallorca – more than Spanish wine and Sobrasada

    There is nothing that inspires a winemaker like the sight of vineyards in beautiful terroir. On a cycling tour with some friends on the isl...
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    Where is more than there

    Wine can be enjoyed in some unusual places! There is Subsix, a bar 19 feet below the surface of the Indian Ocean in the Maldives. The wine l...
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    Three A’s of Brand Success in China

    Social platforms have become our new sitting rooms. The online environment is not only where we work and shop, but also where we socialise. ...
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    Lessons from the Michelin ratings

      Being awarded a Michelin star is something restaurant dreams are made of. But as we know from wine industry accolades, the food an...
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    The Golden Age of Old Vines

    Meeting up with an acquaintance in Germany recently, I was hosted to a tasting of wines made from 50 to 150 year-old vineyards. Suddenly it ...
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    Embracing Riesling

    Riesling. Are you thinking German, perfume on the nose, sweet palate, tall brown bottle, busy label? Then it is time to wake up to a whole ...
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    Culinary tourism – alive and well in Brussels!

    European food traditions are well-known: French cuisine, the food lifestyle that is Italy, the world-renowned chefs of San Sebastián, herit...
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    Confidence – economic stimulus and likely liberator of SA wine

    Confidence was a recurring concept at the Vinpro wine industry information day. Then followed a confidence-boosting week with decisive actio...
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    Making wine work – industry & harvest insights from #VinproDay

    Despite focussing on the drought, global short supply, the challenge of pricing and branding as well as political and policy uncertainty, I ...
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    Palates under Pressure

    The challenges and controversies of wine tasting have to do with wine’s intrinsic qualities and unique characteristics, varying tasting co...
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    Flora in Wine

    Spring is a special season. Even for those who love the romance of winter, spring brings the promise of new life and new beginnings. In the ...
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    E-commerce & Entrepreneurs – not even the sky is the limit

    In my last few blogs I have focused a lot on the new business landscape - how technology and trends have changed the way we sell, market, di...
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    Experience – the 5th P of Marketing

    Marketing handbooks taught us about the 4 P's of marketing: Price, Product, Promotion, Place but in today's world it is missing one componen...
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    A Cure for Corruption?

    If there is one word that has become part of the everyday vocabulary in South Africa, it is corruption. No longer confined to courtroom arg...
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    Introducing Wine – Intrigue but don’t Intimidate

    This weekend, we celebrate the annual Franschhoek Bastille Festival. Always taking place on the weekend closest to 14 July (Bastille Day), t...
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    A Proper Winter – The Wish of the Wine

    In April this year, late frost caused damage to vineyards in some of France’s most famous winemaking regions, including Champagne, Bordeau...
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    Time for Good News

    No news is good news, the saying goes. And it seems that good news is no news. Especially when you look at the headlines in South African ne...
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    Why Wine Entertainment

    I am outspoken about the importance of wine tourism, but with the opening of a ‘Disney World for Wine‘ in China, I thought about the rea...
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    Craft – Both The Allure and The Challenge

    Would you risk running into your burning house to save your beer? Well, perhaps if you are seeing your latest attempt at a craft beer recipe...
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    What #ZUMAMUSTFALL can Learn from the Soufflé!

    Today in South Africa is all about the protests against the regime of Jacob Zuma. Although the marches will not result in the president’s ...
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    The Flavour of Portugal

    Portugal is quite a multi-faceted country and although facing challenges when it comes to its economy and employment, the diverse economy ha...
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    Preparation – the Key to Wine Fair Success

    From Sunday, everyone who is anyone in the wine industry will attend the annual international wine fair Prowein in Düsseldorf, Germany. I h...
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    Education and Employment in the Winelands – Take That First Step!

    Last night with President Zuma’s State of the Nation address, he mentioned that the economy is growing but not enough to create jobs (read...
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    Not Just Another Wine Auction

    There is quite a big difference between a Wine Auction and a Charity Wine Auction. The Wine Auction can be quite an intimidating place for t...
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    2017 SA Harvest – Does Dry Mean Dreary?

    The 2017 wine grape harvest has kicked off and with drought conditions in the Winelands and extreme veld fires across the Cape province, one...
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    Gen Z – A New Generation in the SA Wine Industry

    “I believe in innovation and that the way you get innovation is you fund research and you learn the basic facts.” – Bill Gates (read m...
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    Water-Wise Wine Production

    The Cape Winelands are dry. While the rest of South Africa is receiving generous downpours, the Cape is hot, dry and very windy – and as a...
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    What Wine Can do for Your Health

    One of the trending topics in South Africa this week, is about a rural Pastor that uses Doom, a powerful insecticide, in his sermons to heal...
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    Is it About the Glass or the Wine in the Glass?

    On my way to China I read this piece on TheDrinksBusiness about a bridge being built in China’s Henan province. The central support of the...
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    Wine and its Words

    It has always been my goal to make wine less intimidating. That does not necessarily mean that all wines has to be easy-drinking and that yo...
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    Bright Future for SA Wine With Thinking Industry!

