My Wine Cellar
My Wine Word of the Week: Redox
Redox – A term describing the reductive-oxidative manner in which wine ages. As one element gains oxygen and becomes oxidized, another element loses oxygen becoming reduced. Early in the lifetime of a wine, it exhibits oxidative aromas and characters due to the recent influence and exposure of oxygen during barrel aging and/or the bottling process. [...] 9/6/2010 3:00:24 PM

My Wine Cellar
Who Els?
Ok, the title is a bit cliché but I just couldn’t think of anything Els Jokes aside. To those of you are who are not familiar with international golfing figures, allow me to introduce you to Ernie Els, perhaps South Africa’s greatest golfing export.What does Ernie have to do with wine you might [...][....]
8/30/2010 3:00:14 PM

My Wine Cellar
Dorp Street MCC and Champagne Festival
In keeping with last weeks Champagne theme, here’s your invitation to the inaugural Dorp Street MCC and Champagne Festival!In 1971 South Africa’s premier wine producing region, Stellenbosch, released the country’s first wine modeled on the famous sparkling wines of the Champagne region in France. 39 years later, we have the privilege of announcing the arrival [...] 8/23/2010 3:00:59 PM

My Wine Cellar
Oldest Bottle of Bubbly Discovered!
Said to be the oldest drinkable Champagne in the world, about 30 bottles of Veuve Clicquot were brought up by divers from an 18th century shipwreck off Åland, an autonomous Baltic island between Sweden and Finland. The Champagne is said to date back to between 1772 and 1788.The divers wasted no time and cracked open [...] 8/16/2010 3:00:28 PM

My Wine Cellar
Cork Just Got Sexy
Recycled cork has never been this sexy. A Portuguese designer has created a line of sexy lingerie made from nothing but cork, and specially designed for use in strip-tease occasions. That’s right, that cork you popped last Christmas has now found its way into the underwear draws of the Eco-conscious eager to strip. The aim [...] 8/9/2010 3:00:44 PM

My Wine Cellar
China Thirsty for More
China continues to show impressive growth in wine production, and is fast becoming the next wine ’super power’. Wine consumption grew by 5% in China back in 2006, and 4 years on consumption continues to grow. While regions such as France, Spain and Turkey experience shrinkage of their respective vineyard areas, China has increased by [...] 8/2/2010 3:00:55 PM

My Wine Cellar
Explore the Cape Winelands… On Your PC!
With the introduction of ‘Google Streetview’, you are now able to visually explore the Cape Winelands on your PC. I’m certainly not suggesting that this replace the real experience of  the Winelands, however this technology can be great for ’sneak-previews’ and travel planning.Click here to see the street view of the road to Delheim Estate, [...] 7/26/2010 3:00:50 PM

My Wine Cellar
Winemaker Focus: Stellekaya
Courtesy of BKWine TV, below is a brief interview with the Winemaker of Stellekaya, based in Stellenbosch.  Ntsiki Biyela has been making quality wines at Stellenkaya since 2004, and describes how she became involved in winemaking.From My Wine Cellar we wish her all the best in her young winemaking career, and we look forward to [...] 7/12/2010 3:00:38 PM

My Wine Cellar
Midsummer Madness
Sweden’s infamous ‘Midsummer’ season is upon us. It might be the middle of winter down in South Africa, but up here in the Nordics it’s time to take time off and relax in the warm summer sun. The midsummer weekend is particularly popular, and the trip to my local Systembolaget after work was near chaotic.It’s [...] 7/5/2010 3:00:53 PM

My Wine Cellar
Braai Time with WOSA
The European summer is here, and what better way the celebrate the 2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa by having a truly South African braai accompanied by South African wines.It was a pleasure to attend the Wines of South Africa (WOSA) event, held at Cliff Barnes restaurant in central Stockholm. The braai was [...] 6/28/2010 3:00:05 PM

My Wine Cellar
Wine Scores at 2010 FIFA world Cup
It’s 10 days after the official opening of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and the tournament is well on its way in South Africa. About 3 million match tickets have been sold, and an estimated 200 000 international visitors are expected to attend the month-long event.If every visitor were to buy just one [...][....]
6/21/2010 3:00:17 PM

My Wine Cellar
My Wine Cellar… Now Open!
To all subscribers of My Wine Cellar, here’s a short message to say that my wine cellar is now officially open. Within the cool basement of a pristine beach house, in the nearby vicinity of the Swartland wine district, lies my wine cellar. For more information on how to visit ‘the White House’ and fulfil [...] 6/14/2010 3:00:31 PM

My Wine Cellar
Guess the Wine Farm – No. 5
Finally, it’s what you’ve all been waiting for, the next edition of Guess the Wine Farm! This Stellenbosch wine estate dates back to 1705, where grapes were first produced by Dutch settlers. Oh, and they produce one of my favorite Gewürztraminer’s. So, can you guess the wine farm pictured below?Cheers!Brandon Marc 6/7/2010 3:00:22 PM

