Thursday, January 5. 2012
Ocean Basket, the national chain of family seafood restaurants, has introduced a new type of chip – Lamb Weston Stealth Fries – to its menu.
What makes this addition really hot is a light coating of potato starch that enhances the potato flavour, keeps the chips hotter, ensures that less oil is absorbed in the preparation process and maintains crispness longer than regular fries.
The coating is said to have no allergens and the chips can be cooked in a convection oven or deep fried.
Lamb Weston has been in the food business since 1950, operates over a dozen plants worldwide and is recognised globally for its innovation. While the company’s products are sold in over 100 countries on all continents, Ocean Basket is the first to offer Stealth Fries in South Africa.
With restaurants all over South African and in Cyprus and Mauritius, Ocean Basket sees the new chips as a selling tool for its franchisees.
(Article by Andrew Moth - Edited by LiquorWise)
Tuesday, January 3. 2012
Liquor products - The port and wine drinking South African public will have to get use to new names for these well-loved fortified wines. Why? The pre-2000 agreement between the EC and South Africa prohibits the use of the names “Port” and “Sherry” in the local market from 1 January 2012. Exporters of Port and Sherry has already had to cease using these names since 2000(EC countries) and 2005(rest of the world).
The background to this regrettable state of affairs is shortly the following. South Africa contended in 1999 that ‘port" and sherry’ are not Geographical Indications(“GI’s) as defined by the World Trade Organisation. The reason was that they do not describe any particular region or location in the EC (notably in Spain or Portugal in this case). South Africa contended that the terms were simply vaguely derived from regions in Spain and Portugal. For ‘sherry’ the word is drawn from ‘Jerez’ in Spain, defined as‘Jerez, Xérès and Sherry in the TDCA. For ‘port’ the word is drawn loosely from ‘Oporto’ in Portugal, defined as Oporto/Portwein/Portvin/Portwijn’ in the TDCA. Note that the latter incarnations look decidedly non-Portuguese. Wine aficionados have also pointed out that the products do not even necessarily originate in Jerez or Oporto within the EC. Portuguese port is not produced anywhere near the town of Oporto although it is often aged and blended there. Sherry is made from grapes farmed in the Jerez area, but much of the actual manufacture happens in other Spanish towns. These vagaries are now part oftrade legend, but have no legal value today as ‘port’ and ‘sherry’ have been directly conferred GI status in the text of the TDCA.
Is it all gloomy? It depends on how one looks at the transaction. The sugar with the medicine was in the form of a grant of Euro 15 million for the restructuring of the South African wines and spirits sector and for the marketing and distribution of South African wines and spirits products. This grant was supposed to have been made available in 2000. This grant has not been made available to date. This may give local producers the chance to put pressure on the EC, but we will have to wait and see. The overall answer is thus that ‘yes’ things are fairly gloomy.
It is expected that ‘port’ or ‘sherry’ will still enjoy a dedicated consumer following as they are still excellent quality products at good value for money. Good news for wine collectors- you can buy products with the “sherry” or “port” label as a collector’s item and possibly benefit in the long run when local stocks run out.
For a more detailed version of this topic, you may visit http://www.internationaltradelaw.co.za.
(Article by LiquorWise)
Sunday, January 1. 2012
Liquor Licence Fees (Western Cape) - Liquor licence fees are to be increased dramatically for licence holders in the Western Cape. This will be the case if the Western Cape Liquor Regulations are implemented unchanged. The Liquor Regulations were published in an extraordinary provincial gazette on 21 December 2011. For example, the lodgement fee for a new liquor licence application will be increased from R200 to R1250. Annual liquor licence renewal fees will increase from a minimum of R3000 (currently R250) to a maximum of R5000 (currently R1000) per year.
LiquorWise encourages business owners to take advantage of the window period (February and March) to lodge applications. This will apply to all liquor licence applications, but specifically to the following :
1. New liquor licence applications;
2. Changes to the licence holder - This would typically apply to new members of a close corporation, share holders of a company or new partners.
