Prestige 94

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94

FA S H I O N | DESIGN | J EW E L L E RY | T R AV E L | BU S I N E S S | P RO PE RT Y AUDI R8 SPYDER • BESPOKE ARCHITECTURE • WINNING YACHT DESIGN ISLAND LIFE IN THE MALDIVES • RED CARPET IN CANNES ISSUE 94 – 3/2017

AFRICA’S PREMIER LUXURY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

WE DIDN’T JUST BUILD AN SUV. WE BUILT A MASERATI.

LEVANTE. THE MASERATI OF SUVs. STARTING FROM R1 650 000 The practicality and versatility of an SUV, or the power and panache of a Maserati? Now you can enjoy both - Introducing the new Levante. The Powerful V6 Engine, Q4 intelligent all-wheel drive system, 8 speed ZF transmission and sophisticated air suspension confirm that the Levante is every inch a refined SUV. Meanwhile, its exclusive Italian styling, luxurious interior and unique exhaust note affirms its Maserati DNA. So that’s one less difficult decision to make. o Levante diesel: v6 60 2,987cm - max power: 275 hp at 4,000 - max torque: 600nm at 2000-2600 rpm - max speed: 230 km/h 0-100km/ acceleration: 6,9 secs - fuel consumption (combined cycle): 7,2 l/100km - co2 emissions (combined cycle): 189 g/km The data may not refer to the model represented

www.maserati.co.za

MASERATI JOHANNESBURG

MASERATI CAPE TOWN

BUILDING NO. 3, BRYANSTON BOULEVARD, 2985

67 JAN SMUTS STREET, CAPE TOWN, 8001 Phone: 0800 0600 78 | E-mail: info@maseraticpt.co.za

WILLIAM NICOL DR, BRYANSTON Phone: 0800 0600 77 | E-mail: info@maseratijhb.co.za

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CONTENTS

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Upfront Ed’s Letter – Page 8

Inside Prestige and Elegance – Three striking new editions have been announced by Rolex following Baselworld 2017 – Page 10 Serpenti Seduttori – Bulgari’s seductive serpent that is as tempting as they come – Page 14 Paris Est Une Fête - Ten years was all it took to disrupt and revolutionise the place of women in society – Page 16 Cabin Crew – Embraer’s Lineage 1000E is a business jet that flies above the rest, not only in size but in its versatility and ability. Two new configurations bring the glamour of the big city into the aircraft cabin – Page 20 Inner Fear – Learn how to control the seven primary fears that limit your potential and self belief, says world renowned human behavioural specialist Dr John Demartini – Page 24 Built Fabric – Within the domestic architectural fabric there have been defining moments – Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water, Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye and Mies van der Rohe’s Villa Tugendhat – Page 28 Cannes Cannes – The 70th Annual Cannes Film Festival, like the 69 before it, was all about the A-list celebrities who turned out for the red carpet at the premieres of the films that vied for the Palm d’Or – Page 34

Getting Away from it all

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Wild As It Ever Was – Escaping the world can be easier than you think. A short hop by helicopter from Mozambique’s capital Maputo lands you on a deserted, tropical coastline where whales and dolphins live, and coastal elephant and wildlife roam free – Page 40 Fade to Grey – Carly Natasen experiences some urban chic in the heart of trendy Cape Town CBD – Page 52 Living it up on the Luvuvhu – Fancy a safari with real soul? The perfect luxury bush destination may not be as far away as you thought, writes Sharon Gilbert-Rivett... – Page 56 Paradise [not yet] Lost – Vivien and Carly Natasen tick off a bucket list item with a week in the Maldives – Page 60

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CONTENTS

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Food and Wine Jazz Bands Quartet – Luke DaleRoberts is a collaborative guy. Wesley Randles and he are partners at The Shortmarket Club in Cape Town and now he’s teamed up with Candice Philip at X Saxon to create a menu that bears both of their signatures – Page 66 Reds – The Alto phenomenon is an institution in South African wine and we spoke to young winemaker Berto van der Westhuizen – Page 68 Heaven and Earth – A combination of old and new world, coupled with unique soils and climate, have been the hallmark of Bouchard Finlayson wines since inception in 1989. Chris Buchanan spent a morning with cellar master Peter Finalyson – Page 72 Generations – The Hennessy Cognac brand has been at the forefront of changing the drink’s image worldwide. Chris Buchanan spoke to Maurice Hennessy, Global Ambassador and eighth generation of the Hennessy family – Page 78

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Getting Around

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Super Yacht – Sybaris Perini Navi is named 2017’s ‘best sailing yacht’ at 2017 World Superyacht Awards – Page 90 Along Came a Spyder – In its coming of age, Audi’s R8 meshed high performance with everyday use almost seamlessly.

Now you can do it all with the top down – Page 96 One in a Million – It’s not very often a car museum wheels its finest exhibits out the door, throws you the keys and says: “Here you go. Have fun!” – Page 102 Country Man – SUVs have become a standard in most of the model offerings in South Africa in response to our love of the great outdoors and ability to commute on the daily run and then get out of the city with our outdoor gear – Page 108 Two Doors – The new A5 Coupé continues the touring tradition but adds more of a sporting side and includes Audi’s rethink on their interiors and a whole lot of technology to boot – Page 110

Final Say From the Publisher – Page 112

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PRESTIGE

UPFRONT

Publisher Vivien Natasen +27 11 484 2833

ED'S

Editor Chris Buchanan chris@prestigemag.co.za Deputy publisher/brand ambassador Carly Bailey Natasen carly@prestigemag.co.za

REGIONS

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espite the trend toward globalisation or nationalisation we all have a sense of regionalism within a greater provincial, national or global context. I consider myself a global citizen, born on the southern tip of the continent of Africa, in a maternity ward, in a city within a province. It defines my allegiance to a sporting team, my preferred local cuisine, my perception of the strangest things like smell, weather and geography, and when I leave, I come back to what I call home.

Too often these regional borders are the result of a chalk drawn compromise in a political arm wrestle and bear no resemblance to organic and traditional regional development. But culture will always prevail as you see in similarities in cross-border custom and cuisine that separate people in political border only.

Every issue of PRESTIGE, particularly in travel, presents another region to you through the eyes of our journalists who travel and partake in the customs. Each region has its own enigma, differing from the other in more than just scenery and experience but in a profoundly local attitude toward its lifestyle.

In this issue we visit the regions of sub-Saharan Africa, Indian Ocean Archipelago, Cape Town city, the Hemelen-Aarde valley, an old fishing village that is now almost a metropole, the slopes of the Helderberg, and Cognac in France among others. And you will discover, as you read about the people and the traditions of these regions that they never exist in total isolation despite Roald Dahl’s Pratt and Schofield jostling over the district and specifics of the vineyard in the story “Taste”.

We all borrow from experience which I think adds immense value to who we are, where we come from and what we

Layout and Art Direction Daniel Jonathan info@danieljonathan.co.za Advertising Sales Carly Bailey Natasen carly@prestigemag.co.za

stand for. The Pinot Noir out of the Hemel-en-Aarde valley has adopted much of what Burgundy considers tradition and the local town of Hermanus combines its local staple of fish with influences from India, France and a broader South-East Asia.

Previous issues of PRESTIGE have told stories of the most traditional Champagne houses looking to the new world for innovation and the new world looking to Champagne for guidance.

Your region, call it the 200 km radius of your upbringing, is ingrained in your every childhood memory as defined by the late Pete McCarthy who was told by a priest that if you return to the place of your birth, you will immediately feel at home. Yet your return to this place will bring you, along with every influence you’ve had through your travels and time on this earth.

These combine to give you Swiss chard with chilli and Parmesan shavings or lamb frikkadels with halloumi and tomato relish or Burgundian wine off South African terroir and lemon grass and coriander in a Walker Bay curry.

Architecture is no different as we take influences from diverse regions and eras to create a vernacular that eventually defines its own language – Cape Dutch a perfect example. While Tuscan or Georgian design has no bearing on a South Africa lifestyle, certain adaptions might compliment local architectural language as a fusion of style and practicality.

The more we travel, the more we experience and the more we bring home the influences of that cultural interaction.

But when you return to your region, you’ll know you’re home because that’s where you were born.

CHRIS

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Operations and Circulation Eugene Reuben eugene.reuben@neoafrica.com Digital Renate Engelbrecht web@bellamagsa.com Contributors Sharon Gilbert-Rivett, Keri Harvey, Patrick Leclezio, Marc Rudman, Gautam Sharma Printing Paarl Media Kwazulu Natal distribution Media Support Services Subscriptions: To subscribe please go to www.prestigemag.co.za click on the Subscribe tab and submit the form. An invoice with banking details will be sent to you. Your first issue of Prestige will be despatched as soon as payment is made.

Costs: 6 Issues = R600 per annum excl VAT, other countries are subject to a postage surcharge and will be calculated accordingly. Single copies of Prestige can be purchased for a nominal fee of R89.00.

PUBLISHED BY Neo Publishing (Pty) Ltd Tel +27 11 484 2833. Fax +27 11 484 2899 Cover Image Audi R8 Spyder by Marc Rudman Location: "The Masks at the Shed" Steyn City Artists: Charles Gotthard, Martin Umali, Martin Garafa and Malvern Makhonya All rights reserved. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or any of its clients.

Information has been included in good faith and is believed to be correct at the time of going to print. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information and reports in this magazine, the publisher does not accept any responsibility, whatsoever, for any errors or omissions, or for any effects resulting therefrom. No part of this publication may be used, or reproduced in any form, without the written permission of the publisher. All copyright for material apearing in this magazine belongs to Neo Publishing and/or the individual contributors. © 2014

PRESTIGE

JEWELLERY & WATCHES

Prestige and Elegance THREE STRIKING NEW EDITIONS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED

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BY ROLEX FOLLOWING BASELWORLD 2017.

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he first is a 904L steel version of its classic Oyster Perpetual Lady-Datejust 28, as well as a white Rolesor version (combining 904L steel and 18 ct white gold) with a fluted or gem-set bezel in 18 ct white gold. These new versions are available with a wide choice of dials. As with the gold and the Rolesor versions introduced in 2015 and 2016, these new Lady-Datejust watches feature a redesigned, larger 28 mm case and a new-generation mechanical movement, calibre 2236, equipped with the Rolex-patented Syloxi hairspring in silicon. Like all Rolex watches, the new versions of the Lady-Datejust 28 carry the Superlative Chronometer certification redefined by Rolex in 2015, which ensures singular performance on the wrist.

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JEWELLERY & WATCHES

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” The aphorism, attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, captures the essence of the new Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller. This classically attractive watch designed for global travellers is distinctive thanks to its revolutionary design, one that blends to perfection technological sophistication and ease of use. The ingenious simplicity of the Sky-Dweller is appreciable at every level – from the display to the movement as well as in its everyday use.

It provides, in a highly original way, the information global travellers need to easily keep track of time: a dual time zone with local time read via centre hands and reference time displayed in a 24-hour format via a disc; an annual calendar known as Saros, that automatically differentiates between 30- and 31-day months; and a simplified interface to set the watch’s functions via the rotatable Ring Command bezel. Through its innovations the Sky-Dweller provides a comprehensive demonstration of Rolex technology, backed by a total of 11 patents in the fundamental areas of reliability, precision, ergonomics and waterproofness.

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Rolex has also introduced three new versions of its Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona in 18 ct yellow, white or Everose gold. These versions are fitted on the innovative Oysterflex bracelet in elastomer reinforced with a metal blade, and are equipped with a monobloc Cerachrom bezel, patented by Rolex, in black ceramic. This latest evolution is a blend of high technology and sleek aesthetics, and pays tribute to the heritage of this legendary chronograph.

The black bezel is reminiscent of the 1965 model that was fitted with a black Plexiglas bezel insert. Like all Rolex watches, these new Cosmograph Daytona versions carry the Superlative Chronometer certification redefined by Rolex in 2015, which ensures singular performance on the wrist.

