One of the great things about living abroad is that it opens up a while new world of wine enjoyment. Living in a wine-producing country such as South Africa, I drank almost exclusively South African wine. And why not: it’s generally of a very high standard, and drinking the imported stuff is hilariously expensive – so it’s a no-brainer. After a few months in the UK, I decided to get to the bottom of what all the fuss was about with Chablis, Rioja and Bordeaux and so I started exploring the wines of other countries. It has been an interesting learning curve and a very pleasurable way to develop a taste yardstick by which to measure and place your own country’s wines in the larger family tree of world wine. But what I find most interesting of all is that even after 10 years of drinking wines from regions all over the Old World, my palate still shows a distinct preference for the fruit and accessibility of New World wines.
Click here for a full portionA taste of Sweden – dinner at the Swedish ambassador’s residence
Isn’t it funny how some nights, you get ready for a party effortlessly: everything you put on looks good; your mascara goes on without a smudge; and you arrive on time and relaxed. Once at the party, the smooth sailing continues as you make witty small talk with interesting strangers; sip champagne and juggle […]
Click here for a full portionProsciutto & Parmesan-stuffed pork loin – and win a book in my barbecue event!
The braai. Aaah yes, that institution of South African social life, practised and beloved by all of us, whether abroad or at home. So revered, in fact, that South Africans even created a day to celebrate the braai. Officially, 24 September every year is Heritage Day, the day when we celebrate South Africa’s rich cultural heritage and […]
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Please, sir, may I have some more? Malmo, August 2012
Click here for a full portionVisiting the Vaucluse: La Maison de la Truffe et du Vin, Menerbes
If somebody were to ask me what driving in Provence is like I would answer as follows: Picture the rigid grid of Manhattan, near-completely flat and 99% in a neat grid pattern wuth dead-straight streets meeting each other at right-angled intersections. Now put all thoughts of that pattern out of your mind and think […]
Click here for a full portionSaturday Snapshots #208
London 2012 Olympic park wildflower meadows – August 2012
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