Latest news with #CapClassique
TimesLIVE
19 hours ago
- Business
- TimesLIVE
From SA's young winemakers to bottle poppers, local vino is a global phenomenon
Thanks to culinary trends and Hollywood, chef's tables have grown tremendously and are pulling in more audiences who want their own fine dining experience. Southern Sun Sandton launched its newest offering with wine pairings by Miguel Chan, one of South Africa's leading sommeliers. With their collection for the chef's table taking on established and emerging wine brands, the wines on offer are leaders in the pack putting sustainability forward. We chatted to Chan about local wines. What is your favourite pairing people can enjoy when dining at the restaurant? Definitely our extensive range of Cap Classique, especially our Blanc de Blancs Vintage Chardonnay, paired with our famous crispy chicken wings. South Africans are showing interest in red wines. Do you have a favourite made this year that should be on everyone's lips? Absolutely. Red wines, especially red blends, from grapes originally made famous in Bordeaux, such as Vilafonte Series C, or Series M from Stellenbosch. Champagne has also become a favourite dominating global interests. What do you believe has led to this, or is it just hype? Champagne is the de facto celebratory drink of choice anywhere, though I must add our Cap Classique offers more bang for your buck. South Africans love their bubbles and we should be buying, sharing and drinking more Cap Classique than champagne from an ecological and sustainability point of view. What examples of great craftsmanship can be seen in the wines on offer at the chef's table? In our chef's table experience, we showcase great South African wines which display incredible craftsmanship in world-class styles and quality from local estates such as Alheit Vineyards, Rall, Lukas van Loggerenberg, Saurwein, Klein Constantia Estate, Jordan Estate, Cederberg and Vilafonte. There has been a steady decline in sales of wines. Is this a good time for a connoisseur to start buying? It's a buyers market, as wine consumption has been declining not only in South Africa but globally. Some incredible bargains can be found as long as one follows the right wine expert with a deep knowledge of the wine industry. What are three things everyone should consider before buying a wine? Quality inside a bottle versus the brand perception the wine farm's marketing team want you to believe. Wine is about emotion and has nothing to do with fancy labels or heavy bottles. Consider producers who work in symbiosis with nature, practise ethical and sustainable ways of growing grapes and produce less manipulated wines in the cellar. Seek producers, especially emerging ones, who have a story behind their wines. The storytelling aspects of wine appreciation far outweigh a commercial wine brand with trumpeter stories about their provenance. What can wine lovers expect in the coming year for locally produced vino? We are all fortunate to live during a time of South African wine greatness never seen before, largely driven by a young generation of winemakers pushing the boundaries of excellence and crafting some of the finest wines in the world, which will continue for many years to come. Wine lovers are spoilt for choice.
Kuwait Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
S African farmers on frontline of US tariff hikes
ROBERTSON, South Africa: As winter clouds gathered above South Africa's prime wine-producing Robertson valley, the mood has been somber ahead of new US tariffs of 30 percent due to come into force next week. Much of South Africa's sparkling white wine, Cap Classique, comes from this area 150 kilometers (90 miles) east of Cape Town. The prized wine — produced with the same method as France's champagne — had previously been exempt from US tariffs under a special trade deal that protected many South African products, including citrus fruits, macadamia nuts and avocados. Washington announced late on Thursday that the new tariffs would take effect next week, as US President Donald Trump seeks to reshape global trade to benefit the US economy. In the weeks before the new levies were to take effect, the Graham Beck estate — a renowned Cap Classique producer — shipped out its entire annual quota for the US market of around 300,000 bottles, and even a little more, general manager Pieter Ferreira told AFP. 'We realized, as a team, let's buy some time,' Ferreira said, as farm workers wrapped in thick fleece pruned the vines outside. The aim was to have stock in place 'that can see us out for the whole of this year without affecting our price points or price increases in the US,' he said. The US market represents almost 15 percent of the annual production of the Graham Beck estate, which employs 135 people. This year's early export does not reassure Ferreira. 'The crystal ball is very unclear for 2026,' he said. Four percent of South Africa's farming exports, worth nearly $600 million, are destined for the US market, according to the chamber of agriculture. More than 70 percent of arable land is still in the hands of the white minority decades after the end of apartheid, according to the latest figures from 2017, and it is these farmers who will be among the hardest hit by Trump's new tariffs. Many among them are Afrikaners, descendants of the first white settlers who Trump has falsely claimed are persecuted by government policies and targeted killings, leading him to take in around 50 as refugees in May. 'It's not a racial divide as he is trying to make it look and sound like,' Ferreira told AFP. 'He says the government is not looking after the farmers and yet he is penalizing the farmers by putting up tariffs of 30 percent on agricultural products... It's ridiculous,' he said. The hiked tariffs could cost South Africa 100,000 jobs, according to the head of the central bank, Lesetja Kganyago. The continent's most industrialized economy is already struggling with an unemployment rate of nearly 33 percent. 