    Spring is such an amazing time of year but one often stands daunted by the end of the year rush and the associated chaos waiting around the ...
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    Sugar, Sin Tax and Sweetness in Wine

    Earlier this year, a 20% sin tax was announced for sugar-sweetened drinks in South Africa (read more). Only to commence in 2017, this tax is...
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    Heritage Cuisine – What We Know and What We Can Discover

    In Gauteng for business this week, I had the chance to visit the latest restaurant venture of acclaimed chef, David Higgs. Marble, the new r...
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    Tasting Spring

    Wine descriptions often refer to floral notes or a floral bouquet and with spring in the air and the beautiful blossoms and early blooms eve...
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    Well-Aged SA Wine – Fact or Fable?

    Every year we host an Evening of Vintage Wine and Venison at La Motte to celebrate seasonal cuisine and to have the opportunity to open a fe...
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    The Food and Wine of Brazil – It is About More Than Caipirinha!

    One of the things I enjoy most about travelling is the introduction to the food and wine culture of other countries. With the Olympic Games ...
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    From Traditional Tastes to Shocking Substitutes

    On Friday evenings I like to relax and have a quiet night with a few lamb chops on the braai. A very typical South African thing to do. Also...
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    Russia – Rich With History, Heritage and Even Some Wine Culture

    I have just returned from Europe and my first visit to St Petersburg. Experiencing the rich culture and history of Russia is always amazing ...
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    Syrah/Shiraz – An International Expression of a Noble Grape

    Recently at Vinexpo Hong Kong, we celebrated Syrah/Shiraz Day with a jam-packed programme of presentations and tastings. Decanter‘s Joh...
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    Distribution is King

    Article by Lucille Botha, published in Landbouweekblad (South African agricultural magazine), 10 June 2016. (Translated to English from orig...
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    Relating Regionality – Are We Asking Too Much of Consumers?

    The world of wine is an interesting place. Just last week I shared some thoughts arising from a discussion at Vinexpo Hong Kong on how being...
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    Hong Kong – Where All Things Wine are Happening

    Next week we will be at the seventh Vinexpo Hong Kong, one of the most important trade-only wine and spirits fairs in Asia. I always look...
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    The Quest for Luxury and the Celebration of Excellence

    I was delighted this week when La Motte’s signature red wine, the 2011 Hanneli R was acknowledged as one of the Top 5 Luxury Red Wines in ...
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    What Wind Does for Wine

    Twitter is gusting about today’s strong winds in Cape Town! Captain Kai ‏@KapteinKai 36m36 minutes ago Cape Town, South Africa The wi...
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    Working in Wine – Some Wishful Thinking for Worker’s Day

    Most of us will be celebrating Worker’s Day (or May Day) on 1 May. Thinking about the privilege of working in the world of wine, I made a ...
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    Marketing South African Sauvignon Blanc

    The South African Sauvignon Blanc Interest Group invited me to their marketing seminar. Passionate about the complex intricacies of wine, ma...
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    Culinary Tourism Reconsidered

    Culinary Tourism was on the agenda when renowned international guests and important global role players met in Franschhoek last week as part...
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    Tailoring the Online World of Wine

    I am just back from what I consider to be the most important wine show on the international wine calendar, Prowein. Each year, I am again in...
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    How Wine Can Influence Your Choice of Airline!

    If you travel frequently and you like wine, like me, you will be anticipating the wine selection on your flight. Sometimes it is a delightfu...
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    Wine on the Red Carpet

    Recently I attended a glitzy event with a ‘dash of red’ theme and it felt a bit like being on the red carpet! Perhaps a bit out of my co...
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    A Century in a Bottle

    During harvest time we are constantly reminded about the wonderful potential of the grape, the importance of terroir, the skill of winemakin...
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    From Michelin Stars to UNESCO Lists – Why Heritage Cuisine is So Important

    I am so proud of the first South African to be awarded a Michelin star! Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen, a South African living in France, th...
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    2016 Harvest Expectations and Outlook for the SA Wine Industry

    Yesterday, I attended the annual VinPro information day creating a platform to share wine industry information and expectations for the 2016...
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    The Importance of Proper Wine Service

    On Monday, 11 January, Gareth Ferreira was appointed as the Best Sommelier in South Africa for 2016. I am delighted that this essential wine...
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    From Herbaceous to Quaffable – How We Are Scaring Away Potential Wine Drinkers

    Making wine accessible is one of my passions. I understand that palates and preference differ and I do not imply that all reds should be sof...
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    SA Sparkling Wine – From Science to Entertainment

    “We are in the entertainment business”, said Mark Norrish of Ultra Liquors at the Cap Classique Conference in Franschhoek this week. ...
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    Food, Wine and the Thin Line

    Last weekend, I attended the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter in London where we have been showing our latest vintages. As always, I find this a...
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    Taking a Chance in China by William Pirie – Insights into Being A Success in the Chinese Wine Trade

