Cape Town Blog

August 28, 2009

Black is the new black

Filed under: Food and Wine — Charl Norman @ 10:37 am

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From fashion and cars to design and décor, there is nothing as stylish and classy as black. Its simple sophistication sets the aesthetic tone for good taste, and never as emphatically as with the introduction of Jose Cuervo Black to the discerning palates of South Africans in August 2009.

We are all familiar with Jose Cuervo’s siblings Especial (Gold) and Clasico (Silver) and no doubt have spent many nights in their company in our younger days. But although sooner or later we all grow up, we certainly don’t grow old. As we mature into successful and confident adults we naturally gravitate towards a drink that matches our maturing palates but without compromising our inherent sense of adventure. We still want that deliciously familiar taste of Tequila, but as our palates become more refined, we seek out something smoother, richer and more flavourful.

“We are extremely proud and excited to welcome the new member of the Jose Cuervo family to South Africa, Don Jose Cuervo Black” said Vonne Lombard, Jose Cuervo Brand Manager, brandhouse. “Drawing on centuries of experience, Jose Cuervo has blended this signature Tequila specifically to appeal to the person who has forged a relationship with Tequila and is ready to take it to the next level. Jose Cuervo Black has an edge that comes with age, with a twist of untamed youth that will never be lost.”

Jose Cuervo Black is aged in charred white American oak barrels for 18 months which softens the agave notes and introduces consumers to a more full bodied Tequila reminiscent of an aged bourbon. Its time in the barrels imparts a deep amber hue to the liquid and aromas of toasted oak, cinnamon, red apple, cocoa and coffee. The taste is thus slightly sweeter than you’d expect but without distracting from the subtle agave notes associated with Tequila. The finish is warm and smooth.

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Jose Cuervo Black can still be enjoyed as a shot, of course, but it’s infinitely better suited to slow sipping over rocks, or even with a mixer.

The bottle retains the Jose Cuervo familiarity so it will be easy to spot on the shelves of the bottle store, or behind the bar, but it is slightly shorter and wider to indicate its position in Tequila hierarchy. Quality and family heritage dating back to 1795 is emphasised with the embossed family crest, Fundada en 1795, and Hecho en Mexico.

As our drinking tastes have evolved, so too has our approach to having fun; it hasn’t diminished in any way but we demand certain levels of comfort. This is why Jose Cuervo chose to introduce this prestigious member of his Mexican Familia in the luxurious setting of a private VIP party at South Africa’s premiere rock festival. Oppikoppi is legendary in music circles, and for most people it means a weekend of paying the price with dusty camping while enjoying the best local musicians on multiple stages. Not so for the guests of Jose Cuervo, who enjoyed a VIP experience including four-star hotel accommodation and an exclusive party on the specially designed Jose Cuervo deck overlooking the main stage. Besides Jose Cuervo Especial and Clasico, gourmet food, special musical performances by well known artists and gift bags, guests were the first to be introduced to Jose Cuervo Black.

Jose Cuervo, the world’s number one selling Tequila, is committed to responsible drinking.

Not For Sale To Persons Under The Age Of 18. Drink Responsibly.

Dogs take on the catwalk at Craig Port Show

Filed under: Art and Fashion — Charl Norman @ 10:28 am

wxw_1566THE fashion world is one of glitz and glamour, sleek bodies, glossy hair and gorgeous garments, and it reaches its peak during Cape Town Fashion Week with a whirlwind of catwalk shows and sophisticated after parties as designers, models, celebrities and fashionistas celebrate their beauty and style.

With every new collection, designers strive to deliver something fresh, exciting and innovative to wow their fans and trend-watchers, and to present a show which will have the audience gasping with joy. For this Fashion Week, Craig Port chose the theme Faith Hope Love to showcase his designs and linked an unusual yet entirely appropriate element with his Craig Port and Miss Port couture – canine couture.

The relationship we have with our dogs – our most faithful and loving companions – is in keeping with the theme, and as such Cesar® gourmet cuisine was thrilled to come on board and collaborate with Craig Port at his show at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Friday, 21 August 2009.

Models sashayed down the catwalk accompanied by four highly pedigreed and meticulously groomed and coiffed Westies, which are the same breed famously featured on the Cesar® packaging. The dogs stepped out in designer gear like collars, coats and accessories to complement the human couture and the theme of the show.

Later, at the exclusive VIP after party held at the Table Bay Hotel in the V&A Waterfront, the models and dogs greeted guests and posed for photographs under the glitter of flashbulbs. Celebrity guests included the likes of Errol Arendz, Jen Su, Nicky Greenwall, Michelle McLean, Mark Boucher, Jacques Kallis, Lindiwe Suttle, Sam Pegg and Lee-anne Summers.

Dogs are as comfortable in this privileged environment as their fashionable owners; Port himself shares his life with three pooches – Reggie the weimeraner, Lulu the wirehaired fox terrier and Rocco the pug – and approached the concept of designing for dogs for the first time with enthusiasm.

“Dogs are so beautiful it is very difficult to interfere with that natural look without looking cheesy so the challenge was to be functional and stylish at the same time,” says Port. “I’m delighted with the results, which were inspired by my theme of Faith Hope Love and tie in perfectly with the 2010 collection.”

Dressing our dogs in the same high quality designer clothes as ourselves is just one of the ways we can show them how much they mean to us. Another is to feed them only the most superior meals. We wouldn’t want to eat the same thing every day, so why should we expect our best friends to do so? And as much as we enjoy indulging ourselves with luxurious treats, so do our dogs.

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Our dogs favour us with their love, affection and loyalty and what better way to show them we love them back than by serving Cesar® gourmet pet food at meal times? Made with human grade ingredients yet perfectly nutritiously balanced for canine digestive systems, by choosing Cesar® you are ensuring not only the tastiest but the healthiest treat for your animal.

Port says he spoils Reggie, Lulu and Rocco with Cesar® treats daily. “They are definitely indulged with walks every day…they are on the sofa when I’m not looking, and are allowed on the bed for morning cuddles,” he smiles. This is what they mean when they say “it’s a dog’s life…”

Available in three delicious flavours – Chicken Supreme, Lamb Classic and Gourmet Beef – Cesar® pet food is intended as a special treat for your pampered pooch, to be served in conjunction with his normal diet. It will make any Fifi or Rover feel like the Very Important Pup in your life that they are.

Cesar® is available at all major supermarket chains including Checkers, Pick ‘n Pay, Spar, Woolworths as well as leading pet shops. Visit www.cesar.com for more information.

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