'The impact in agriculture could be quite devastating because agriculture employs a lot of low-skilled workers, and here the impact is on citrus fruit, table grapes and wines,' Kganyago said on 702 Radio. Between six to eight percent of South Africa's citrus production is sent to the United States. For farmers in Citrusdal, 200 kilometers north of Cape Town, this is an essential market and also tariff-free under the preferential African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). 'At the moment it's about 25 to 30 percent of our business,' said Gerrit van der Merwe among rows of oranges on his 1,000-hectare (nearly 2,500-acre) plot. Van der Merwe's family estate, ALG, employs around 2,000 people. 'As an established business, we can survive this,' he said. 'We will probably have to cut off a couple of hectares, take two steps back, wait four or five years and then move forward.' 'But what is the reality? If we cut off 100 hectares, there's going to be 200 people looking for a job next year in Citrusdal,' he said. The impact would be huge for the small rural town of fewer than 10,000 people, which is particularly busy at the July-August peak harvest period. 'Citrus is the only source of income. So if we don't employ those 200 people, who will?' van der Merwe said. 'And that's going to have a knock-on effect on the supermarket, the pharmacy, the clothing shops.' 'There's no point in just a farmer surviving while a small rural town is dead,' he said. The farmer respected Trump's stated aim to bring industry back to the United States, but said South African citrus was no threat. 'We are offering something counter-seasonal, so we're not stealing jobs from California. We're offering a healthy piece of fruit at a very affordable price,' he said. — AFP
Eyewitness News
01-08-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
South African farmers on the frontline of US tariff hikes
ROBERTSON - As winter clouds gathered above South Africa's prime wine-producing Robertson valley, the mood has been sombre ahead of new US tariffs of 30% due to come into force next week. Much of South Africa's sparkling white wine, Cap Classique, comes from this area 150 kilometres east of Cape Town. The prized wine - produced with the same method as France's champagne - had previously been exempt from US tariffs under a special trade deal that protected many South African products, including citrus fruits, macadamia nuts and avocados. Washington announced late on Thursday that the new tariffs would take effect next week, as US President Donald Trump seeks to reshape global trade to benefit the US economy. In the weeks before the new levies were to take effect, the Graham Beck estate - a renowned Cap Classique producer - shipped out its entire annual quota for the US market of around 300,000 bottles, and even a little more, general manager Pieter Ferreira told AFP. "We realised, as a team, let's buy some time," Ferreira said, as farm workers wrapped in thick fleece pruned the vines outside. The aim was to have stock in place "that can see us out for the whole of this year without affecting our price points or price increases in the US," he said. The US market represents almost 15% of the annual production of the Graham Beck estate, which employs 135 people. This year's early export does not reassure Ferreira. "The crystal ball is very unclear for 2026," he said. Four PERCENT of South Africa's farming exports, worth nearly $600 million, are destined for the US market, according to the chamber of agriculture. 100,000 JOBS AT RISK More than 70% of arable land is still in the hands of the white minority decades after the end of apartheid, according to the latest figures from 2017, and it is these farmers who will be among the hardest hit by Trump's new tariffs. Many among them are Afrikaners, descendants of the first white settlers who Trump has falsely claimed are persecuted by government policies and targeted killings, leading him to take in around 50 as refugees in May. "It's not a racial divide as he is trying to make it look and sound like," Ferreira told AFP. "He says the government is not looking after the farmers and yet he is penalising the farmers by putting up tariffs of 30% on agricultural products... It's ridiculous," he said. The hiked tariffs could cost South Africa 100,000 jobs, according to the head of the central bank, Lesetja Kganyago. The continent's most industrialised economy is already struggling with an unemployment rate of nearly 33%. "The impact in agriculture could be quite devastating because agriculture employs a lot of low-skilled workers, and here the impact is on citrus fruit, table grapes and wines," Kganyago said on 702 Radio. Between 6% to 8% of South Africa's citrus production is sent to the United States. For farmers in Citrusdal, 200 kilometres north of Cape Town, this is an essential market and also tariff-free under the preferential African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). "At the moment it's about 25 to 30% of our business," said Gerrit van der Merwe among rows of oranges on his 1,000-hectare plot. DEATH OF A TOWN? Van der Merwe's family estate, ALG, employs around 2,000 people. "As an established business, we can survive this," he said. "We will probably have to cut off a couple of hectares, take two steps back, wait four or five years and then move forward." "But what is the reality? If we cut off 100 hectares, there's going to be 200 people looking for a job next year in Citrusdal," he said. The impact would be huge for the small rural town of fewer than 10,000 people, which is particularly busy at the July-August peak harvest period. "Citrus is the only source of income. So if we don't employ those 200 people, who will?" van der Merwe said. "And that's going to have a knock-on effect on the supermarket, the pharmacy, the clothing shops." "There's no point in just a farmer surviving while a small rural town is dead," he said. The farmer respected Trump's stated aim to bring industry back to the United States but said South African citrus was no threat. "We are offering something counter-seasonal, so we're not stealing jobs from California. We're offering a healthy piece of fruit at a very affordable price," he said.
