Oude Meester Demant scoops Worlds Best Brandy award #OudeMeester

South African brandies made a clean sweep at the 2017 World Drinks Awards, claiming gold medals as well as the ultimate title of World's Best Brandy for the Oude Meester Demant.

Now in its tenth year, the World Drinks Awards is hosted in London by TheDrinksReport.com to recognize spirit drinks and select the very best in all internationally recognized styles. 

"With an ideal climate and a history of brandy production stretching back over 300 hundred years, it comes as no surprise that South Africa is widely regarded among the world's best brandy producing countries," says Distell Brandy Ambassador, Nick Holdcroft. "It's fair to say our brandies compete on a par with the world's most recognized cognacs, and South Africans can be rightfully proud of our reputation as a global leader in terms of quality."

This is the second consecutive year that a South African Brandy has defended its claim for producing the world's best brandy - Klipdrift Premium walked away with top honours in 2016.

"Each award-winning bottle of Oude Meester Demant comprises a sublime blend of potstill brandies that have matured in French oak casks," explains Holdcroft. "The alluring nose of dark chocolate, nutmeg and slightly fruity notes of notes of dried apricot and pineapple, leads to an exquisitely balanced palate with hints of oak and delicate spice that softly finish with a lingering smoothness. It's not surprising it won this award."

Oude Meester also took the award for best extra old brandy with their 12 year old Reserve. An extra old brandy is one that is aged ten years or older.

The judging panel comprises a cast of highly respected and experienced authorities from the drinks and hospitality industry, who adjudicate hundreds of international submissions, scoring merit on nose, palate, finish, balance, character and quality.

Dineo Ranaka takes The Front Row

Dineo Ranaka has joined Metro FM and the screen goddess is going to be part of the Front Row crew.

Dineo's appointment comes less than 24 hours since Bonang resigned from the station. Despite insiders claiming that Bonang resigned after being informed about co-hosting with Lerato Kganyago, B rubbished the claims. Bonang told TshisaLIVE that she left "on principle" and that she was only notified about the changes an hour before she went on air.

"It could have been anybody else in that chair. It could have been male, female, a famous person or a non-famous person. It was principle that mattered to me," she said.

Dineo stepped into the role only hours after Bonang announced that she had resigned from the station. She started her first show as co-host with Lerato Kganyago on Tuesday morning.

Speaking to TshisaLIVE, SABC spokesperson Kazier Kganyago confirmed that Dineo had joined Metro FM and said that the station did all it could to replace Bonang with someone of a similar quality.

Speaking on the show, she said: "It was a conversation with Metro FM in the afternoon yesterday, and a conversation with Metro FM in the evening yesterday, and then a conversation with you [Lerato] in the evening, followed by a conversation with God later on in the evening, and now conversations with the rest of the country."

Avoid online travel scams this #Easter

Consumers who are travelling or have not yet finalised their arrangements for the upcoming Easter holidays should be wary of fraudsters who target people who are desperate to secure travel and accommodation at the last minute.

Sahil Mungar, FNB Digital Banking says, "If you have or haven't yet booked your travel and accommodation, not only are you likely to pay a premium, but you could also fall victim to some online scams."

 "Fraudsters exploit potential holiday makers by falsely advertising holiday accommodation or timeshares on the internet and social media. Consumers are then deceived to pay upfront in order to secure their bookings. This further gives scammers an opportunity to request ID copies and bank details of their victims, which are then used for identity theft," adds Mungar.

When consumers become desperate to secure holiday travel and accommodation, they can easily overlook scams due to the pressure, only to find out that they've been defrauded when they get to the venue.

Mungar advises consumers to be extra cautious when booking accommodation online ahead of the Easter holidays.

 - Always try and book accommodation three months in advance or longer to avoid disappointments. This will help you to qualify for discounts and gives you enough time to do the necessary background and security checks.

- Use search engines like Google. If you're worried about a property or suspect that the photographs are fake, simply look it up yourself online.  Look for reviews from other travelers and Google Maps to ensure that the place exists.

