We trust you had a fantastic festive season, shared unforgettable moments and memories with family, friends and loved ones! Allow us the opportunity to wish you the most prosperous 2012! Go get ‘em tiger!

With Christmas and New Year a thing of the past, leftovers and hangovers creatively taken care of, and vowing never to leave your Christmas shopping for the last day… starting the month of January 2012, we’re all a pretty resolute bunch!

Many resolutions revolve around self-betterment, quitting old (bad?) habits, and adopting more healthy ones. Taking the stairs rather than the elevator…  We here at Cybercellar propose to start enjoying what South Africa has the offer! Take in the beauty, the scenery, the wonderfully diversity and abundance of culture in South Africa! Go visit a wineries, try new grape varieties, and drink bubbly THROUGHOUT the year! Take in the magnificence that is South Africa! Go be a tourist!

And instead of scrambling to find something good to drink with every social occasion, darting to the outlets to find a last minute gift, we propose building up a reserve of fantastic wines! Building a cellar collection is not an expensive endeavor…we’re all spoilt with choice from our wonderful SA producers, so many different price points, something for the beginners to connoisseurs!

There is nothing easier than grabbing a bottle of vino for a tasteful gift, nothing more convenient than having your favorite vino around when the opportunity to celebrate arrives, and nothing more pleasing than completing a home cooked meal with a delicious glass of wine! Live a little!

Have a fantastic 2012, the only way to make a resolution work, is by putting words into action…take the stairs!

With warm Regards

The Cybercellar Team

It’s with the utmost EXCITEMENT, EXHILIRATIONand DELIGHT that I’m able to announce that we have officially launched our USA site!

It’s been a long time coming; we’ve lost some men along the way – we’ve jumped the hoops, ducked for cover, found our way through the labyrinth, negotiated through the maze, and pulled of some extraordinary and truly inspired cartwheels, somersaults, and tumbles, finally deploying our stealth like tactics to manage the mountain of red tape, and ultimately succeeding in bringing you a brilliant offering of truly inspired South African wines, available for direct to consumer delivery in 20 States! Thanks for your patience J

Our portfolio of wines we’re launching with is only a glimpse of what we have up our sleeves, and includes some of South Africa’s top producers, their most magnificent offerings, and the kind of vino likely to influence your perception of South Africa wines forever!

You’ll taste the variety, the culture, the PASSION and the glorious nature of the South African people in every bottle of SA vino. Our time has come, and Cybercellar.com is extremely proud to facilitate the brilliance of South Africa to each and every American friend we’ve met along the way, and the thousands of you that we would love to meet in the future!

And rest assured that we are working tirelessly behind the scenes to build even further on this marvelous offering, and will continually increase and expand our portfolio to suit every palate in the US and take you on the sensationally tasty journey that is South Africa!

Have a look at our offering, and please send us your feedback, we would love to hear from you! Let us know what you’d like to get your hands on, what you’ve been dying to try, or simply what sort of information you’d like to see on our site.

Now is the time to invigorate those taste buds – the South African way!

Ke Nako! (Our time is now!)

Stefan

and the Cybercellar.com team

First a little icebreaker…

What spectacular weather we’ve had this last couple of days! Hail, rain and sunshine in November – 2012 is bound to be an interesting vintage, and according to VinPro’s viticulturists the industry is optimistic that a good growing season with beneficial rains in November will yield a bigger harvest, despite the decline in area under vines!

Translated – more fantastic wines for all of us to enjoy!

But let’s get to the point at hand, as talking about the weather will only ignore the elephant in the room…

As December is creeping up on us I start to feel a bit of angst – It’s a contradictory month to be taken with a pinch of salt. Sure on the one side you’re a little depressed seeing as you have to buy presents for in-laws, nephews, nieces, friends, close – and extended family, GIRLFRIENDS and WIFES (the latter two being particularly heavy on the wallet), but then again it’s also a joyous time where you can conclude Chapter 2011 of your life, and look forward to starting Chapter 2012 with renewed fervor, ambition – PASSION!

It’s the opportunity to appreciate some time away from work, enjoy memories made with friends, family and loved ones. The opportunity to let sleeping dogs lie, plan ahead, make your resolution and take 2012 by the HORNS!!  You’ll inevitably start 2012 with the knowledge that you’re a BETTER YOU.

