The Persia to Paarl Festival in Paarl, near Cape Town, South Africa on Saturday 16th August 2008 is set to be a colourful and exciting occasion that you will definitely NOT want to miss – even if you are an avid South Africa rugby supporter or indeed, even if you are a New Zealand supporter!

The rugby will be shown on a big screen, so not a moment of the action is missed and you will still be able to enjoy the wonderful array of entertainment on show in Paarl.

Why Persia?  You may well ask.  The answer is in the Shiraz wines!  The name Shiraz takes its name from the town of Shiraz in Iran, formerly Persia.  The story goes that a Frenchman by the name of  Guy De’Sterimberg brought the grape back from the Crusades, settled in Southern France and created a vineyard on the slopes of the Rhone River valley.  He later became a hermit and this is why the wine is also known as Hermitage.

Sandra Lotz, Paarl Vintners CEO says “We annually celebrate the Shiraz cultivar because of the special affinity Shiraz vines have for the Paarl terroir, thus gracing wine drinkers with world class wines.” “This festival provides the perfect alternative to staying at home for fear of the cold!”

So what can you expect to see?  True to the images of life in ancient Persia, visitors will be able to experience the region’s exquisite wines and divine cuisine, Middle Eastern and local arts and crafts, and inspiring demonstrations in a setting of deep royal hues.  A Persian parade by Paarl Vintners members, belly dancers and live music will add to the festive atmosphere.

Street stalls selling all manner of goodies such as:-

• Olives
• Olive oil
• Cheese Tastings
• Silverware
• Jewellery
• Grape Seed Oil
• Turkish Delight
• Wine Tasting
• Chocolate Salami
• Shiraz jam
• Shiraz Chocolates
• Chocolate Salami

The Persian Parade, as well as children’s entertainment complete the line-up.  For full information and to book tickets, please go to Wine Country Paarl.

South Africa wine country is like no other! They have made an art form of displaying their wares to the market and taking a tour of the wine route is a definite MUST on your South Africa travel itinerary, even if you don’t like wine.

Why? Because there is something for everyone from amazing historical homesteads to patting a cheetah, breathtaking scenery to sampling olives. And these are just a few of the activities you can find out in the wonderful winelands of South Africa.

If you are particularly interested in wines, as I am, why not take a look at this blog, WineCountry? I have picked out this entry all about the Pinotage grape because like the author, I think the red pinotage is a greatly under rated wine, but then I am biased towards all things South African, especially their wines!

Can’t you just see yourself under those wide, blue, warm African skies chilled glass in hand soaking up the peace and tranquility? Go on I dare you – come and get your free personalised South Africa travel itinerary and add the wine route to your vacation plans …

South Africa travels with Castle Beer! It sums up their character. Just take a look at this ad and see what I mean. I agree with I Luv South Africa … about his country. See beyond the inadequacies of the government and go visit the people and the country. It truly is one of great beauty and warmth and deserves to have its time in the sun.

South African wines that sparkle and give fizz to life gets another glassful! Yesterday I promised to tell you all about our visit to Graham Beck wine estate on the outskirts of Franschhoek. After our visit to La Petite Ferme restaurant in Franschhoek we dropped in to taste the wines at Graham Beck.

Its impressive new tasting centre complete with imposing bronze cheetah sculptures which greet you on arrival, certainly doesn’t disappoint and nor do the wines.

Graham Beck is world renown for its sparkling wines, wines that in the opinion of Matthew Jukes of The Daily Mail, “Pieter Ferreira is the finest maker of fizz in SA. The stunning Blanc de Blancs puts Champagne to shame”. My particular favourite is the Brut Rose, 4 red stars in John Platter.

It’s a pity then to read stories such as this in SA Rocks! that South African’s tend to think that imported wines are superior to their own home-grown wines, which come in at hugely inflated prices and which, in my opinion, are not worth the extra bucks!

Come on South Africa! Support your country’s wonderful wines and make sure that your favourite restaurants stock a good range of your own exciting fizz. You can also buy them direct from eWine online, as you can Guardian Peak wines and the John Platter book.

eWine will ship world-wide and has a full range of information on the wine estates and regions. Make buying your wines simple!