- Use websites like tripadvisor.com, booking.com and similar websites to check reviews and to book accommodation securely. Generally these websites guarantee the booking.

- Call directly to publicly advertised phone numbers to confirm the booking availability. Even if you get called, rather hang up and call back on the official number.

- Avoid depositing or transferring money to an individual's bank account or sending your personal details to their private email address. Rather pay online on the accommodation's actual website or in person at the venue.

- Lookout for suspicious behavior. Take notice of bad grammar in emails, foreign phone numbers, or if the owner or property manager is not responding to emails. These can all be warning signs.

- If you have friends and family that stay close to the place, ask them to go and verify if it is legitimate.

#KWV named as World Class Distiller at the World Spirits Awards in Germany

KWV in Paarl, arguably South Africa's single most awarded wine brand, is adding another international accolade to its list of achievements – 'World Class Distiller' – as announced at the recently concluded World Spirits Award in Germany.

With a mission to set a benchmark in the world of spirits, the World Spirits Award attracts entries from distillers across the globe who submit their products to be adjudicated by a strict 'jury' of expert tasters. This year, a total of 95 participants and distilleries from 25 nations participated in the competition, with 400 spirits submitted for consideration. Spirits are rated according to the 100-point system, and "simply the best in spirits" receive top marks.

KWV, with its portfolio of spirits which include highly-awarded Cognac, Brandy and Gin, was the only South African distilling company who collected enough awards to be included in the list of 'World Class Distillers'. In addition to this recognition, KWV also received a Double Gold for its KWV 12-year-old Brandy – one of only 44 Double Golds awarded during the competition.

The KWV 12-year-old is a signature KWV Brandy, which was scored 95,3/100 by the judges, and was one in a line-up of aged KWV Brandies that successfully played into a noted trend at the World Spirits Awards: organisers reflected that "in the 100% distillate category it is noticeable that many products already have quite a few years of maturity under their belts and can thus already present themselves at their best - it's not always good to be 'young'."

KWV 12-year-old impressed with its "brilliant style and aromatic and perfumed nose… and delicate brandy character (with) aromatic grape, roasty notes, subtle rum ester, ligtht toffee, sponge, nut and nougat chocolate, honey, peach, leather, coffee, plump and yeasty sweetness, balanced (by a) compact (and) long finish"

Further to this Double Gold award, KWV also took home Gold for the KWV 20-year-old, KWV 15-year-old, KWV 10-year-old, Imoya Brandy, Heritage Cognac and its Cruxland Gin as well as Silver for its Laborie Alambic Brandy.

Says Anneke Mackenzie, Global Portfolio Manager of Spirits at KWV: "These results are noteworthy as they acknowledge and award, not one, but three, of KWV's distilling sectors – Cognac, Brandy and Gin –indicating that the Spirits Production team really are treating the products with the craftsmanship needed to achieve extraordinary new heights in these categories. We are very pleased – and know the public will be too!"

To order these award-winning spirits visit http://kwvonlineshop.kwv.co.za.

How to keep your skin radiant

Beauty is a multi-billion dollar global industry that is constantly evolving and providing women with the latest innovation to look and feel their best.

Kateko Ramoshaba, from body skincare experts Clere, says that keeping your skin healthy and beautiful does not always mean having to spend large sums of money on the latest skincare products.

"There are many simple, affordable and easy elements that you can add to your health and skincare routines that will work towards a beautiful looking skin." Ramoshaba shares her five tips:

- Taking care of your skin from the inside out is very important and the first step is to ensure that you are well hydrated! Make sure that you are drinking sufficient water throughout the day.

- Exfoliate regularly, ideally twice a week, so as to remove dead skin cells from your body and leave your skin prepared and ready to absorb body lotion.  Creating your own body scrub is cost effective and you can make it to suit your skin concerns, by adding one the following to your body lotion or crème.  Salt will help to relax your muscles, sugar is gentler on the skin, ground coffee has the benefit of caffeine constricting blood vessels and oatmeal is the gentlest exfoliator softening and hydrating the skin.  Including your favourite essential oils can help to relax, soothe or energise.  Once finished applying rinse off in the shower.