3. Changes to a licensed premises - This would be required for any structural changes to a premises, for instance - a new wall, bar area moved or where the premises has been extended(i.e. outdoor area added).
Business owners should Contact LiquorWise without delay to ensure that their applications are lodged at the current lower fees and before the increase of licence fees.
Monday, December 19. 2011
Liquor Trends - LiquorWise traced an interesting article about the surprises whicy 2012 may hold – “ liquor wise”. 2011 was a most interesting year and, from all reports, 2012 promises to be even more so.
In 2011, Cognac came roaring back. Craft beer grew more eclectic, more expensive and overwhelmingly more popular. Mixologists began raiding their pantries for all sorts of culinary cocktail ingredients. Vodka makers found a bevy of new flavourings, from smoked salmon to cupcake frosting. And Champagne, of all wines, continued its comeback by building on its unexpectedly strong growth in 2010.
The following are the opinions of some well-known professionals on they see rising on the 2102 horizon :
Doug Frost, wine consultant: “Portugal may be due for its coming-out party. The relatively cooler conditions along its coast create wines with a bit more freshness and crispness than many of Iberia’s other offerings, [and] as consumer awareness lags behind quality, prices for Portuguese wines are very good.”
Sandy Block, vice president of beverage operations for Legal Sea Foods: “Not sure if I’m behind the curve, but we’re seeing rising interest in aged tequilas [añejo and reposado] in cocktails, providing the spirit has enough zip, structure and pure agave flavor to balance the sweet elements.”
David Wondrich, author of “Punch: The Delights (and Dangers) of the Flowing Bowl”: “The biggest trend I see is bringing mixology down to the fun/dive-bar level — making new bars that are casual and unpretentious but will serve you a real drink, like The Prizefighter in Emeryville, Calif., Viktor & Spoils in New York City, and a bunch of other places whose names escape me.”
Jim Meehan, head mixologist at New York’s PDT and author of the new “The PDT Cocktail Book”: “Cocktails on tap, wine on tap, vermouth on tap — 10 years after many bars abandoned the soda gun, it seems as though many are growing trigger happy.”
Noah Rothbaum, editor-in-chief of Liquor.com and author of “The Business of Spirits”: “In the coming year, more people will be drinking local spirits made by the hundreds of craft distilleries that have opened around the country.”
Christine Sismondo, author of “America Walks into a Bar”: “While Americans are probably never going to be won over to the anise category, there is hope for caraway. We’re starting to see aquavit being taken up by bartenders as a cocktail ingredient. Kümmel [liqueur flavored with caraway, cumin and fennel] is all the rage in England and will hit here eventually.”
Michael Roper, co-owner of the beer-focused Chicago bar-restaurant The Hopleaf: “I think that high-flavor/lower-alcohol beers are going to be on the rise. There has been so much emphasis on huge, high-gravity beers that there is a great thirst for beers you can actually drink in a quantity of more than one. Bars and restaurants also want good beers that they can make some money on, too, [since] the patron who lingers over a 13.9-percent double imperial stout is not a profit center.”
Kip Snider, director of beverage for the beer-oriented Yard House chain: “I see an increase in the blends of styles already making a splash, like amber pale ales, Belgian [India pale ales], black IPAs and white IPAs — beers that please the taste buds with two flavor profiles.”
John Szabo, wine consultant: “For wine, thin is in, so expect to see the end of 15-percent alcohol, unbalanced prune juice and an embracing of lightness.”
John Hansell, editor and publisher of The Whisky Advocate magazine: “Whiskey companies have maxed out capacity, [and] producers don’t want to put barely legal product on the market, [so] they blend it with some of their older stuff to make it taste better. Since the age statement on a bottle has to be the age of the youngest whiskey in the blend, they will give the whiskey a name, instead. We’ve been seeing a lot of whiskey with names instead of age statements, and we will continue to do so.”
