Get into the spirit at the Fine Brandy Festival

Savour the best that South African brandy has to offer at the Fine Brandy Festival, on at the Sandton Convention Centre from 25 to 27 May 2011.

The most stylish event on the drinks calendar is back in town, and newly revamped, this year’s Fine Brandy Festival is not-to-be-missed. Brandy emerged as the sexy new drink on the block and this magnificent South African product has been hailed as the worlds finest – and well-deserving a festival dedicated to the celebration of this double-distilled grape spirit.

Now in its 4^th year, this flagship event for the South African brandy industry will showcase brandy as never before with its hot new looks, innovative lifestyle attractions and social vibe.

‘We are truly pushing the envelope this year”, says Christelle Reade-Jahn, director of the South African Brandy Foundation. “The festival is bigger and more luxurious than ever – embracing the need to spoil oneself with the special things in life.”

“Due to the phenomenal growth in festival attendance, we have moved to a larger venue to accommodate visitors, new exhibitors and festival activities. The flexibility and spaciousness of the Sandton Convention Centre also opens up exciting possibilities in terms of imaginative stand design, trend-focused experiences, lifestyle activities and top-notch entertainment.” 

From world-acclaimed champion brandies, new product launches and chill-out lounges to can-can girls, DJ Black Coffee and brandy-enhancing food, the festival line-up promises to be a crowd pleaser. 

All the more reason to explore your senses with this liquid treasure and to rub shoulders with the who’s who of the city’s social set, like-minded brandy enthusiasts, major distillers, multi-award winning brandy masters, single-estate brandy makers and top-flight mixologists. 

That the South African brandies on show is of exceptional quality is a given. Governed by legislated production, style and quality guidelines, local brandies are internationally recognised as the finest in the world. Over the past 12 years the annual Wine & Spirit Competition in London has awarded the Worldwide Best Brandy trophy to 9 different Cape brandies, made by large distilleries and small wine cellars alike. This year’s Walk of Fame at the festival honours these achievements, putting the pioneers in the limelight.

One of the exciting new products up for tasting at the show for the first time is the recently released Ladismith eight-year-old wood-matured 100% potstill brandy. Distilled in the charming Klein Karoo town by Ladismith Cellars, this newcomer has just won a Gold Award at the World Spirits Awards held in Austria as well as a coveted Gold from Bruxelles du Concours.

Also new to the festival is a series of entertaining and informative Masterclass® talks featuring a line-up of illustrious international experts and local gurus.

“Yet, you don’t have to be a connoisseur to enjoy the brandy festival. Novices can whet their appetite for brandy by sipping, nosing and exploring their way through matured Cape pot still treasures, vintage and blended brandies of remarkable quality,” adds Michael Fridjhon, festival director.

From muddling, mixing and floating to twists and swirls, guests can discover the myriad possibilities lingering in a cocktail glass at the new Round Bar, where modern-day master bartenders embrace brandy’s unique qualities to conjure up classic and contemporary cocktails.

Innovative mocktails – alcohol-free drinks echoing the flavours of brandy – will treat designated drivers and other non-imbibing visitors.   And yes, the legendary cooper from the heart of the winelands is back with his barrel-making mastery and well-loved signature tune.

Adding to the multi-faceted sensual experience, the Brandy Aroma Wheel titillates the nose with the subtle and complex flavours in fine brandies, ranging from violets to vanilla, cedar wood to citrus, chocolate to cigar box, and mint to mocha. 

The SA Brandy Foundation is a member of ARA. The Fine Brandy Festival supports moderate and responsible enjoyment of brandy. Corporate Cab services; Cabs for Women and Breathalysers are available at the show.   

CIARA STOLE A DANCE IN ZIMBABWE

Date: 02 June 2011

Article: Madoda Ntuli

The ZAR Fest Artist couldn’t stand each other on the same press conference yesterday, according to the Kenny “King of Sushi” Kunene because they represent different brands, the Press Conference too longer than it was scheduled with artist coming one by one to talk to the media who attended the event last night. I have counselled the two shows from Durban and Capetown due to low of the Tickets sales, it was a business decision that I have taken and we are going to have only Joburg {The Dome} to host our International Artists Kenny said.After an hour of waiting, Ciara’s bodyguards indicated to Kenny that she was ready to address us. I’m very disappointed that I won’t be performing for my fans in Durban and Capetown but etleast I ‘m will perform for Joburg as much as I did in Zimbabwe, it was something I have always dreamed about and it was so special for me, when I perform at the Dome fans must expect electrifying and energetic dance and good music of Ciara. She also mentioned that she stole some of good dance in Zimbabwe, at the gas station when stopped there, greeted her fans and then teaches her some Zimbabwean dance moves.

spends some time with Lil' Kim too, and it won't take long for the pint-size queen of hardcore hip-hop to suck you into her self-proclaimed "ghetto-fabulous" world. That's because as she perches her 4-foot-11-inch frame on a black leather couch in the back room of a New York City recording studio, she has the uncanny ability to make her high-maintenance, high octane, high-drama existence sound good, real good, like nirvana or something.

Listening to her describe her much-publicized life, you get the feeling that if you had twice your guts and half of her ambition, maybe you would have already been there with her, as she puts it, getting "paid just for lying in the shade taking pictures with a glass of lemonade."

In her world, she doesn't hold back and doesn't look back. She takes no prisoners, and has no regrets. She acts on her impulses, pursues her desires, says what she feels, and does what makes her feel good.

Kenny he is not only a Sushi king but also a fashionista, with their new Bling-Bling Black T-shirts Branded ZAR that was important I Australia but it was not clear whether the range will be available for public but mentioned that whoever it need must come to the Club. Other artists that will Perform along side Ciara are Lil Kim, Phat Joe, DJ Scratch and Timbaland who also brought his family along.