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Serpenti

seduttori BULGARI’S SEDUCTIVE SERPENT

THAT IS AS TEMPTING AS THEY COME

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his High Jewellery bracelet and ‘secret’ watch is a truly unique creation testifying to Bulgari’s total mastery when it comes to creating the most daring models by combining its two fields of expertise: jewellery and watchmaking.

The pink or white bracelet, a first for Bulgari, coils smoothly around the wrist while transcending formal geometry, extending to the head of the reptile from whose emerald or ruby eyes darts a gaze that literally transfixes the observer.

Dangerously beautiful with its tourmaline, tanzanite or sapphire cabochon, it opens to reveal the finest sting of time: the hours and minutes hands sweeping around a dial paved with brilliant-cut diamonds echoing the setting on the bracelet, paved with brilliant- or baguette-cut diamonds.

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JEWELLERY & WATCHES

PARIS Est Une Fête TEN YEARS WAS ALL IT TOOK TO DISRUPT AND

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REVOLUTIONIZE THE PLACE OF WOMEN IN SOCIETY.

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en years during which women were liberated and emancipated. Ten years that turned Paris, the world capital of creativity, into an intellectual magnet for the avant-garde. Dancing, Painting, Haute Couture... Women took control of a world that had belonged exclusively to men and reinvented its codes to the point of defining modernity itself. Ten joyful and intoxicating years of celebration, overflowing with creativity.

With this new collection of unique pieces, Valérie Messika offers us liberated and contemporary High Jewellery inspired by this festive Paris, its social and cultural mania and its illustrious women, who reinvented their gender through various artistic disciplines.

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EARRINGS ROARING DIAMONDS Perfectly asymmetrical earrings with a ripple effect thanks to the part beneath the ear lobe. A shape that is not unlike the feather headdresses worn by starlets in music halls during the 1920s.

The cheeky detail of the stone at the top of the ear is particularly effective and acts to accentuate the dazzling effect of the earring.

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BRACELET ROARING DIAMONDS A bracelet that reflects the same flamboyant design and adjusts to fit the base of the wrist perfectly, thanks to the Skinny system, to magnify the back of the hand.

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NECKLACE ROARING DIAMONDS While the 1920s are known as “les années folles” in French, which literally means “the crazy years”, they are commonly referred to as the “Roaring Twenties” in English. In the same mind-blowing spirit, Valérie Messika has designed a plastron necklace that is as sumptuous and striking as a roaring lion’s mane. A frenzy of marquise-cut diamonds. A vertiginous succession of pear-cut diamonds pointing downwards, which capture a libertarian spirit.

The necklace transfixes you with its majestic design. With the contrasting proportions of the diamonds, the play on micro settings and the skillful manipulation of volumes, this characterful plastron required hours of thought to find the perfect arrangement of stones.

PRESTIGE

JEWELLERY & WATCHES

EARCUFF MADELINE The designer has created a vibrant tribute to Madame Vionnet’s bias cut with an ear cuff, which adorns the ear with extreme delicacy.

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BRACELET MADELINE Reinterpreting Madame Vionnet’s signature cut, Valérie Messika has designed an accumulation of marquise-cut diamonds in a bracelet version.

NECKLACE MADELINE – A DIAMOND SCARF Valérie Messika uses the richness of the world around her to fuel her imagination and has created a suite that reflects the most beautiful women of the 1920s. A becoming design, an architectural shape, sleek lines... This is the result of meticulous work by nimble fingers completed at the High Jewellery atelier of Maison Messika.

To add an extra sparkle to this diamond scarf, the designer adds a perfectly proportioned detachable pear of 4.01 ct. In line with the Silk jewellery and its fluidity, this necklace reflects the bias cuts of the talented Madeleine Vionnet–a pioneer of the art of asymmetry and draping. Valérie Messika has combined her passion for diamonds and fabric in this necklace, which adorns a woman’s neck like a diamond scarf.

DOUBLE RING MADELINE To complement this scarf necklace, a marquise-cut double ring delicately adorns the knuckles, revealing the Maison’s expertise and savoir-faire.

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O&M CAPE TOWN 93041/E

#big_time?

#about_time?

Audi Q2 #untaggable Some things are impossible to tag.

Is it #citycar? #countrycar? or #coupĂŠ?

It’s all of that, and more. Audi Q2 is #untaggable.

Please visit your nearest Audi Dealership for more.

Audi Vorsprung durch Technik

PRESTIGE

AVIATION

EMBRAER’S LINEAGE 1000E IS A BUSINESS JET THAT FLIES ABOVE THE REST, NOT ONLY IN SIZE BUT IN ITS VERSATILITY AND ABILITY. TWO NEW CONFIGURATIONS BRING THE GLAMOUR OF THE BIG CITY INTO THE

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AIRCRAFT CABIN.

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HOLLYWOOD With warm, light colours and chrome trim accents, the Hollywood harkens back to the golden age of celuloid. Glamorous design sensibilities and neoclassic artwork set the mood for socialising and gracious entertaining. The entryway features a 3D relief, sculpted in leather. This amazing piece of art is a narrative work that chronicles the history of Hollywood, including images of Howard Hughes, the Sunset Tower and automobiles of the decade.

The Cloud Club is a dazzling art deco bar complete with exquisite gold-toned bar stools and tufted divans. Backlit crystal sculptures inside the walls and marble tones throughout the aircraft add a touch of drama and authenticity to the Hollywood’s dÊcor.

For formal dining there is a six seater VIP Crystal Room.

The Hollywood is designedin MGM style, with a nod to film greats of the black and white movie era. Embraer pushes the design envelope in private aviation with the introduction of a chic shuttle aircraft that celebrates the beauty and affluence of the past while embracing the advanced technology of the future.

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AVIATION

THE MANHATTAN Deep mahogany wood panels, brass and gold trim and rich jewel hues provide the perfect backdrop for adventure.

Beautiful artwork in the entry includes a distinctive metallic mural, reminiscent of the iconic art deco mural in the Empire State Building. Guests can meet in the Cloud Club, a luxury lounge with décor inspired by the Chrysler building. The Cloud Club features a cosmopolitan style bar with retractable bar stools, vintage sconces and a mohair/lambskin divan.

One of the key features of this space is the panoramic city loft window inspired

by Jean-Michel Frank designs. The Manhattan evokes a timeless elegance with touches of grand iconic style. Warm wooden flooring, rich accents and brass light treatments throughout the aircraft create a clubby atmosphere, ideal for the flow of cocktails and conversation.

The Manhattan’s Park Avenue style is evident in the plush divans and rich colour schemes and technology includes the latest in advanced flight avionics and bespoken designs.

The ultra-large Lineage 1000E offers high versatility — five cabin zones in multiple configurations, with room to spare worthy of a home away from home. It also gives you the ability to negotiate restrictive airports (Teterboro, Aspen, London City) as well as flights within an extended range capacity of 4,600 nm, with an advantage of low operating costs.

It also gives you the ability to negotiate restrictive airports (Teterboro, Aspen, London City) as well as flights within an extended range capacity of 4,600 nm.

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PERFORMANCE DATA

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Range @ 8 pax (M 0.78, NBAA IFR res.) 4,600 nm / 8,519 km Range @ 8 pax (HSC, NBAA IFR res.)

4,440 nm / 8,223 km High Speed Cruise 472 kt / 874 km/h Maximum Operating Speed M 0.82 TOFL (MTOW, SL, ISA) 6,076 ft / 1,852 m Landing Distance (MLW, SL, ISA) 2,450 ft / 747 m Maximum Payload 9,625 lb / 4,366 kg Maximum Operating Altitude 41,000 ft / 12,497 m Engine Thrust (each) 18,500 lbf / 82.292 N Avionics Honeywell Primus Epicâ„¢ Cabin Volume 4,085 cu.ft / 115.7 cu.m Total Baggage Capacity 443 cu.ft / 12.54 cu.m Maximum Executive Configuration 19 seats Typical Executive Configuration 13 seats PRESTIGE: IN THE LAP OF LUXURY

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BUSINESS

inner

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LEARN HOW TO CONTROL THE SEVEN PRIMARY FEARS THAT LIMIT YOUR POTENTIAL AND SELF BELIEF, SAYS WORLD RENOWNED HUMAN BEHAVIOURAL SPECIALIST DR JOHN DEMARTINI.

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just don’t know enough. I’m not smart enough. I don’t have the education for it.” That’s another illusion because you have the capacity to do whatever you dream of doing. No matter how much you know, you will have the unknown.

You attract opportunities according to your level of knowing. As you know more you grow more. By loving yourself even when you don’t know, you liberate yourself to learn.

The third fear is the vocational fear of failure. You must be able to love failure as much as success since you fail and succeed equally and constantly.

Have you ever set yourself goals and didn’t fulfil them? Everyone has.

You’re a success and failure constantly throughout your life, and you need both. Babe Ruth had the most home runs and the most strikeouts in history and that is the magnificence.

The fourth fear is the financial fear of poverty. Here you fear that if you were to do what you truly would love to, you won’t make enough money. If you love something and are committed to doing whatever it takes to succeed, value money highly, follow the financial laws of success and save – you can

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here are seven areas of life we are here to master: spiritual, mental, vocational, financial, familial, social and physical.

They can either be powerfully supportive of your genius or impede it.

There are also seven common fears and guilts that fragment our full potential in each of these areas. The only difference between someone who does what they love and someone who doesn’t is that the former has the ability to identify their fears and has a strategy to break through them.

The first is the spiritual fear of breaking some perceived authority’s ethics. Morals are the rules we impose on ourselves, and ethics are the imposed rules between others and ourselves. Many people let those fears stop them from doing what they love and expressing their genius because they fear the disapproval of others.

The second fear is the mental fear of not knowing enough. This fear can keep you from doing what you really love: “I

PRESTIGE

BUSINESS

If you break down you’re listening to your fearful self, if you break through you’ve listened to your immortal self.

But don’t think that you’re ever going to be without fears in your life.

certainly build wealth doing what you would love.

The fifth fear is around family and losing your loved ones. Many people feel that if they do what they love they will lose someone they love. I think what stabilised my marriage is that we don’t so much need each other as we just love each other. There’s a big difference. We both have an independent life and if either of us were to leave, the other would still function.

The sixth fear is the fear of social

rejection. This is a big fear. Some people are not doing what they love because they’re afraid people will reject them. The truth is, acceptance and rejection occur throughout your life and the more extraordinary you become, the more you will receive of both. Learn to appreciate both equally and you are free. People come and go, but you’re with yourself for the whole trip and it’s your life. Never sacrifice the eternal for the transient. Embrace both sides of life equally.

The seventh and last fear is the fear of ill health, disease or death. Some people don’t live their dream because they’re afraid they’ll die if they do, or they won’t have enough energy. But the greatest cause of illness, disease, and death is not living your dreams.

That’ll kill you quicker than anything else. Inspiration and gratitude heal and empower, and if you’re not doing what you love you’ll feel ungrateful and desperate, You can break through or break down in all seven areas of life. If you break down you’re listening to your fearful self, if you break through you’ve listened to your immortal self. But don’t think that you’re ever going to be without fears in your life.

Founder of the Demartini Institute, International best-selling author, educator and consultant

www.dr.demartini.com

Presented Presented Presentedby by byDr Dr DrJohn John JohnDemartini: Demartini: Demartini:Human Human HumanBehavioural Behavioural BehaviouralSpecialist, Specialist, Specialist,Educator, Educator, Educator,Author Author Authorand and andBusiness Business BusinessConsultant Consultant Consultant

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The The Secret Secret To To Creating Creating An An Inspired Inspired And And Empowered Empowered Life.