- Avoid baths that are too hot as this can dry out your skin.

- Apply a nourishing body lotion, ideally to your slightly damp skin.  Clere Hand & Body Lotions provide 24 hour moisturise as they are enriched with Vitamins E & A and Glycerine.

- Lastly, sleep is vital.  It's called "beauty sleep" for a reason! When you sleep your body has time to repair and recover.  Not only will you wake with a glowing complexion but you also help your body to generate collagen, which helps fight wrinkles.

Ramoshaba says that the fountain of youth may never be found, but by implementing these tips into your routine, you will help you skin to look youthful and feel beautiful.

The Hostess with Lorna Maseko

The Hostess is a brand new 13 episode cooking and lifestyle reality series for food and entertainment connoisseurs alike. This show, presented by Lorna Maseko and produced by Greyscale Productions, is a deliciously decadent celebration of dining and creative entertaining and will premiere Tuesdays from 4th April at 20:30 on SABC 3.

In this hybrid cooking and entertainment show, we see a different side to Ballet Dancer and TV Presenter, Lorna Maseko as she creates bespoke culinary and experiential moments for ordinary South Africans, celebrities and captains of industry. She takes us behind the scenes with her as she brings our guests dream events to life.

I love feeding and entertaining guests, and experimenting with new recipes and ingredients. Its a great feeling knowing you've filled someone's tummy, shared Lorna.

In each episode Lorna will be tasked with the challenge of stepping in and setting up the featured guests soiree and help them host the perfect event. From kiddies birthday parties and themed dinners to a romantic night in, no event is too big or small for our expert entertainer. Our host brings both her skills as a chef and an event planner to the occasion by constructing and executing a menu and theme to meet the requirements of each guest, giving them an event to remember.

Even the most seasoned party planners will attest that event planning is not an exact science, which will make this a show full of drama and unexpected turns of events in the lead up to the perfect occasion.

The making of #Tokara five year old potstill brandy

Tasting Notes

Slow French oak maturation added the distinctive characteristics of the TOKARA Potstill Brandy. The mellowed spirit abounds with subtle complex flavours of dried fig, peach and raisin fruits, pot-pourri floral aroma and heady jasmine, orange blossom and vanilla notes with spicy pepper and saffron overtones. Innovative final blending enhanced the balance and synergy of the subtle flavours to create a distinctive spirit with fine length and depth of aftertaste.

Blend Information

100% Chenin Blanc

In The Vineyard

Base wine was made from Chenin Blanc grapes sourced from Stellenbosch vineyards, picked in January 2006 at a ripeness of 18° Balling.

In The Cellar

The juice was pressed off and fermented at 18° Celsius with selected yeast. The base wine, though high in acid, had a citrus character with concentrated fruit, aromas of pear, pineapple and green apple.

The wine was kept on the lees at 0° Celsius in stainless steel tanks for three months with regular lees stirring. Distillation by hand commenced in June 2006.

The traditional double distillation process was used with separating cuts and retaining only the heart fraction. The resultant spirit was 72% alc volume and was filled into 300lt French oak barrels of which approximately 33% was new Limousin oak and the rest being twenty-year-old brandy barrels.

The brandy was left to rest and mature for 6 years. Prior to bottling in 2012, final blending took place and the brandy strength was adjusted to 40% alc volume.

Expect to pay

Anything between R650 - R759

Nadia Nakai and Khanyi Mbau go head to head #LSBAfrica

MTV Base sets the tone for a new season of Lip Sync Battle Africa, with a sizzling face-off between Jozi rap queen Nadia Nakai and tabloid vixen Khanyi Mbau. 
 
Lip Sync Battle Africa returns to our TV screens on MTV Base (DStv channel 322) on Thursday 6 April 2017.
 
Season 2 promises more bops, more booty hops, more mic drops, more shade thrown and more sultry poses for viewers to savour, as celebrities and entertainers from South Africa and across the continent dance, dab and diss to a soundtrack of chart-topping hits all while striving to earn the Lip Sync Battle Africa winner's belt.