OK, that’s my pep-talk!

So let’s help you through the home stretch…

In the spirit of the festive season, and with the Franschhoek Magic of Bubbles festival taking place this weekend, I think it’s time to celebrate! And what better way than bubbles!! If you ever wondered what lies behind this timeless and elegant beverage, want to find your favorite producers and their stories from fermentation to bottling – We have the perfect gift.

A gorgeous coffee table book, Celebrating Méthode Cap Classique  (by Di Burger) is filled with breathtaking images, uplifting quotes, expressions, poetry and everyone involved in the SA fizz industry! A highlight of the book is the inclusion of scrumptious examples of food and Cap Classique pairings for brunch, lunch and dinner! A sensational read! Right in time for the festive season!  Shipping is free anywhere in SA!

Celebrating Méthode Cap Classique     Price is R290.00    BUY NOW

Not a big reader? Don’t despair. We’ve managed to get our hands on some fantastic vino for Christmas Gifts

How about a fantastic looking (and amazing tasting) De Grendel Merlot Double Magnum!

A full bodied wine filled with a combination of different berries on the nose. Mulberry, raspberry, and blackberry fruit accompanied by liquorice and mocha flavours that carry through on palate. Well supported by firm French oak tannins. Beautifully presented in a wooden box. Stock very limited. Shipping: FREE! WOW!

De Grendel Merlot Double Magnum        R690.00 each    BUY NOW

Or if you’re looking for something to complement your Christmas cake and desserts menu, why not try the Groot Constantia Grand Constance 2008? Typical Muscat nuances enhanced by nuances of pineapple, raisins, apricots and honey! Beautifully presented in award winning packaging, this is sure to earn some major brownie points! Shipping is free!

Groot Constantia Grand Constance        R495.00 each    BUY NOW

If you’re planning on heading to the winelands, or find yourself lucky enough to live here, we all know we need our handy JOHN PLATTER 2012! Updated, revised and simply brimming around the edges with useful information, this is the go to guide for everything wine related!

John Platter 2012                                 R159.99  each      BUY NOW

And off course if these marvelous offerings didn’t tickle your fancy, we have a websitefull of fantastic tasting wines and gifts, shipped to your door anywhere in South Africa!

Now, take a deep sigh of relief, wasn’t that bad was it? Let’s get the season going!

Having a fantastic week!

Stefan

(Standing in for Fi )

info@cybercellar.com

www.cybercellar.com
+27 21 876 2649

Do you ever get that feeling that Christmas is accelerating towards you at a rate of knots and you just can’t get out of the way??

Yikes – I STILL haven’t even thought about Christmas presents yet, and I’ve got three birthdays to get through in December too =:-[

So I may well be taking my own advice here, and stocking up on some of these …

This week’s featured winery needs no real introduction, but a quote on the home page of their website sums up their philosophy.

“The detailed attention we give our vineyards, and to the winemaking process, is reflected in our wines” Emil den Dulk, Estate Owner, De Toren Wines.

Something we totally agree with, and we’re not the only ones … the awarding of a five star rating for the De Toren Fusion V 2009 in the 2012 Platters Guide sums it all up, really …! Not the first time they’ve achieved a five star rating with this fabulous Bordeaux styled red blend, either! And I don’t believe any of the vintages since the maiden 1999 has scored less than 4!

The De Toren Z also regularly scores highly, and has once again achieved it’s consistent 4 star rating in this year’s Platters

So for the red wine enthusiasts out there, we have a very limited number of De Toren gift packs to offer … buy now, or they’ll be gone before you can say “Father Christmas!” =:-[

SINGLE BOTTLE gift boxed DE TOREN FUSION V 2009: R450.00 per gift box                      ORDER NOW

12 BOTTLE boxed gift set DE TOREN FUSION V 2009: R3900.00 per gift box                        ORDER NOW

SINGLE BOTTLE gift boxed DE TOREN Z 2009: R330.00 per gift box                                      ORDER NOW

12 BOTTLE boxed gift set DE TOREN Z 2009: R2460.00 per gift box                                        ORDER NOW

Stocks are very limited on these exceptional wines, so please be quick

What was I saying about running out of time / Christmas / birthdays / December???