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DI_1705_4357 DI_1705_4357 DI_1705_4357

Cape Cape CapeTown: Town: Town:Wednesday Wednesday WednesdayEvening Evening Evening999August August August2017 2017 2017

frederic@neoaegir.co.za | john@neoaegir.co.za +27 (0)72 244 1982 +27 (0)72 683 2660 Shop 35, Seaside Village Shopping Centre, Cormorant Road, Big Bay, Cape Town, 7441 Authorised Dealer

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fabric WITHIN THE DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURAL FABRIC THERE HAVE BEEN DEFINING MOMENTS – FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT’S FALLING WATER,

LE CORBUSIER’S VILLA SAVOYE AND MIES VAN DER ROHE’S VILLA

TUGENDHAT. THEY DEFINED A LANGUAGE AND AN ERA, AND THEY DEFINED ARCHITECTURE AS A TRUE PROFESSIONAL CRAFT. THIS IS THE PHILOSOPHY OF DREW ARCHITECTS.

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by: Chris Buchanan

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drive through the growing number of gated estates that have become integral to the South African way of life, or through the neighbourhoods that are demanding top dollar in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg and Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard, reveals an interesting mix of architecture, very little of which is reflective of our way of life, culture or South African heritage. We seem to be obsessed with a stylistic approach to our living environment, so Tuscan, Georgian and Balinese architectural vernacular prevail without contextual relevance beyond reminiscence of a time spent in another country.

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“Taking a stylistic approach to a home”, says Andrew Payne of Drew Architects, “has a direct (negative) impact on investment because it goes out of fashion.” Most members of the small studio that houses Drew come out of commercial backgrounds where delivering a product is the primary objective following a brief from a client.

The process is one of disappearing for three weeks and presenting the client with a finished design, packaged in a slick brochure and a 3D animation walk through.

Andrew says you get taught at university that process delivers a great product, “the foundation of this business was a return to craft, a return to doing things properly, following the process and understanding that a really meticulous and thorough process will always deliver a great product”.

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Before pen goes to paper, the Drew team gets an understanding of the client, their wish list in terms of living areas and their lifestyles, family, hobbies, etc in a fairly intimate interview. Andrew says they will have their version of a digital scrapbook, either Pinterest or collected media of their architectural, material and finish preferences, combined with living space expectations to come to a viability.

He says it’s understanding how to make the home fit the client like a glove. “It’s such a unique opportunity to create something that is tailored to you. Like a tailored suit, it’s not a one-size-fits-all.”

And this puts the client in the middle of the development and design process, participating every step of the way, the biggest challenge of which is matching aspirations to budget.

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Three drivers have the biggest cost bearing – the condition of the site, whether it’s atop a cliff at 40 degrees or on a flat piece of land; the structure itself, single or double storey, brickwork or concrete; and finish, hanging glass walls, off shutter concrete or elaborate stone work. Andrew says they can do a kitchen for R100 000 or R1million, it all depends on the budget and client expectations. Once a first design concept drawing is presented to the client there are no surprises because they’ve been part of the entire process.

The word craft has become overused as a term that speaks of a return to handmade and artisanal values but

architectural craft, as it exists through hand drawn renderings and concept drawings to final working drawings, is a genuine skill that is rarely practiced in a new world of computer technology.

Andrew believes that clients relate to hand drawn sketches showing their house positioned on the site with the evolution of the design in a visual medium that precedes formal or working drawings. Architectural software is then used to convert formal drawings into a three dimensional architectural model on-screen and eventual working drawings. Clients can visualise their house design through a video animation, once again in a medium that they can

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about how we practice and guiding and educating our clients.” A look at the work coming out of the Drew studio sees a clear mid 20th century Modernist influence which is about reduction in place of embellishment and allowing materials and light to play a major part in the design, while staying contextual to local colours, materials, lifestyle and the aspects of the site. They embrace what it is to be modern, what it is to be South African, learn lessons from abroad and create something that is meaningful, contextual and appropriate for the position.

Clients do have architectural preferences and Andrew believes the Drew process serves as an educational and advisory platform within which to emphasise the merits of a timeless design that ignores fashion. Says Andrew, “whether a client wants a motor court to show their car collection or a

cliff side home with a barn aesthetic and a resort feel to the final design, it’s about architecture that reflects the client, not the designer.

And the same approach applies to any client in any context and in the locations in which they’re currently working – London, Dubai, Panama, Germany and Mauritius. Andrew says a house in any location would be researched in precisely the same process, taking into account local materials, building technology, lifestyle and site parameters, and given the Drew Architects’ design considerations of a Modernist, timeless aesthetic. It might bear the signature of the Drew studio but it will reflect your lifestyle and will be an extension of your personality – timeless design, your best investment.

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relate to without technical interference.

Most important though is the architectural and design journey undertaken by the client with the guidance of the architects. A few architects who serve the bespoke niche are immediately recognisable by looking at the completed design – it has their aesthetic signature if you like so the client invests in a reputation rather than a personalised design. Drew architects operate differently where they prescribe to an architectural language which is dictated to by context and the requirements of their clients.

“We do far more than just make a building. It’s about being responsible

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cannes cannes THE 70TH ANNUAL CANNES FILM FESTIVAL, LIKE THE 69

BEFORE IT, WAS ALL ABOUT THE A-LIST CELEBRITIES WHO TURNED OUT FOR THE RED CARPET AT THE PREMIERES OF THE FILMS THAT VIED FOR THE PALM D’OR. pictures: shutterstock

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Kendall Jenner attends the '120 Beats Per Minute (120 Battements Par Minute)' screening in Cannes, France.

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Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at the 'Okja' screening during the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals.

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Nicole Kidman, Elle Fanning at the ‘How To Talk To Girls At Parties’ premiere for at the 70th Festival de Cannes.

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J. Krisch, S. M. Chancrin, D. Moschitto, Fatih Akin, Diane Kruger attend ‘In The Fade’ premiere at the 70th Festival de Cannes.

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FASHION

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Berenice Bejo attends the 'Redoubtable (Le Redoutable)' photocall during the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals PRESTIGE: IN THE LAP OF LUXURY

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WILD AS IT EVER WAS

ESCAPING THE WORLD CAN BE EASIER THAN YOU THINK. A SHORT HOP BY HELICOPTER FROM MOZAMBIQUE’S CAPITAL MAPUTO LANDS YOU ON A DESERTED, TROPICAL COASTLINE WHERE WHALES AND DOLPHINS LIVE, AND COASTAL ELEPHANT AND WILDLIFE ROAM FREE.

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ook there,” says Anvil Bay activities guide, Zima Chavane pointing straight ahead, “between the muesli and the yoghurt is a whale.” At the end of the al fresco breakfast table on the beach, are whales breaching just beyond the breakers.

“They’re humpbacks,” he says, “and we see them passing by here between July and November. They come in close like this sometimes, so you can see them clearly. We are really lucky today.”

With nothing and nobody in sight or sound, horizon to horizon, Ponta Chemucane on the southern coast of Mozambique is a magnificent and rare slice of pristine paradise. Days, even weeks, can go by and you’ll only hear the ocean and maybe a fish eagle calling on the beach. The lodge is secluded, utterly private and a complete escape from the world. There’s the feeling of being a modern-day castaway, but with no rough edges. Yet, Anvil Bay at Chemucane is not just a magnificent establishment, it is also sensitively constructed and tucked into the coastal forest that edges the beach. The lodge is built entirely from natural materials and topped with canvas, all crafted by local hands. Today, most of the staff at Anvil Bay, which opened in 2015, also helped to build the lodge which is a proud example of a successful joint venture with the local community. A fortunate

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all, or there are plenty of other things to do if you wish. If you are in the mood, there is boat fishing for barracuda, yellow fin tuna, kingfish or marlin, snorkelling, swimming with dolphins or kayaking. You can ride the fat tyred sand bicycles on the beach or walk as far as you like along the coast northwards or southwards and you probably won’t see a soul. And just over the dunes is the Maputo Special Reserve with forest trails and plenty of wildlife and birding.”

Just yesterday, driving in to Anvil Bay from Maputo, we traversed the thick sand roads of the reserve and viewed game en route. Zebra, reedbuck, waterbuck, blue wildebeest and elephant were all checked from the list, and there’s also red duiker, giraffe, nyala, kudu, bushbuck, hippo and crocodile in the inland lakes just behind the dunes. Maputo Special Reserve (MSR) at over 1000km² is home to the last remaining coastal

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handful of guests – no more than 18 in total – can be accommodated at Anvil Bay to experience this wilderness coastline in luxurious comfort. In so doing, the local community benefits from their visit too, making it a responsible tourism choice as well.

“So what are you thinking of doing today?” continues Zima, the whales now out of sight. “You can of course stay right here and soak up the sun on a lounger with nobody bothering you at

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elephants – which is the very reason the reserve was established in the 1930s.

Since then MSR has been extended to protect endemic plants and animals as well as the exceptional biodiversity of this coastline. So rich is the area that it’s included as one of the world’s 25 richest biological and most endangered terrestrial eco regions.

Keen birders will be enchanted by the 350 species in the reserve, courtesy of the varied habitats found in the area.

This coastline is also turtle territory.

Every year – from late October to the end of January - leatherbacks and loggerheads lumber laboriously up the beaches to lay their eggs in the sand. The lodge, being in the Ponta Partial Marine Reserve, assists the reserve with turtle monitoring and data collection – and guests can go along too on hot summer nights to see these ancient creatures nesting. Then from December to March, turtle hatchlings run the gauntlet from their nest to the sea, dodging ghost crabs and other opportunistic predators lying in wait for them. Seeing either experience is humbling; it’s the raw life force in action.

The adjacent beach bar keeps us watered and the panoramic Indian Ocean view has us captivated throughout, as we crunch huge fresh prawns.

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We head back to the lodge hungry for lunch, the sea breeze keeping us cool and energised as we go. Chef Julio has prepared a seafood lunch that smacks of the ocean. Fresher is impossible and so is tastier. Mozambican chefs are renowned for their culinary skills and creativity, sometimes with a dash of spice or local peri peri on the side. We enjoy lunch al fresco again, with a sea sand floor. The adjacent beach bar keeps us watered and the panoramic Indian Ocean view has us captivated throughout, as we crunch huge fresh prawns.

Tomorrow we will swim with wild dolphins and walk the forest trails looking

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Today though, riding fat wheel bicycles along the beach as far as our legs will carry us sounds like a fine plan. It’s low tide when we set off with cameras and water packed, in an unspoken quest to spot another living soul. Cycling is easy. The sand is hard and the sun is warm as we follow the high water mark. Ghost crabs scatter and race back into the sea as we approach. A half an hour later and we have seen nobody, so we stop for a swig of water and continue. An hour passes and we decide to turn around, still having not seen another human being.

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for birds with unusual names, and maybe we’ll try our hands at kayaking or head out to sea for snorkelling; maybe we’ll see manta rays or whale sharks too. But maybe we should just extend our stay to do it all and then also make time to chill and rest. Or maybe we could make a few calls and just stay put indefinitely. Once you get to Anvil Bay at Chemucane, heading home is not really a priority at all.

Travel advice

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www.anvilbay.com

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Getting there: SAA flies direct to Maputo and Anvil Bay does helicopter transfers directly to the lodge at Chemucane. The trip takes about 25 minutes. Road transfers from Maputo are also possible as is self-drive in a 4x4 vehicle.

Visas: South African passport holders do not require a visa to Mozambique.

Best time to go: Winter from June to August is drier and cooler with a daily average of 25C, while December to March is hot and humid. January is the hottest month with high humidity and an average temperature of 30C.

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love

a mother's

WHILE INSTAGRAM BOMBARDS US WITH AN INFLATED SENSE OF LUXURY, SOME THINGS IN LIFE JUST EPITOMISE WELLBEING WITHOUT ANY OSTENTATION. THE MARINE HOTEL IN HERMANUS IS LUXURY AS IT SHOULD BE.

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by: Chris Buchanan pictures: The Liz McGrath Collection

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ermanus, although historically originated mid-19th century, became a haven for fishermen and a holiday destination for the Cape’s well-heeled in the early 1900s. It’s always been associated with old money – F. Scott Fitzgerald’s West Egg upon which Jay Gatsby gazed in envy, and more recently has become a retirement haven and has seen rapid expansion westward to the point that the village newspaper is debating the merits of the construction of a new shopping mall.

