From Wellington to the world
Diemersfontein. Never heard of it? What about coffee pinotage? Ah, yes, that one you know. Well, Diemersfontein is the wine farm that started the now-much-imitated coffee/chocolate trend, back in 2001.
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by Diana Procter
Food with a view
When fabulous flavour, warm personal service and a stunning setting come together, you've got a recipe for country dining at its best.
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by Diana Procter
Tooting and tasting
Stellenbosch wine-farm owner Ken Forrester blew a vuvuzela every time someone liked one of his wines at a recent food and wine show in Aspen, Colorado - which was apparently quite often. I don’t know how the organisers of two local wine tasting events coming up in the near future feel about vuvuzelas, but given the quality of the wines that are going to be on offer, it could be a deafening experience if the 'toot it you like it' idea takes off.
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by Diana Procter
Vive la France!
Bastille Day is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Franschhoek every year, and this weekend even the weather came to the party.
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by Diana Procter
Down the yellow dirt road
Majestic gates and sweeping driveways are not unusual in the winelands. But you won’t find either at GlenWood, which is tucked away at the end of a dirt road in the Robertsvlei valley just outside Franschhoek. There’s a quaint little stone bridge over a stream at the entrance and then you’re on more dirt, meandering up a farm road through the vineyards to the wine cellar and tasting room.
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by Diana Procter
Footie fever and festivals
Now that the football has reached the critical stage of the last eight teams playing for glory, we need to find other ways than watching matches to entertain ourselves. For lucky Cape wine lovers, there’s plenty to look forward to, starting with the popular Stellenbosch Wine Festival that takes place this weekend, from 1 to 5 July.
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by Diana Procter
Winter in the winelands
I've always loved the winters in the Cape, especially the sunny days that follow a cold, wet (and snowy!) spell.
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by Diana Procter
A Highland fling
I wrote in an earlier blog about wanting to do a bread-making course. Well, one of the other things on that same bucket list is a trip to Scotland.
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by Diana Procter
A hands-on affair
One of the things I have on my bucket list is a bread making course, so I was excited to discover there’s one coming up in Franschhoek at the end of June. Mind you, on closer look, it seems as if the whole Franschhoek Affair, as the weekend of 25, 26 and 27 June is branded, has been tailormade for Ideas readers!
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by Diana Procter
Progress...
Getting there....slowly
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by Shamilah Petersen
Hooked and loving it
I've a confession...
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by Shamilah Petersen
Brrr... it's Port weather
Rainy Cape or sunny provinces to the north, either way winter is the perfect season for the warming charms of a fortified wine like Port.
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by Diana Procter
Not so pear-shaped
There’s a world of mystery and wonder hidden away at the top of Sir Lowry’s Pass, waiting to be discovered by wine lovers. I spent a chilly day warming to it recently.
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by Diana Procter
Entrepreneur's Day
My son’s school has Entrepreneur’s Day today.
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by Shamilah Petersen
Cushion covers
This is my Saturday afternoon project – five cushion covers!
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by Shamilah Petersen
Round the rock
It's harvest festival time in the Cape winelands!
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by Diana Procter
But that's sugar-cane country!
It's always nice to hear from a far-away friend and when her news is good, then it's even nicer. I had such a phone call this week.
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by Diana Procter
Dusting the sewing machine
I’ve started sewing again!
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by Shamilah Petersen
A personal touch
Businesses don't always get it right all the time, but the way they go about fixing the problem can make all the difference - and a hands-on winery owner is showing the way.
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by Diana Procter
Creating art and wine
It's a wonderful, if all too rare, experience to drive home from a marketing event feeling inspired and buzzing with positive thoughts. But that's the way I was on a recent evening, the source of the good vibes being a project called Creative Block.
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by Diana Procter
Hanepoot picking in Calitzdorp
During February De Krans Wine Cellar, situated at Calitzdorp on the trendy Route 62, is offering visitors to the area the opportunity to pick their own delectably sweet Hanepoot grapes, between 10 February and 27 February, every day except Sundays from 8am until 4pm.
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by Diana Procter
Seasons of Sauvignon
For years South African wine drinkers have been told that they should drink their Sauvignon Blanc young and fresh, 'before the end of the cricket season', as one of my friends puts it.
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by Diana Procter
Walking on the wine side
As so many people do at the end of each year, I resolved to try to exercise more regularly in 2010. I like walking - going to gym feels more like punishment than pleasure - so I've been pounding the pavements most mornings.
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by Diana Procter
Picture the scene...
Oodles of oysters, smoked salmon, strawberries, Champagne and Cap Classique and glorious sunshine has to be the perfect recipe for a sparkling garden party of note.
