DROSTDY-HOF'S CLARET SELECT PAIRED WITH SARAH GRAHAM'S CHORIZO AND LEMON CHICKEN

DATE 17 DECEMBER 2015 ISSUED BY DKC (DE KOCK COMMUNICATIONS)

Food writer Sarah Graham’s Food Safari is currently flighting on M-NET on Sundays from18:00 to 19:00. Here the well-known foodie personality showcases interesting recipes that take inspiration from local hotspots across the continent.  South African wine favourite Drostdy-Hof has accompanied her on her journey.

It's not hard to understand what makes Sarah so popular.  Her recipes are straight-forward but produce spectacular results, like this simple but super-tasty chorizo and lemon chicken with cauliflower mash that she has partnered with Drostdy-Hof’s Claret Select.

This easy-drinking red blend offers a rich bouquet of complex berry flavours that suit the heartiness of the chicken and chorizo.

Chorizo and lemon chicken with cauliflower mash

Serves 4 | Preparation time 10 minutes | Cooking time 1 hour

INGREDIENTS:

For the chicken

8 chicken thighs, with skin

1 tsp thyme, dried

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 Tbsp butter

3 medium-sized red onions, cut roughly into sixths

200g chorizo, roughly chopped

1 lemon, halved

200ml Drostdy-Hof 2015 Sauvignon Blanc

2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley, for serving

For the cauliflower mash
1 medium head of cauliflower, roughly chopped
2 tsp olive oil
2 tsp butter
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

METHOD:

·         Pre-heat the oven to 180°C. Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper and thyme.

·         Heat an oven-proof pot on the stove, add the olive oil and butter and brown the chicken for approximately 3 minutes on each side. Remove and set aside.

·         Add the onions to the pot, fry for approximately 3 minutes while stirring often. Then add the chorizo and lemon halves and cook for 3 to 5 minutes.

·         Remove the pot from the stove and put the chicken back in the pot with the onion and chorizo. Pour in the Drostdy-Hof Sauvignon Blanc, put the lid on the pot and place in the oven for 30 minutes.

·         While the chicken is cooking, prepare the cauliflower. Boil the cauliflower in a separate pot until tender. Remove from the pot and drain well. Add the olive oil and butter and purée using a stick blender until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.

·         To serve, dish up a generous helping of cauliflower mash, top with the chicken and chorizo and sprinkle with fresh parsley.

Finally, enjoy a glass of the Claret Select with this hearty meal.

Visit www.drostdyhof.com/za for more on the brand. 

Follow Drostdy-Hof on Facebook (www.facebook.com/DHWines) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/DrostdyHofSA). 

Join the conversation using: #RealWineRealMoments

TSW Elim Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Trizanne Signature Wines is owned and made by Trizanne Barnard, one of South Africa's most dynamic woman winemaker.

I re-discovered the Elim Sauvignon Blanc and Swartland Syrah, following a tasting in Jenda Food & Wine, in Montecasino presented by David Clarke of Ex Animo Wines.

TSW Sauvignon is typical of the Elim ward, peppery profile with subtle grassy and passion fruit note, dusty, sandy note with substantial fruit concentration on texture considering the lightness of 2014  vintage Sauvignon, it seems the wine only getting into its stride when tasted in September, probably drinking better now and up to 2018+

MC 90 Points or 4 Star

NEDERBURG JOINS AFRICA'S PRO CYCLING TEAM

ISSUED BY DKC (DE KOCK COMMUNICATIONS)  FOR NEDERBURG WINES

DECEMBER 2015

Nederburg is accelerating its support for professional cycling, confirming a three-year sponsorship agreement as the exclusive premium wine partner of Team Dimension Data, beginning in January.

Earlier this year, the African team debuted in the Tour de France and took fifth place overall in the team classification. At the time, Nederburg extended its support to the team via renowned South African chef David Higgs, who was brought on board to take care of the squad's daily nutrition.

"David is an avid cyclist and wine enthusiast, who demonstrated that our products can be part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle. It was as a result of our successful collaboration with him that we took the decision to step up Nederburg's involvement with pro cycling," said Dè-Mari Kellerman, Nederburg's global general manager.