 I KNOW IT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE YOUR USUALLY BIRTHDAY CAKE BUT WITH CHRISTMAS COMING UP AT HIGH SPEED AND HAVING ABSOLUTELY NO TIME TO SHOP, I HAD TO MAKE SOMETHING OUT OF THE LEFTOVER VEGETABLES IN THE FRIDGE … I’M SURE IT’LL TASTE LIKE CHOCOLATE CAKE THOUGH!

Can you believe it’s going to be December next week  =:-[

Cheers …

Fiona

info@cybercellar.com

www.cybercellar.com
+27 21 876 2649

I can’t believe it’s the middle of November already! Time flies when you love what you do!

We had our first launch party on Wednesday for our new tasting room in the heart of the beautiful Franschhoek Valley! What a splendid evening with lip-smacking foods, great company and even better wines! Thanks to all who attended and made the night a great success. We will be hosting a launch for wineries and media in the near future, to showcase our beautiful space and present what we’re about! What a terrible industry we’re in…having to host parties, eat so much decadent foods, sample so many superb wines, socialize all the time!!

Seeing as we’re right in the midst of our Pinotage and Cape Blends theme here at Taste SA, I thought it a good idea to do a little patriotic chest-pumping and hip-hip hooray for PINTOTAGE!

What fantastic leaps and bounds our beloved winemakers have made with this previously misunderstood and misinterpreted cultivar! Indeed, Pinotage is now the fastest growing red cultivar in bottle for exports, according to the South African Wine Industry Information & Systems (SAWIS) for the period from August 2010–August 2011. The grape’s once-shaky status is certainly on the rise.

Over the past decade New World regions have had terrific success with branding themselves with specific varieties. Argentina has its Malbec, Australia synonymous with Shiraz, Chile with Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignon, and New Zealand claiming Sauvignon Blanc… How come SA, as one of the oldest “New World” wine regions, has not established itself internationally with a particular cultivar(s)? Maybe it’s because we as South Africans are so good at what we do, so rich in winemaking history, that it’s difficult to focus on one or two single varieties… Specialization would however lead the way for the rest of the countries offerings, so I think it’s time we get behind our boys seeing as SA has a logical choice which we can claim as our own…drumroll… Enter Pinotage!

The establishment of the Pinotage Association  in 1995 ushered in a new era of South African winemaking camaraderie. The group allowed Pinotage producers to discuss and share experiences while developing criteria to define a distinctively styled South African Pinotage. The association also organizes an annual ABSA Top 10 Pinotage competition, intended to promote benchmark varietal selections.

Although efforts are made to identify a common identity, I believe the varying styles (hate it or love it!) contributes greatly to the accessibility of the cultivar, and its converting more people to wine! Give Pinotage a shot; there are loads to choose from!

“It is home grown, and we are extremely proud of our Pinotage. [It’s] only 80-plus years old, so it is an infant compared to Cab, Shiraz and Merlot. I think we’re on the right track.” Neville Dorrington, owner and viticulturist of Rijk’s Private Cellar

If you discover a brilliant wine, superb place to dine, or simply had a fantastic time, we would love to hear from you!

Have a WONDERFUL weekend!

The Cybercellar Team

Having a glass of vino after work is a simple luxury we all look forward to after a day (week) of hard work, and sure, something amazing and special that has been kept and stored with the utmost care and love can be a marvelously rewarding experience.

It is however the sensation and pleasure of the ritual, sitting down with a generous pour of almost anything – albeit your tried and trusted, or adventurous first tasting – this simple ritual takes the edge of the day, and what a fantastic and relaxing way to do just that.

Allow me to ask the question, how much are you willing to pay for a bottle of your favorite vino for everyday drinking?  Try this experiment…walk into your local wine bar or online retailer, ask them to recommend an “everyday drinking wine” and see what the merchant suggests.  With 125 000 ha under vines, 101 016 wine grape varieties and around 600 odd processing cellars in South Africa there is a LOT of choice out there!