My Wine Cellar
Robertson Wacky Wine Festival
This weekend marks the 7th Anniversary of the Robertson Wacky Wine Festival, South Africa’s largest annual wine festival. The festival extends over a weekend and offers a vast variety of attractions. With 50 local wineries showcasing their wines, the festival offers an effective way to experience the Robertson Wine Valley in a single weekend! Dates: [...] 5/31/2010 3:00:42 PM

My Wine Cellar
Sweden Big on Bag-in-Box
Over the years South Africa as a supplier of wine to Sweden has grown tremendously, and in recent times has become Sweden’s leading supplier. You might be surprised to know that 60% of all wine sold in Sweden is sold in Bag-in-Box (BiB) and other non-bottle format containers. This is part of the [...][....]
5/24/2010 3:00:07 PM

My Wine Cellar
South Africa Over-takes the French!
According to the latest sales figures, South African wine imports in the UK market have overtaken that of French wine imports. SA wine imports in the UK have seen a 20% increase compared to 2009 figures, resulting in a total import volume of 12.27 million cases. The French, however, have suffered a loss of 12%, [...] 5/17/2010 3:00:30 PM

My Wine Cellar
Red Red Resveratrol
It’s well established by now that red wine consumed in moderation has certain health benefits, and if you’re not yet convinced then check out my earlier post entitled Wine: Healthy Habit or Deadly Dose?.The powerful antioxidant Resveratrol contained in red wine has been linked to health benefits such as weight gain prevention, anti-aging and the [...] 5/10/2010 3:00:30 PM

My Wine Cellar
Think Wine this Mothers Day
Chocolates? No thanks. Bath salts? Boring. It shouldn’t be overlooked that sometimes a thoughtful bottle of wine is everything a mother could wish for on Mothers Day.So be original this Mothers Day, surprise her with a bottle of the good stuff. Simply visit the My Wine Cellar online wine store, select your wine and have [...] 5/3/2010 3:00:00 PM

My Wine Cellar
The Lighter Side of Wine
Ignoring the fact that this video is intended to market STA Travel, I found it quite refreshing. This short video clip shows the often more realistic lighter side of wine tasting in South Africa, that is often forgotten. Remember, wine should not only be drank, it should be enjoyed Cheers![....]
4/26/2010 3:00:41 PM

My Wine Cellar
Steenberg: A Taste of Terrior
It was the day before I had to fly back to Sweden, but there was time for one last wine tasting… there’s always time Since the release of Steenberg’s Magna Carta it has created much hype and media attention, mainly due to its relatively high price point of 364 ZAR per bottle. In South [...][....]
4/19/2010 3:00:40 PM

My Wine Cellar
My Wine Cellar Poll Results!
Results from a My Wine Cellar poll from October 2009 suggest that the 5 star rating system is most preferred by the general public… at least according to readers of My Wine Cellar To see detailed results just follow the link below:www.brandonmarc.com/the-wine-rating-debateThank you for your participation, and remember to look out for the next [...] 4/12/2010 3:00:48 PM

My Wine Cellar
The Price of Wine
Have you ever wondered when you buy a bottle of wine for say 100 ZAR, as opposed to a bottle of wine for 50 ZAR, exactly why the one is 100% more expensive than the other? They’re both bottles containing 750ml’s of what is essentially fermented grape juice, so how can prices differ so much?It’s [...][....]
4/5/2010 3:00:34 PM

My Wine Cellar
Buy Wine with My Wine Cellar
Do you want to buy South African wines online? Simply visit the My Wine Cellar online wine store, and have wines of your choice delivered to your door!To start browsing fine South African wines at your leisure, just click the link below:http://www.brandonmarc.com/buy-south-african-wine-onlineCheers!Brandon Marc 3/29/2010 3:00:22 PM

My Wine Cellar
Surprising Semillon
It’s hard to believe that in the early 19th century, Semillon accounted for no less than 93% of all Cape vineyards. This compared to the present, where Semillon represents about 1% of South African vineyards.Despite Semillon’s marginal status within the Cape wine producing area, Sir Lambert Winery has made history by producing the first ever [...] 3/22/2010 3:00:31 PM

My Wine Cellar
Surprising Semillon
It’s hard to believe that in the early 19th century, Semillon accounted for no less than 93% of all Cape vineyards. This compared to the present, where Semillon represents about 1% of South African vineyards.Despite Semillon’s marginal status within the Cape wine producing area, Sir Lambert Winery has made history by producing the first ever [...] 3/22/2010 2:00:31 PM

My Wine Cellar
Wellington Wine Harvest Festival
The first time I attended the annual Wellington Wine Harvest Festival was back in 2006. For me the festival was a valuable opportunity to become better acquainted with the Wellington Ward, and indeed the world-class wines produced in the region. For those who wish to become more familiar with Wellington wines, while spending time with [...] 3/15/2010 3:00:17 PM

My Wine Cellar
Wellington Wine Harvest Festival
The first time I attended the annual Wellington Wine Harvest Festival was back in 2006. For me the festival was a valuable opportunity to become better acquainted with the Wellington Ward, and indeed the world-class wines produced in the region. For those who wish to become more familiar with Wellington wines, while spending time with [...] 3/15/2010 2:00:17 PM

