It has been decreed that we may not buy alcohol anywhere – not in a bar, a restaurant, bottle store, tavern, shebeen or a tasting room – until at least 15 February 2021. It’s not a popular decision on the part of the government, and it’s devastating the restaurant and wine industries.
Privately, the black market is thriving and not in a particularly undercover way; WhatsApp groups and websites are openly trading with massively inflated prices (obviously). Restaurants have their liquor licences on the line, so sticking to the rules is their only option.
As consumers, we have some choices: stay at home with our own wine and order in; eat out at an early bird hour without alcohol; or find places that are doing creative and thoughtful pairings.
Spirit Master: Abstinence Cape Spice 14th January, 2021 by admin
As consumers seek to lower their alcohol intake throughout January,
SB celebrates an acclaimed zero-ABV bottling made with spices from across the world.
Curated Beverages secured three Gold medals, including one for Abstinence Cape Spice
Last month, The Spirits Business hosted its first Low & No Masters blind tasting. Due to the pandemic, the competition was held virtually with judges tasting the bottlings blind from their homes.
The judging panel comprised: Melita Kiely, editor of
The Spirits Business and chair of the tasting, and Bryan Rodriguez, wine and spirits buyer for Harvey Nichols.