The ever popular Stellenbosch Wine Festival has taken a different format this year as festival goers will be visiting the farms. The wines from the company of winepeopleTM have arranged a lovely programme and activities for festival goers.

Bring the family and come and enjoy some of the best wines in one of the most beautiful parts of the county.

Arniston Bay, Kumkani, Versus and Welmoed will the wines that will be showcased at this great festival.

Here are some more details about what we’re planning for the Stellenbosch Wine Festival:

• - Kiddies corner: Face painting, jumping Castle, colouring in fun
• - Tickle your tummies: Spitbraai/ potjiekos. The Duck Pond restaurant will be open daily.
• - Free wine tasting!
• - Specials on selected wines daily
• - A complimentary cool de sac with every case of wine purchased, and other POS materials on sale.
• - Foosball fun
• - Massages for the ladies
• - A jazz band
• - A magician

For more info about the Stellenbosch Wine Festival please visit wineroute.co.za

World Cup organisers moved on Thursday to ensure Bloemfontein bars were stocked with enough booze as the city braced for an invasion of thousands of thirsty England and Germany fans.

George Mohlakoana, chief executive of the Mangaung Local Organising Committee, said up to 25 000 English fans and up to 10 000 German supporters were expected in the city for Sunday’s match.

“Normally, in terms of our own provincial laws, Sunday is considered a day when alcohol should not be sold from wholesalers. However, you can get alcohol from restaurants and pubs.” Organisers had communicated with pubs and restaurants to make them aware of the fact that the two sets of supporters come from beer and wine drinking  cultures and that they would need to stock adequate supplies.

One of South Africa’s most popular wines, Arniston Bay will also be available at some restaurants and retailers. For those following the game on the “Tele”, be sure to enjoy this great South African wine with this great South African World Cup.

Source: sport24.co.za

The songs and cheers of the England supporters were absolutely amazing as the English booked their place in the knock-out phases.

It was fantastic to experience the English supporters at last night’s game. It was also  great to see thousands of South Africans cheering for England and hopefully they can go all the way.

England midfielder Frank Lampard reserved special praise for the fans.

“They were fantastic, it was like playing at home. When they are like that they’re the best in the world.”

For the fans back in England, don’t forget that you can win a trip to South Africa in the Arniston Bay promotion.

For more info visit: arniston-bay.com

Source: sport24.co.za

England is playing Slovenia in a do-or die World Cup tie and all the eyes and hopes will be on the game in Port Elizabeth. I hope England will come out victorious as a number of Brits are here to support their team and experience our lovely country.

England and the English have a vast history with Port Elizabeth and I think the perfect recipe to match with this important match is an old Elizabethan recipe. Elizabethan food is fascinating for its range and breadth as “new foodstuffs” such as the tomato, potato and chives were being introduced from the New World in the late 16th century.

This Elizabethan recipe with its “New World” ingredients will also pair well with exceptional New World wine like the Arniston Bay Shiraz

The use of spices and fruit in savoury recipes during the Elizabethan era was very popular, especially with the upper classes and the Royal court. This is based on a genuine Elizabethan recipe, which have been adapted for modern day cooking.

Recipe: Spiced Elizabethan Pork and Fruit Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, peeled and sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
• 700 g boned pork leg, cubed
• 2 tablespoons plain flour
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• salt
• fresh ground black pepper
• 300 ml red wine
• 1 tablespoon british honey
• 75 g stoned dates, roughly chopped
• 2 large potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
• 2 teaspoons freshly chopped herbs (rosemary, parsley & thyme)

Directions:

Heat the oil and gently fry the onion and garlic for 10 minutes.

Toss the meat in the flour combined with the spices and seasoning and add to the onion.

Fry the meat, stirring occasionally until evenly browned.

Stir in the red wine with the honey and continue to cook over a medium heat, stirring for a further minute.

Add the dates and potato chunks and transfer to an ovenproof casserole dish.

Cover and cook for 2-2 1/2 hours or until the meat is thoroughly cooked.

Just before serving stir in the fresh herbs.

Source: recipezaar.com

Britain, along with just about every other living soul, has football fever, judging by the extent of media coverage on this World Cup. Arniston Bay wines is running a competition which allows you to enjoy your own South African thrill.

This competition is run by Fabulous magazine and lucky readers will win a six bottle case of Arniston Bay Chenin Blanc Chardonnay, a deliciously light and fruity wine characterised by the ripe fruit flavours of pineapple and melon.

Inspired by the clear blue skies and white sand of its namesake, Arniston Bay is a range of uncomplicated, easy-drinking wines for every occasion.