(Article from Beer, Wine & Spirits, edited by LiquorWise)
Liquor - The City of Cape Mayor, Patricia de Lille, poured more than 5000 bottles of alcohol confiscated on beaches this holiday season down the drain at an Ndabeni storage area. The 2600 litres of confiscated alcohol were worth R66000. The haul of alcohol included cases of beer, ciders, brandy and champagne.
Liquor is banned on all Cape Town beaches, but people persist in taking their alcohol to drink on beaches or other public spaces. Law enforcement officers will patrol the beaches over the festive season to try and curb the consequences of drinking illegally. The public is encouraged to support legal, liquor licensed businesses to enjoy liquor of their choice.
(Article by New Age, edited by LiquorWise)
Sunday, December 18. 2011
Liquor Traders - Cape Town City’s Liquor Enforcement Unit partnered with the Western Cape Liquor Board and Provincial Office of the South African Police Services to conduct integrated operations in Camps Bay, Sea Point, the Waterfront, the Cape Town CBD, and Bellville on the weekend of 12 December 2011.
The Unit focused on contravention of the Business Act as well as the City’s Community Fire Safety By-Law and Streets, Public Places and Prevention of Noise Nuisances By-law.
Officers inspected 43 night clubs and issued 48 fines to the value of R52 000,00. Three premises were closed under the Liquor Act for non-compliance with regulations.
Combined operations such as this one will be conducted on a regular basis to ensure that the patrons visiting these premises are kept safe. In addition, owners of premises selling liquor are constantly made aware of the Liquor Unit’s zero tolerance approach to non-compliance with City regulations.
Contact LiquorWise for assistance with compliance to the Liquor Act.
Liquor Licence Holders - Liquor Licence Holders were surprised by an compliance operation by Liquor Board Inspectors, the The South African Police Service and other liquor law enforcement agencies in the Wallacedene and Bloekombos area of Cape Town to investigate whether liquor traders were complying to the conditions of their liquor licences.
Several fines were issued for selling liquor from incorrectly zoned parts of premises and for not having working fire extinguishers. The liquor licence holders were also investigated for serving alcohol to minors, selling alcohol for off-consumption with an on-consumption licence, lapsed licences(when not renewed annually) and the violation of trading hours. 1 700 inspections have been carried out in the Western Cape since April 2011. Fines in excess of R120 000 have been issued.
Minister Winde expressed his concern about some liquor outlets which had produced home-made brews (fruit ale). According to him, it is sold cheaper than water. He promised that his department will be investigating all ways possible to stop the production and sale of it.
"We are enforcing a zero-tolerance approach, and a further 400 raids are planned for the December and January festive period. In addition, law enforcement will keep a close watch on premises that have already been inspected to ensure that non-compliant behaviour has ceased," said Minister Winde. He acknowledged that liquor is an important income and employment generator for our province, but this must be weighed against its harms. If licensed outlets abide by the rules, we'll see a significant drop in the negative effects of alcohol. We encourage them to get their houses in order now. This December and January, we are ramping up inspections in partnership with SAPS, municipal law enforcement and local CPFs around the province to ensure responsible trading and consumption of alcohol. Through these actions, we are making our communities better together."
Chairperson of the Western Cape Liquor Board, Mr Raybin Windvogel, explained that a licence is granted based on an agreement between the Liquor Board, the local community and the liquor trader : "We impose conditions for a reason and when sellers don't obey them, the entire community is affected by increased crime, vehicle crashes, domestic violence and general disorder. We need to guard against these highly damaging effects of alcohol by creating a culture of compliance."
If liquor outlets have any queries relating to licensing, they can call LiquorWise on 0861059473.
Liquor Licence Renewal - The Gauteng Liquor Board has called on all Gauteng liquor licence holders to renew their licences. The liquor licence renewal period started on December 1 and licence holders are required to renew their licences. In terms of the Gauteng Liquor Act, licences are renewed annually.
Liquor Licence Holders must ensure that they comply with the Gauteng Liquor Act because non-compliance is a punishable offence. The chief director of the liquor licensing office, said traders who continued trading without renewing their licences would be doing so illegally. Liquor Traders who trade without renewing their liquor licences, run the risk of having the businesses closed, their liquor confiscated and being prosecuted.