This time around, more than 30 of the continent's hottest celebrities and entertainers face off for the ultimate prize: to be crowned as the Lip Sync Battle champion.  Among the contestants are rapper Da Les, actress Thembi Seete, DJ Sbu, DJ Xclusive, Twins on Decks, Locnville, Tekno, comedian Donovan Goliath, and actors Natasha Thahane and Vuyo Dabula.   As is customary, the stars will be joined on stage by dancers and decked out in the most outrageous outfits, wigs and props imaginable.
 
Irresistible screen queen Pearl Thusi returns home to resume her hosting role for a second season, aided and abetted by flamboyant Nigerian TV star, and former Lip Sync Battle Africa contestant, Denrele Edun.
 
Lip Sync Battle Africa (season 2) premieres on MTV Base (DStv channel 322) on Thursday 6 April 2017 at 21:30 CAT.
 
For more information on Lip Sync Battle Africa, please go to www.mtvbase.com or join the conversation on social media @MTVBaseSouth using the hashtag #LSBAfrica.

#Zapper mobile payment app reaches one million downloads

When planning to introduce any new app technology to an already saturated market, there are three all-important characteristics required to ensure success. It must be fresh, innovative and life-changing.

If the numbers are anything to go by, the Zapper mobile payment app is all that and more.

Earlier this week Zapper celebrated a momentous milestone by achieving one million downloads.

These landmark achievements come just three short years after Zapper and it's 'scan to pay' QR codes made their entrance onto the South African restaurant circuit. Since then, Zapper has experienced significant growth.

Through smart and strategic expansion across verticals that include hospitality, retail, ecommerce, bills, fuel and convenience, and donations, the award-winning app has steadily exceeded industry benchmarks, revolutionising payment technology and certifying its position as more than just a smartphone payment method.

Today, it stands as a lifestyle application with one million downloads and one million reasons to be proud of its accomplishment.

"This is a proud moment for Zapper. Over the last few years we have endeavoured to build a product that would impact the mobile payments arena and drive innovation forward," said Will Heygate, General Manager for Zapper South Africa.

Where many great apps have met with scorching hot fanfare, only to lose public interest and fade into obscurity in the months following their release, Zapper has built a noteworthy presence in fourteen countries around the world, including the UK, Spain and the tough-to-crack US market.

Zapper is currently available for free download on the app stores for iPhone, Android, and Windows phones.

From cleaning toilets to living her dream

Paula Abdul cleaned toilets to get her big dancing break.

The 'Straight Up' hitmaker dreamed of becoming a dancer but couldn't afford classes and offered to clean the studio and the bathrooms to pay for a place.

She recalled: "A couple of days a week, we'd stop at a dance studio where my girlfriends took ballet classes and I'd do my homework and watch from the sidelines but the whole time I'd be moving my foot to the beat along with them."

"One day, the dance teacher asked me if I wanted to join the class and I whispered to her and said my family can't afford classes and she asked me, 'What are you going to do about it?' And I said, 'If I clean the floor and the windows and the bathrooms, will you let me take dance class?'

"And I learned there is always a solution to keep us in line with our passion. Gratefully, I cleaned the bathrooms, cleaned the studio and I started my very first dance class and my world would never be the same again."

And the 54-year-old singer-songwriter and television personality quickly moved through the ranks and was soon dancing in an adult class.

Speaking to the attendees gathered at WE Day – which was held at The SSE Arena in Wembley, London on Wednesday (22.03.17) – she added: "At just eight-years-old, I was moved into an advanced dance class with adults and I felt such a wonderful sense of accomplishment."

"But there was one lesson where the dance teacher asked me to come to the centre of the floor and demonstrate a dance combination and when it finished, I beamed with pride, only to hear my teacher say, 'Look class, look at Paula with her short squatty arms and legs ...' and then I heard some of the dancers laughing and giggling.

"I felt very ashamed for the very first time so I ran to the washroom and cried with embarrassment. But I didn't hear my dance teacher finish the sentence by saying, 'But you see Paula still executed the moves as beautifully as ever ... she still outdanced all of you.'"

Bang Showbiz