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more like visiting mum’s luxury house at the seaside for the holidays. Old wooden floors creak along wide passages and doors are recessed and opened with an actual key. Carpets are plush with no patterned insignia, just muted colours on velvet texture, and furnishings are classic, rich in texture with wood panelling and floor to ceiling sash windows. I stayed in the Premier Suite with its elevated loft bedroom, accessed by quarter turn newel stairs on either side and a view of the sea through a punctuated window in the opposite wall.

Public areas have been redesigned over the years with the inclusion of glass walls to allow a permanent view of the cliff path, the odd passing whale and the front lawns. The Marine’s vast lounge invites you in for tea, to

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Along the seafront, however, it retains its fisherman village charm and still occupying a prime position on the cliff path is The Marine Hotel. It’s the grand old lady of the Hermanus-set having seen lavish soirees of the rich and famous and always considered the luxury destination of South Africa’s whale watching capital. The Marine has changed hands over the years and today finds itself within the Liz McGrath Collection, along with Cellars Hohenhort and The Plettenberg.

It had been a while since I last visited Hermanus and found myself staying as a guest of The Marine on two occasions recently. While five-star luxury has become remote key access, one touch lighting systems and highly modernised environments The Marine is

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soak up a sun filled corner and read the newspaper engulfed in the huge couches and armchairs. But as with any visit to mum’s house, it’s always the food that keeps you warm and content.

Peter Tempelhoff is Executive Chef for the Liz McGrath Collection and resident Head Chef at Origins Restaurant is Grant Parker who has an Asian background and together they’ve developed a menu that celebrates Hermanus and its heritage of fish and the region’s livestock. I asked Peter of the one ingredient every Hermanus restaurant should not be without, that represented the region and it turned out to be abalone, the rhino of the sea that is being plundered from our shores by greedy, misguided thieves, so a big nono for any sustainable menu.

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The Marine has seen all these changing years, weathered all the storms and watched over her tidal pool and rocky coastline as any loving mother would do.

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Staying true to the region, without the abalone, I went for the South Atlantic tuna tartare with sesame and pickled kohlrabi, the Walker Bay fish curry in coconut and pickled carrots and a selection of cheeses from Hermanus, Somerset West and Howick. Peter said beach sage and buchu salt are used as representative of the region and the wine list stays within 100 km of the town concentrating on cool climate varietals that have become hallmarks of Walker Bay. The challenge for Peter and Grant is to create a fine dining culture in, what is essentially, a fishing village, serving food at the right price point and getting locals to come back to this hotel restaurant and not relying on guests alone. Peter’s long standing affiliation with Relais & Châteaux adds a signature that defines quality and innovation and the Origins menu mirrors that ethos

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providing you with local, seasonal ingredients, hunted or gathered from the hills and sea and prepared in a fusion of South African/French/Asian cuisine.

My early morning and evening walks along the cliff path scanning for a visiting humpback or southern right whale were reminiscent of a few special times spent in this village. The stone and stucco mansions of the old money who occupy prime positions overlooking the sea and the old harbour now asleep, having earned its rest after years of seeing the fishermen of Hermanus home with their precious catches.

The Marine has seen all these changing years, weathered all the storms and watched over her tidal pool and rocky coastline as any loving mother would do. She defines an era of old world luxury and opens her arms to you in the unconditional love that only a mother can give.

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the grey

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hotel

CARLY NATASEN EXPERIENCES SOME URBAN CHIC IN THE HEART OF TRENDY CAPE TOWN CBD.

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t always fascinates me to see and experience what the different pockets of Cape Town have to offer. Cape Town, like most other South African cities, is a melting pot of different cultures and dynamics, it just takes everything to another level. From being in the spacious, serene winelands, to

the eclectic urbanised but art friendly CBD of Cape town. For the first time in a long time, I got the opportunity to stay in the hub of the CBD. I have a lot of friends who have chosen a lifestyle of residing in the city and don’t even possess a car choosing to commute with public transport and Uber. In South Africa generally that is not very practical, but somehow Cape Town

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manages to make it work, despite our transport system. So here I find myself in the Grey Hotel propped right up on the hillside overlooking the business centre and somehow, I can’t help but to feel that I am in Europe. Cobblestoned roads, artisanal coffee shops on every corner and people walking around either bustling to offices or strolling as tourists. Its central location in the vibrant De Waterkant makes most of Cape Town within walking distance or easily accessible by Ubers and taxis.

As a business traveller staying in big corporate and conference oriented hotels most of the time, I found this boutique hotel so refreshing - a hotel with so much character and personalisation. When I have meetings in JHB, all the corporate décor tends to be too similar – almost like they all use the same decorating company.

Cape Town is where fashion, art and magic happen. The Grey hotel is a little gem that makes you feel you have a sanctuary in the middle of a big city.

The mosaic tiling and courtyards with staircases made me feel that I could be in Mexico.

There is a lively piano bar which is situated on the ground floor of the hotel, that seems to be a meeting spot for a lot of the locals starting off in the late afternoon with a happy hour that can get you going for the night – with drinks, burgers and tapas. Live music is played in the intimate space not only on the shiny grand piano – from Jazz to Soul, African Indie-Folk up to piano Jazz.

The star attraction is the lovely rooftop, SKYBAR, which is a cute chilled bar. We enjoyed soaking up the sun with a little deep house music playing to set the mood. Even though it is very small, it feels like a best kept secret to enjoy any time of the day and night.

On the accommodation side, they have thirteen beautifully appointed

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The special thing about this hotel is that they prefer to leave you be and take a back seat as to your needs rather than over pamper you. Be prepared for a relaxed atmosphere and don’t expect a typical luxury hotel experience

rooms, each one unique, cosy but well thought out in terms of décor, design and function. The obvious adornments of a fridge and free wi-fi for the urban traveller are also included.

The special thing about this hotel is that they prefer to leave you be and take a back seat as to your needs rather than over pamper you. Be prepared for a relaxed atmosphere and don’t expect a typical luxury hotel experience – something they’re proud of and which makes them quirky and fun.

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which means you can share - we had six different dishes (with hindsight four would have been adequate but our eyes were clearly bigger than our stomachs). The standout dishes were crispy pork belly, firecracker prawns and the tuna tacos - they're fantastic. SHIO is a perfect night-time spot: Ambient night-spot moody, dark vibe with an upbeat tone and a trendy crowd. The Japanese graffiti adds to the drama and atmosphere.

Outside the hotel, overlooking the street, there is a sort of European coastal town street-side chic look, almost like a beach bar which has found its way into the city – that´s what makes it so charming. When the shutters are open it becomes a haven where you can sit down for a cappuccino or chai latte at Jarvis / Napier street contemplating the day trippers, urban warriors and tourists passing by.

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FANCY A SAFARI WITH REAL SOUL? THE PERFECT LUXURY BUSH DESTINATION MAY NOT BE AS FAR AWAY AS YOU THOUGHT, WRITES SHARON GILBERT-RIVETT...

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ovement. That imperceptible feeling that drags you from the depths of sleep, leaving you wide-eyed, heart racing as you lay as still as possible in the hope of detecting whatever it is that may, or may not be a threat...

Again... This time accompanied by the snapping of twigs and a faint shudder which moves up through the floorboards, dissipating in my king-size bed.

I sit up, ears straining for clues. Beyond the mosquito net the Luvuvhu River gurgles on its way to the mighty Limpopo, just a few kilometres away. The bush that makes up the Makuleke concession in the far north of the Kruger National Park is otherwise still, save for the usual chirps of crickets and frogs.

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LIVING IT UP ON THE

LUVUVHU

and jackal berry trees, Pafuri Camp's 19 tented suites have been designed to blend seamlessly with the environment.

The decor is understated and echoes the philosophy that less is more, with simple splashes of vibrant green adding colour to a palette of neutrals and crisp, white linen. Prints of indigenous wildlife above the bed remind you that you are in one of South Africa's last great wilderness areas, which stretches, seemingly forever, on all sides.

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my racing heart and slink back to bed, reflecting that life at Pafuri Camp is far from boring.

It's an observation which is repeated ad nauseum at this luxury safari camp overlooking the Luvuvhu, where it's hard to drag yourself away from the riches surrounding you to venture out into the magnificent wilderness which beckons beyond the river.

Strung out on the riverbanks beneath a canopy of giant nyala berry

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A snort. And another faint shudder.

To my left. I ease out of bed, grabbing my torch, and peer through one of the mesh windows of my tented suite, holding my breath as the beam of light penetrates the surrounding foliage and picks out a pair of rather startled eyes.

The nyala bull has been disturbed mid-scratch in his attempt to dislodge ticks against one of the poles supporting the floor and decking beyond. I lower my torch, releasing a slow sigh, still

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The tents are connected by a series of raised wooden walkways, elevating you up above the sensitive riverine eco-system as you move to and from the camp's communal areas. The nyalas find safety here, beneath the decking, away from the prying eyes of predators, and have become accustomed to the steady ebb and flow of human activity.

Pafuri's restaurant, bars and extensive lounge areas have been built to maximise the view of the river, currently running a rich, oxtail brown thanks to much-needed late rains. A home to hippos and crocodiles, and frequented by elephants, the Luvuvhu is the focal point around which camp life revolves. Plush couches and armchairs occupy nooks and crannies beneath the towering canopy of trees, providing ample natural shade throughout the camp - a blessing in an area where summertime temperatures regularly hit the mid-forties.

Heavily influenced by the rich culture and traditions of the Makuleke community, which own and help operate the camp and the concession on which it is situated under the guidance of renowned safari operator, Return Africa, the camp's decor offers a marvelous mix of traditional African artefacts and modern organic design which is nowhere more evident than around the swimming pool.

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With its row of wooden lath salas and fabulously comfortable day beds sitting cheek by jowl with some of the most relaxing loungers I have ever come across, this is the beating heart of Pafuri Camp by day, where guests come to cool off, gaze across the ever-present river and take advantage of a constant flow of first-class service from the adjacent bar.

If the pool deck is the centre of attention by day, then the dining deck is the place to be by night, when another world seems to descend on Pafuri Camp. Under a canopy of millions of stars and accompanied by the cacophony that is the bush after sunset, food tends to taste all the more incredible, especially when accompanied by a carefully paired South African wine.

However, none of it would be worth a fig if it weren't for Pafuri Camp's greatest asset - its amazing team of

people. No matter where you go in camp you are greeted by the milewide smiles of the staff. There are 36 of them, 33 of whom come from the Makuleke community. This is an important aspect as Pafuri Camp is something of a pioneer in the fastgrowing arena of sustainable tourism.

In 1998 the Makuleke people regained ownership of the "Pafuri Triangle" - the wedge of land between the confluence of the Limpopo and Luvuvhu rivers in the north-eastern corner of the Kruger National Park. It was a landmark land restitution case but instead of resettling the land, the Makuleke elected to keep it under conservation, working with South African National Parks and to use it for tourism purposes with the intention of it directly benefitting the community and the wildlife it sustains.

Return Africa pays the Makuleke a fee to operate on the concession and shares profits, transfers skills, supports

Call it safari with soul, if you like, or luxury with purpose – which has to be the best form of luxury money can buy.

local entrepreneurs and invests in community projects. Call it safari with soul, if you like, or luxury with purpose which has to be the best form of luxury money can buy.

Something else that money buys you at Pafuri Camp is a first-class wildlife experience in what has to be one of the most beautiful stretches of wild Africa anywhere on the sub-continent. From wide flood-plains alongside the Limpopo and Luvuvhu, to the breathtaking Lanner Gorge, vast swathes of fever tree forests and groves of towering baobabs, this is a veritable African Eden, packed with biodiversity and an array of flagship species, from the Big Five to spectacular bird life found nowhere else and an impressive array of plains game. It's perfect walking country, and Pafuri runs a series of guided wilderness trails every year, from April to October, offering hikers the option of exploring this amazing corner of the Kruger on foot.

All of which sounds like a lot of effort as I relax on the deck of my tent, obligatory G&T in hand, watching hippos sunbathe on a sandbank. Call me a slacker if you will, but that nyala's midnight war on parasites robbed me of some of the soundest sleep I've ever had. And the view's just too good to tear myself away... Cheers!