If those stats sound pretty impressive, then consider this – South Africa makes up for only 1.7% of the world’s vineyards. Our per capita consumption sits at around 7l. Why is this? Perhaps the downfall of the industry lies in the fact that wine consumers are educated that truly affordable wines aren’t worth drinking? Europeans seem perfectly comfortable cracking open a 1 Euro tetra pack of wine for guests; Germans for example, pay just $1.79 on average for a bottle of wine. Why is the barriers to entry in the wonderful world of wine so intimidating?

Ernest Gallo, and his brother Julio was by and large responsible for the proliferation and popularization of wine in the United States, and these two brothers understood the psychology behind wine better than anyone. In their famous experiments, patrons were asked to taste two wines, telling the patrons that one sold for 5 cents and one for 10 cents. The guinea pigs invariably chose the more expensive wine, after which it was revealed that the two wines were poured from the same bottle.

If aromas, bouquets and complexity don’t interest you, you are not a lesser person in wine.  There is no reason that aligning your tastes with those of the “industry professionals” will bring you any more content. Wine is subjective. If you want to spend lavishly on a bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1982 or claim to be the righteous holder of the title of the Fifth Cousin – wine, and taste for that matter is subjective.

Rest assured that South Africa produces top class wines across the board, that little white sticker you see on the neck of the bottle means that wine is traceable back to the vineyard. The diffusion of technology has enable producers to create consistently good wine, and the stance of the world economy has forced discounted vintners to compete with upmarket brands.

“Two buck chucks and the revenge of the terroirists will uncork a favorable future for wine in an engaging tour-de-force that will appeal to all lovers of wine whether it be boxed, bagged or bottled” – Mike Veseth, Wine Wars.

Here’s to individuality, here’s to experimentation, here’s to investigation!

Happy Friday!!

Have a fabulous weekend and if you do decide to enjoy your favorite vino, be safe!!

THE CYBERCELLAR TEAM

2nd November 2011

Hi everyone!

I don’t know how many of you follow the foodie scene, but I’m an avid fan of great food, and I’m guessing the majority of you, being interested in wine, will at least be aware of the annual national Eat Out Restaurant Awards that are announced in November each year! (The big night of the Top Ten winners is on 20th November).

Well, the twenty nominations for the coveted Top Ten were announced today, and no fewer than 16 of them are Western Cape based, with 11 of those being based in the Cape Winelands … wooo hooo!!

Mind you, this does NOTHING to help my figure, you understand!!

The old favourites from the Winelands are all there with one notable exception … last year’s top restaurant, Rust En Vrede, was ineligible for inclusion as the rules stipulate that a chef has to have been with a restaurant for a min of 12 months preceding the competition, and Jonathan Shuttleworth only took over in June this year . Methinks someone needs to revise the rules, judging by my last meal there!

But the following Cape Winelands winners in last year’s Top Ten all make it to the top twenty nominees again this year so are in with a good chance:   The Tasting Room, Jordan Restaurant, Bosman’s, Terroir, and Overture.

La Colombe at Constantia Uitsig and The Greenhouse at Cellars-Hohenhort have been nominated again this year, and many many congrats to three new nominees from wine country: Babel at Babylonstoren in Paarl, Pierneef at La Motte in Franschhoek, and Tokara in the beautiful Banhoek Valley of Stellenbosch, now under head chef Richard Carstens of Franschhoek fame.

For interest’s sake, the five Cape Town based restaurants nominated are: Azure at the 12 Apostles, Nobu at One & Only, Planet at Mount Nelson, The Test Kitchen in Salt River, and The Roundhouse in Camps Bay.

And others in the running from around the country: DW Eleven-13 in Dunkeld, Hartford House in the Natal Midlands, Mosaic at the Orient in Elandsfontein, and Roots at Forum Homini Hotel in Krugersdorp.

Best of luck to one and all for the announcements on the 20th November .

What we’ve done this week is to select three great value summer whites from three of the wineries where these nominated Winelands restaurants are based … try one or try them all .