Now, having been granted its World Tour licence for the 2016 season by the International Cycling Union (UCI), the team will make its first appearance in the Santos Down Under race in Australia in January.

Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka, the name under which the squad will compete from 2016, will not only represent Africa in the Tour de France and 150 days of competitive cycling, but will also be riding for a cause, raising funds and awareness for the non-profit Qhubeka, World Bicycle Relief's programme in South Africa. The organisation mobilises for socio-economic progress by distributing bicycles to needy South Africans in exchange for work to improve the environment, community or academic results.  In this way lives are changed, increasing the distance and speed at which beneficiaries can travel.

To date, Qhubeka has distributed bikes to around 60 000 people in South Africa. In return for  work done by the specific beneficiaries to develop communities.  In 2015, the team through its #BicyclesChangeLives campaign, was able to raise funds for 5 000 bicycles. The majority of these were distributed to school children this year, with the balance to be distributed in 2016. Funding for some bicycles was raised during a Make It Count 24-hour ride-a-thon in late November.

Cycling has become one of the fastest-growing sports and attracts huge audiences through multiple viewing channels, reaching millions. In the UK alone, cycling attracts the biggest live attendance of any sport.

Douglas Ryder, team principal, said: "I am really excited to welcome Nederburg as a team partner to Team Dimension Data in the coming years. Its involvement in our team this year at the Tour de France was incredibly impactful and valuable. To have the support of South Africa’s most awarded wine brand is so fitting for South Africa’s first ever-registered World Tour team in cycling.  We look forward to celebrating many successes together with our partners, fans, media and event organisers."

To amplify the brand's involvement with cycling, Kellerman said Nederburg would be running a range of consumer activations globally to reflect the busy schedule of the cycle team.

Kellerman added: "By partnering with pro cycling, we hope to ignite the curiosity of wine lovers and biking enthusiasts, inviting them to experience the best of both worlds."

Nederburg is South Africa's most awarded wine brand and distributed in 70 countries worldwide.  The brand will soon unveil a new, curiosity-themed communications campaign as part of its new positioning that also includes revitalised packaging.

Visit www.nederburg.co.za for more on the brand.

Follow Nederburg on Facebook (www.facebook.com/nederburg), Twitter (www.twitter.com/nederburg) and Youtube (www.youtube.com/user/NederburgWine)
for the latest news, events and wine and food pairing ideas. 

Join the conversation using: #NederburgDiscover #BicyclesChangeLives

Fans can register at www.bicycleschangelives.org to donate.

Shiraz vines cuttings

In August 2014 whilst staying at the Grande Roche hotel in Paarl, judging the wine selections for South African Airways, one afternoon after the tasting I went for a run in the vineyards above my room adjacent to the conference center and there I found freshly prunes Shiraz / Syrah on the ground.

I gather enough cuttings which I brought back to Johannesburg, 46 in total and prepare them for planting last spring, by dipping the tip in rooting hormone as shown in the picture.

I was curious to see if any will root.

A year later, 7 survived the dry and cold Gauteng winter, budding late september and are growing well, will have a separate post on their progress.

Since it is well documented that phylloxera does not live at altitude of over a 1000's above sea level, Joburg averages 1300 ASL, will be interesting to see the fruit in 2018!

More to follow, who knows?

Christina van Loveren Sauvignon Blanc 2015

Christina van Loveren is the flagship / reserve range from  Van Loveren in Robertson.

Produced in limited quantities from fruits grown in the valley as well as sourced from prime vineyards.

This Western Cape Sauvignon Blanc is a prime example of multi regions blends, their best to date (2011 was 88+ MC Points).

An overt, powerful and fragrant style bursting with green guava, greengage, spicy lemon and grassy, green pepper note, a consumer favorite style and by far the best seller on wine lists, versus tropical style Sauvignon, which are pretty much travestite in profile!

Bracing freshness,peppery spices, fruit follows through in a juicy green lime juice and touch of salt, this is their best effort to date, seek it out.

Drink now until 2019+

MC 90 Points or 4 Star

Rijk's Touch of Oak Coastal Region Chenin Blanc 2014

Rijk's is one of South Africa's best Chenin Blanc producer, having consistent produced four excellent versions, namely their value for money Touch of Oak, Private Cellar, Reserve and the occasional  and world class Cape Wine Makers Guild, all four have their merits to be for their price points amongst the finest expression of Chenin Blanc in the world.

