Opinion & Analysis

Malu Lambert: Interview with Craig Hawkins of Testalonga

By Malu Lambert , 6 December 2017

Craig Hawkins of Testalonga is this intangible mix of quirk and depth. Talking to him is like tumbling down the rabbit hole. You can’t quite...

10 years ago this month

By Christian Eedes , 6 December 2017

10 years ago, Marc Kent had just won Diners Club Winemaker of the Year for the Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2005 – this offering from the Franschhoek...

Tim James: Impressions left by a Riedel Glassware Masterclass

By Christian Eedes , 4 December 2017

I’d attended a Riedel glass tasting before (and heard others’ experiences) and knew that again I’d come away fully convinced of the genius of this...

2

Michael Fridjhon: Why it’s a good time to be in wine – five reasons to be optimistic about in 2018

By Michael Fridjhon , 29 November 2017

It hasn't been an easy year for South Africa, notwithstanding the ever-increasing excitement around our wines in many of the international markets. The local market...

2

Tim James: The impact of the drought

By Christian Eedes , 27 November 2017

Few of us in the Western Cape fully realise as yet, I suspect, the impact the drought will have. Little by little I’m discovering more,...

Marthélize Tredoux: Picking apart price

By Marthelize Tredoux , 22 November 2017

Let’s face it: it was inevitable that I would sit down and hurl my R0.02 at the latest wine industry windup. Two local winemakers (pick...

12

Can a price of R5000 a bottle for an SA wine be justified?

By Christian Eedes , 22 November 2017

If part of the motivation on the part of Brian Smith of Elgin Ridge Wines and Niels Verburg of Luddite in launching the. Cabernet Franc...

4

Tim James: Nederburg and the challenges of effective branding

By Christian Eedes , 20 November 2017

It’s a debate of relevance – probably unresolvable except by time – to countries as well as big brands: Does a reputation for lower quality...

Tim James: How much to spend on rosé?

By Christian Eedes , 13 November 2017

With gritted teeth and a gulp, and eyebrows raised aghast at my own action (you try doing all that at the same time, especially while...

3

Malu Lambert: Interview with Duncan Savage of Savage Wines

By Malu Lambert , 13 November 2017

“Forklifts can come right to the door,” says Duncan Savage with a wide smile showing me around his urban cellar in Salt River. He’s as...