    In September I met William Pirie in Hong Kong for a South African wine tasting as well as dinner. He is a writer for Week in China and was w...
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    Food, Wine and the Importance of Site

    So, with the Springboks out of the running for Rugby World Champs, I am back in the country and although we are still competing for the 3rd ...
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    London Food, Patriotic Sentiments and Exchange Rate Dilemmas

    A delighted man after South Africa’s close victory over Wales in the Rugby World Cup quarter finals last Saturday, I stayed in London this...
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    young leaders in wine

    SA Wine: How to Become a Success Story

    This morning, I talked to some of the young and aspirant winemakers in South Africa at a seminar aimed at young leaders in wine. Hosted by I...
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    Braai Day at Leopards Leap

    How to Define South African Wine

    Spending a few days in the Kruger National Park, one cannot help but be impressed with the magnificence of the animals – the scarce sight ...
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    The SA Wine Industry: All Grown-Up and Sophisticated

    So, in last week’s blog, I questioned the format of wine fairs and whether they really meet the expectations of both attendees and exhibit...
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    Wine Fairs: Expectations Vs Results

    Next week, the South African wine industry is hosting the international wine trade consisting of wine buyers and media at Cape Wine 2015. ...
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    The Importance and Controversies of Wine Ratings

    “Wine ratings have always been controversial, regardless of whether it is done by an official tasting panel, wine competition judges or wi...
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    Raise A Glass Of ‘China Blanc’ To This

    This article by Edo Heyns appeared in this morning’s Landbou Burger – In Vino, Friday, 14 August 2015. Published in Afrikaans, we have t...
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    Blessing of the Harvest 2015

    Women in Wine

    On 9 August, South Africa is celebrating Women’s Day. Without venturing into the magnitude of reasons why the world needs women, I thought...
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    Hong Kong City

    Hong Kong – An Important Beacon in The World of Wine

    In 2014 the most expensive wine lot ever has been auctioned in Hong Kong. 114 bottles of Burgundy were sold for HK$12 556 25 = US$1.6 millio...
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    Protecting Food Heritage and Origin – Conserving the Story, Skill and Passion

    It is Bastille Festival in Franschhoek this weekend and although I am not in the Valley this year to join in the celebrations, I can almost ...
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    Master of wine

    Wine Education – Time and Money Well Spent

    Yesterday I had a wonderful lunch with Penny Richards, Executive Director of the Institute of Masters of Wine as well as Oliver Chapman, inv...
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    A Guarantee of Origin and Quality – The Value of Classification

    I have just returned from a visit to Bordeaux. There is just something about this place that makes it feel like the home of wine. And while ...
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    A Country to Walk – Whether It Is for Nature, Wine or Pork!

    This week we finished our walking holiday of Hungary – an experience I will treasure forever. Perhaps it is just our interest in wine, but...
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    Difficult to Pronounce, But Easy to Taste – Enjoying the Wines of Hungary

    Last week in anticipation of our walking holiday in Hungary, I shared some of what I have read and learned about Hungary and its wines, espe...
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    tokaji

    The Wines of Hungary

    We are planning a walking holiday through Hungary and of course I thought about the wine we might find on the way. Did you know that Hungary...
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    Wine Families of The World

    “Do families make better wines? It’s a romantic notion and one that mom-and-pop producers – many of whom like to peddle the notion tha...
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    Cheering for Sustainability

    The Drinks Business Green Awards Shortlist has just been announced. The team at La Motte is delighted to have made the shortlist in two cate...
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    #Prowein2015 Highlights on Twitter

    We have just returned from Prowein – in my opinion, one of the most important international wine shows. And 2015 was a record-breaking ...
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    Wine Fairs – Not Only for The Show

    In a month, everyone who is anyone in the wine industry will attend the annual international wine fair Prowein in Düsseldorf, Germany. One ...
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    South African Wine Grape Harvest 2015 – Initial Expectations

    The 2015 wine grape harvest has started with a bang! At La Motte we usually bring in the first grapes at the end of January, even early Febr...
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    Jancis Robinson

    Jancis Robinson On South African Wine

    This week the South African wine industry was honoured by a visit from renowned wine writer Jancis Robinson and I had the privilege to liste...
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    The Difficult Match of a Classic Combination – Cheese and Wine

    We are just returning from a wonderful skiing holiday in Switzerland and while I really enjoy spending time in the beautiful outdoors, the w...
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    Sunscreen for Your Sauvignon Blanc?

    South Africa being second only to Australia when it comes to the incidence of skin cancer, we are the two countries that should be most dili...
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    The Opportunity of Chinese Investment in SA Wine Industry

    Chinese investors just bought 51% of Swartland Winery – a traditional co-operation wine cellar outside of Malmesbury in the Swartland wine...
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    Suggesting A White South African Christmas

    Family, friends and colleagues know about my passion for the Rhône and its beautiful red wines. Those elegant, yet lively blends of Syrah, ...
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    Champagne

    Champagne and Its Counterparts – A Matter of Style

    Each year the last weekend of November / first weekend of December sees stylish celebrations around the French Huguenot monument in Franschh...
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    Award-Wining Chinese Wine and Japanese Whisky Causing Terroir Doubt?