Find out more about Pafuri Camp by visiting http://www.returnafrica.com

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VIVIEN AND CARLY NATASEN TICK OFF A BUCKET LIST ITEM WITH A WEEK IN THE MALDIVES.

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ne of the most important things my lovely wife and I had resolved to do well before getting married was to visit the Maldives. Don’t get me wrong, we have done several island and beach holidays but from our research the island archipelago of the Maldives was installed to the bucket list in its unique configuration, as well as the risk the world has imposed on it with climate change and its vulnerability to rising sea levels.

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that the average height above sea level is 1.5 metres and the highest point in the country being 2.4 metres. With a prediction of a rise in sea levels of 59 centimetres by 2100, most of the inhabited Maldivian islands are at risk of being submerged.

As a South African, getting there is a the most convenient via Emirates to Dubai and then a 3.5 hour flight to the capital, Male’ and then shuttled out via sea plane or boat to the relevant island resort.

Our trip was to the five-star Cocoon resort on the Ookla. This was approximately 35 minutes by sea plane from the capital island. The fleet of aircraft is efficient and effective, if one adjusts to an island mindset, with a logistics crew determining the routings and flights as per demand. The sea plane option is well worth selecting if your chosen resort is a bit far out. In the packages we had selected, the sea plane transfers were included upfront. The experience of taxiing out on pontoons on the water, coupled with the unusual takeoff and landing is an experience in itself.

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perspective over a few islands as well as an indication of how the archipelago is laid out. We did one flyby, Top Gun style over the island, before making the landing and taxiing up to the jetty. After a quick welcome and introduction, we were whisked off in golf carts to our rooms. Interestingly this resort runs an hour ahead of the official Maldives time zone making sense in that by the end of the week, people are so relaxed that they tend to miss deadlines, so an hour’s leeway actually helps.

The newer resort designs are generally the same. Where protected by a reef and practical to do so within the lagoon, villas have been erected on

stilts over the water, some with splash pools fitted. Cocoon is no different as it comprises several options on type of accommodation, including, lagoon villas (with or without pools), beach villas and high end versions of each as well. Over the week, we discovered that the Lagoon Villas are suited to couples (especially those on honeymoon), and that the beach villas would suit travelling groups or families. If you intend visiting with children, it is pretty much a no-brainer to select the beach villas.

Our villa was perfectly placed for sunrise views without any visibility of neighbouring guests so was secluded

for a couple travelling on their own.

Being a new resort, Cocoon’s décor was expectedly contemporary where in fact they pride themselves on the modern, minimalist Italian inspired look and feel. The furniture throughout the resort is a “floating” concept i.e. solid woods and structures erected over tempered glass to provide that levitating effect.

Some may feel that the look is a bit too minimalist modern, as some guests probably prefer a more rustic island look, but we loved the ethos created in our little bubble for that week.

The package includes all meals, all wines and cocktails, unless one is choosing more exclusive or exotic items.

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There are three restaurants on the island, the standard one being in the main area and the others being more exclusive and private for a more intimate experience or a la carte dining. A hint is that honeymooners get an exclusive dining experience at no extra charge, so if you have just got married, make sure to let them know you want that.

The food in the main dining restaurant, Octopus, is good, in fact better than good. To avoid the boredom of buffet menus, they have a theme for each night allowing for variety to creep through and keep the guests engaged. The wine selections are also

good. Given the time of the year and the prevailing temperatures, we preferred the blush and white wines, and gulped down a fair bit of cocktails with mojitos and pina coladas serving as favourite sundowners.

Our visit to the Maldives was during the monsoon season, so with trepidation we did some internet research around whether or not this was a good time. To be truly honest, it was the best thing we ever did, our week was divided equally between sunshine, overcast and a bit of rain.

The days that the sun burst through, was sometimes a bit hotter than I

would have liked, as it is coupled with humidity. So a bit of cloud cover and even rain helped a lot to make life a bit more comfortable. However, if you are one of those who is looking to be baked for a week solid, then rather select a time outside of the monsoon season and carry lots of sunscreen, you will need it. All rooms are air conditioned and I must tell you, we lived with the units most of the time.

Water sports are abundant, with choices on non-motorised and motorised. There are daily excursions for snorkelling etc included in the price. We suggest getting to grips with

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The experience of taxiing out on pontoons on the water, coupled with the unusual take-off and landing is an experience in itself.

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With the dotted clouds and setting sun, it makes for a perfect setting to see out the daylight before strolling back to dinner.

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these quickly and plot out a schedule of sorts. We only discovered some of these later in our trip so we didn’t take full advantage of them. The resort also includes a spa facility. We tried out the couples massages and these were very good, with well-trained experienced staff. It is well worth squeezing in some of this as well.

Another great suggestion is to do a leisurely stroll down to the end of the island just before sunset for sundowners. With the dotted clouds and setting sun, it makes for a perfect setting to see out the daylight before strolling back to dinner. During and after dinner on each night, there is always a bit of live entertainment to keep everyone engaged until around midnight before retiring to the room and rebooting for the next day.

Cocoon is a young, vibrant resort and giving its pricing, it allows for a younger crowd to experience what is generally reserved for extremely wellheeled clients. There are many other famous and discerning resorts in the Maldives and I am sure that we will experience these in the coming years, however, our Cocoon experience is worth a look at as a modern five-star experience in the Maldives.

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LUKE DALE-ROBERTS IS A COLLABORATIVE GUY. WESLEY RANDLES AND HE ARE PARTNERS AT THE SHORTMARKET CLUB IN CAPE TOWN AND NOW HE’S TEAMED UP WITH CANDICE PHILIP AT X SAXON TO CREATE A MENU THAT BEARS BOTH OF THEIR SIGNATURES.

he five course menu is called “Four Hands” and speaks for itself as a collaboration and something that is made by two people.

We sat down to enjoy all the options on the menu which totalled nine and, despite the marathon, were diverse in ingredients and construction, delicate and highly innovative.

Luke Dale Roberts X Saxon in Johannesburg has already firmly established itself as a serious gourmet destination in a short period of time. After its enormous pop-up success, the restaurant has already scooped up both local and international accolades, from being named the “World’s Leading Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant” by the World Travel Awards to winning the “Best Hotel Restaurant” award by Condé Nast GOURMET South Africa.

With the new “Four Hands” menu, Dale-Roberts wants to treat diners with dishes created by him and by Philip, showcasing the talents and creative energy the two chefs share.

“By creating a smaller version of the nine-course tasting menu, we can give our guests a variety of taste experiences each highlighting our different styles and flavours.”

This five-course menu will also change more regularly than the gourmet menu, as it lends itself to showing off the fruits of Dale-Roberts's and Philip's experimentation and play in the kitchen. The creation of a menu where diners can experience a variety of styles of food, makes this an especially exciting new gourmet experience.

The combination of two different styles of cuisine creates a turn at every dish and juxtaposes boldness with subtlety. Cape salmon and curried carrots from Luke, seabass tartare from Candice, “Luke’s XO dressing” lamb scottati and their collaboration in the kitchen on desserts. There’s foie gras, pork belly, grilled scallop and duck breast as well, emphasising a more traditional French bent to the Johannesburg location.

It is this constant experimentation in the kitchen at Luke Dale Roberts X Saxon that gives this restaurant its exciting culinary edge. The collaboration between Candice and Luke results not only in extraordinary dishes to complement the world-class restaurant setting, but ensures diners remain delighted and surprised by the innovative and superbly crafted cuisine at this restaurant.

The “Four Hands” menu is also an evolutionary concept so the nine courses may vary and chose your five of the nine carefully to get a taste of each of these chef’s talents.

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THE ALTO PHENOMENON IS AN INSTITUTION IN SOUTH AFRICAN WINE. IT’S OCCUPIED THE NORTH FACING SLOPES OF THE HELDERBERG AS A WINE ESTATE FOR 100 YEARS, IN WHICH TIME THERE’VE ONLY BEEN FIVE WINEMAKERS, TWO OF A FATHER AND SON GENERATION, AND HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR ITS HIGHLY UNDERRATED, EQUALLY INSTITUTIONAL ALTO ROUGE. by: Chris Buchanan

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’ve never been able to put a finger on it but Alto Rouge, despite its reputation, has struggled for recognition as a high quality red blend.

Perhaps it’s the rush to Bordeaux style blends with strength in Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc, and Alto Rouge’s high percentage of Shiraz that keeps it off the radar for the purists. My thinking is that the boutique winery revolution in our country has pushed established household names away from the limelight, exposing wine lovers to more variety. By all means, indulge in the vast spectrum now on offer but do yourself a favour and revisit a wine that, at its current price point, is the best quality for your money on the market.

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Berto van der Westhuizen took the reins at Alto in 2015 from his father Schalk who was winemaker for 15 years during the exponential increase in wine producers. He carried the legacy of Piet and Hempies du Toit who understood that good wines come from good farming and they set the standard of a unique South African blend in Alto Rouge. Berto is a young winemaker in a world where traditions in the craft are being tested on every front and styles of the new world, combined with the practises of the old world, are producing highly competitive wines. It’s an understanding of the potentials and the limits, that you can take learnings out of California but you can never make a Swartland Shiraz in the Helderberg.

Berto took us through a vertical tasting of Alto Rouge from 2009 to 2015, combined with a selected menu at Marble Restaurant in Johannesburg.

Through a short period of six years this wine has remained remarkably consistent at the same time evolved a ripeness and elegance that is more characteristic of new world style. There have been wet years, heatwaves and high winds during flowering but there remains smokiness, herbaceousness, lots of dark fruit with an underlay of red fruits and an ability to age remarkably well in your cellar.

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It’s an understanding of the potentials and the limits, that you can take learnings out of California but you can never make a Swartland Shiraz in the Helderberg.

There’s more on offer at Alto in single varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz and 2017 saw the second release of the pinnacle MPHS blend of Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc.

These are exciting times at Alto and Berto is eager to make his mark on the brand but circumspection will surely prevail in an environment where it’s easy to get caught up in over innovation.

Most important to the legacy of 100 years of winemaking is sticking to what

you know best and to what the wine drinking public relates to, and that is where Alto Rouge will always hold its own. The next time you see Alto Rouge on the shelf, buy it. The next time you see Alto Rouge on the menu order it.

Your purchase will drink beautifully with your meal and your family and friends, and if you want to keep it, which you should, it will stand testament to the institution of South African wine.

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HEAVEN

and earth

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A COMBINATION OF OLD AND NEW WORLD, COUPLED WITH UNIQUE SOILS AND CLIMATE, HAVE BEEN THE HALLMARK OF BOUCHARD FINLAYSON WINES SINCE INCEPTION IN 1989. CHRIS BUCHANAN SPENT A MORNING WITH CELLARMASTER PETER FINALYSON.

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he newspaper street pole headline read, “Top French winemaker in Cape venture”. Not a particularly newsworthy story in 2017 but in 1989, South African wine was a reflection of its politics – arrogant and isolated from the rest of the world in a bubble of mediocrity.

Burgundian winemaker Paul Bouchard recognised Peter Finlayson’s belief that superior wines would be an inevitability if we looked to established regions and applied their methods, and so began Bouchard Finlayson wines from the distinctive cellar building atop a hill, surrounded by the vines that were planted in true Burgundian style.

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Methods aside, it’s the soils and the climate of the lower Hemel-enAarde valley that are perfectly suited to Burgundy’s famous child – Pinot Noir.

The calcareous topsoil, deposited when the valley emerged from the sea, is high in calcium, is porous and creates semiarid conditions above the heavy clay below. The chilled breeze off the ocean contributes to the cool climate which, together with soil conditions makes for a difficult environment where vines struggle and management is key to getting concentrated fruit with lower yield.

Vines are planted a metre apart in a high density configuration with “Double Guyot” training, offering better exposure to leaf surfaces and restricted root growth, and 35% of the fruit is picked

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He likens Pinot Noir to Opera, and nobody wants to listen to bad opera, it’s an art form that thrives on excellence.

