Lifestyle - Inspired Living SA

Events, Lifestyle, Out & About, Travel, Wine Farms

South African Wine Index Awards 2014

I recently attended the South African Wine Index Awards 2014, which acknowledges South African wine excellence. The South African Wine Index{SAWi} gala awards were held at the luxurious Grootbos Private Nature Reserve near Gansbaai.

Grootbos not only sponsored the event but also entered into a partnership with SAWi, to exclusively offer the complete range of the ‘SAWi Grand Wines Collection’ (wines scoring 93+ points through the unique SAWi Algorithm of Excellence) at this world renowned Reserve.

For those of you who are not familar with the SAWi wine judging Algorithm of Excellence (Arabic tenfold system), it is based on the combined results a wine has achieved over multi vintages, in any of 84 different multi-national wine competitions or reviews (each weighted according to the compilation of judging panels and the number of medals on offer).

Consistency in results, top 10 mentions and trophies won are also taken into account during these calculations. As such, a wine is not judged on one occasion only but its consistency is tracked over a period and built out to a 10 year quality window.

SAWi Platinum is the highest accolade that may be achieved by any single wine. A score of 95 or more, out of a possible 100, will secure this award. These wines are referred to as the ‘SAWI Ambassadors Club’ the top end of the ‘SAWi Grand Wines Collection’ which also include wines which received Grand Gold status for scoring 93 and 94. No score below this attracts any accolades, ensuring that SAWi decorations are aspirational and really the cream of the crop.

The day started off with a lovely lunch at the Forest Lodge, giving wine makers and invited guests the opportunity of socialising and getting to know one another.The rest of the afternoon was spent at leisure exploring the beauty of the reserve, indulging in the luxuries of the Grootbos Estate or watching a bit of rugby!

In the evening all the guests, producers and wine makers were treated to a tasting of the winning wines, before the presentation of the awards got under way. The event was a showcase of South African ‘Grand Wines’ – highlighting the value of the SAWi principles and methodology.

Constantia Glen took top honors on the night, receiving the SAWi Trophy for Wine Producer of the Year, with Justin van Wyk (Winemaker) and Ettiene Southey (Vineyard Manager) and his team acknowledged as top achievers for 2014.

De Morgenzon received the 2014 SAWi Trophy for White Wine Producer of the Year. The Trophy for the 2014 SAWi Red Wine Producer of the Year went to Kanonkop Estate, also from Stellenbosch.

The inaugural Trophy for Best South African Brandy Producer was awarded to KWV.

Chardonnay dominated, with 17 accolades, followed by Shiraz wines with 12, Sauvignon Blanc and Bordeaux Blends with 10 each, Pinotage 8, Pinot Noir 6 and Red Blends 5.

Hemel and Aarde Valley had 14 wine accolades, followed by Constantia with 10 and Tulbach with 7, whilst Elgin, Franshhoek, Paarl, Stellenbosch Kloof, Blaauwklippen and Idas Valley had 5 each. Wines from Stellenbosch West, , Blaauwklippen, Cederberg, Somerset West, Franshhoek and Durbanville made up the rest.

Once again, outlying wine pockets like Cederberg, Tulbach, and even Barrydale featured prominently.

Since the start of the SAWi Ratings four years ago, only 32 wines out of a total of 914 which were rated have scored 95+ points, with repeated good performances by the majority of these wines. This year another 13 wines were added to this category.

SAWi also welcomed a number of new wineries to its honors list in 2014, including Constantia Glen, De Morgenzon, De Grendel and Journeys End Vineyards.

What an amazing evening spent enjoying and celebrating some of the most accomplished wines offered in South Africa, in one of the most beautiful settings in the Cape!

AWARD HIGHLIGHTS
Top scoring wines
99 points – Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay, Saronsberg Cellar Full Circle, Rijks Private Cellar Pinotage and Kanonkop Estate Paul Sauer

98 points – Eagles’ Nest Shiraz and Stellenrust Wine Estate “48” Chenin Blanc

97 points – Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir, Diemersdal Wine Estate Pinotage Reserve, Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir, Spier Wines Creative Block 3 Rhone Blend and KWV The Mentors Shiraz and Raats Mvemve Raats de Compostella Bordeaux Blend.

Top Wine Producers
Constantia Glen
Kanonkop Estate
Groot Constantia
Bouchard Finlayson
Saronsberg
De Morgenzon
Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Rustenburg Wines
De Grendel
Cederberg Private Cellar
Joubert Tradouw
Cape Chamonix
Eagles Nest
Raats Family Wines

Images: Event ~ [email protected], Grootbos Villa ©FAR Photography

Disclosure Ranking: 4

Fitness, Lifestyle

My 100 Healthy Days with well I am

Today marks the beginning of my 100 healthy days with well I am! I must admit I am both excited and nervous about the journey that lies ahead!