NDTV
01-08-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Trump's Tariff Plans Worry South African Farmers, Put Jobs At Risk
As winter clouds gathered above South Africa's prime wine-producing Robertson valley, the mood has been sombre ahead of new US tariffs of 30 percent due to come into force next week. Much of South Africa's sparkling white wine, Cap Classique, comes from this area 150 kilometres (90 miles) east of Cape Town. The prized wine -- produced with the same method as France's champagne -- had previously been exempt from US tariffs under a special trade deal that protected many South African products, including citrus fruits, macadamia nuts and avocados. Washington announced late on Thursday that the new tariffs would take effect next week, as US President Donald Trump seeks to reshape global trade to benefit the US economy. In the weeks before the new levies were to take effect, the Graham Beck estate -- a renowned Cap Classique producer -- shipped out its entire annual quota for the US market of around 300,000 bottles, and even a little more, general manager Pieter Ferreira told AFP. "We realised, as a team, let's buy some time," Ferreira said, as farm workers wrapped in thick fleece pruned the vines outside. The aim was to have stock in place "that can see us out for the whole of this year without affecting our price points or price increases in the US," he said. The US market represents almost 15 percent of the annual production of the Graham Beck estate, which employs 135 people. This year's early export does not reassure Ferreira. "The crystal ball is very unclear for 2026," he said. Four percent of South Africa's farming exports, worth nearly $600 million, are destined for the US market, according to the chamber of agriculture. 1000,000 jobs at risk More than 70 percent of arable land is still in the hands of the white minority decades after the end of apartheid, according to the latest figures from 2017, and it is these farmers who will be among the hardest hit by Trump's new tariffs. Many among them are Afrikaners, descendants of the first white settlers who Trump has falsely claimed are persecuted by government policies and targeted killings, leading him to take in around 50 as refugees in May. "It's not a racial divide as he is trying to make it look and sound like," Ferreira told AFP. "He says the government is not looking after the farmers and yet he is penalising the farmers by putting up tariffs of 30 percent on agricultural products... It's ridiculous," he said. The hiked tariffs could cost South Africa 100,000 jobs, according to the head of the central bank, Lesetja Kganyago. The continent's most industrialised economy is already struggling with an unemployment rate of nearly 33 percent. "The impact in agriculture could be quite devastating because agriculture employs a lot of low-skilled workers, and here the impact is on citrus fruit, table grapes and wines," Kganyago said on 702 Radio. Between six to eight percent of South Africa's citrus production is sent to the United States. For farmers in Citrusdal, 200 kilometres north of Cape Town, this is an essential market and also tariff-free under the preferential African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). "At the moment it's about 25 to 30 percent of our business," said Gerrit van der Merwe among rows of oranges on his 1,000-hectare (nearly 2,500-acre) plot. Death of a town? Van der Merwe's family estate, ALG, employs around 2,000 people. "As an established business, we can survive this," he said. "We will probably have to cut off a couple of hectares, take two steps back, wait four or five years and then move forward." "But what is the reality? If we cut off 100 hectares, there's going to be 200 people looking for a job next year in Citrusdal," he said. The impact would be huge for the small rural town of fewer than 10,000 people, which is particularly busy at the July-August peak harvest period. "Citrus is the only source of income. So if we don't employ those 200 people, who will?" van der Merwe said. "And that's going to have a knock-on effect on the supermarket, the pharmacy, the clothing shops." "There's no point in just a farmer surviving while a small rural town is dead," he said. The farmer respected Trump's stated aim to bring industry back to the United States, but said South African citrus was no threat. "We are offering something counter-seasonal, so we're not stealing jobs from California. We're offering a healthy piece of fruit at a very affordable price," he said.
