Inspired Living Wine Blog

Welcome to Inspired Living SA, a top Wine Blog, based in Cape Town, South Africa. The Inspired Living South African Wine Blog brings you wine reviews, news on top wine tasting experiences, as well as tips for delicious Food and Wine Pairings.

Competitions, Out & About, Wine, Wine Farms

Stellenbosch Vineyards Pizza & Wine Festival

Feb 17, 2016

Stellenbosch Vineyards Pizza & Wine Festival

Summer time, delicious pizza and great wine – the perfect combination for a good time in the winelands. If this sounds good to you then Stellenbosch Vineyards Pizza & Wine Festival is a must-add to your calendar! You will be able to enjoy a selection of superb wines, paired with mouth-watering pizzas and live music.

Where & When

A first of its kind in the Stellenbosch winelands, the festival will take place on the picturesque Welmoed Farm, home of Stellenbosch Vineyards. The Stellenbosch Vineyards Pizza & Wine Festival, will take place on the 12th and 13 March. It promises to be fun-filled experience, with activities for the kids, a variety of pizzas and as I mentioned great local wine!

Gourmet to traditional, vegetarian to Banting and Flamenkuchen to Calzones – the unlimited choice of pizzas is the perfect culinary match to some of the Stellenbosch Vineyards wines on offer! Explore, taste and savour wines in the Stellenbosch Vineyards signature range. You will find the hand-crafted Welmoed heritage selection, the innovative Infusions range of wine-based refreshments, to name but a few. All enjoyed while relaxing on the lawn under the trees or in the stylish tasting room.

And wait there’s more! Take a break from the pizza and wine, and indulge in the oyster and bubbly bar, set under the thatched area in the middle of the Welmoed pond. Live entertainment completes what promises to be an unforgettable experience, and a must on your social calendar for 2016!

Tickets:

Tickets cost R120 per person, which includes entry, a tasting glass, tasting coupons and the live entertainment. Additional coupons can be purchased on the day. Book directly via Web Tickets.

Win Tickets & a Wine Hamper

What a perfect way to spend a day out in stunning Stellenbosch! Wine and Pizza, in a beautiful setting who could ask for more? Well there is more – two lucky readers can each stand the chance of winning a set of tickets to the Stellenbosch Vineyards Pizza & Wine Festival, as well as a wine hamper! The mixed wine hamper can include wines from: Stellenbosch Vineyards, Welmoed, Arniston Bay Infusions, Versus and Arniston Bay. (*Please note hampers need to be collected at the event)

To Enter:

Use the Rafflecopter form below to complete your entry.
Share on Facebook: Win Tickets for @StellenboschVineyards Pizza & Wine Festival plus a Wine Hamper from @InspiredLifeSA
Follow on Twitter:@StbVineyards & @inspired_lifeSA
Please ensure you read the *Terms & Conditions below carefully, to ensure you comply with all the entry criteria.
Social channels {please follow us if you do not already}: Stellenbosch Vineyards – Facebook and Inspired Living – Facebook

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Terms & Conditions:

By entering this competition you automatically accept all the Terms and Conditions laid out below.
Entries are open from 17th February 2016 until 2nd March the 2016.
You must complete all the steps as stipulated above on the Rafflecopter Form: Leave a Comment, Like and/or Share on Facebook or Instagram and/0r Tweet about the competition.
To ensure that your entry is 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.
This competition is only open to South African residents and to readers who have not won a competition on Inspired Living SA in the past 6 months.
*Please note:Wine hampers need to be collected at the event
Entries will be considered incomplete and thus disqualified if the entrant does not provide all requested information. Entry information will not be shared with any third party without the entrant’s prior knowledge and consent.
The prize will go to the first name selected at random after the closing date.
The prize is not transferable and may not be exchanged for cash.
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.