For more info visit newsoftheworld.co.uk

Arniston Bay is also offering you the chance to win a grand prize of a South African beach holiday! To enter, visit www.arniston-bay.com and answer the questions provided. This competition is open to UK residents only.

On Wednesday Bafana Bafana takes on Uruguay in a crucial World Cup match and to get into the global (World Cup) spirit I found this amazing Uruguayan recipe.   

Uruguay shares much of the Argentine tradition of meat and lots of it. Asados of lamb and beef are a staple, and a chivito is a popular steak sandwich

Recipe: Chivito al plato

A chivito al plato would usually have the following ingredients:

1cm thick steak, 2 or 3 slices of bacon, 1 egg, ham, mozzarella cheese, tomato, onion, lettuce, fried potatoes and/or potatoes with carrots and green beans salad, mayonaisse, and salt.

How to prepare a chivito al plato:

Fry the bacon and a few slices of onion. Then, in the same pan and with the bacon grease, cook the steak, adding a bit of salt when is half way done and then also adding the ham and mozzarella cheese on top of it. The mozzarella cheese should melt. Then fry the egg, use a clean pan if necessary.

Then cut the tomato in slices and start preparing the dish in the following way: Start by putting the steak with ham and mozzarella on the dish, then add the bacon, tomato, fried egg, and onion on top of it (the order can vary). Add some more tomato and the lettuce to a side along with the fries and potatoes salad. It can be done only with fries or only with tomatoes as well.

Sometimes chivitos al plato are more basic and only have meat, mozzarella, egg, ham and bacon.

Alternatively you make a chivito al pan which is more or less the same recipe but you put it on a hard bun and eat it like a sandwich

Recommended wine: The Arniston Bay Cabernet Shiraz will be the perfect match for this (soccer) match and dish.

Source: uruguayanfood.com

This weekend the Mexicans will take on South Africa in the opening game of the Soccer World Cup. I think it will be great to make something Mexican this weekend.

This recipe is so easy and delicious and your guests may even do a Mexican wave after this lovely meal

Recommended wine: To make it a South Africa and Mexican affair the Arniston Bay Pinotage will be the perfect South African representative.  

Recipe : Steak With Pepita Sauce and Warm Tortillas

Serves 4

Total Time: 20m

Ingredients

• - 700g skirt steak
• - salt and black pepper
• - 8 15cm flour tortillas
• - 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
• - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
• - 1/4 cup pepitas /  pumpkin seed
• - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

Directions

• Heat broiler. Season the steak with 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper and place on a rimmed broilerproof baking sheet. Broil to the desired doneness, 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Let rest at least 5 minutes before slicing.
• Warm the tortillas according to the package directions.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the onion, cilantro, pepitas, oil, lime juice, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Serve with the steak and tortillas.

Source: realsimple.com

Even though all women are affected with MCD – Manolo Compulsive Disorder – most don’t take things to Imelda Marcos extremes. But who’s to say that, with the resources, time and shelf space, they wouldn’t?

According to a UK study, British women possess £637 million (R8 billion) worth of high heels that they have never worn. ‘A woman’s predilection towards buying shoes is only occasionally a practical one,’ explains Sue Constable, a shoe heritage officer at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, which holds a collection of more than 12,000 pairs. And if you’ve ever dispatched half your pay cheque on a pair of yellow neon mules with vertiginous heels, you will know exactly what she means.

But don’t worry: ‘Buying shoes fulfils another need,’ continues Constable. ‘The need to escape, to fantasise; the Cinderella factor.’ In other words, it’s enough to feel that those heels could whisk you safely down a red carpet, even if they’re more likely to end up sitting in their box.

‘For every practical purchase there is an aspirational purchase, and that is enormously beneficial for mental health and well-being,’ says Cary Cooper, a professor of psychology and health at the University of Lancaster. So, before your partner throws up his smelly trainers in protest, let him in on the cure for your addiction – increased cupboard space.

Source: docstoc.com

And now that you stand the chance of winning a pair of designer shoes, you’ll have even more reason to enjoy Arniston Bay wines. Send us the reason why you’re head over heels for Arniston Bay wines (the wine bottle must also have a starring role in your entry), and we’ll add another pair of enviable shoes to your collection.

Enter online by clicking here

The competition closes on 31 July 2010. Terms and conditions apply. 

COMPETITION:

Show us why you’re head over heels for Arniston Bay wines

-      Please note: To be eligible to enter, a bottle of Arniston Bay wine must be visible in your entry, regardless of whether it’s a photograph, video, etc

COMPETITION PRIZES:

First prize: Win a pair of designer shoes (Jimmy Choos, of course!) Second prize: Win a shopping spree Third prize: Champagne hampers and salon treatments for you and 3 friends