The Liquor Board ensured that their office will be open during festive season to ensure that those liquor traders who want to renew their liquor licences can do so.
Liquor Traders in Gauteng have been complaining for more than a year about the cumbersome renewal process which they have to follow when compared to other provinces. The following is a demonstration :
Gauteng Liquor Licence Renewal
- Collect Renewal Notice personally at Liquor Board
- Make payment at FNB Branch
- Present proof to Liquor Board
Liquor Licence Renewal in most other SA Provinces
- Renewal Notice Posted to Licence Holder
- Pay per EFT
- Keep proof of payment
Liquor Traders say it is unreasonably time consuming and expense.
(Article in New Age, Edited by LiquorWise)
Liquor – Restaurants. The top three most Googled restaurants in 2011 were all pizza chains - Pizza Hut, Domino's and Papa John's . LiquorWise picked up on this on Google’s 11th annual Zeitgeist list. This list ranks the most popular and the fastest-rising search terms.
As part of the broader lifestyle category, the top 10 restaurants searched in the U.S. this year were:
1. Pizza Hut
2. Domino's
3. Papa John's
4. Starbucks
5. McDonald's
6. Olive Garden
7. Subway
8. Applebee's
9. Jimmy John's
10. Buffalo Wild Wings
Up and comers
Globally, a couple of quick-service and fast casual brands were listed among the fastest-rising food and drink terms searched. Wendy's topped the list, Little Caesars is No. 3, followed by Chick-fil-A. At No. 7 is Jimmy John's, followed by Buffalo Wild Wings (No.  and Popeyes' Louisiana Kitchen (No. 9).
The global search included countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America and Oceania (Australia and New Zealand).
Search results of note
Pizza, in general, was the top searched food and drink item in Singapore, Germany and Mexico. This is likely good news for California Pizza Kitchen andChuck E. Cheese's, both of which have expanded their footprints in Mexico in the past few months.
The top searched item in the food category in New Zealand was the "Double Down Burger”, a KFC bun-less burger, which has become the most successful sandwich launch in KFC history. More than 10 million Double Downs were sold in the U.S. in the first month alone.
(Article from www.fastcasual.com, edited by LiquorWise)
Friday, December 16. 2011
Liquor Licensing Committee - The Mossel Bay Town Council has established a 5 member committee to represent the Municipality when commenting on liquor licence applications. The Town Council is acting in anticipation of the new Western Cape Liquor Act to be implemented in April 2012. The new Western Cape Liquor Act requires that municipalities comment on all liquor licence applications. Ward councillors are also required to comment and will therefore be co-opted on the committee for any application in the councillor's ward.
LiquorWise is keeping track of the appointment of these municipal committees and will keep all licence holders up to date of progress in their respective municipal areas. It has long been a concern of LiquorWise that municipalities are not addressing this issue with the urgency it requires. Liquorwise will be communicating with Western Cape Municipalities to encourage the appointment of liquor licence committees and to offer assistance to set up such committees.
In terms of the Act, comments must also be obtained from the relevant Ward Councillor. Council has therefore given approval for the Councillor, in whose ward the licenced premises are situated, to be co-opted on the Committee for the application concerned.
Liquor & Wine - LiquorWise are always looking for articles which may interest liquor licence holders or potential liquor licence holders. Although not always strictly related to liquor licensing itself, articles on affordability and making it easier to choose is part of the LiquorWise philosophy.
Picking a wine that you’ll enjoy can be a daunting task, whether staring down the aisles of a liquor store or glancing at the wine menu at a restaurant. Therefore, we found the South African Wine Index (SAWi) a great help to consumers and liquor licence holders. The Index is a multi vintage wine rating, deducted from the combined preferences of a diverse group of wine judges from various wine competitions, providing a condensed result point. Other considerations include quality consistency while a nominal point is added for additional accolades like a trophy winner.
