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“Alea iacta est. The die is cast,” Julius Caesar is supposed to have said as he led his troops towards Rome in 49BC. The crucial border of the ancient capital was the Rubicon River, and the decision to cross it marked an irrevocable point in history. It would profoundly shift the course of Roman politics – there could be no turning back. On Wednesday the 24th January, Hannes Myburgh and the Meerlust Estate might just have crossed another epic Rubicon with the unveiling of their 2015 Meerlust Rubicon Bordeaux Blend in London.

Join Leopard’s Leap chef, Pieter de Jager and one of Leopard’s Leap’s knowledgeable and enthusiastic Wine Tasting Ambassadors on Friday mornings for the Culinaria Food and Wine Pairing – a tasting of the six wines in the Leopard’s Leap Culinaria Collection, each paired with an example of an ideal food partner.

Speculation is rife about the timing, quality and especially volume of South Africa's 2018 wine grapes harvest - all because of the exceptional drought conditions in the Cape Winelands. At the annual Vinpro wine industry information day, viticulture specialist Francois Viljoen said that SA wine is in unchartered waters when it comes to the challenges of this season.

Watermelon is one of the delights of summer. When served chilled, it is refreshing, sweet and juicy and a popular fruit to eat on its own or to use as an ingredient. No surprise then that the Pierneef à La Motte summer menu features this popular fruit in a variety of ways - as a starter, main and dessert!

Danie de Wet and his sons Johann, responsible for viticulture and marketing, and Peter, winemaker are renowned for their various expressions of Chardonnay from their successful unwooded Limestone Hill to the fabulous full bodied wooded Bateleur. Noble varieties other than Chardonnay, both white and red, receive the same attention, care and elevation in the cellar. I am particularly fond of the De Wetshof Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2017, it is a truly food friendly wine.

Cape Town - Wine industry leaders warn that the drought ravaging the Western Cape would have a major effect on the 2018 harvest, with yields expected to plunge 50%.

Industry organisation VinPro said it was bracing itself for what might be the “smallest harvest in more than a decade”, as the drought persisted, resulting in the winelands being declared a disaster area last year.

Hy het in 2009 net ná hoërskool ’n sabbatsjaar geneem en by Perdeberg Kelder gewerk en die wynmaak-gogga het daar gebyt. Hy is onlangs getroud met Daniella en hulle woon so 7 km weg van die plaas. Daniella is ’n reisagent by Pentravel en Juandre sê ’n passie vir wyn en reis maak hulle die perfekte kombinasie.

From thinking big to what the drought means for our wine budget. 

Jean Engelbrecht is a leader in the world of premium South African wine. He grew up on the Stellenbosch property that houses the Rust en Vrede winery, which his father, Jannie, bought in the 1970s. At the time, the wine industry in South Africa was undeveloped, with most wineries churning out mass-produced plonk. But Jannie had a vision to make high-quality wines at his estate, and Jean extended it as one of the young pioneers attempting to put Cape wine on the world stage after Apartheid ended.