1. Stellenbosch Hills recently released the 2020 Sense of Place Anna Christina MCC (R205, cellar door) made entirely from Stellenbosch Chardonnay. It's only the second time that this top-tier wine has been available and with aromas of fresh apples, citrus blossoms and nutty yeastiness that envelop the palate, it makes a stunning gift. Visit stellenbosch-hills.co.za.
2. Shape up! Lunchtime is much more fun with a Tovolo sandwich shaper (R119, yuppiechef.com).
3. The Ultimate Salad Book by Chantal Lascaris (R400, Penguin Random House) features more than 100 tried-and-tested recipes for any event, using simple yet nourishing ingredients - including a yummy selection of make-it-yourself salad dressings that will ensure you're able to keep it interesting from one meal to the next.
"I've always been more focused on healthy eating than cooking fancy meals," says Chantal. "From the outset, I've tried to make cooking simple, healthy, and accessible by providing plenty of choices with loads of flavour."
4. Mother's Love natural products are tough on dirt yet gentle on the environment. The range includes cleaning products such as Glass Cleaner with Grapefruit Essential Oils (from R68) and Dishwashing Gel with Citrus Essential Oils (from R69). Go to mothersloveproducts.com for more.
5. Love your summer dishes with a hit of chilli? Locally produced Banhoek Chilli Oil is the ultimate infused oil, adding the perfect balance of flavour and heat to your food. Check out banhoekchillioil.co.za.
6. UCOOK has teamed up with Kath Megaw, one of South Africa's leading paediatric dieticians, to create a range of frozen kids' meals. The six meals and two pizza options all boast the promise of "no-nonsense goodness", ensuring that children get all the essential vitamins and minerals from lots of ‘hidden' vegetables in every dish (think spaghetti bolognese with butternut and cauli sauce and beef lasagne with hidden butternut). Visit ucook.co.za/craft-kids.
1. Just Egg Folded (R479 for 6 boxes of 4 folded eggs, infinitefoods.com/shop/) is a plant-based egg alternative and the ideal convenience food for vegans. It's cholesterol-free, the key ingredient is protein from the mung bean (7g), and it can be warmed up in a toaster, oven, pan or microwave. It's delicious on toast and in breakfast sandwiches!
2. Rolling pin with embossed heart detail R29,99, pepstores.com
3. When next you find yourself on the busy R60 between Worcester and Robertson, be sure to stop at Rooiberg Winery and visit the newly revamped Red Chair Bistro & Deli. Indulge in Rooiberg wine, Saggy Stone beer and Van Loveren Craft Gin or a Wiesenhof coffee tasting. This family-friendly (and dog-friendly) venue is open seven days a week; go to rooiberg.co.za to find out more.
4.New Cook 'n Bake flavoured sugars (R29.99/75g shaker, from major retailers countrywide) available in Salted Caramel, French Vanilla, Decadent Cocoa and Sweet Cinnamon make delicious dessert toppers - especially on waffles, pancakes and even popcorn!
5. The Retief brothers, Wynand and Nico, established the classic Van Loveren brand 40 years ago and are updating the look of their popular offering, as can be seen in the smart new packaging for their Heritage Range. Van Loveren wines are widely available at all major retailers and wine stores, as well as online at vanloveren.co.za.
6.WINE 'N DINE
1. New to the Schattig family is a selection of wines conveniently packaged in 2L boxes. The Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz (R165/2L box, schattig.co.za) is a Bordeaux blend with a purple hue and layers of cassis, summer berries and warm spice on the palate.
2. The new Cape Portrait range from Durbanville Hills captures the vibrant city of Cape Town and its people. A blend of Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc, the Cape Portrait White 2021 (R70/750ml bottle and R150/2L box, durbanvillehills.co.za) is fresh with crisp acidity and it's bursting with lime, citrus, and tropical fruit flavours.
3. Zandvliet Wine Estate's My Best Friend Cape White and Cape Red are now available in a 2L box. My Best Friend Cape White (R70/750ml bottle and R140/2L box, zandvliet.co.za) has refreshing flavours of lime, citrus and melon with hints of honeysuckle that carry through to a lingering, crisp finish