    This week The Drinks’ Business reported that “Whisky expert Jim Murray has named a Japanese single malt as the best whisky in the world ...
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    Food and Wine Matching – The Bare Essentials

    Earlier this year at the Cape Wine Auction, we were lucky enough to win the bid for a special food and wine pairing experience prepared by c...
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    Art and Wine – A Relationship to Treasure

    The relationship between art and wine is much celebrated. At the launch of a new contemporary exhibition in the La Motte Museum as well a...
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    Wine Tasting Rooms – More Than Just Sampling

    SVB on Wine posted a very interesting article on the importance of product sampling. Referencing Procter & Gamble’s realisation that ...
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    super tuscans

    The Story of The Super Tuscans

    This week we spent a few days in Tuscany. A highlight on the itinerary of any tourist to Italy, this beautiful area not only delivers on the...
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    Marchesi Antinori – Tradition, Trends and Tourism

    Being part of a family-owned wine estate that treasures history and heritage, our visit earlier this week to one of Italy’s oldest, bigges...
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    Gold Replaces Alcohol in Wine – Only in Dubai!

    This week we joined Argentina and Chile at the Wines of the Beautiful South Trade Tasting in London and I’ll shortly share some of my insi...
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    Moving the Earth for Wine

    It has almost been a week since a magnitude-6.0 earthquake created destruction in the Californian winelands. While local wine producers t...
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    Alcohol Consumption – China and South Africa

    An article in The Economist, discusses how China’s alcohol consumption has increased in recent years due to an increase in income. Accordi...
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    Méthode Cap Classique

    Celebrate in Style, Whether It Is with Champagne, Cava, Prosecco or Méthode Cap Classique

    This weekend, the Franschhoek Valley celebrates the 21st edition of its annual Bastille Festival, reminiscing on its French Huguenot heritag...
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    Stealing Wine – An Actual Crime

    Being in the wine industry we are in the fortunate position that one almost never runs out of wine. And when you do, it is relatively easy t...
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    Commanderie De Bordeaux En Afrique Du Sud Intronise New Commandeurs

    On Wednesday evening we attended the Johannesburg Meeting of the Commanderie de Bordeaux en Afrique du Sud, hosted by the Maître of the org...
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    Introducing the Joy of Well-Matched Food and Wine to China

    We are so excited about a series of food and wine events that we are hosting in China this week. Introducing the culture of food and wine to...
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    nz1

    The Passions of New Zealand – Pinot Noir and High-End Tourism

    Our visit to Australia’s Barossa Valley and Mclarenvale was difficult to top, but visiting New Zealand was no let-down! Thank you very muc...
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    A Day in the Barossa Valley

    What a wonderful day in Australia’s famous Barossa wine valley! I understand why it is the most active wine route in Australia. Not onl...
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    Press Release: Six New Graduates Join the Ranks of Cape Wine Masters

    Six new graduates who have completed the gruelling 5-year programme were awarded their certificates as Cape Wine Masters (CWM) at a function...
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    How to Become a Master of Cape Wine

    This afternoon we attended the Cape Wine Masters graduation luncheon of the Cape Wine Academy and Institute of Cape Wine Masters (ICWM). ...
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    Types of Tourism

    Yesterday, we were visited by an Italian film crew producing a documentary on tourism in South Africa for one of their local television stat...
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    WINE CLUB

    A Successful Wine Club – Delight Rather Than Discount

    For quite a while I have been eager to start a wine club for our wine properties in Franschhoek. In the process we have looked at other wine...
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    Buying Wine Online

    Wine Buying – A Matter of Convenience

    Yesterday, The Drinks Business reported on the Brits’ wine buying habits, saying: “A Brit’s “perfect bottle” is red, Australian, f...
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    Inauguration of L’Huguenot Cellar at Val De Vie

    Following on the first Chinese investment in the South African wine industry, the extensively renovated cellar and new home of the L’Hugue...
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    Celebrity in Wine

    This week, the daughter and granddaughter of world icon, Nelson Mandela, launched their own wine label in the Netherlands. The wines are cal...
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    cape wine auction

    Afrasia Bank Cape Wine Auction Raises More Than R7 Million for Education in The Winelands

    On Saturday, 15 March we attended the 2014 AfrAsia Bank Cape Wine Auction where R7.045 million was raised for education in the Cape Wineland...
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    The Cape Wine Auction – Glamour with A Conscience

    Even though those of us who live and work in the Cape Winelands know that our industry and day-to-day living are very much about community a...
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    Merlot or Margarita? Do You Have to Start Fretting Over the KJ’s In Your Glass?

