 September is a most auspicious month: not only is it the start of the much awaited spring, complete with heaven-to-look-at and divine-to-smell narcissi, daffodils, freesias and poppies, but it’s also the month that the fabulously useful food directory, Eat In, hits the shelves (on 8 September to be precise). This 2009 issue is a winner if I say so myself!
 There are 770 listings of every worthwhile foodie outlet known to man. Make sure to take it along on your next road trip or Christmas holiday so you’ll always know where to find the freshest fish, creamiest cheese or crustiest ciabatta to indulge in while resting your stressed-out self.
It’s also been dubbed the ‘how to’ issue. It’s all very well making sure that your fridge and store cupboard is stocked with the ingredient du jour be it white anchovies, Spanish caper berries and fresh pomegranates, but other than serving them as part of a tapas spread, what the hell else can you use them for? Find out in Eat In 2009.
You can also find out how to choose a knife, carve a chicken Chinese-style and make utterly delicious risotto and gnocchi.
If, like me, you dream of buying a farm and running away to make free-range bacon, then you’ve got to read Leigh Robertson’s incredibly informative article on just how to go about getting out of town – how much land is enough, how to go about finding equipment, animals and everything else us urbanites find a bit daunting.
You’ll also find out who won in the Eat In RMB Private Bank SA Produce Awards – products and people to make you glow with proudly South African pride.
Here’s to all things local and lekker…
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Quaff Online
If you’ve been wanting to whet your wine-tasting skills, but haven’t been able to tear yourself away from the computer, you’re in luck. The University of Stellenbosch’s department of viticulture and oenology has teamed up with the specialist online training company, Getsmarter, and compiled SA’s first internet-based wine tasting course. The course has been so successful that it’s even sparked the interests of quaffers from as far afield as New York, London and Japan.
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Experience a moment – taste life
When was the last time you stopped, let time drift and enjoyed a simple moment with a loved one? Today's frantic go-getter pace makes finding that elusive ‘quality time’ all the more difficult. Dial-A-Picnic, a Cape Town based company, is offering people just that: some time to breathe. Dial-A-Picnic gives you a way to slow down, unplug and rediscover the simple pleasures of fresh air, nature's beauty and delicious food in the company of your loved ones.
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Industry invests in training of 2010 wine waiters
Wines of South Africa has launched a new premium red wine brand called Fundi. Inspired by the 2010 World Cup, the wine industry’s novel job creation and skills development initiative will see profits from all sales of Fundi wine going towards the training of 2010 wine stewards.
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Snackworx now trans fat free
Snackworx, manufacturer of Bakers, Pyotts, Baumanns and Willards snack products, recently announced that all of their biscuit, snack and chip ranges are now being produced free of trans fatty acids. The fats are now made without the use of the hydrogenation process.
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Mèthode Cap Classique
Established Helderberg wine estate, Eikendal, adds new lustre to South Africa’s line-up of methode cap classique wines made in the style of French Champagne, with the launch of their maiden MCC, Mon Desir 2005, an elegant débutante made from 100% chardonnay.
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Rickety Bridge wine awarded 4 stars
The Rickety Bridge Sauvignon Blanc 2007 was recently acclaimed when it attained a 4-star rating in Decanter’s New World Sauvignon Blanc Tasting.
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This is a divine spring salad and a little taster of things to come in the magazine.
Look out for Eat In from the 8th of September at selected delis and Woolworths and Pick ’n Pay stores.
White anchovy, baby fennel and orange salad
• 80g white anchovies (6/7 per serving)
• 3 baby fennel bulbs, finely sliced
• 80g (±3 cups) watercress
• 2 endives, separated into leaves
• 2 oranges, peeled and sliced
Dressing
• 100ml olive oil
• 1T (15ml) anchovy vinaigrette (the marinating liquid)
• generous tsp (7ml) grated orange peel
• generous tsp (7ml) fresh lemon juice
• white pepper
Serves 4
Method
1. Combine anchovies, fennel, watercress, endive and orange in a large bowl.
2. Whisk salad dressing ingredients together.
3. Toss dressing over salad and serve immediately.
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The Standard Bank Soweto Wine Festival
5 & 6 September
The Standard Bank Soweto Wine Festival is now considered the most popular lifestyle festival of its kind in Soweto and has one of the highest growth rates, setting trends that are representative of Soweto as a burgeoning suburb of Johannesburg.
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RMB WineX Cape Town
10 - 12 September
In early September, RMB WineX returns to Cape Town for its sixth consecutive year. Sponsored by Rand Merchant Bank and partnered by British Airways (operated by Comair Ltd) and BDFM’s The Weekender, RMB WineX offers wine lovers the opportunity to visit many of the Cape’s wine routes over the show’s three day duration. Visitors to RMB WineX Cape Town will be spoilt for choice.
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Season of Sauvignon 2008
13 - 14 September
Durbanville Wine Valley's annual Season of Sauvignon showcases the very best of country life, arts, food and live entertainment to honour the award-winning and world-renowned sauvignon blanc wines produced by Altydgedacht, Bloemendal, D’Aria, De Grendel, De Diemersdal, Durbanville Hills, Hillcrest, Meerendal and Nitida.
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Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction
18 - 25 September
Wine enthusiasts can look forward to an exciting line-up of events that include wine tastings and interactions with the crème de la crème of SA winemakers at the 23rd Nedbank CWG Auction. It will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Saturday 27 September 2008. The public events leading up to the auction include a sports day of boules and golf, an exclusive gala dinner and the informal final pre-auction tasting.
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Nederburg’s 34th Annual Wine Auction
19 - 20 September
Nederburg continues to maintain its indisputable title as South Africa’s most awarded winery, being judged the most successful producer at the recent 2008 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show. The winery scooped the trophy and a gold medal for the best unwooded sauvignon blanc on the show (a wine made exclusively for the Nederburg auction), a gold medal for a weisser riesling noble late harvest (another auction wine) and four silver medals, of which one was for an auction wine.
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Shiraz & Art Festival
20 September
Every year the Riebeek Valley celebrates its shiraz heritage by showcasing its shiraz and arts. This year will be no different as Riebeek Cellars puts on it first solo Riebeek Cellars Shiraz and Art Festival on Saturday 20 September 2008.
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Whiskey, Whales & Jazz Festival
20 - 28 September
Play in Plett this September. In celebration of National Tourism Month, Plettenberg Bay has extended its annual Whiskey, Whales and Jazz spectacular to a week-long festival from 20 to 28 September. The natural beauty of Bitou has attracted some of the top musicians in the country, representing an accessible yet cutting-edge musical fusion of jazz and world music with a uniquely South African flavour.
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Tulbagh Horse & Wild Flower Show
24 - 27 September
Apart from the national horse championships, the undisputed highlight of the show is the wild flower exhibition, where flowers are displayed as they would appear in their natural state. The entertainment ranges from exhibitions, arts, crafts, food stalls, as well as a wine and beer garden, so the whole family will have something to look forward to.
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