I’ve never bought a dud bottle from Shirley in Vino Pronto, beside the Caltex garage, on Orange St. Gardens.
She has such a refreshing way of looking at wine, and her one sentence tasting notes are brilliant and to the point.
Here’s a small collection she has recommended for Christmas. Check them out.
SPECIAL OFFER FOR SPILL READERS!! [...]
Tops at Spar are the number one liquor retailer in South Africa. Not a lot of people know that and are genuinely surprised when they find out.
People who visit their outlets are attracted by the well laid out, well lit, well merchandised stores. They have a great selection of everything you might want, from premium [...]
Usana Pinot Gris 2011 @ R65.00
One of only a handful of single-varietal bottlings locally, this is the first vintage from Usana in Stellenbosch. With notes of pear, quince and dried apple and a moderate 12.5% alc it is a sure bet to get you into the summer mood.
Barton Chenin Blanc 2011 @ R58.00
Barton supports the [...]
David White was the guest speaker at the recent Nederburg Auction, and in his opening address he spoke about the increasing power of the word of mouth of ordinary people in deciding trends, fashions, recommendations and purchasing decisions in wine.
Think about it.
If Khanye in Pretoria, or Mary in Portsmouth, only spends an average of 30 seconds in [...]
The 100 Women 100 Wines event this weekend was an overwhelming success.
I’d like to say a big thank you to our sponsors, Tops at Spar, 1Time Airline, Cape Town Tourism, V&A Hotel and Destiny Magazine, who got the ball rolling.
A big thank you to all of the above.
We are delighted and excited to announce that [...]
Posted in Niblets., Wines of The Week 
Tags: 100 women 100 wines, african gender institute, anna trapido, cape town tourism, carla van der merwe, cathy marston, clare mack, dr.mark solms, erica liebenberg, etienne heyns, food 24, gillian mitchell, graham beck wines, lisa key african relish, liza clay, mariette du toit-hembold, media 24, neil pendock, pieter 'bubbles' ferreira, platter's, ross sleet, solms delta wines, university of cape town, v&a hotel 
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Shirley Griffiths of Vino Pronto does it again this month, with a wonderful selection of Cabernet Sauvignon’s.
If you like complex berries with cedar and mint notes to wash down the lamb chops, springbok, or just sip on its own then, here’s a selection of six beauties, tasted and approved by Shirley herself.
What more recommendation could you want!
Old [...]
80 Years old next year.
That’s the vintage of this fine South African brand.
Statesmen, Generals, Kings and a few Queens (I’m sure) have savoured it’s easy drinking style since it was first blended by the American medical doctor, Dr.W.C. Winshaw back in the 1930’s.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz, many a South African will nostalgically [...]
Given the high alcohol levels of wines in South Africa it’s a relief to see something coming on the market that won’t have you snoozing in the afternoon.
“But how can I snooze the afternoon away unless have a decent drink at lunch?” I hear some of you ask.
Flat Roof Manor Sauvignon Blanc comes in at 9% [...]
Made from grapes grown at 600m.
Therese de Beer, the winemaker, believes in so little intervention in the “grapes to bottle” process that she almost guiltily describes herself as a lazy winemaker.
I’ll tell you what she does have though; the woman’s touch. There’s a softness and elegance to this Cabernet that you’d swear a whoosh of Merlot [...]
I tasted this seductive blend last Friday at the launch of Reuben Riffel’s winter menu at the One and Only.
Maybe it was the food (earthy, elemental, flavoursome), or the weather (wet, cold, mean, miserable, damp) but this wine paired deliciously with the lamb shank, the gnocchi, the curry. In fact, it just paired with everything.
Giorgio [...]
The coffee mocha wave has left an impression on the South African palate. Consumers have shown that they appreciate new takes on familiar styles.
Now the toffee flavour has arrived.
Simonsvlei winemaker, Christine Jones, describes Toffee Chunk Syrah as innovative and new generation, a new entry into a new niche.
I can’t say I disagree, I’m certainly ready to try something [...]
What I like about Woolworths wines is that they do all the hard work in picking the wine for you. The selection may be smaller than you’d be used to, but it is, as they say, perfectly formed.
In short, it would be hard to leave Woolworths with an ill chosen or bad bottle.
The brain and palate [...]
Posted in Wines of The Week Tags: allan mullins, darling cellars 2008 shiraz, shiraz, woolworths 4 Comments read more »
These are the wines you should be drinking this autumn. 6 great value wines to accompany hearty autumnal food and keep out the chills over the next few weeks.
All available at Vino Pronto, Orange Street, Gardens.
Jean Daneel – JD 2010. A mix of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Colombard. From Napier, near Cape Agulhas. [...]
Fruit, delicate oak and vanilla. Imagine dried apricots with a hint of vanilla and honey.
Delicious with seafood, shellfish and mild curries.
R70 at the Cellar Door, R75 Retail.
Available in the coming weeks in Picardi Rebel, Makro, Ultra Liquors, and Tops at Spar.
This is one of the nicest Chenins I have tasted in many months.
Posted in Wines of The Week Tags: chenin blanc, ken forrester, makro, neil pendock, picardi rebel, tops at spar, ultra liquors No Comments » read more »
From the guys who brought you Hedonist, comes their latest wine creation.
It’s a 2008 blend of red wines.
First impressions is that the packaging and label is attractive, and screams “Look, a lot of thought went into everything about this wine, and it’s good, or at least we think so, and for R75 a bottle it’s [...]
Posted in Wines of The Week Tags: &union, david cope, eric botha, great value, hedonist, luvo ntezo, one and only cape town, reuben's, shiraz, simon wibberly, swartland, syrah, the foodie 4 Comments read more »
Shirley Griffiths of Vino Pronto in Gardens can sniff out a well priced wine from a distance.
She came up with a selection of wines that deliver on taste and enjoyment, and price.
Here is her selection.
I quaffed my way through all of them (a little glass from each bottle).
Sam Linsell, of Drizzle and Dip fame, helped a bit.
Conclusion; You [...]
Easy drinking, subtle, dry, creamy, hint of berries, not in your face – only 11.5%
Great lunchtime quaffer.
Unwooded, shiraz based.
Available at Vino Pronto on special offer. Normally R40, but they’ll sell you 3 for R35 each, or R38 for one.
Vino Pronto
42 Orange St, Gardens. 021 424 5587
Overhex is one of those producers you vaguely know about, know that you should know more, and are then surprised at what you find out when you do get to know them.
They export 12 million litres a year, and no surprise that they are making their brands known to South Africans as the Rand has become [...]
Posted in Wines of The Week Tags: balance chardonnay, chardonnay, overhex, shiraz, ultra liquors No Comments » read more »
Hartenberg Wine Estate will recommence their Tapas and Jazz evenings this Saturday, February 12th. These evenings will run every Saturday until the weather turns mean, which could be into March.
The event runs from 17:00 to 20:00 hrs.
You can enjoy fine Hartenberg wine with selections of Tapas plates that will cost from R35-80.
The music will be [...]
6 little stunners from Wine Concepts, all under R50.
Vansha, Cab Sauv/Merlot,comes in at R45 and has lots plum and hints of mint.
Will go down a treat with lamb.
The Nerina Rose, R49, is made from Shiraz, and has a bit more body than
the average rose. Try with a Nicoise Salad or seared beef salad.
The Tukulu Chenin Blanc, [...]
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