Jordan Chameleon Sauvignon Blanc/Chardonnay 2010  A super blend of grassy, green fig Sauvignon with zesty citrus Chardonnay, well balanced, well priced!                R57.00 p/bottle for 6 or R53.00 p/bottle for 12 -BUY NOW

La Motte Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Cut grass, green apple and melon, silky and delicious!R67.00 p/bottle for 6 or R62.50 p/bottle for 12 -BUY NOW

Tokara Chardonnay 2010 (previously their “Zondernaam” Chardonnay)  Lemon and lime underpinned by notes of buttered toast, great value!                                                   R67.00 p/bottle for 6 or R62.50 p/bottle for 12 -BUY NOW

Nominated Restaurants’ Mixed Case Can’t make your mind up but are in need of some great value whites? Two bottles of each of the above three wines in the 6-pack, 4 of each in the 12-pack.                                                                                                                     R64.50 p/bottle for 6 or R59.50 p/bottle for 12  -BUY NOW

I agree with this guy …

I DON’T SEE WHAY THEY ONLY HAVE TO HAVE A TOP TEN …WHERE ARE WE SUPPOSED TO EAT THE OTHER 355 DAYS OF THE YEAR?

Oh, and don’t forget Bruwer Raats’ Chenin Blanc tasting with Cathy Marston here on Thursday night at 6pm -  BOOK NOW

Cheers …

Fi

info@cybercellar.com

www.cybercellar.com
+27 21 876 2649
]]> http://cybercellar.wordpress.com/2011/11/02/eat-out-top-ten-restaurant-awards-%e2%80%a6-and-related-well-priced-wines/feed/ 0 cybercellar http://cybercellar.wordpress.com/2011/10/28/good-value-wine-under-r60/ http://cybercellar.wordpress.com/2011/10/28/good-value-wine-under-r60/#comments Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:17:41 +0000 cybercellar http://cybercellar.wordpress.com/?p=774 Continue reading →]]> Can you believe it’s almost November! The festive season around the corner, and that means our pockets are about to get a whole lot lighter. So, in order to prepare you for the month of “spending” we thought we’d put together a list of the great value wines for under R60.

Chamonix Blanc 2010

Winemaker Godfried Mokke has released a white that is not only great value but great drinking too. This Blanc blend on release has a bright straw colour with greenish highlights and an intense aroma that recalls ripe apples and pears with hints of herbs and tropical fruit. Bright and steely dry in flavour, the grapefruit and spice sensations are buoyed by zesty acidity that refreshes the palate through a smooth finish. Perfect for light entertaining and light spending, it’s only R46.50 per bottle.

Pairing potential: Seafood paella and a balmy Thursday night

Anthonij Rupert Wines Protea Merlot 2008

Located in Franschhoek the Protea collection wines are made in a lighter, more accessible style. The Merlot has an appealing savoury nose of mulberry, cocoa, oreganum and fynbos. Those dark berry flavours and rich cocoa notes are replicated on the palate. Although gentle in texture and with velvety tannins which make it glide sinuously over the tongue, there is a gutsy tar and earth grip anchoring it. Going for R55.50 per bottle, this little treat is well worth it.

Pairing potential: Burger on the braai

Ken Forrester Petite Chenin 2010

Nobody does a refreshing Chenin quite like the Chenin King, Ken Forrester. The Petite range also includes Petite Pinotage and Petite Cabernet Sauvignon. But with the sun shining Chenin is the choice of the season. The Chenin is a youthful wine showing fresh ripe melon with a mellow, round, mild and honeysuckle fruit palate and refreshingly long finish. This summer wine is going for an amazing R47.50 per bottle.

Pairing potential: The girls, a Saturday and some giggles

Allée Bleue Starlette Pinotage 2009

Among the gorgeous old colonial cottages and fabulous function venue is the deli; selling home-grown olives and their maiden vintage olive oils and wine cellar. Even more exciting is Allee Bleue Starlette Pinotage 2009. It’s a succulent wine with rich and forthcoming aromas of banana, mocha coffee and toffee supported with subtle hints liqourice and marzipan carried by a smooth and delicate palate delivering plum and herbaceous nutty flavours. And to top it off its retail price is R42.50 per bottle for 6. So if you need to pair your Turkey with something just as flavoursome this is one of our favourite Good Value Reds under R60.

Pairing suggestions: Turkey a la Christmas Day

Cheers to good value wines! Without them… our pockets would be full

The Cybercellar Team xx
www.cybercellar.com

Sorry about my absence last week … must have been a delayed reaction to the Boks not getting through in the World Cup that forced me off work for a couple of days .