Top wine producers met at the Twelve Apostles Hotel in Camps Bay at the end of November to celebrate the extraordinary achievements attained by a category of wines as identified by the latest Index results.
The Top 24 Wines selected are the following : Bouchard Finlyson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir, Eagles Nest Shiraz, Hamilton Russell Chardonnay and Kanonkop Paul Sauer, Klein Constantia Vin De Constance, Rijks Private Cellar Pinotage, Kanonkop Pinotage, Saronsberg Shiraz and Hamilton Russell Chardonnay, Mulderbosch Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, Saronsberg Full Circle, De Krans Cape Tawny Port, Bouchard Finlayson Hannibal and Cederberg Sauvignon Blanc, La Motte Shiraz Viognier, Paul Cluver Chardonnay, Neethlingshof Noble Late Harvest Riesling, Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve and Kleine Zalze Barrel Fermented Chenin BlancOak Valley Pinot Noir, Lomond Pincushion Sauvignon Blanc, Stellenzicht Cabernet Sauvignon, KWV Mentors Shiraz, Paul Cluver Noble Late Harvest Riesling.
LiquorWise trust that readers will agree with the wine producers that the wines are worth buying (and drinking, of course!)
Thursday, December 15. 2011
Liquor Board - The Western Cape Liquor Conference will be hosted at the Old Mutual Auditorium, Mutual Park, Pinelands on 15 December 2011. LiquorWise will report on matters of interested to licence holders and the general public raised at the conference.
Liquor Board - The Eastern Cape Liquor Board's multi-million rand, 5 year lease has been cancelled by an order of the High Court in Grahamstown. The court found that the tender process was fatally flawed because the Board had not followed the "Preferential Procurement Regulations". It found that, although the tender may have been competitive, this was subject to the administrative requirements of the tender, which had to be met. The full text will be available soon on the LiquorWise website under " Liquor Boards".
(Article by LiquorWise)
Tuesday, December 13. 2011
Gambling market - LiquorWise has noted that South Africa is the world's third-largest casino market and it was also the fastest-growing casino market in 2010 with a 3.5% increase, according to a new PwC report. the National Gambling Act permits 40 licensed casinos. Currently, there are 37 operating casinos, which leaves little room for expansion.
It is expected that casino upgrades and a new casino licence will enhance the South African casino market. There will be relatively little growth from new casinos to 2015. A new 15% tax on winnings of R25000 or higher, provisionally scheduled to go into effect in 2012, is expected to have an adverse impact on the market. However, there is currently no detail available on how the proposed tax is to be calculated or collected, it said.
It was reported that France had the largest casino market in 2010 at $3.8-billion, followed by Germany's $2-billion and South Africa's $1.8-billion. However, France has declined during the past year, and a further drop is expected this year.
The Limpopo Gambling Board awarded a casino licence to Peermont Global. Peermont also upgraded the Umfolozi Hotel and Convention Resort. Sun International plans to upgrade the Boardwalk Casino in Port Elizabeth. Tsogo Sun Gaming plans to upgrade the Hemingways Casino in East London, having been awarded a new 15-year licence by the Eastern Cape Gambling Board in exchange for a R20m payment for exclusive rights to a large area surrounding East London.
GamblingWise advises and assists owners of liquor licensed businesses to obtain gambling licences for limited payout machines. Contact GambleWise for more information!
(Article by I-Net Bridge, edited by LiquorWise)
Monday, December 12. 2011
Restaurants and guesthouses were the biggest beneficiaries of the COP17 conference in Durban during the past twee weeks. The accommodation industry expected to benefit by the tune of R500m, but the acting head of Durban’s strategic projects unit, Sue Bannister, said that it was closer to R1billion.
Liquor sales at both restaurants, hotels (including guesthouses, B&B’s, lodges), pubs and bars were reported to be excellent. Restaurants (including coffee shops) provided 495000 meals, while accommodation was fully booked during the 14-day conference with approximately 160000 bed-nights.
(Article by Times Live, edited by LiquorWise)
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