Touch of Oak 2014 is the finest to date, it shows the fine tuning and spinal precision started with the 2010 vintage, with salivating bright freshness, almost salty tang, delicately ripe apples, citrus and burst of green lime, racy, with lots of energy.

Lively texture with delicate concentration of fruit, subtle touch of spicy oak, chiselled freshness, moreish.

It is available by the glass at The Palazzo hotel in Montecasino.

Now until 2019+

MC 91 Points  or 4 Stars

Stellenrust Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Alcohol: high| 14 %abv

Origin: Stellenbosch

Ideal drinking occasions: anytime

Serve with: sugar beans soup and pan fried chicken livers and gizzard in soya sauce

Drink: now until 2017

MC 83 Points or 3.4 Star

Porcupine Ridge Coastal Region Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Porcupine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon is produced by Boekenhoutskloof in Franschhoek from widely sourced grapes, hence the Coastal Region Wine of Origin!

This 2014 is ripe with subtle characteristic of Cabernet, it is more red fruit driven than cassis or blackcurrant, juicy, medium bodied masking it's 14% abv very well.

On the lighter side compared to previous vintages, could do with more concentration and Cabernet grip!

Around R 49 retail.

Drink now until 2016+

MC  - 80 Points or 3 Star

Tsogo Sun celebrates World Champagne Day

Delighting in a glass, or two, of champagne on the 23^rd October 2015, is compulsory! World Champagne Day is the perfect ‘excuse’ for indulging in an evening of romance or celebration. The best news of all is you don’t have to rent a limousine en route to a fine French restaurant to impress your loved one – you can find all the ingredients of an evening to remember at the Southern Sun Hyde ParkSandton, who is joining the rest of the globe in the World Champagne Day celebrations.

Tsogo Sun Group Sommelier Miguel Chan pouring Louis Roederer Vintage Rose 2010

There is no other drink that captures the romance and joy of a single moment as when the seal of a bottle of authentic champagne is broken. The cork pops, the bubbles fizz and the wine bursts out of the bottle with passion. The importance of the bubbles which has romanced many champagne lovers for centuries should not be underestimated – in fact scientists proved that there are millions of bubbles per flute of bubbly and these delightful pockets of air contributes to the look, taste, aroma and mouth feel of champagne. So it is completely natural to experience sensory overload when taking a sip of your champagne.

Champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is Champagne. At Tsogo Sun you can enjoy the real thing from the historic province of Champagne, in the northeast of France, and you can tantalise your taste buds for a fraction of the normal cost associated with the finest French champagnes.

Miguel Chan presenting Veuve Clicquot Rich 

Tsogo Sun now offers the opportunity to enjoy the finest champagnes available at the best price value in South Africa.  Harnessing the Group's considerable purchasing power, Tsogo Sun has negotiated the very best prices you'll find for champagne at any hotel, restaurant or retail store in South Africa. Enjoy Dom Perignon, Veuve Cliquot or Moët & Chandon at various Tsogo Sun properties including the Southern Sun Hyde Park Sandton, 54 on Bath, Beverly Hills, InterContinental OR Tambo, InterContinentalJohannesburg Sandton Towers, the Palazzo, Sandton Sun and Suncoast Towers.

You'll also find your favourite champagne, including Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial starting at R680 and Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Yellow Label starting at R765, at selected Tsogo Sun hotels nationwide, including Southern Sun Hyde Park Sandton, Southern SunMontecasino, Southern Sun The Cullinan, Southern Sun Waterfront CapeTown,  Southern Sun Cape Sun, Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani, Southern Sun Gold Reef City, Southern Sun Emnotweni, Southern Sun Newlands, Southern Sun O.R. Tambo International Airport, Southern Sun Pietermaritzburg, Southern Sun Pretoria, Southern Sun Bloemfontein and SunSquare Montecasino.

Whether it is a specific celebration or just because you adore champagne – treat yourself to the only one true Champagne, from the beautiful region near Paris – now conveniently available at selected Tsogo Sun properties!