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green to allow the remaining 65% better fruit concentration. And then of course is the element of time.

Peter Finlayson has seen over 40 vintages in South Africa and Europe and the Bouchard Finlayson venture never intended to put wines onto the market as quickly as possible, as with so many “boutique” producers we see entering the market today. In 1994, when I first visited the cellar, which stood alone on the hill and housed all of the production facilities, there was no Pinot Noir on the menu and was first released in 1997.

We sat earlier this year in the dining room which is part of the substantial extensions to the estate, including a homestead, offices and larger tasting, cellaring and winemaking facilities. Peter

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and manning the tasting room. He also recognised the importance the export market would be to South African wines and concentrated on varietals that were attuned to a European palate. Twenty eight vintages later and the portfolio extends to ten wines: Blanc de Mer – Majority Riesling with Vigonier, Chardonnay, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.

Walker Bay Sauvignon Blanc – 100% Sauvignon Blanc.

Sauvignon Blanc Reserve – Sauvignon Blanc with 14% Semillion.

Sans Barrique Chardonnay – Unwooded from vineyards in the Villiersdorp area.

Kaaimansgat or Crocodile’s Lair Chardonnay – From the Elands Valley

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and I agreed that too often Pinot Noir was grown in unsuitable climates and also released too early which, combined with a fairly hefty price tag, did little to convince the wine drinking consumer to invest in the varietal. He likens Pinot Noir to Opera, and nobody wants to listen to bad opera, it’s an art form that thrives on excellence.

Peter studied oenology at Stellenbosch and immediately headed for Europe where Riesling, Pinot Noir and the French and Italian varietals that constitute the Hannibal blend caught his attention. The Hemel-en-Aarde valley was perfect and when production started as South Africa was emerging from the darkness of isolation, he covered all the bases from winemaking to marketing

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above Villiersdorp, this vineyard ripens a month later than other Chardonnays and is processed in true Burgundian style.

Kaaimansgat Limited Edition Chardonnay Missionvale Chardonnay – Chardonnay from Hemel-en-Aarde named after the mission hospital that existed on the property in the 19th century.

Hannibal – A blend of Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo, Shiraz, Barbera and Mourvédre and symbolically named for the African elephants that the general used to cross from France to Italy.

Galpin Peak Pinot Noir – A terroir expressive Pinot Noir that defines the estate and the work of Peter Finlayson.

Galpin Peak Tête de Cuvée Pinot Noir – A selection of the top Pinot Noir barrels to create a pinnacle wine.

Again the emphasis is on time because since inception, with an incremental and organic growth approach to the business, each year has presented its own challenges which need to be managed to achieve consistency.

His perfect metaphor is test cricket and he says, “you have to trust yourself as a winemaker and have confidence in your approach. There will be disappointments but you can’t let a bad year get you down”.

The Tollman family, who run the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, now owns the estate which Peter runs with Victoria Tollman and strong relationships have been maintained through nearly thirty years of personalised interaction and being the face of the business. “It’s taken decades to build the brand”, says Peter and that epitomises the value that time places on the development of great wines. He believes two things are most important in a good winemaker – their palate and dedication to the craft.

To add to the visitors’ experience a series of nature walks have been developed and are guided by botanist Frank Woodvine across the majority 100 hectares of the estate (only 25 hectares are under vine). And in keeping with the Walker Bay community, the Hermanus Music Society has been holding concerts in the wine cellar for 15 years, a venue that exhibits fantastic acoustics, aided by the earth floor and the acoustic dissipating surfaces of the barrels. And between now and November the circular (tondo) artworks, exhibited on the barrel ends during the Hermanus Arts Festival, can be viewed in the cellar.

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THE HENNESSY COGNAC BRAND HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF CHANGING THE DRINK’S IMAGE WORLDWIDE. CHRIS BUCHANAN SPOKE TO MAURICE HENNESSY, GLOBAL AMBASSADOR AND EIGHTH GENERATION OF THE HENNESSY FAMILY.

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hink Cognac and what used to come to mind immediately were portly gentlemen with cigars in the study, no women and definitely no ginger ale. Maurice Hennessy says the house has been marketing an alternative approach to Cognac for many years and more recently, partnering with contemporary musicians and artists to change the perception of Cognac as a drink to be enjoyed at any time of the day, men and women, neat, on the rocks or with a mixer.

He cites Charles Dickens as far back as the mid-19th century whose Mr Pickwick would enjoy a Cognac with water at the end of the day and says the drink is diversifying in its appeal. “South Africa is our second largest Hennessy VS market in the world and it is consumed a lot in nightclubs by people who instead of having a bottle of vodka they have a bottle of Hennessy and I doubt that they enjoy it neat.”

The cocktail set is becoming strong on the use of Cognac as an alternative to gin and vodka and, although still to establish itself in this country is highly popular in the US particularly. The Hennessy website publishes a range of cocktails, suited to all seasons using their Cognac, a concept that still confuses a few brandy lovers who consider Cognac for the purists.

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A look at the Cognac offering usually begins with V.S. or Very Special – a blend of eau de vie of which the youngest has spent at least two years in cask. V.S.O.P. Very Superior Old Pale – A blend of eau de vie, the youngest of which has spent four years in cask. X.O. Extra Old – the youngest of the blend should be at least six years old and will change in 2018 to ten years old. And then there’s the Beyond Age Cognacs which are usually marketed as specific

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labels within each house and can include eau de vie of 100 years old. Hennessy’s range incudes James Hennessy, Richard Hennessy, Hennessy Privé, Hennessy Paradis and Hennessy Paradis Imperial.

Each is a specific blend commemorating milestones and excellence with the 250+ years of Hennessy history.

Cognac thrives on these distinctions because they facilitate an entry point for all levels of Cognac lovers. When we talk cocktails or nightclub consumption

Each is a specific blend commemorating milestones and excellence with the 250+ years of Hennessy history.

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we’re unlikely to see bottles of Paradis Imperial being used but the V.S. and V.S.O.P. Cognacs that are the basis of the younger generation’s tastes are stepping stones into the world of appreciating the traditions of Cognac.

10 000 eau de vie in each vintage will be scrutinised by Master Blender Yann Fillioux, the seventh generation Fillioux to hold the position at Hennessy and, together with his tasting panel, will decide which of these is suited to the ageing process of the categories. For example only ten of the 10 000 will be deemed good enough to make the final blend of Paradis Imperial, the pinnacle Cognac.

Lunch with Maurice Hennessy saw him doing his job as an ambassador, not only for the house of Hennessy but for Cognac as a drink. He understands the rich kids of Instagram flouting rare and expensive Cognac or champagne, as does he understand the South African penchant for mixing our brandy with coke. His preference from V.S. to Paradis Imperial is either neat, with a dash of water or a block or two of ice but in the end it’s how you prefer to drink it, bearing in mind the pedigree of each one – it’s where Cognac is unique and within each house there’s a bottle to suit each palate.

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WHISKY

when nurture

trumps nature PUTTING THEIR STAMP ON IT. PATRICK LECLEZIO RUMINATES ON INDEPENDENT BOTTLINGS.

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he whisky industry is a strange and fascinating beast. It is virtually unique, which is largely why its output inspires such passionate devotion (also because it’s tasty I guess). Elsewhere, in more dour pastures, the usual expectation is for an organisation that puts out a product to have produced it itself, or at a minimum, in this specialising era, to have conceived and designed it and perhaps contracted out the actual production.

Not so with whisky. Despite being rigidly conventional, and cosseted by tradition in many respects, the industry is also extraordinarily nimble in others, nowhere more so than with what’s known as independent bottling. Tiny in volume, colossal in variety, it’s a microcosmic snapshot of how the industry operates, and of what whisky’s all about.

Independent bottling is the practice by one party of further producing, and then marketing and selling, whisky that was initially produced by another party. At this point, before throwing these terms about any further, it may be worth contextualising what is meant by “production of whisky”. If one reduces this analysis to identifying discrete opportunities to add meaningful value to the final output – which is a must for any party like an independent bottler trying to insert itself into the process, then I’d suggest that there are three broad stages: distillation of the new make (being the entire process culminating in distillation), maturation, and vatting or blending or timing. The independent bottler is not involved in distillation, but can be involved in the other stages to a greater or lesser extent, the grooming of the liquid into whisky.

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It’s a cohesive injection of accelerated complexity and willed variety that is interpreted on the nose and palate as sweet, spicy and rich.

The origins of independent bottling date back to the dawn of Scotch whisky’s big blockbuster brands, when grocers bought liquid from distillers to create their own proprietary blends. Some of these evolved into the multiple-distilleryowning behemoths that dominate the industry today, others into what we’ve come to know as independent bottlers.

We owe a debt to many of the latter in particular for sheltering and nurturing the malt whisky flame along the way. There was a time when single malts were only available, virtually, from independent bottlers, and it was probably their cultivation of this niche into something significant that prompted the big distillers to follow suit. This prescient

attentiveness, when no-one else was much interested, means that the older, more established independent bottlers have stocks of some of the oldest malt whiskies in existence. In 2015 Gordon & MacPhail issued bottlings of a 75 year old Mortlach, the oldest whisky ever released, a record they had already held with the previous releases of two 70 year olds, a Mortlach and a Glenlivet. If you’re in the market for old Scotch malt whisky, generally at much more reasonable prices than equivalent distillery offerings, independent bottlings will provide a rich potential source.

There are many other advantages aside from its aged stocks and favourable costs that independent bottlers proffer

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to the whisky lover. The mechanisms by which liquid is traded amongst the big distillers (for their blends) and the smaller operators like independent bottlers are largely shrouded from public view, but certain deductions can be made.

Distillers sell to independent bottlers for commercial reasons of course, but also for whisky reasons; if, for instance, individual casks are judged to be excessively out with the parameters of the house style it may be deemed preferable to get rid of them.

The phenomenon of “teaspooning”, which is undocumented but popularly believed to be true, is an interesting corollary to these trading practices.

Distilleries wanting to sell their liquid without lending their names to the independent bottlers in the bargain are reputed to add a teaspoon of a different malt to the cask being transacted, a rather messy device considering that it also prevents the whisky from being sold as a single malt. The Westport blended malt for instance is understood to be Glenmorangie with a hint of Glen Moray.

The biggest boon though of independent bottlings is that they

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are small by definition. Whilst these organisations can and do accumulate for making blended malts and blended whisky, the similar stock to which they have access tends to be of relatively reduced quantity. The implications are twofold: first, as I’ve already alluded to, they put out a lot of small volume expressions of differing styles, constitution and flavour. And second, with little to underpin their liquid, the romance and backing of the distillery is arm’s length at best, independent bottlers often live and die by the sword – there’s no cushion so they need to constantly be adding value, providing something more, something different, something unique.

It’s a huge stimulus for innovation and distinctiveness. Compass Box’s Spice Tree is a great example, as is the company as a whole, of this observation in action.

The liquid is bought ready matured (ten years old), but then extra matured for two years in varying bespoke casks (the key constituent being the heavily toasted French oak heads), and finally intricately woven together by their blender. It’s a cohesive injection of accelerated complexity and willed variety that is interpreted on the nose and palate as sweet, spicy and rich.

The beauty of the independent bottling continuum is the multiple layers of opportunity that it offers to add value and apply a core competence, thereby prompting the introduction of new players and products into the mix. The Checkers Liquor Private Barrel Company has specialised in bringing elusive single casks, which would otherwise rarely be seen here, to the South African marketplace. Single casks are a precarious business. There’s no place to hide – as there could be in a vatting or a blend. The latest expression, a judiciously selected and well-timed Glen Scotia 10 year old, is very good indeed, with a juicy, bursting flavour of tropical fruits and sweet spices. If credence is needed then this whisky delivers in spades.

In many senses the whisky industry, despite its conventions and traditions, has been ahead of its time, and nowhere more so than in the sphere of independent bottlers. There is something very modern and vibrant about the focus and specialisation that they have demonstrated. Without their existence the industry would be much diminished, and we’d be shy of many wonderful whiskies.