IOL News
01-08-2025
- Business
- IOL News
SA farmers on the frontline of US tariff hikes
Four percent of South Africa's farming exports, worth nearly $600 million, are destined for the US market, according to the chamber of agriculture. Image: Supplied As winter clouds gathered above South Africa's prime wine-producing Robertson valley, the mood has been sombre ahead of new US tariffs of 30 percent due to come into force next week. Much of South Africa's sparkling white wine, Cap Classique, comes from this area 150 kilometres (90 miles) east of Cape Town. The prized wine -- produced with the same method as France's champagne -- had previously been exempt from US tariffs under a special trade deal that protected many South African products, including citrus fruits, macadamia nuts and avocados. Washington announced late on Thursday that the new tariffs would take effect next week, as US President Donald Trump seeks to reshape global trade to benefit the US economy. In the weeks before the new levies were to take effect, the Graham Beck estate -- a renowned Cap Classique producer -- shipped out its entire annual quota for the US market of around 300,000 bottles, and even a little more, general manager Pieter Ferreira told AFP. "We realised, as a team, let's buy some time," Ferreira said, as farm workers wrapped in thick fleece pruned the vines outside. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The aim was to have stock in place "that can see us out for the whole of this year without affecting our price points or price increases in the US," he said. The US market represents almost 15 percent of the annual production of the Graham Beck estate, which employs 135 people. This year's early export does not reassure Ferreira. "The crystal ball is very unclear for 2026," he said. Four percent of South Africa's farming exports, worth nearly $600 million, are destined for the US market, according to the chamber of agriculture. 1000,000 jobs at risk More than 70 percent of arable land is still in the hands of the white minority decades after the end of apartheid, according to the latest figures from 2017, and it is these farmers who will be among the hardest hit by Trump's new tariffs. Many among them are Afrikaners, descendants of the first white settlers who Trump has falsely claimed are persecuted by government policies and targeted killings, leading him to take in around 50 as refugees in May. "It's not a racial divide as he is trying to make it look and sound like," Ferreira told AFP. "He says the government is not looking after the farmers and yet he is penalising the farmers by putting up tariffs of 30 percent on agricultural products... It's ridiculous," he said. The hiked tariffs could cost South Africa 100,000 jobs, according to the head of the central bank, Lesetja Kganyago. The continent's most industrialised economy is already struggling with an unemployment rate of nearly 33 percent. "The impact in agriculture could be quite devastating because agriculture employs a lot of low-skilled workers, and here the impact is on citrus fruit, table grapes and wines," Kganyago said on 702 Radio. Between six to eight percent of South Africa's citrus production is sent to the United States. For farmers in Citrusdal, 200 kilometres north of Cape Town, this is an essential market and also tariff-free under the preferential African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). "At the moment it's about 25 to 30 percent of our business," said Gerrit van der Merwe among rows of oranges on his 1,000-hectare (nearly 2,500-acre) plot. Death of a town? Van der Merwe's family estate, ALG, employs around 2,000 people. "As an established business, we can survive this," he said. "We will probably have to cut off a couple of hectares, take two steps back, wait four or five years and then move forward." "But what is the reality? If we cut off 100 hectares, there's going to be 200 people looking for a job next year in Citrusdal," he said. The impact would be huge for the small rural town of fewer than 10,000 people, which is particularly busy at the July-August peak harvest period. "Citrus is the only source of income. So if we don't employ those 200 people, who will?" van der Merwe said. "And that's going to have a knock-on effect on the supermarket, the pharmacy, the clothing shops." "There's no point in just a farmer surviving while a small rural town is dead," he said. The farmer respected Trump's stated aim to bring industry back to the United States, but said South African citrus was no threat. "We are offering something counter-seasonal, so we're not stealing jobs from California. We're offering a healthy piece of fruit at a very affordable price," he said.