Tsogo Sun proudly encompasses over 90 hotels and 14 casinos and entertainment destinations in South Africa, Africa, the Seychelles and Abu Dhabi.

For more information visit tsogosun.com, follow on Twitter and Instagram @TsogoSun or Facebook /TsogoSun

Ends

About Tsogo Sun

Tsogo Sun is the leading hotels, gaming and entertainment company in South Africa, providing a variety of hospitality and exciting entertainment and leisure experiences. Combining an established heritage with a professional and energised approach, the group proudly encompasses 14 casinos and over 90 hotels in South Africa, Africa, the Seychelles and Abu Dhabi.

The company’s hospitality interests offer a wide distribution of hotels in Africa, providing world-class accommodation across all markets, including elegant, individually branded luxury hotels and well-known trusted market leaders in the premier through budget segments, including Southern Sun Hotels, Garden Court, SunSquare, StayEasy and SUN1 hotels.

The exciting urban and resort casino portfolio includes the most popular entertainment destinations, strategically located throughout South Africa. In the Gauteng province, Tsogo Sun owns the group’s flagship property, Montecasino in Fourways, which features, amongst other attractions, the award-winning Teatro; Gold Reef City Casino and Theme Park in Southern Johannesburg; and Silverstar Casino to the West in Krugersdorp. Additional properties are owned and operated in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, including the jewel on Durban’s Golden Mile, Suncoast Casino, Hotels and Entertainment.

Tsogo Sun Citizenship is the group’s corporate citizenship strategy which encompasses three areas of focus. This includes Corporate Social Investment, whereby the group promotes the development of learners through three academies which offer holistic, full-year programmes centred around sport, art and education; Entrepreneur Development which focuses on skills-based entrepreneurial development through its Tsogo Sun Book a Guesthouse and Supplier Development programmes; and Environmental Education, committed to initiatives that reduce the impact the business has on the environment.

Tsogo Sun (“TSH”) is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.  The key shareholders of Tsogo Sun are Hosken Consolidated Investments Limited (“HCI”), a JSE listed investment holding company.

Tsogo Sun Gaming supports the National Responsible Gambling Programme. Winners know when to stop.  Only persons over the age of 18 are permitted to gamble. National Problem Gambling counselling toll-free helpline: 0800 006 008 FREE.

For more information go to tsogosun.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @TsogoSun or like us on Facebook

Tsogo Sun biggest buyer at prestigious South African wine auctions for second consecutive year

Miguel Chan with Ravi Nadassen

For the second consecutive year Tsogo Sun has taken top honours for total wines purchased by a single bidder at the prestigious Nederburg and Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG) Auctions.

Tsogo Sun contributed 10.4% to total wine sales at the Nederburg Auction and their spend of over R2 million at the CWG Auction reflects an 18.35% contribution to sales.

The Tsogo Sun delegation (Miguel Chan, Tsogo Sun group sommelier; Georgio Meletiou, Western Cape regional sommelier; operation directors John van Rooyen and Ravi Nadasen; and Garry Reed, SouthernSun The Cullinan general manager) purchased a range of predominantly red wines at the Nederburg Auction with a significant spend of R496 000 for 1704 bottles of the Nederburg Private Bin R181 Merlot 2006. “Merlot is our best selling and most popular red varietal, and we have selected an exceptional and rare wine, made exclusively for the auction, to showcase on our wine lists at less than R 490 per bottle”, said Miguel Chan.

At the CWG Auction Tsogo Sun secured full exclusivity of the world class Saronsberg Die Erf Tulbagh Shiraz 2013 and the Paul Cluver Estate Auction Reserve Pinot Noir 2013 with their purchase of 180 bottles of each. 

Tsogo Sun guests can expect to experience the following wineries’ best wines on the “South Africa’s Finest Wines” page of the wine list by December: Ataraxia, Beyerskloof, Boplaas, Bouchard Finlayson, Cape Point Vineyards, Cederberg, De Grendel, De Trafford, De Wetshof, ErnieEls, Graham Beck, Groot Constantia, Hartenberg, Jordan, Kanonkop, KenForrester, Kleine Zalze, Le Riche, Louis Nel, Meerlust, Mullineux & LeeuFamily, Neil Ellis, Rijk’s, Stellenrust, Strydom Family, Tokara and Vriesenhof.