My Wine Cellar
Wine Course for Beginners
The Cape Wine Academy presents an introductory course into the wines of South Africa. This course will afford participants with an advanced appreciation and broader understanding of South African Wines. Date: 17th March 2010 – 15th April 2010Time: 18h30 – 20h30Location: Michelangelo Hotel Sandton, JohannesburgCost: 995 ZAR For more information, contact Aidan/Busi on (0) [...] 3/8/2010 3:00:25 PM

My Wine Cellar
Wine Course for Beginners
The Cape Wine Academy presents an introductory course into the wines of South Africa. This course will afford participants with an advanced appreciation and broader understanding of South African Wines. Date: 17th March 2010 – 15th April 2010Time: 18h30 – 20h30Location: Michelangelo Hotel Sandton, JohannesburgCost: 995 ZAR For more information, contact Aidan/Busi on (0) [...] 3/8/2010 2:00:25 PM

My Wine Cellar
Harvest Time!
It’s that time of year in the Cape Winelands when ripened grapes are harvested, the beginning of wine making process. In this video clip below, Chris Bryant of Fairview Wine Estate introduces us to one of their premier Viognier blocks currently being harvested.Cheers!Brandon Marc[....]
3/1/2010 3:00:52 PM

My Wine Cellar
Harvest Time!
It’s that time of year in the Cape Winelands when ripened grapes are harvested, the beginning of wine making process. In this video clip below, Chris Bryant of Fairview Wine Estate introduces us to one of their premier Viognier blocks currently being harvested.Cheers!Brandon Marc[....]
3/1/2010 2:00:52 PM

My Wine Cellar
Size Does Matter
You might already be familiar with the names given to different bottle sizes such as the 1,5 litre Magnum or the 3 litre Jeroboam perhaps… but did you know that there are officially 24 different bottle sizes?!Mostly named after Biblical Kings, check out the list bellow of all 24 bottle sizes and their respective names:Name    [...] 2/22/2010 3:00:45 PM

My Wine Cellar
Size Does Matter
You might already be familiar with the names given to different bottle sizes such as the 1,5 litre Magnum or the 3 litre Jeroboam perhaps… but did you know that there are officially 24 different bottle sizes?!Mostly named after Biblical Kings, check out the list bellow of all 24 bottle sizes and their respective names:Name    [...] 2/22/2010 2:00:45 PM

My Wine Cellar
Valentine Wine
Sure, Valentines Day has come and gone. For some February 14th is a romantic day spent with someone special, for others just another day in the calendar. Either way there’s money to be made.‘From Valentine’s getaways to Valentine wines, it’s all made possible and comes with heart-shaped chocolates and a big red bow.’ It’s not [...] 2/15/2010 3:00:53 PM

My Wine Cellar
Valentine Wine
Sure, Valentines Day has come and gone. For some February 14th is a romantic day spent with someone special, for others just another day in the calendar. Either way there’s money to be made.‘From Valentine’s getaways to Valentine wines, it’s all made possible and comes with heart-shaped chocolates and a big red bow.’ It’s not [...] 2/15/2010 2:00:53 PM

My Wine Cellar
One Day in Darling
It was 40°C in the shade that day as we drove away from South Africa’s west coast, inland deep into the Swartland wine district. Besides my obvious thirst, I was eager with anticipation for a wine tasting that would no doubt ensue.Our destination was Cloof, a wine estate offering not only decent wines, but good [...] 2/8/2010 3:00:43 PM

My Wine Cellar
One Day in Darling
It was 40°C in the shade that day as we drove away from South Africa’s west coast, inland deep into the Swartland wine district. Besides my obvious thirst, I was eager with anticipation for a wine tasting that would no doubt ensue.Our destination was Cloof, a wine estate offering not only decent wines, but good [...] 2/8/2010 2:00:43 PM

My Wine Cellar
How Do YOU Rate Wine?
Here’s a quick reminder to take part in the My Wine Cellar poll, investigating public perception of common wine rating systems used in categorising wine.To have your say, and cast your own vote click the link below:http://www.brandonmarc.com/the-wine-rating-debateCheers!Brandon Marc[....]
2/1/2010 3:00:20 PM

My Wine Cellar
How Do YOU Rate Wine?
Here’s a quick reminder to take part in the My Wine Cellar poll, investigating public perception of common wine rating systems used in categorising wine.To have your say, and cast your own vote click the link below:http://www.brandonmarc.com/the-wine-rating-debateCheers!Brandon Marc[....]
2/1/2010 2:00:20 PM

My Wine Cellar
Pendock for the People
In preparation of the 2010 edition of ‘The Peoples Guide’, Neil Pendock and colleagues taste over 600 red wines for possible inclusion in the anticipated guide. See the video below, and listen as Neil describes the motivation behind the unique wine guide…Cheers!Brandon Marc[....]
1/25/2010 3:00:02 PM