• This World Cognac Day, coming up on 4 June 2017, Denis Lahouratate, the Maitre de Chai (Cellar Master) of Bisquit Cognac, outlines five facts about Cognac that will be sure to impress your friends and colleagues next time you’re sipping your favourite eaux-de-vie. Here’s how to become a Cognac connoisseur overnight You can thank wine lovers of the 1600s for Cognac  The origin of Cognac dates back to the 16th Century, when Dutch settlers came to this French region to purchase salt, wood and wine. Preserving the wine through long distances of travel proved challenging, and as such, the wine…

    Store-bought granola is usually loaded with sugar and unhealthy fats, but many still consider a bowl of granola a healthy start to the day! This lightened-up version of granola is fragrant, crunchy, filling and teeming with healthy fats. An added bonus: it doesn’t contain any grains or cereals, for those with wheat- or gluten allergies, or individuals limiting grains in their diet. It’s important to remember, however, that even though this crunchy granola is much more nutritious than many ready-made options, for weight loss, portion control is key! It keeps for up to 4 weeks in an airtight container and…

    The change of seasons brings with it a new group of fruits and vegetables you can enjoy. Apples, root vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes and all the cabbage family foods, like broccoli and cauliflower, are at their peak now. And they’re all great candidates for roasting—one of my favorite Autumn cooking methods. Roasting Vegetables With the grilling season over, I start giving a lot more foods the roasting treatment. The oven’s dry heat caramelises the natural sugars in foods and brings a depth of flavor to fruits and vegetables that summer grilling can’t touch. If you’ve never roasted root vegetables, you…

    The TOPS at SPAR Wine Show is back in Johannesburg and has moved into a new home, Montecasino. This popular celebration of the vine brings wine lovers of Gauteng its 12th act of “the greatest show unearthed”, featuring the best of the best of South African wines and bubbles. Overindulge in gourmet bites to complement the “pourformance” or visit the wine theatre for some magical edutainment. Tickets are available at ticketpros.co.za; general admission is R120 online or R140 at the door. It includes a tasting glass, all tastings, access to the wine theatre and a map to help you find…

    With Handles Inc you can easily create a slick designer pad, quirky villa feel, a bathroom haven or a cutting-edge office environment with their quality handles and bathroom accessories. Architects and interior designers know that it’s details like these that make a space truly unique and exceptional. With a collection of over 9000 items to inspire you, Handles Inc has specialist designer pieces personally selected from top global manufacturers. With these exclusive ranges and a design-savvy team on hand to assist, Handles Inc will help you make your home or office a space that reflects your individuality – and a…