“Our overall selection this year is part of our long-term strategy and investment into a collection of the finest and most sought after South African wines”, said Chan.

Tsogo Sun’s purchases were led by the group’s strategy to set auction wine prices on their wine lists very competitively close to retail prices, to ensure they are accessible and appealing to a wide audience of wine lovers. “Our performance at both auctions is a strong reflection of Tsogo Sun’s ongoing commitment to the food and beverage component of our business. We have handpicked an outstanding selection of wines at the best possible prices to enhance the dining experience for our guests”, commented Ravi Nadasen.

To further enhance this dining experience, Tsogo Sun sommeliers offer guests a personalized service to select the right auction wine pairing for their meals. The group is also focused on training staff in their various properties and restaurants to offer this bespoke, knowledgeable service.

The auction wines will be available on the wine lists of selected Tsogo Sun hotels and destination restaurants nationwide. In Gauteng this includes Southern Sun Hyde Park Sandton, 54 on Bath, SandtonSun, Riffs at Garden Court Sandton City, InterContinental Sandton Towers, Intercontinental OR Tambo Airport, Southern Sun OR Tambo Airport, and at five Montecasino outlets, namely The Palazzo, Southern Sun Montecasino and Aarya atSunSquare Montecasino, along with two new restaurants, Jenda and Café Cru, and Gold Reef City. In the Western Cape, the wines will be available at SouthernSun The Cullinan, Southern Sun Waterfront and Southern Sun Cape Sun, and in Durban at the Beverly Hills, Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani and The Grill Jichana.

Tsogo Sun’s portfolio includes over 90 hotels and 14 casino and entertainment destinations throughout South Africa, Africa, the Seychelles and Abu Dhabi. For further information, visit tsogosun.com , like on Facebook /TsogoSun or follow on Twitter @TsogoSun

ENDS

ISSUED BY TSOGO SUN HOLDINGS. FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT:

Priya Naidoo  | General Manager- Group Communications | Tel: 011 510 7583 | Fax: 011 510 7231 |Cell: 084 440 0022

About Tsogo Sun

Tsogo Sun is the leading hotels, gaming and entertainment company in South Africa, providing a variety of hospitality and exciting entertainment and leisure experiences. Combining an established heritage with a professional and energised approach, the group proudly encompasses 14 casinos and over 90 hotels in South Africa, Africa, and the Seychelles.

The company’s hospitality interests offer a wide distribution of hotels in Africa, providing world-class accommodation across all markets, including elegant, individually branded luxury hotels and well-known trusted market leaders in the premier through budget segments, including Southern Sun Hotels, Garden Court, SunSquare, StayEasy and SUN1 hotels.

The exciting urban and resort casino portfolio includes the most popular entertainment destinations, strategically located throughout South Africa. In the Gauteng province, Tsogo Sun owns the group’s flagship property, Montecasino in Fourways, which features, amongst other attractions, the award-winning Teatro; Gold Reef City Casino and Theme Park in Southern Johannesburg; and Silverstar Casino to the West in Krugersdorp. Additional properties are owned and operated in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, including the jewel on Durban’s Golden Mile, Suncoast Casino, Hotels and Entertainment.

Tsogo Sun’s philosophy of sustainability has seen the group structuring its support of the communities in which it operates into three main pillars of investment. This includes Corporate Social Investment, whereby the group promotes the development of learners through three academies which offer holistic, full-year programmes centred around sport, art and education; Enterprise Development which focuses on skills-based entrepreneurial development through its Tsogo Sun Book a Guesthouse and Supplier Development programme; and Environmental Management, committed to initiatives that reduce the impact the business has on the environment.

Tsogo Sun (“TSH”) is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.  The key shareholders of Tsogo Sun are HoskenConsolidated Investments Limited (“HCI”), a JSE listed investment holding company.

Tsogo Sun Gaming supports the National Responsible Gambling Programme. Winners know when to stop.  Only persons over the age of 18 are permitted to gamble. National Problem Gambling counselling toll-free helpline: 0800 006 008.