    Yesterday Decanter.com published an article on the suggested calorie counts on wine labels in the UK. Just over a year ago, another UK dr...
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    South African Wine, Made for China

    I chatted to CNN Marketplace Africa on the prospects and potential for South African wine in the Chinese market, how we have to compete in t...
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    2014 harvest

    Initial Thoughts on the 2014 Harvest

    We started the 2014 harvest at La Motte this week and after chatting to our Cellarmaster, Edmund Terblanche and Viticulturist, Pietie le Rou...
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    food

    Celebrating New Cultures with Interesting Food & Wine Combinations

    “The world is such a small place!” This is a phrase I hear and use all the time. So often at an unexpected time and place we will meet s...
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    Wine

    Top Wine Trends For 2014

    I love trend-forecasting. Not only is it interesting to see whether the year lives up to what is predicted, but trends also reflect on what ...
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    Hein

    The Wonderful World of Wine

    This week I read quite a few interesting wine-related stories and was again reminded of the wonderful world of wine. Although it is a deb...
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    wine

    My Wishes For 2014

    How exciting it is to stand at the beginning of a new year – 365 days of opportunity lying ahead of us. And it is up to us to make every d...
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    Global Wine Consumption Trends, They’re Not What One Would Think

    It’s been interesting to watch the wine scene grow in the USA since this was previously a more modest business sector in this country, a c...
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    Tourism Supporting the Wine Industry

    “The glamour that people perceive is just that — perception,” says Earl Sullivan, founder of Telaya Wine in Idaho in reaction to what ...
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    Wine Vision Key Learnings and Some Interesting Trends For 2014

    Last Friday I introduced Wine Vision, the global wine industry conference, that wrapped up last week in London and out of which a few intere...
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    Eating in the Winelands

    Earlier this month, South Africa’s Eat Out DSTV Food Network Restaurant Awards listed what they regard as the Top Ten restaurants in South...
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    Wine Vision: Interesting Industry Trends For 2014

    Wine Vision, the global wine industry conference, wrapped up this week in London, and identified a key future trends for the global wine ind...
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    Wine Trends for Younger Chinese Generations

    Over the past few weeks we had a look at how wine consumption patterns differ between various generations – the Baby Boomers, the X Genera...
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    A Millennial of Wine Drinkers

    Last week we discussed the X Generation and how wine marketers have to a large degree missed the opportunity of speaking to a whole generati...
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    Wine Shortage

    Although according to Jancis Robinson the shortage reports are highly exaggerated, the reason for this forecasted wine draught seems to be t...
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    Celebrating Our Heritage

    On Tuesday, 24 September South Africa celebrates Heritage Day. In a country with eleven official languages and as much diversity when it ...
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    Marketing Wine in China

    China’s premium Fine Wine & Liquor Magazine published an interesting article on how the Spanish wine industry is approaching the Chine...
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    Maturing Wine

    Recently China’s first investment with Perfect China’s purchase of Val de Vie’s wine cellar, vineyards and manor house has been in the...
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    Selling Wine in America

    On a recent trip to America, I was once again struck by what a vast country it is. We predominantly travel to Europe where streets are narro...
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    China’s First Investment in The South African Wine Industry Announced

    Following on their significant recent investments in the French wine industry, especially in Bordeaux, China has now made its first investme...
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    Texan Wine? A Few Quick Facts on The Us Wine Industry

    We are currently travelling through the US and spent last night in Dallas, Texas. Here I learned that they are about more than Stetsons, Ste...
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    Sauvignon Blanc

    Wine Spectator yesterday reported about a vessel sinking with a few containers of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc aboard and commented tongue-in...
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    Celebrating the Joie De Vivre of Our French Heritage

    This weekend the Franschhoek Valley celebrates its 20th Bastille Festival and tonight we will start the festivities with a French-inspired d...
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    Establishing A Wine Brand

    In my previous blog we discussed how famous wine brands from traditional winemaking countries have become so well-established by looking at ...
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    Wine Branding

    Last week I had a look at successful brands, logos and slogans and now I would like to bring that closer to home – to the wine world. Trad...
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    A Sweet Red with Your Fillet?

    The Drinks Business earlier this week reported on a seminar held at the annual London International Wine Trade Fair where senior drinks anal...
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    Wine Tourism

    A Celebration of Wine Tourism

    Yesterday saw the Great Wine Capitals of The World’s 2013 Best of Wine Tourism awards for South Africa being presented to the various winn...
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    Investing in Wine

    The City of Cape Town’s new liquor legislation that came into effect on 1 April, regulates that no-one may keep more than 150 litres of wi...
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    Harvesting

    Another (The Most Important?) Reason to Go Organic

    This week, Lucy Shaw reported in The Drink’s Business on the danger of pesticides, “Pesticide residues found in 90% of wines”. Plea...
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    Food and wine pairing

    Does Matching Food and Wine Really Matter?