Now, a few weeks ago, we were so honoured to have Morne Vrey here to chat about Sauvignon Blanc in our Tasting Room with Cathy Marston.

Morne is the winemaker at Delaire Graff Estate in Stellenbosch, and in yesterday’s announcement of the top 20 wines in the finals of the FNB Top Sauvignons competition, Morne not only made it to the finals with one wine, but two! And Delaire is the only estate with two wines in the finals … both the 2010 and the 2011 Coastal Cuvee Sauvignon Blancs are up with a chance … good luck Morne … we wish you all the best for the finals!!

Delaire Coastal Cuvee Sauvignon Blanc 2010 from R98.00, rich tropical fruit flavours, complex and spicy                                                                                                                 R105.50 p/bottle for 6 R98.00 p/bottle for 12 - BUY NOW

Or, for those of you who prefer a more minerally grassy Sauvignon Blanc, try the Delaire Sauvignon Blanc 2010 from R83.50. Green figs and cut grass, with a crisp finish   R90.00 p/bottle for 6 or  R83.50 p/bottle for 12 - BUY NOW 

But Morne isn’t just a great Sauvignon Blanc man, he makes an entire portfolio of super wines, including a 4.5 star Chardonnay, wild honey, cashew nuts, melons  R111.00 p/bottle for 6 or R103.50 p/bottle for 12 – BUY NOW 

Or what about an excellent juicy approachable spicy 4.5 star Delaire Shiraz from only R80 R85.50 p/bottle for 6 or R80.00 p/bottle for 12 – BUY NOW

You know, with so many delicious wines and fabulous winemakers to talk about within a year, it’s tough getting round everyone who deserves a mention, so it’s quite unusual for me to talk about the same guy twice within a few months.

However, there are always exceptions to every rule!

Morne was here as our Guest Winemaker for our Sauvignon Blanc showcase, and we’re very pleased to announce that next week, Bruwer Raats will be taking us through Chenin Blanc with Cathy Marston … we featured Bruwer a short while back, so if any of you want to meet the man in person, he’ll be here at Taste South Africa on Thursday 03rd November @ 18h00 with Cathy … can’t wait! – BOOK NOW

Well, talking of getting sick …

ACCORDING TO THE COMPUTER, I NEED TO BACK UP YOUR KIDNEYS,DEFRAGMENT YOUR LIVER, AND REBOOT YOUR HEART

Oh, and don’t forget that we’re part of the Franschhoek Classic Music Festival this weekend with our afternoon Food, Music and Wine Tasting Experience at 15h00 on Saturday 29th October with Stanislav Angelov. – BOOK NOW

See you sometime soon, I hope!

Cheers …

Fi

info@cybercellar.com

www.cybercellar.com
+27 21 876 2649

1. After a steep and grueling 2.2km hike up Lions Head, the very top boasts  a number of look out points that’ll pair perfectly with the soothing sounds of glug, glug, glug. Ideally you don’t want something too alcoholic as  there’s still the hike down, but Boer and Brit’s wines, Bobs you’re uncle is a compact 500ml Chenin, perfect for the occasion.
2. There are a number of gorgeous tasting rooms scattered throughout Constantia valley. Most of the wine farms in Constantia date back to  the 1600’s however, with the regions generous viticulture conditions some new wine farms have cropped up making Constantia the most historical and delicious tasting excursion yet.
3. Gather up some friends, pop open a bottle of wine and host your own www.santashoebox.co.za event. Remember next week is the final week so round up the troops put the bolognaise on the stove and make a difference.

Where to Dine

1. Kirstenbosch + picnic blanket + picnic basket =  where to dine with the most spectacular view
2. http://www.eatout.co.za/ always provides a variety of fabulous restaurant reviews in the Cape and surrounds. Some of which still have specials on and others which you simply can’t miss. Our Local favourite next door neighbor, the Salmon Bar at the Yard is highly recommended and serves salmon and trout from Norway, Scotland, Lesotho and Franschhoek. Plus our Tasting room is literally a stone throw away, pop in for a taste.
3. I’ve never been but I’ve heard fabulous reviews on township cooking, Malebo’s Bed and Breakfast in Keylitscha is one of them. The Xhosa are known for their cooking and their home brewed ginger beer.

Any other favourites?