For those who of you who do not know what well I am is – it is a lifestyle challenge, where you pledge to 100 healthy days, to transform your body, your habits and your life.

As a family we do follow a fairly healthy eating plan, which has been leaning towards a more banting approach. We also try to exercise a minimum of 3 time per week, which includes cardio and weight training. The thing you do begin to realise, though, is when you get to a certain age{no numbers mentioned}, maintaining fitness levels and weigh-loss is not as easy as it was in your 20’s! It becomes very much about being disciplined and having a well balanced lifestyle.

Although not officially, my family will also be joining me on my journey of 100 Healthy Days! I feel that this is a great way to encourage both healthy living and fitness, for the whole family and making it more of a lifestyle, than a diet or weight-loss program!

The beginning of the challenge could not be at a worse time for me, winter is when all I want to do is eat comfort food and to top it all, it is the start of the school holidays! I am however determined to make this challenge work for me and get my body summer ready!

I am not hugely over weight but I have at least 10kg which I need to lose and I would like to be able to run a half marathon by the end of the year! So there are no cheats, no shortcuts or half-measures – I simply need to put the work in to get the results.

The great thing about doing the 100 Healthy Days challenge, is that you have the support of well i am. They offer meal plans, exercise programs and inspiration for your journey!

The most uncomfortable part of the process leading up to the challenge, was taking the before photographs, you really feel quite vulnerable and exposed. It also forces you to acknowledge, that there is indeed work to be done! It is amazing how much you can hide under layers of clothing but that been said I am excited to get started and see the transformation!

You can still register for the challenge even though it starts today. I will be sharing my 100 Healthy Days journey with you both on the blog and on social media, using the hashtag #wia100healthydays. Please follow along and if you are doing the challenge as well please leave a comment below, so that I can follow your progress as well.

Disclosure Ranking: 2

Design & Decor, Lifestyle

WOOLWORTHS HOMEWARE SUMMER 2014

I recently attended the Woolworths Homeware Summer 2014 trends presentation, aptly named “The Season of Innovations”. With great new products that will not only look great in your home, but are created to be more sustainable, using materials, products and processes, which are more environmentally friendly. I thought I would share of my favourite items from the Woolworths summer range.

Woolworths have always been one of my favourite homeware stores and they did not disappoint, with their new season offerings.

As well as bold colours summer colours, they have created more neutral palettes, as well as more feminine, almost vintage stories.

anastasia flower vessel, joley flower vessel in-store mid August, jade flower vessel in-store mid June

One of my favourite innovations for summer are bowls and plates made from bamboo fibre. These products are practical for outdoor dining but still have an element of modern elegance.

Woolworths Homeware Summer 2014 Bamboo Range

In-store mid September

This eco-friendly fibre comes from a renewable source and is both food safe and dishwasher safe.

In-store beginning August

Staying with outdoor dining, Woolworths only stock 100% melamine tableware, which has been tested and retested, to ensure it is 100% non-toxic and food-safe.

Woolworths-Homeware-Pans Lotus Rock ceramic

In-store mid October

For the more serious chef their new black pan cooking set, coated with non-stick Lotus Rock ceramic, is stunning and definitely something I will be investing in! This new technology is free of toxic chemicals and is energy saving, durable and easy to clean.

Beach houses scatter in-store mid July

As I have mentioned before, one of the easiest ways to brighten up any room and give it an instant makeover, is by adding scatter cushions! Soft furnishing are a relatively in expensive way to give a room a fresh new look and you can swop them out at any stage if you tire of them.

Tropical summer flower embellished scatter in-store mid October

Woolies scatter cushions are made from natural and sustainable imported yarns or recycled felt.

Studio.w Ngwenya glasses In-store end June

Woolworths sources glassware from all over the world but are particularly proud of their glassware from NgwenyaGlass, which is located in neighbouring Swaziland. Ngwenya Glass has been supplying Woolworths for a number of years and the range was intially included in their Artisan ranges but this Summer the Ngwenya Glass will become part of the Studio.W range.

We have partnered with Ngwenya glass as not only do they create valuable jobs in our neighbouring Swaziland & produce quality glassware they also have the same sustainability values as us. Their glassware is made out of 100% recycled glass and their furnaces are powered with local recycled oil, in fact wherever possible throughout their factory they are using recycled materials.

My favourites, as far as linen and bedding goes, is the rather opulent W Collection range. You will find luxurious bed linen, with metallic embelishment and faux fur throws, beautiful glass vases and hurricane lamps – perfect for creating a romantic bedroom setting!

Bamboo/cotton duck egg throw in-store mid August, natural lux faux throw in-store mid July

I absolutely love the blue and white palette of the eastern style teapot and mugs below!