    With La Motte being awarded as Best Food and Wine Matching Experience by Drinks International Wine Tourism Awards 2013, I remembered wine bl...
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    Crystal Ball

    Read this interesting article forecasting trends for the Wine Trade in 2013 by acclaimed UK wine journalist, Tim Atkin. “In such circum...
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    Hein

    SA Wine Quality

    just finished lunch with two of the world’s leading wine writers who visited La Motte as part of their tour of the SA Winelands. I am very...
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    Chefs Table

    Chefs Table at Leopard’s Leap Vineyards

    We held the first Chefs Table at Leopard’s Leap Vineyards today and it was a great success. The Chefs Table is a demonstration meal prepar...
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    Chinese Wine Market

    Taking a “Perfect Storm” to the Chinese Wine Market

    With a lot of hard work between ourselves and our agents, Aussino World Wines, 2012 turned out to be an exceptional year for our wine market...
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    Food Trends

    Food Trends and Tradition

    Being in the restaurant business forces one to stay up to date with all things culinary – something which I enjoy tremendously. When we re...
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    Wine Tourism

    Wine Tourism – making it work!

    “We have enormous potential in this country and while we always knew about the contribution of tourism, we suddenly realised the immense p...
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    Hein with Chefs

    Cape Winelands Cuisine and the Flavours of France

    On our travels we have fell in love with the concept of regional food. And when we started conceptualising a restaurant on La Motte Wine Est...
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    Wine tourism – working together works

    Earlier this year South Africa’s wine tourism industry has been rated the best-developed in the world by International Wine Review, one of...
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    Green Wine

    With the 2012 edition of Cape Wine behind us, the organisers’ efforts to give it a Green focus, again made me think about what the general...
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    The Cape Wine Academy Introduces Wine Lifestyle in Soweto

    The Cape Wine Academy is the organiser of the TOPS Soweto Wine Festival. As leaders of Wine Education in South Africa, it is importa...
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    Wine Marketing

    Wine Marketing and Wine Shows

    Wine shows – whether local or international, simple or grand, for the trade or for the public – are an essential part of wine marketing....
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    Chinese Tone Down the Bling

    Interesting article in a recent edition of The Wall Street Journal about Chinese consumers are shying away “from the most ostentatious log...
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    Wine Cellar

    The Importance of Wine Venues

    These days the venue for buying and consuming wine is often just as important as the wine: look how many South African wine estates have awa...
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    FM Reports That SA Wine Exports Looking Up

    FM Reports That SA Wine Exports Looking Up

    South Africa’s Financial Mail magazine is reporting that the SA wine industry may be in for better times and quotes WOSA CEO Sue Birch tha...
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    Bastille Festival

    Bastille Festival in Franschhoek

    Franschhoek’s annual Bastille Festival is underway and is well worth a visit either today or tomorrow. A special part of this year’s fes...
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    Chinese wine consumers

    Wealthy Chinese Wine Consumers Prefer Traditional Over Modern

    Research from wine market analysts Wine Intelligence of “upper middle class” Chinese wine lovers found a overriding preference for tradi...
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    Preparing For the Bastille Festival

    Preparing For the Bastille Festival

    The Bastille Festival is on of the highlights of the Franschhoek calendar and one of the activities is the waiters’ race. Above is the Pie...
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    Five-Year Plan for Chinese Wine

    China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and the Ministry of Agriculture have jointly drawn up a five-year plan for ...
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    L’Huguenot

    L’Huguenot Is Official Wine for Brics

    I am very pleased to announce that L’Huguenot wines was chosen as the official wine for a recent high-level meeting of the BRICS trade gro...
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    John Maytham's review

    John Maytham Reviews the 2010 Leopard’s Leap Shiraz

    John Maytham, one of the foremost radio presenters in South Africa and a knowledgable wine connoisseur, recently reviewed the 2010 Leopard...
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    Gala

    Gala Dinner of the Grand Conseil Du Vin De Bordeaux

    My wife Hanneli and I attended the the gala dinner of the Grand Conseil du Vin de Bordeaux at Château Lagrange, Saint Julien, last night. T...
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    Photos from My Commanderie De Bordeaux Trip

    Photos from My Commanderie De Bordeaux Trip

    Above are some more photos from my visit to France for a meeting of the Commanderie de Bordeaux. The top is of the barrel room of Chateau la...
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    Wine Importers to China Up 200%

    The total number of wine importers to China is up 200% in the last five years according to a new research report by Rabobank International w...
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    Cooking With Peter Tempelhoff at Liam Tomlin Food

    Cooking With Peter Tempelhoff at Liam Tomlin Food

    We were fortunate to experience a Chef’s Table demonstration dinner with renowned chef Peter Tempelhoff at Liam Tomlin Food last night. Pe...
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    What Shanghai Means For SA Wine Brands

    South African wine writer and commentator Neil Pendock wrote recently on his impressions of Shanghai and what it meant for South African win...
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    Luxury Wineries Missing Social Media Opportunity