Whilst on our recent visit to South Africa we needless to say visited their famed wine estates. It is a particular hobby of ours and one that can be indulged totally on the Cape Wine Route, which has many and varied wine estates, all wonderfully different and making it as difficult to choose which wine estate to visit as a child in a sweetie shop agonising over what sweets to purchase with their precious pennies!

Amongst our visits this time were a couple of estates that merit special mention, Graham Beck and Guardian Peak, which is part of the Ernie Els wine estates.

Ernie Els needs no introduction to those golfers amongst us who know him as one of the world’s top golfers who brings a quiet confidence to his game. His craftsmanship and talent in the game of golf have spilled over into one of his other passions in life – wine. Guardian Peak wine estate is testament to the man himself.

We discovered Guardian Peak because I had planned to find Hidden Valley, which sounded the perfect place to go for lunch! Always starting out with my stomach in mind, I plan our wine tours around the food element, then see what other estates are within a short distance for us to taste their wines.

Guardian Peak is not even listed on the John Platter maps! You will need to look under Ernie Els, which is a stones throw across the valley off the same road. We headed across country from Woodbridge Island in Table Bay north to the Stellenbosch outskirts on the R44 to Strand.

Taking the little route up into the mountains, we pass a number of other wine estates on our way up the valley.

Looking appealing in the bright summer sun and ever one for an adventure especially where wine is concerned, although we could find no information about it, we decide to stop and taste.

Perched on the slopes of the Helderberg mountain range, Guardian Peak’s views are breathtaking! A lovely terrace leans out into the surrounding countryside and becomes one with nature whilst you sip your wines, all the time being fanned by cooling mists of water from the overhead air conditioning. Meanwhile your wines are served by very knowledgable and friendly staff who ooze with the same quiet confidence that Ernie himself exudes and which is evident throughout his many business interests.

The wines are like the view – quite breathtaking! You will have to taste to understand. Let the flavours of South Africa seep through you whilst you soak up that view and feel complete relaxation flood your body as you immerse yourself in your surroundings.

Did we make it to Hidden Valley?

No – being holiday time it was full, but to be truthful we had already discovered a gem. Next visit to the South African wine route will include a booking for lunch and another tasting of those superb Guardian Peak wines.

So what about Graham Beck, I hear you say? I’ll reveal all tomorrow …

Our safari in South Africa has taken us from Port Elizabeth down to Knysna on the Garden Route for two days.  Definitely not long enough to explore this wonderful region, but enough to give the children a taste, so that we return to explore in more depth another time.

From Knysna we went back to Tsitsikamma Forest, which is north on the N2 and we drove through the forest down to Storms River.  We crossed over the Bloukrans Bridge, stopping to view the highest bungy jump in the world, at 216 meters.  Even watching someone else, a tiny dot beneath the road bridge launching themselves off the edge into the most spectacular gorge gave me goosebumps!

Having arrived at Storms River we received disappointing news that the suspension bridge across the mouth of the river was out of action due to fires which have brought rock falls along the boardwalk.  We were only able to do 500 meters of the boardwalk, but even this short distance was through the dense forest and worth our visit. 

Back in Knysna we had wanted to go on the Outeniqua Choo-Choo, a spectacular steam train ride to George across the lagoon, clinging to the coastline, crossing river mouths and mountains.  However, we were thwarted here too due to the incredible winter storms that the area has encountered.  Many parts of the track have subsided into water or suffered rock falls.  We sincerely hope that they will be able to restore the track soon, as Knysna without the wonderful sight of the Choo-Choo train chugging across the lagoon is to miss a great part of the fun!

The beaches in Knysna lived up to the memory though.  Turquoise blue water with white horses riding on the crest of the waves crashing onto bone white sand, whilst the sun shines down.  We didn’t see any dolphins this time, but they do regularly play-surf through the waves, and who can blame them.

Supper the first night was down at Paquita’s at Knysna Heads.  Great place to watch the sun go down, whilst you munch your way through the freshest of fish and sip the best of the Cape’s crisp white wine.

We have arrived!  Cape Town is as lovely as ever!  It’s like coming home and we are lucky enough to be able to call it our second home, but Cape Town has this magical effect on anyone who visits!