May the dram be with you.

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THE TRIED AND TRUSTED. PATRICK LECLEZIO ON HOW TO FIX A DRINK.

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f you came of age in KwaZulu Natal it’s quite likely that you’re familiar with the John Deere; not the agricultural equipment necessarily but rather the drink that’s taken its name - that seemingly weird concoction comprising a liberal foundation of cane spirits camouflaged with a topping-up of Creme Soda. It’s not the most sophisticated conceivable drink, in fact it might have a claim to the arse end of this particular spectrum, but that it’s got something going for it, a certain synchronicity should we say, over and above doing its intended job with unquestionable efficiency, cannot be disputed. It struck a collective chord that has continued to ring true over the passing of decades.

Now I’m an individualist at heart.

Robert Frost’s “The road not taken” is easily my favourite poem. I like to do things differently, to explore the unusual, and to cultivate the unconventional. To a point though. When it comes to drinks pretty-much-even-if-not-quite-everything that has potential and merit – beyond the temporary flash of novelty – has already been done. You’ll have your own personal preferences, but it’s likely that the momentum of drinks evolution, enduring popularity over the movement of time, has already catered for it. Of the millions of experiments that have been tried, the fittest have survived. Time has figured out what works and what doesn’t.

So when we want a winning drink there’s no there’s no need to reinvent the wheel.

A clarifying note before going further: this piece concerns the fixing of drinks, as opposed to the mixing of drink. I will attempt to transform you in the next few paragraphs into a competent fixologist, not a mixologist. We’ll limit our concern to the plain one or two-gear varieties of drinks, the workhorses of the drinking experience, with maybe a bit of garnish at a push. It won’t be – it can’t be – comprehensive, but it’ll give you the general idea: that the tried and trusted is known as such for a reason.

SPIRITS

BROWN SPIRITS One word: water. They say water is the source of life. Well, if your life involves the consumption of brown spirits, it’ll not only sustain you, it’ll also lend you some of its sparkle.

Add a dash of water to “release the serpent”. Water unlocks the congeners in a spirit, maximising your ability to access and appreciate their flavour. Or add a clink to your drink. Taking spirits on the rocks is particularly popular in colder climates. I’d recommend an ice-ball or crushed ice, the former will melt slower than cubes, the latter faster; in each case you’ll mitigate an experience where your drink tastes too concentrated at one point, and too diluted at another. Or even add both water and ice.

The Japanese mizuwari as an example is a long drink featuring whisky, water and ice.

It’s a lighter and more refreshing, but unadulterated take on drinking fine spirits.

You can take a horse to water but you can’t make him drink. Many people prefer their spirits neat, many others with a flavoured ingredient. Cognac and potstill brandy in particular tend to be bottled at lower alcohol strengths than something like whisky, at least for our local consumption, so it’s more natural and palatable to enjoy these without water. Mixers come in all sorts of varieties, but the long-living king is cola, reigning over drinks such as the Cuba Libre, rum with cola and a slice of lemon, and the Spook and Diesel, brandy and cola of course, as every good South African knows.

If that doesn’t fire your engines though try the prince-in-waiting, ginger ale, best complemented by a wedge of lime.

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WHITE SPIRITS If gin is the drink, then it’s tonic to the brink. You’ll know this already. What you might not know – because it’s counter intuitive considering its bitterness - is that tonic is laden with sugar. Fix your G&T with soda-diluted tonic – it’s the same delicious combination, with a much healthier result. Don’t feel obliged to add garnish, just because it’s expected: gin producers have spent long dollars coming up with an intricate combination of botanicals that’ll serve you well without any third-party intrusions.

Vodka is probably the most versatile of all spirits. It’s flavourless by definition so it’ll enhance most of the soft-drinks that you already enjoy. Vodka orange, vodka lime and soda, vodka cola, the list goes on. This is too obvious to be interesting.

How about flavourless vodka all on its own? Flavour is accessed through smell and taste, but there are other senses that matter in appreciating a drink, notably touch.

The mercury-like texture of frozen vodka is touch-titillating, without the distraction of flavour. It’s been drunk this way in its heartlands for as long as there’s been ice and snow to chill the stuff, so extensively verified.

This brings us to cane spirits, with only one thing to be said: nothing runs like a Deere.

Time has figured out what works and what doesn’t, so when we want a winning drink there’s no there’s no need to reinvent the wheel.

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super SYBARIS PERINI NAVI IS NAMED 2017’S ‘BEST SAILING YACHT’ AT 2017 WORLD SUPERYACHT AWARDS pictures: Phillippe Briand

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ll judges were impressed with the naval architecture, sailing ability, supreme comfort, exceptional division of internal volumes and her technical innovations The 70 metre superyacht Sybaris

by Perini Navi has been proclaimed ‘Best Sailing Yacht of 2017’ in both the 40-metres-plus category and overall at this year’s prestigious World Superyacht Awards. The official ceremony was held in May in Florence, Italy.

Philippe Briand has designed the hull, underwater appendages, rig, sail plan and main characteristics of this modern 70 metre ketch and is the main naval architect of the project.

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The Owner of Sybaris – Mr Bill Duker said, “Philippe Briand was selected to be the naval architect for Sybaris because he was seen five years ago as the person who would be regarded as the best naval architect today. The selection of Sybaris as the best sailing yacht in the 40-metresplus category and the sailing yacht overall winner proves we were correct.”

The Jury panel ‘s comments: “Sybaris not only impressed the judges with its sailing ability – particularly in light airs when many yachts of this size resort to mechanical power – but also in the yacht’s supreme comfort and optimum division of internal volume that entirely suits the owner’s needs. Some technical innovations have already been mentioned, but there are more in that the sail plan, rig and underwater appendages were

subjected to extensive CFD testing, which allowed detailed optimisation of rig, hull shape and appendages. Beautiful, capable, comfortable, and technically advanced this is a yacht that was considered supreme for its purpose”.

The streamlined and contemporary superstructure is topped with an impressive flying bridge that is 18m in length; the largest of any sailing yacht afloat. At 850 gross tonnes, Sybaris has wide-open and well-lit interior spaces with an innovative layout and smart storage solutions. The exterior design is by Perini Navi design office and the sophisticated interior design is by PH Design the Miami-based studio’s first yacht project.

Sybaris has a brand new power management designed by Perini Navi

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Beautiful, capable, comfortable, and technically advanced this is a yacht that was considered supreme for its purpose.

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Sybaris was also shortlisted as a finalist in six categories of the ShowBoats Design Awards, held in Kitzbühel in February 2017. She went on to take home more trophies than any other superyacht, including titles for Best Interior Layout & Design and Best Lighting Design, as well as the award for Newcomer of the Year, presented to PH Design.

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as are the innovative self-driven captive winches.

Philippe Briand said: “I enjoyed being part of this Design team and working with its highly talented members as Franco Romani of Perini Navi design office, PH Design, the shipyard Perini Navi and Bill Duker, the owner of Sybaris who brought this team together”.

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Vehicle specifications may vary for the South African market.

Thrill instructor.

The new Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 CoupĂŠ S. Visit www.everyterrain.co.za

A Daimler Brand

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IN ITS COMING OF AGE, AUDI’S R8 MESHED HIGH PERFORMANCE WITH EVERYDAY USE ALMOST SEAMLESSLY. NOW YOU CAN DO IT ALL WITH THE TOP DOWN. by: chris buchanan pictures: marc rudman and audi sa

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upercars as they’ve evolved through the last fifty years were always the domain, not only of the well cashed up but also of the driving enthusiast who needed to know what they were doing behind the wheel if they were to contain the raw power unsupported by driving aids that would kick in if too much enthusiasm was directed at the accelerator pedal. They were cars that were highly unsuited to a daily commute in the traffic and were best on the track or a quiet winding road.

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Times have changed, as has technology, which now enables all the features of a high-end sedan, as well as all the dynamic drive controls, to be included in a R3million+ sports car.

When Audi introduced the new R8 in 2016 a lot was said for how the car had evolved and become a contender at the price point of R2m-R3m. It had become so much more than a TT on steroids and the addition of the V10 put it in clear supercar territory. Refinement in styling brought it in line with the more conventional by among other things, toning down the carbon fibre blades behind the doors that so many scribes thought gave the original R8 its clear identity. It was clearly an Audi R8 but it had grown up and developed its own poise.

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Now it’s here as a Spyder and not only is it a visual feast, but the comprehensive package of the new R8 is magnified when the wind is in your hair.

There’s an old problem with convertibles, especially the iconic cars, in that the lines of the car are compromised by folding roof styling and with the roof down, there’s no shape to them at all. This car escapes the problem by resolving the roof styling with two fins at the rear that stretch the fabric and recess the back window into the roof. Unlike the R8 Coupé you won’t get a view of the V10 powerplant through a glass engine cover, but you do get articulated aluminium inlays that accentuate the sportiness of the rear and add to the visual appeal. The body shape and the shortened side blades give the car all the presence with the roof down and it maintains its stature as a convertible.

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Driving the car in traffic is remarkably easy in comfort mode, even in the suburbs of Johannesburg where potholes reign and random patching of road surfaces adds to the rough ride.

The R8 Spyder is forgiving in both ride and drivetrain making it easily adaptable to an everyday commute. Visibility is surprisingly good out of the side mirrors and rear windscreen and you don’t feel as though you’re in a supercar as you go about your regular business. Selecting the dynamic or sport mode ups the engine sound, the throttle response and hardens the suspension, getting closer to that supercar feel. And then there’s the selector that switches off all the driving aids for a track experience with a driver who can punch at this weight.

Selecting this mode on one or two open

roads around Johannesburg (without being silly at the wheel) gave the car a real performance attitude and a sense of a thoroughbred champing at the bit to be unleashed. The numbers speak for themselves - 540 horses, a top speed of 312kph and 3.7 seconds to get to 100kph.

Cocooned in the cockpit of the R8 Spyder is a world of many parts. Cool tunes through the Bang & Olufsen sound system while you work your way home in the traffic, a little exuberance with the top down along your favourite stretch of road or thundering around a track, no holds barred with the tail hanging out. It will give you everything you need in a car, it will blow your hair back and be the star of the show in any parking lot.

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Times have changed, as has technology, which now enables all the features of a high-end sedan, as well as all the dynamic drive controls, to be included in a R3million+ sports car.

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by: Gautam Sharma pictures: porsche

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IT’S NOT VERY OFTEN A CAR MUSEUM WHEELS ITS FINEST EXHIBITS OUT THE DOOR, THROWS YOU THE KEYS AND SAYS: “HERE YOU GO. HAVE FUN!” I HAVE TO CONCEDE IT’S NOT A COMMON OCCURRENCE EVEN FOR US CAREER MOTORING JOURNALISTS. HOWEVER, THE PORSCHE MUSEUM HANDED ME AND A SMALL SELECTION OF OTHER AUTOMOTIVE HACKS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE WHAT AMOUNTED TO AN EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT, LAYING ON A ROAD TRIP THROUGH THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS IN SOME OF THE FINEST ‘TOYS’ IN ITS COLLECTION.

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t wasn’t a random gesture, though, as the event was conceived to celebrate the production of the onemillionth example of the German brand’s iconic 911 sportscar. The milestone vehicle – an ‘Irish Green’ Carrera S – is a special one-off that’s replete with extra features that pay tribute to the 1963 original, and among these are satin silver mirrors and door handles, a wooden steering wheel, green-backlit dials, houndstooth upholstery, gold badges and 20-inch Carrera Sport rims.

Now, in case you’re already reaching for that chequebook, I should point out the one-millionth 911 isn’t for sale, as it’s destined for the Porsche Museum once it’s completed a handful of additional road trips around the world.

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The Scottish excursion that this Prestige scribe took part in featured not only the milestone car, but also a selection of the most significant 911 models that have rolled out of the Zuffenhausen factory over the past 50 years. It was literally a 911 smorgasbord that, when coupled with the stunning backdrop of the Scottish Highlands, made for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Although the 911 has been usurped (substantially so) by the Cayenne and Macan SUVs in terms of sales volumes, it remains Porsche’s poster child and is still seen as the face of the hallowed brand. Part of its formidable legacy is down to the fact that more than half of Porsche’s 30,000 motorsport wins over the years have been notched up by various versions of the 911.