    I recently cam across research by Canadian marketing professor Leyland Pitt whose research has found that “luxury wine brands without a so...
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    Cooking With Peter Tempelhoff at Liam Tomlin Food

    People at Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2012

    Above are photos of some of the many people I met at Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2012. The top one is with Ryk Neethling, marketing manager of Val ...
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    Neil Pendock Records My Unhappiness with Wine Taxes

    I have previously spoken about my unhappiness with the taxes imposed on South African wines entering the Chinese market. Well-known South Af...
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    The Team at Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2012

    The Team at Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2012

    Above is a picture of myself and the La Motte and Leopard’s Leap team behind our stand at Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2012. From left is James Ta...
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    Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2012

    Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2012, the international wine and spirits exhibition for Asia-Pacific, gets underway Tuesday in Hong Kong and is set to ...
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    Where Individuals Store Their Wine

    The Wall Street Journal wine writer Lettie Teague starts a recent column with “there are people for whom the wine cellar is every bit as i...
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    Leopard’s Leap Is Winery of the Month

    Leopard’s Leap Is Winery of the Month

    Leopard’s Leap is House and Leisure magazine’s Winery of The Month and is featured in their June edition. The layout of the article is f...
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    Chinese Winemakers Seek To Compete With the French

    The wine industry in China continues to evolve at a frenetic pace and witnessed by the various posts on my blog dealing with imports into Ch...
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    Food 24 visits La Motte

    Food24 Visits La Motte

    The team from Food24 recently visited the estate and filmed several video clips for their website, including food demonstrations by our rest...
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    Bottled Wine Imports into China Increase, But Slowdown Forecast

    Using data from Chinese Customs, Meininger’s Wine Business International has provided some insights into bottled wine imports into China. ...
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    La Motte Supports Cape Wine Masters

    La Motte is a long time supporter of the Cape Wine Academy so it is always a pleasure to see new Cape Wine Masters emerging from the program...
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    Chinese Demand Increases World Wine Trade By 11%

    Bloomberg, the global business news agency, is reporting that World wine trade rose 11 percent by value to a record last year as imports int...
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    Cape Cuisine

    Original Cape Cuisine at Pierneef A La Motte

    Today’s Business Day newspaper carried a very nice article about Pierneef a La Motte and the Cape Winelands cuisine that the restaurant sp...
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    The Aromas and Flavours of Wine

    There is a nice article in The Wall Street Journal that explains the importance of oak barrels in giving wine some of its distinct flavours....
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    Leopard’s Leap Wines and Liam Tomlin Food

    Leopard’s Leap Wines and Liam Tomlin Food

    In this wine.co.za video, Liam Tomlin and I discuss the pairing of Leopard’s Leap Wines and the Liam Tomlin Food cookery school in Fransch...
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    Alcohol Marketing Restrictions in Europe

    I recently blogged about potential legislation in South Africa restricting alcohol marketing and legislation. This legislative development i...
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    Commanderie De Bordeaux Investiture and Tasting

    Commanderie De Bordeaux Investiture and Tasting

    The Commanderie de Bordeaux en Afrique du Sud met yesterday for the investiture of new Commandeurs of the Commanderie de Bordeaux en Afrique...
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    Family Collection Chenin Blanc

    Launching the 2011 Leopard’s Leap Family Collection Chenin Blanc

    I am excited to announce the launch of the Leopard’s Leap 2011 Family Collection Chenin Blanc, available exclusively from our new tasting ...
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    Us Wine Industry

    State of the Us Wine Industry 2012-2013

    Above is a nice infographic put together by Silicon Vally Bank which has a speciality in servicing the US wine industry. The state of the US...
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    The Blank Wine Label?

    The South African government’s stated intention to further regulate the marketing and consumption of alcohol still remains unclear as to t...
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    Bordeaux Looks Increasingly To China

    I recently wrote that Chinese buyers of Bordeaux wines are now also becoming buyers of wine estates in the Bordeaux region. The trend of Chi...
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    Sustainable Farming Practices

    La Motte’s Sustainable Farming Practices

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNENrmpCl8E Wine.co.za recently featured La Motte in an article about sustainable wine farming that also i...
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    Period of Consolidation For Chinese Wine Importers Predicted

    I was interested to read in the drinks business that renowned Chilean winemaker Miguel Torres is predicting that China’s wine importers ma...
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    Leopard’s Leap harvest outlook

    Harvest Outlook for Leopard’s Leap

    In this video, I discuss the the 2012 harvest outlook for Leopard’s Leap Wines with winemaker Eugene van Zyl. The video is part of a serie...
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    2012 Harvest Outlook for La Motte

    This video is of myself and La Motte winemaker Edmund Terblanche discussing the 2012 harvest outlook for La Motte. The video is part of a se...
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    From Buying Bordeaux Wine to Buying Bordeaux Estates

    It is widely known that China is the biggest importer of Bordeaux wines, but it appears that Chinese buyers of Bordeaux wines are now also b...
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    South African Harvest 2012