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by Diana Procter
Everything's coming up rosé
There's something about pink wine that lends itself to clichés, and it's not just because it's called rosé.
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by Diana Procter
Apricots, sorbet and fizz
There's so much happening in the Cape at this time of year, it's hard to choose what to do and where to go. Here are a couple of interesting options:
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by Diana Procter
Blended bliss and five-star stunners
Having the opportunity to taste either an amazing range of top-quality white wines, or all the wines awarded five stars for the 2010 edition of South Africa's most popular wine guide would have been enough to make me happy for quite a while, but luckily I didn't have to choose. I got to do both!
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by Diana Procter
Socially conscious handbags
One of my favourite ranges of products available from our online shop, www.babazeka.com are those made by the Irene Werner label.
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by Sarah Barnhoorn
Sugar and spice...all things nice
Last week I popped in at the Holistic Lifestyle Fair in Observatory.
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by Shamilah Petersen
Come along and taste!
Eager to sample a serious Shiraz? Pining for a plush Pinotage? Crazy about a classy Cabernet? Wine lovers are in for a treat at the nationwide Veritas public tastings.
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by Diana Procter
Broad bean bonanza
A few months ago I house sat for friends who were holidaying in Malta. My friends live in a house in a suburban complex and have a garden that they cheerfully describe as 'no bigger than a postage stamp'. And yes, I have to agree, it is on the small side.
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by Lara Foreman
Heartfelt
Today I would like to introduce you to the first of the wonderful projects which we support. They're known as Heartfelt, and came about all because of a woman named Martha.
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by Sarah Barnhoorn
Welcome to my world...
There’s nothing more satisfying than snuggling into bed with a good book to keep you company.
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by Shamilah Petersen
Birthdays get better with age....
Last week I turned 41 - my best birthday ever!
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by Shamilah Petersen
Being admirable
Guest blogger Sarah Barnhoorn talks about South Africans who are contributing positively to the country in different ways.
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by Sarah Barnhoorn
Weekends of wine
A hectic deadline week ended on the highest note - unwinding with fashion, fizz and good friends at the Nederburg Wine Auction at Paarl.
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by Diana Procter
Quotes and poems
I am an avid collector of inspiring quotes, poems, beautiful words and just about anything that nourishes my soul.
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by Shamilah Petersen
What's in a name?
Creating a custom-made wine for a special event means the wine makers get to play a little, with the grape varieties and the wine's name.
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by Diana Procter
Angels in disguise
I love my kitchen...
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by Shamilah Petersen
Guild jazzes up tasting
Exceptional wines not usually accessible to mere mortals are being offered for tasting this month.
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by Diana Procter
The love of words
My youngest son’s school has an annual fundraiser, which I wholeheartedly support.
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by Shamilah Petersen
Matching two milestones
What better way to celebrate 350 years of wine making in the Cape than at the 35th Nederburg Auction of Rare Cape Wines?
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by Diana Procter
Blend your own bottle
Wine festivals are a great opportunity to try new wines in a fun, non-intimidating environment.
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by Diana Procter
Soup kitchen...
Since I seldom have money or time to spare, I decided to celebrate my birthday with a soup table.
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by Erla-Mari Diedericks
The quest for elegance
I'm looking forward to a return visit to the spectacular amphitheatre setting of a newish winery called Waterkloof that is tucked away in the Helderberg behind Somerset West.
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by Diana Procter
Red wine for a road trip
The winter storms that rushed through the country last week had a spectacular aftermath: snow-capped mountains glittering shiny white against a brilliant blue sky.
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by Diana Procter
Ideas to help the homeless
Every morning on my way to work I see numerous homeless people - some living under bridges; others sleeping on sidewalks - their bodies snugly against each other to gain some extra warmth.
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by Shamilah Petersen
Buckets of fun
The Cape Town Food and Wine Festival was a wonderful source of inspiration for me since I am always hungry for new things - especially food.
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by Erla-Mari Diedericks
The gecko comes home
The Cape wine with the biggest international footprint isn't, as you might expect, something familiar like Nederburg or KWV. It's a range called Kumala.
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by Diana Procter
Beach blooms
I adore this flower arrangement. It's fresh and original and by Los Angeles florists Krislyn
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by Erla-Mari Diedericks
Welcome!
This has been a busy month for us at Ideas Magazine, with the new-look May issue reaching the shelves and our redesigned website going live.
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by Leanne Feris
Massages and books
I have two monthly splurges I simply cannot resist - a heavenly, relaxing, de-stressing massage and a brand new book to indulge in.
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by Shamilah Petersen