Table Mountain stands as resolute and protective as ever, standing guard over the harbour and bay with the sea sparkling in the warm early summer sun.

Here on the Lagoon we have already sighted Oyster Catchers, Spoonbills, Egrets, and the pretty Turns, who swoop and dive as one on the evening breeze.  The dipping and diving of the Cormorants entertain us all.

Tomorrow is the first time in 26 years that I have celebrated my birthday here in Cape Town, so we are off to Franschhoek to The Petite Ferme, a wine estate and superb restaurant, where we will dine at lunchtime, gazing down over the rolling hillside towards Franschhoek itself, across the vines all laid out to catch the sun.

Franschhoek is about 1 – 1 1/2 hours out of Cape Town.  Surrounded by towering mountains, the French Huguenots founded the town some 300 years ago, bringing with them their skills of wine making and grape growing.  Coupled with French culinary abilities, they created a unique culture that has survived and grown into the beautiful valley that is Franschhoek today.

The galleries and shops in the main street offer hours of interesting browsing and shopping from wine to nik naks, antiques to souvenirs.

Staying out in the winelands and in Franschhoek in particular, offers wonderful opportunities for a number of activities such as fishing the clear-running streams for Trout, taking a horse and carriage ride through the vineyards, picnics, dining al fresco under the stars and a 101 other things that make a holiday special!

I am going to record the spectacular scenery on my new camcorder and hope to be able to bring you in the New Year my efforts!

South African wine on the radio rocks! No I haven’t gone mad, I’ve found this amazing radio station that talks about wines. There is so much information about wines from around the world and they are going to be featuring South Africa in some of their future shows, so I thought you would love to look at what they are doing.

Go to www.graperadio.com to discover such things as Retail wine buying, All about Wine Tasting, Wine Myths and Wine Travels. I am sure you will love listening in and learning more about grapes and their journey to the table.

If you are looking to buy South African wine, why not try eWine? eWine is a South African wine portal where you will be able to buy your favourite South African wines, but you will also find interesting information about South Africa’s winemakers, wines, restaurants, accommodation in the winelands and almost everything related to South African wine.

Make sure to pre-order your John Platter book too, so that you can plan your Winelands tour. If you want help with your tour, Tailor Made South Africa Travel will be delighted to assist you. There are so many wonderful estates to visit, you might like a personal guide to some of the smaller estates offering your particular favourites.

My favourites include Backsberg, Saxonberg, Villera and Thelema. Check them out now!

I received the Stellenbosch Wine Route newsletter this morning, and of course, loving wine like I do, settled down to read it with a chilled glass of Delaire Sauvignon Blanc wine in hand.  Ooops, I think that was wishful thinking!  Mine was an ordinary mug of coffee … I digress.

I couldn’t help but agree with  Annareth Jacobs CEO Stellenbosch American Express® Wine Routes in her monthly newsletter.  She has been in London for two weeks and whilst she has had a wonderful time in the art galleries, shops, restaurants and general life in London, she thinks that the people of London look miserable!

On arriving back in Cape Town, South African airlines plays a video of life in the country, what you can expect to see, that sort of thing.  The marked difference between the colour, life, smiles and downright vibrancy of the people is dramatic.

Here’s what Annareth says, “ I do agree that our lives in a third-world country is unpredictable, but that is what keeps us alive, vibrant and colourful. The rest of the world is envious of our way of living, that I can ensure you!”

I for one am certainly envious!  But I am one of the lucky ones, as I get to visit frequently, so if you want to know what all the fuss is about, make sure you add South Africa to your list of places to visit – just don’t leave it too long before we see you there!

Voting has been taking place all week with the South Africa Blog Awards with some very interesting blogs having been nominated in various categories.

One of my favourites, naturally enough, is those blogs writing about food! I very much liked Sophia Lindop’s “A Unique Food Experience” because of all the lovely stories she got to tell and her upbringing sounds facinating! Take today’s entry, “Go To The Ant!” she very neatly tells us how watching ants deliver food to their queen brings out the inspiration in her! Go and read it, it’s great. What’s even better is the recipe just waiting to be cooked – Fried Bananas served with Ginger Caramel Sauce.