South Africa’s world-renowned wine industry has been one of the industries that have been hit the hardest by the past year’s COVID-19 regulations. According to Vinpro, we’re looking at an overall loss of over R8 billion in direct sales revenue for the wine industry alone. As traditional business models and revenue streams literally dried up over night, wine farms have had to reinvent the wheel in a bid to survive. Avondale Wine Estate is a case in point.
This is the perfect dish to accompany TOKARA Wine Estate’s finest
When only the best will do, TOKARA’s acclaimed Reserve Collection Chardonnay ticks all the right boxes and with good reason. As the seasons start changing, it is the ideal time to enjoy the last bit of summer with a wine of restrained power and finesse.
Professional cyclist sold everything to make wine in SA
Trevor DeRuisé (aka LOST BOY), a professional cyclist from the USA happened to stumble upon his new home among the vines of Cape Agulhas and by the looks of this year’s harvest and his investment in South Africa’s wildlife, he won’t be returning to the USA anytime soon.
362 Years of South African Wine: A grateful celebration
It was my first time to be invited to the annual Wine Harvest Commemorative Event. It was also the first time they have had to do it virtually. The current situation of the crippled economy has had a devastating effect on the South African wine industry and still, their annual Wine Harvest Commemorative Event focused solely on celebration of 362 years of the vine.
Good things come from Six Dogs’ Honey Lime Gin
I love it when there’s good that comes out of a venture and that’s exactly what happened with Worcester-based Six Dogs Distillery’s latest launch: A honey-infused gin that forms part of a pioneering project to save distressed bees.
House Concert & Wine Tasting – 28 November
Suitcase & Chardonnay is excited to announce the launch of its very first House Concert & Wine Tasting event in the heart of Brooklyn, Pretoria on 28 November 2020! The inspiration behind it is to support industries that are dear to the Suitcase & Chardonnay brand, like the music and arts industries, as well as hospitality and tourism industries and of course, the South African wine industry.
Recipe: Celebrating Mushrooms & Red Wine
I’m celebrating SA Red Wine Day with a delightful Mushroom, Chicken and Rice Soup paired with Haute Cabrière’s Unwooded Pinot Noir. Here is the recipe.
Dear friends in tourism & hospitality
A letter to my friends in the tourism and hospitality industry who feel tired, hopeless, scared and demotivated due to the COVID-19 lockdown.
Top online wine shops
The ban on wine has been lifted and we can once again stock up on our most beloved wine farms’ vinos! Some of us might still prefer to buy online, though. Here are my favourite online wine shops.
Wines that got us through lockdown
Yup, in this house wine is the one thing that kept us sane during the past few weeks. The wine is finished now, though. But, one thing I’ve learned in this time is that these are all earthly things. Wine can be replaced (except for the 2012 Estate Wine we got from...