Wine, Wine Farms

Top Wines for Summer

Jan 27, 2016

Summer days in Cape Town, are perfect for sipping chilled wine and enjoying time with friends! After spending time overseas recently, I have a renewed appreciation for South African wine! Not only from a cost perspective but quality as well! It made me think, why not put together a list of my Top Wines for Summer. [Read more…]

Slider, Wine, Wine Farms

Bosman Family Vineyards – Bosman Release 2015

Nov 25, 2015

Grant and recently ventured off to Bosman Family Vineyards in Wellington, for the annual Bosman Release Celebration.

Bosman Family Vineyards

The Bosman Family Estate, situated in the shadow of the Limiet Mountains near Wellington, is steeped in history and tradition! The 8th generation Bosman Family Vineyards, is one of South Africa’s oldest and most established wineries. The estate produces exceptional quality, hand-crafted wines from specially selected vineyards, from their farms in Wellington, Hermon & Hermanus.

Bosman Family Vineyards are deeply committed to fusing the old with the new, as they combine long-established tradition with cutting-edge innovation.

A dedication to quality means that everything from the grafting of the vines, to the picking of the grapes is done by hand. The processes are slow and meticulous, requiring minimal intervention and ensuring that the quality of the fruit is prioritised at all times. They have also implemented social, economic and environmental practices that develop the community and promote sustainable farming.

In 2009, the Bosmans’ ethical and sustainable methods of producing and trading their wine, received official Fairtrade certification.

Bosman Release

Every year Bosman Family Vineyards, in Lelienfontein hosts the Bosman Release. It is an understated and relaxed country event, centred around the celebration of wine and wine making. It marks the annual release of new vintages, from their premium Fairtrade De Bos Handpicked Vineyards and signature Bosman Family Vineyards wines. Exclusive releases for Bosman Family Wine Club Members are launched on the day.

Upon arrival at the event we were welcomed with a delicious glass of crisp Sauvignon Blanc, perfect to get the taste buds firing! The setting could not have been better! Wooden tables were set up on the lush green lawn, under the shade of ancient oak trees. Live music ensured that the atmosphere was wonderfully festive!

The new vintage releases for 2015 included a Weisser Riesling, a Pinot Gris and for the first time ever in South Africa, a Nero D’Avola!

As well as tasting the wonderful new release wines, a festive food market ensured that guests did not go hungry! There was a variety of delicious food options, perfectly complimented by the estate wines.

One of my favourite white wines was the Bosman 2015 Semillon and I have to make special mention of the Bosman 2014 Adama Red Blend! The Adama is a lively blend of Shiraz, Mourvedre, Grenache Noir, Cinsaut, Primitivo and Viognier – I liked it so much I bought two bottles to take home!

After a bite of lunch we ventured off to enjoy a wine maker theatre sessions. It was an enlightening and informative session by winemaker Corlea Fourie, discovering more about the new release Pinot Gris. As well as doing a comparative tasting, from other estates.

The 250-year-old cellar was transformed into a tasting journey of the estates wines. We also witnessed a display of the fascinating process of vine grafting, a skill that has been practised at Lelienfontein, since 1888.

After our wine tasting journey, it was time for a few decadent sweet treats before we ventured of back to Cape Town.

What a truly magical day, tasting some of the best wines, eating delicious food, with great company! Thank you to Manley Communications for hosting us! I highly recommend you venture out to Bosman Family Vineyards and enjoy a bit of wine tasting. While you are there why not explore a bit more of the Wellington area!

Contact Details and Trading Hours:

Tasting Room: 063 052 5352, Office Tel: +27 21 873 3170, Office Fax: +27 21 873 2517, E-mail: [email protected]

Tasting Room:
Monday – Friday: 09h00 – 17h00
Saturdays: Tastings welcomed by appointment only.
Sundays: Closed

Out & About, Wine, Wine Farms

Season of Sauvignon Durbanville Wine Valley

Oct 20, 2015

Season of Sauvignon

This weekend Durbanville Wine Valley is hosting a Season of Sauvignon. The festival takes place on the 24th and 25th October. Season of Sauvignon celebrates spring, as well as a selection of amazing Sauvignon Blanc’s from the area.