Mugs in-store mid June, Asian teapot in-store mid August

There is so much to look forward to for summer, with this amazing homeware collection from Woolworths! You’ll find these and other beautiful, innovative homeware at selected Woolworths stores from mid-August 2014.

Disclosure Ranking: 1

Book Reviews, Lifestyle, Reviews and Features

The Rain Book of Natural Soap Making

I recently attended the launch of The Rain Book of Natural Soap Making, at Casa Labia, in Muizenberg. I love Rain products, so I was naturally curious, to find out more about the process of natural soap making!

We were first given the opportunity to mingle and meet the other media representatives attending and a chance to soak up the splendor that is Casa Labia!

After enjoying some social time, we were then treated to a demonstration of how to make natural soap from scratch by Bev Missing, who is the author of The Rain Book of Natural Soap Making, as well as the brains behind Rain Africa.

I have used the melt and pour method in the past, to make soap for my girls school market day but the “proper” method is far more involved! Below you can see exactly what goes into making natural soap:

As it took Bev the better part of two years to perfect the art of natural soap making, I think that this craft is definitely not for the impatient person! From the detailed list of equipment you will require, most of which you probably have in your kitchen, to the to the raw materials needed, it is definitely something you need to be passionate about!

Rain Africa have also created a YouTube channel, where you can find step by step tutorials on natural soap making.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/Gl-lxx4iu8I[/youtube]

So if you would like to find out more about the history of Rain Africa and explore the process of natural soap making, then this book is definitely for you! You can purchase The Rain Book of Natural Soap making here the RRP is R220.

Disclosure Ranking:2

Competitions, Design & Decor, Lifestyle

Win Evolve Paint Hampers worth R1500

This competition is now closed ~ see the winners list to find out who won!

It always amazes me how simple it is to transform a room, with a simple coat of paint! I am actually in the process of doing a mini makeover on our guest loo, there is nothing wrong with the space structurally but it is in need of a bit of TLC. The walls are a neutral beige and although there is nothing wrong with neutral, it can be a bit boring! I feel like it is time to personalise the space!

Choosing a wall colour is such a personal thing and bold colours can transform a room completely. If you are afraid of being too bold, a great way to introduce colour, is to have an accent wall and paint one wall in a brighter or bolder colour! The options are endless and redecorating can be lots of fun!

If mellow and blissful colours appeal to your senses, then you will just love the cosy new hues in Evolve’s latest paint range, for autumn and winter. Specially selected to reflect the tranquillity of nature settling into a slower rhythm, the muted browns, cheeky green, musky pink and two warm additions in the range, hint at taking it easy and slowing down as the seasons change. Besides the two new sensational tints, Rambling Vine and Desert Flight, the Autumn/Winter range includes five additional popular colours, from the existing ranges.

All Evolve paint comes standard in translucent packaging. The guess work is removed when selecting colours – what you see is what you get. The full Evolve range has over 30 colours to choose from, so compiling a winning palette that is blissful from floor to ceiling, has never been easier. Evolve has a 10-year quality guarantee on its top coat; it’s lead and solvent free; Zero VOC; and made from 70% natural organic materials. It’s also water-based, low-odour and quick drying: kinder on you and the environment.

If DIY is your thing you will be super excited to know that I have two Evolve hampers, worth R1500, up for grabs. The hamper includes: A choice of *Evolve Paint (one of the two new colours), Ceiling Paint, Primer and Paint accessories. This is the perfect prize to “warm up” your winter.

To enter and Win Evolve Paint Hampers worth R1500 – please use the Rafflecopter form below and don’t forget to leave a comment telling us which room in your home you will be transforming! {Please ensure you read the *Terms & Conditions below carefully, to ensure you comply with all the entry criteria}

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Evolve is exclusive to Builders Express and Builders Warehouse stores. Visit the Evolve Paints Website for details on this ecological solution from Prominent Paints.

*Terms & Conditions:

Entries are open from 11th June 2014 until midnight on the 22nd June 2014, winners will be announced on the 24th June 2014.
Enter using the Rafflecopter form, as per the instructions above.
To ensure that your entry in processed correctly (please use a valid email address). Your details will only be used to validate your entry and inform you, if you are selected as a winner.
Prizes may not be exchanged for cash.
The hamper includes: A choice of *Evolve Paint Paint for a standard 3 x 4 room – winners to select a colour – (Rambling Vine or Desert Flight) of their choice from the autumn/winter range, Ceiling Paint, Primer and Paint accessories.
This competition is open to South African residents only.
By “Liking” you enter and agree that this promotion is in no way associated with, administered by, or endorsed by Facebook; and acknowledge a complete release of Facebook by your participation.

Disclosure Ranking: 2

*This competition is now closed ~ see the winners list to find out who won!*

This competition is now closed ~ see the winners list to find out who won!