    South African Harvest 2012

    Another video in my three-part series about the 2012 South African harvest. In this video I discuss the quality of the picked grapes with La...
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    Taste Magazine

    Liam Tomlin Food in Taste Magazine

    Taste magazine are doing a major feature about Liam Tomlin Food in their April edition. I think article is a great reflection of the culinar...
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    Hein in vineyard

    Cooking With Liam Tomlin

    Liam Tomlin Food have just released the first of their social media videos which show internationally renowned chef Liam Tomlin giving hands...
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    Chef’s Table With William Drabble

    Chef’s Table With William Drabble

    During my recent trip to Europe I was fortunate to attend a chef’s table with Michelin star chef William Drabble at Seven Park Place resta...
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    Paul Bocuse Institute

    At Paul Bocuse Institute

    I spent the last two days at the Paul Bocuse Institute in Lyon with my wife Hanneli and her daughter Berdine. We had a tour of the world’s...
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    Australian Wine Needs To Rethink Its Exports To China

    Australia should promote expensive wines in China to change a perception that Australian wine is cheap and therefore not good, according to ...
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    At Prowein 2012

    At Prowein 2012

    The ProWein international wine and spirits trade fair is one of the most important trade fairs that I attend each year on behalf of La Motte...
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    Latest Findings On Wine Preferences

    Wine Intelligence produces valuable research for the global wine industry. Below are some of their latest findings based on interviews with ...
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    Filming The Wine Bearer

    Filming The Wine Bearer

    Video is an essential part of marketing communication these days and, at La Motte, we make sure that all aspects of the brand are captured o...
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    Visit by CEO of Perfect China

    Visit by CEO of Perfect China

    Mr Woo Swee Lian, President of Perfect (China) and our partner in the L’Huguenot wine export deal to China, visited us in Franschhoek last...
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    Launch of Leopard’s Leap Vineyards

    Launch of Leopard’s Leap Vineyards

    Last night we hosted the first of two launch parties for Leopard’s Leap Vineyards, the new home for Leopard’s Leap Wines and Liam Tomlin...
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    Valentines Cooking

    Valentines Cooking at Liam Tomlin Food

    Here is a photo of myself and my wife Hanneli attending a Valentine Day cooking class at Liam Tomlin Food at the Leopard’s Leap Vineyards ...
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    Is Aging of Wine an Outmoded Custom?

    Wine writer Lettie Teague has written an interesting and informative article in The Wall Street Journal about whether aging wine has become ...
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    Chinese Investors See Value of Vintages Drop

    I came across this article recently in the China Daily that Chinese wine investors are dismayed to find that the value of some of their bott...
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    Hands-On Cooking at Liam Tomlin Food

    Hands-On Cooking at Liam Tomlin Food

    The hands-on cooking classes at Liam Tomlin Food at Leopard’s Leap Vineyards in Franschhoek are great fun and the best way how to learn to...
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    2012 South African Harvest

    South African Harvest 2012

    The harvest season has begun in the winelands of South Africa and I am looking forward to a good harvest with excellent wines emerging from ...
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    Selling South African Wine in Sweden

    Selling South African Wine in Sweden

    I am on my way back home after being part of a South African delegation that presented our wines to sommeliers in Gothenburg, Sweden. I am g...
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    Visiting Institute Paul Bocuse

    Visiting Institute Paul Bocuse

    My travels in France have also taken me to the Institute Paul Bocuse in Lyon. The institute, which offers courses in culinary arts and hotel...
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    Rhone Trip

    Meeting and Tasting on Our Rhone Trip

    I am currently in the Rhone region of France discussing ways to strengthen ties between the region and the Franschhoek region of South Afric...
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    Overview of Chinese Launch for L’Huguenot

    I have just finished a very successful Chinese road show to launch the L’Huguenot wine with Perfect China, our partners in the Perfect Win...
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    L’Huguenot Tasting in China

    L’Huguenot Tasting in China

    The road show launching the L’Huguenot wine in China is currently in Dalian where we did a tasting with 250 of the top sales people that w...
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    Launching L’Huguenot In China

    Launching L’Huguenot In China

    I am currently in China launching the L’Huguenot wine brand with our partners in the Perfect Wines of South Africa joint venture. One of t...
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    Cape Winelands Cuisine Wins Prestigious Award

    Cape Winelands Cuisine Wins Prestigious Award

    I am very happy to announce that in December Cape Winelands Cuisine, the book based on the cuisine at our Pierneef a La Motte restaurant, w...
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    Champagne

    Introduction to Champagne

    I came across this nice introduction to Champagne written by Lettie Teague for The Wall Street Journal and thought I would share the article...
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    1st event leopards

    The first event at Leopard’s Leap Vineyards

    113 Chefs and restaurateurs gathered at the brand new Liam Tomlin Food Culinary Studio at Leopard's Leap Vineyards today for a demonstration...
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