Nestled in the Tygerberg Hills, a mere 20 minutes drive from Cape Town, lies the Durbanville Wine Valley. Perhaps not one of the most well known wine routes, the Durbanville Wine Valley, has become a force to be reckoned with in the wine industry! With hectares of flourishing vineyards, award winning wines and hospitable atmosphere, this wine route is fast becoming the Cape’s destination of choice.

The Durbanville Wine Valley consists of twelve wineries, each offering the finest in wines. Durbanville wine farms, also offer some of the best fine dining restaurants and intimate country kitchens in the region. Having only visited a handful of the participating farms, myself, I am really looking forward to exploring more of the valley!

Below you will find a list of the farms participating in the Season of Sauvignon, as well as more details on the their offering. Along with wine tasting, the farms will offer delicious food, ranging from spit braai to sushi, so there will be something to please every palate.

As well as delicious food and wine, you can enjoy a festive atmosphere, with live music and plenty of supervised entertainment for the kids! If you are keen on a bit of adventure, you can indulge in a Heli-hop between De Grendel, Durbanville Hills and Meerendal, with Base4 Aviation. {see contact details below to book}

The map below will help you plan your route and decide which farms you would like to visit first.

I hope to see you there! Please remember drink responsibly and DO NOT Drink & Drive!

Contact details: For a details and information on the Season of Sauvignon, as well as ticket sales visit www.durbanvillewine.co.za. Heli-hop between De Grendel, Durbanville Hills and Meerendal with Base4 Aviation contact tel 021 934-4405 or [email protected]

Lifestyle, Taste, Wine, Wine Farms

Babylonstoren Wine Tasting & Cellar Tour

Feb 18, 2015

I recently visited Babylonstoren; it was my first time! No judgement, please! When I mentioned to most people that I had never been before, they were completely dumbfounded. I knew I had to get there! [Read more…]

Entertaining, Featured Posts, Food, Wine

My Favourite Festive Tipple

Dec 15, 2011

I love pink bubbly and during the festive season my favourite festive tipple makes its appearance with regular frequency! You certainly will not hear me complaining about a glass of ice cold bubbly served with a delicious meal or just sipped while enjoying good company – who needs an excuse!

My Favourite Festive Tipple

I thought I would share my four favourite, South African, “pink” sparkling wines with you.

Methode Cap Classique denotes a South African sparkling wine made by the traditional Champagne method.

My all-time favourite is Graham Beck Brut Rose, which we always buy when visiting the Graham Beck Estate in Franschhoek. This fine silver pink blush is expertly crafted in the traditional Methode Cap Classique, combining Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, to create a bubbly that bursts with flavour on your tongue.

Second on my list is Villiera Tradition Brut Rose. Whilst being exceptionally easy drinking it combines the full flavour of Pinot Noir, with the elegance of Chardonnay and the uniqueness of Pinotage, which provides the colour.

This is closely followed by Le Grande Pavillon Brut Rosé. A variety of red cultivars and a small amount of Chardonnay grape are selected from Boschendal’s finest vineyards and combined in classical Methode Cap Classique, to create a wine with a pronounced fruit structure complemented by a seductive sparkle.

Last but certainly not least is the Simonsig Pinot Noir Brut Rosé Vintage. The iconic, Kaapse Vonkel, which turns 40 this year, has released the second vintage of the popular no-added-sulphur Limited Release Pinot Noir Brut Rosé 2010 – made exclusively for Woolworths. It is made with 100% Pinot Noir grape, and has the palest salmon tinge with an enticingly fruity nose. In my personal opinion it also has a faint flavour of whiskey on the palate – leading to a crisp, dry finish.

To quote a rather famous lady on the occasion of drinking champagne…

I drink it when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise, I never touch it—unless I’m thirsty. – Lilly Bollinger

Images: Top – Pinterest, Graham Beck Brut Rose Pinterest via House and Leisure