The 911 is among the most enduring sportscar nameplates, with only the Mercedes SL (dating back to 1954) and Chevrolet Corvette (since 1953) preceding it. The difference is that whereas today’s version of the Merc and Chevy bear very little resemblance to their forefathers, in the Porsche’s case there is a clear evolutionary link to the original.

The spirit of the 911 is eloquently expressed by Dr Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Porsche and part of the development of the 911 since day one: “Fifty-four years ago I was able to take my first trips over the Grossglockner High Alpine Road with my father. The feeling of being in a 911 is just as enjoyable now as it was then.

That’s because the 911 has ensured that the core values of our brand are as

It was literally a 911 smorgasbord that, when coupled with the stunning backdrop of the Scottish Highlands, made for a oncein-a-lifetime experience.

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visionary today as they were in the first Porsche 356/1 from 1948”.

The basic format of the 911 – with its round-eyed face, bulbous derriere and flat-six engine slung aft of the rear axle – has been faithfully carried through, but the treacherous tail-happy characteristics of early 911s have been tamed to such an extent that today’s version is as fool-proof at the limit as any front- or mid-engined sportscar.

The 911’s lifespan has been marked by steady incremental evolution, but among the significant milestones was the 1967 introduction of the Targa – an open-roofed version developed to pre-empt American safety legislators, which, during the mid-sixties, threatened to outlaw full convertibles. Porsche’s solution was simple – build a convertible, then add

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a fixed rollover hoop and strap some fabric around it.

It was a clever compromise that satisfied aficionados of alfresco motoring, as well as the overzealous safety legislators. The 911 Targa was named after the legendary Targa Florio race, and the name remains a trademark of Porsche AG to this day. Although the initial version was fitted with a plastic rear window, Porsche realised it didn’t make for great rear visibility, and it also flapped around when you drove quickly with the top removed. Consequently, from 1968 onwards, the Targa was equipped with a fixed, wraparound glass window at the back.

The next major innovation was the 1975 launch of the Turbo flagship, which scored a motorsport-inspired 260hp, 3.0-litre turbo flat-six motor that pushed it to a top speed of 250km/h, making it one of the fastest road cars of its era. Visually, the iconic Turbo was recognisable by its flared guards and distinctive rear wing with its thick rubber lip.

However, the revision that caused the biggest rumblings among Porschephiles was the introduction of water cooling (in the 1997 996) in lieu of the chattering air-cooled format that had served the 911 so well since its inception. While it may not have initially pleased the purists, the watercooled configuration facilitated an engine redesign that included a four-valve-percylinder layout, bringing with it higher specific power outputs, along with vastly improved economy and refinement levels.

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That’s because the 911 has ensured that the core values of our brand are as visionary today as they were in the first Porsche 356/1 from 1948”.

popularity despite the onslaught of not only its Italian rivals, but also upstarts such as the Nissan GT-R, Audi R8, Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Mercedes SLS AMG and AMG GT. In 2016 alone, 32,365 examples of the 911 were delivered worldwide.

But undoubtedly the ultimate endorsement of the 911’s durability is the fact that over 70 per cent of all the cars ever built are still driveable today.

And – as I can now confirm after the Scottish road trip – not only are they driveable, each iteration through the ages still puts a big smile on your face.

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Other techno milestones since then included Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG) in the 2005 997 Turbo, incorporating movable vanes that optimised airflow across the turbine blades at low revs to minimise turbo lag.

The updated version of the 997 (which launched in 2009) ushered in the PDK (Porsche Doppelkupplung) dual-clutch gearbox in lieu of the Tiptronic auto that preceded it.

These and a myriad of other subtle improvements over the years have kept the 911 at the forefront of the sportscar genre and ensured its continued

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country

SUVS HAVE BECOME A STANDARD IN MOST OF THE MODEL OFFERINGS IN SOUTH AFRICA IN RESPONSE TO OUR LOVE OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS AND ABILITY TO COMMUTE ON THE DAILY RUN AND THEN GET OUT OF THE CITY WITH OUR OUTDOOR GEAR. MINI IS NO EXCEPTION AND LAUNCHED ITS COUNTRYMAN IN 2010 WHICH HAS SEEN SUCH DEMAND THAT ONE IN FIVE MINIS NOW SOLD IS A MINI COUNTRYMAN by: Vivien Natasen for Bella tydskrif

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he first iteration looked a bit like a regular Mini that had been to the gym and now the new model has been launched in South Africa and is set to be a bigger seller than ever before. Why? Because it genuinely is bigger, 20 centimetres longer in fact, three centimetres wider and taller than its predecessor and, effectively, now the size of a medium SUV, making it a great weekend vehicle to get out of the city with.

The new vehicle also has much more upmarket finishes than ever before

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to ensure that buyers appreciate the premium standard that has been set, even for the base models. Most of the technology underpinning Mini comes from BMW with the benefit of real big brother support for national servicing and support, which is normally a risk with other brands without a strong national presence.

The interior technology is more intuitive with the instruments now in front of the driver. An amazing option is the multimedia system with touchscreen display and with the Mini App being linked to this system, the vehicle becomes immersive into your life, tying up your calendar with your trips and providing you with data all the time on fuel, trips, locations (even finding your car when you have forgotten where you parked it).

But the Countryman is all about the outdoors and the new model doesn’t fail to impress in this area. The vehicle standard specification has generous

portions and rugged materials to ensure that even gravel roads and not so smooth surfaces are easily absorbed into the ride quality. The launch event covered several kilometres of dirt road and the vehicle swallows these up in its stride. This new model comes with elevated seating position and a higher ground clearance making most dirt roads easy to navigate and handles them with ease and poise.

The outdoors options are impressive with a picnic bench option where you can have a romantic afternoon from the bench popping out the trunk onto the tailgate. There are also roof tent options, racks for bicycles etc, that are especially there for the truly adventurous.

The new Mini comes with a choice of a 1.5 litre 3-cylinder engine or the sportier Cooper S 2 litre 4-cylinder engine. A diesel derivative Cooper D is also launching at the latter part of this year and there is an automatic transmission option on the two existing models.

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TEN YEARS AGO AUDI INTRODUCED THE A5 AND A5 COUPÉ INTO A SEGMENT THAT TOOK THE LUXURY SEDAN AND TRANSFORMED IT INTO A GRAND TOURER. THE NEW A5 COUPÉ CONTINUES THE TOURING TRADITION BUT ADDS MORE OF A SPORTING SIDE AND INCLUDES AUDI’S RETHINK ON THEIR INTERIORS AND A WHOLE LOT OF TECHNOLOGY TO BOOT.

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he sweeping bends and well maintained roads of the Overberg are a perfect location for driving a grand touring coupé and putting it through its paces. We had driven from Cape Town international up Du Toit’s Kloof pass and on to Worcester, before making our way through the Overberg and down the Hemel-en-Aarde valley to Hermanus, two per car and stopping often enough to test the variants being introduced to the

market – two-wheel drive and Quattro versions of the 2.0litre turbo diesel and of the 2.0litre turbo FSI petrol, and then the 3.0litre turbo S5.

Aesthetics of the A5 Coupé, particularly the S5, are more sleek and rounded than the previous model, with a very appealing sweep from rear to front giving the car a dominant presence without being aggressive. The interior puts the driver low down in a sport driving position and ergonomics are Audi’s new generation laden with all the technology that comes standard in this level of car.

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the car were running in slots. There’s 260 kW of power and the 500 Nm of torque is available across the entire rev counter – it just feels fast in any gear at any speed.

With the new A5 Coupé Audi has managed to refine the grand tourer in a most unusual way, by making it sportier and more comfortable at the same time. The subtlety of the styling will have the competition egging you on for a bit of a showdown, but they should be wary because they’ll get very familiar with the looks of the A5’s rear end.

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But it’s the S5 that gets all the attention and agreed upon by most of the motoring press fraternity on the launch that it’s a sublime piece of machinery. Visually it’s set apart by badging, twin exhausts and lower profile/wider 19inch wheels, combined with a Nappa leather interior and sports seats. In sport mode you get a fierce growl on the exhaust and you’re pinned into the seat as 100kph comes up in just over four and a half seconds. The paddle shift tiptronic gearbox responds immediately and the bends of the Hemel-en-Aarde valley are taken as if

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Out on the road and the balance of this coupé really shows itself through the tight corners of the mountain passes and wonderfully cambered roads of the Overberg. The drive-by-wire throttle response is immediate when needing to get passed a laden truck and the gearbox responds accordingly with that sporting edge in the new A5.

The 2.0litre non Quattro FSI, while not sluggish by any means, works a little harder in getting the car up to speed and keeping it there but the Quattro version gets a bit of a tweak in power which makes it a better option.

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balancing THE MADNESS

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VIVIEN NATASEN TAKES STOCK OF TECHNOLOGY IN OUR LIVES TODAY

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o, let’s deal with the concept of balance. In my bachelor days it was easy to burn the candle (solidly) at both ends in the true meaning of the “work hard – play hard” concept, putting in 18+ hour days, partying four days a week and getting by on two to four hours sleep at night with a few catch up days somewhere in between.

However, age catching up, coupled with changing priorities does make one reflect and decide if that can be sustained or even wanted any more.

I have seen an increasing trend away from the old ways of socialising, interacting with others, seeking out experiences and relaxing. I sense that the club scene is soon needing different ways of attracting market share by providing a different experience, other entertainment venues such as

lounges, roof top bars etc are gaining traction following on the heels of other metropolitan areas worldwide. On a personal level, we have started to implement a rule of using our phones only for the obligatory social media posts when we have an event and for emergency communications. The rest of the time is our private alone time to be able to engage with each other properly.

On another thought, I have also found it very funny how when we meet people that are “friends or followers” on social media, yet are not really engaging with in “real” life, that we either merely acknowledge presence of the other person or we completely ignore each other. In essence, we give people access to our persona of our thoughts, feelings and experiences yet when we physically finally meet the other person, we are at a loss for words – hilarious to say the least, wouldn’t you say? At times, I have experimented with this, by actually talking to the person about things they say on their pages, and more often than not it is met with an uncomfortable silence. It may be a good thing for people who are socially awkward in physical situations to be able to express themselves in other forums and release themselves from their fears – kind of like the Bruce Willis movie, Surrogates where people lived their lives through clone host bodies, serving as facades to hide their true looks away.

I suppose no article from me is complete without a commentary on the state of politics. By the time you read this piece, a lot more would have come to light about the notorious state capture in South Africa, the leaked Gupta emails blatantly corresponding with various parties on placements of politically

connected persons in key positions in State entities, as well as seeking residency for our “beloved” President in the U.A.E. Like with most such situations this generally is the tip of the iceberg. In the world of forensics, I have trained my team that investigative work is more about what we don’t know than what we do know. Intuition (what the old crime movies refer to as a hunch) gives rise to instinctively knowing where to look whereas training, education, skills and experience teach us how to secure evidence in a legal way to be able to stand up in court. The team of investigative journalists have been adept and getting this mostly right and should be commended for this.

I found it particularly interesting that the first approach from the Gupta legal team was to firstly challenge the timing and the source of the information.

Challenging timing was a silly strategy as it was obvious that the release of such information would be timed for maximum efficiency, so they were attempting to convince the public of a conspiracy to unseat the president.

The source of the emails generally needs to be above board and traceable – this being a standard of responsible journalism. However, where these serve the public interest, once validated as not fake, the source and confidentiality may no longer be relevant especially in terms of the Prevention of Corrupt Practices Act. As a professional in this arena, I am watching how this unfolds with great interest beyond just a citizen stakeholder. The smoke that is hinting of a fire is soon to become a nuclear holocaust – pun intended.

Vivien Natasen

PRESTIGE: IN THE LAP OF LUXURY