There are ten essential insights into the world of Champagne to prepare you for the upcoming Johannesburg Cap Classique, Champagne & Bubbles Festival, slated for May 17th and 18th at the Inanda Polo Club in Sandton. Protected Origins: Only wines crafted within the specific northeastern French region can bear the prestigious label “Champagne.” However, beyond geographical borders, stringent appellation laws govern everything from grape cultivation to winemaking techniques. Bubbly Alchemy: The hallmark bubbles in Champagne are a result of secondary fermentation that occurs within the bottl ..read more

“Brawn: The Impossible Formula 1 Story” is a scintillating doccie without the DTS drama. This riveting four-episode documentary reveals the incredible underdog narrative of Brawn GP in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. Narrated by the charismatic Keanu Reeves, the film captures the essence of determination, resilience, and the sheer will to succeed against all odds. What makes this documentary stand out is its ability to humanise the world of Formula 1, showcasing the struggles and triumphs of an independent and underfunded team taking on the giants of the racing world. The storytel ..read more

Mark your calendars for the 2024 George Old Car Show happening on the weekend of 10 and 11 February! This year’s show is set to be a special one as it boasts the largest gathering of original Mercedes-Benz 300SL sports cars, and they will have eight out of the nine original series 300SLs in South Africa revving up for the occasion. A Mercedes-Benz Gullwing 300SL Coupé in the background. Photo by Johannes Giez on Unsplash. These iconic cars earned the prestigious title of “Sports Car of the Century” back in 2009, and it’s going to be thrilling to see them showcased at the 27th edition of the Ge ..read more

“Bad Blood” by Tobin Elliott is an enthralling journey into the depths of a young girl’s tumultuous emotions, set against the backdrop of a family in turmoil. I received an audio review copy of this book, and it was a captivating two-an-a-half hours. The year is 1975, and nine-year-old Talia finds herself grappling with a whirlwind of emotions as she navigates the complexities of family dynamics. With her father absent and her mother preoccupied, Talia feels neglected and resentful, particularly towards her younger sister, Alex, whom she blames for disrupting the stability of their family lif ..read more

This article first appeared on Recharged. In 2019 I signed up for Tiger Advantage Plus, Tiger Wheel & Tyre’s (TWT) loyalty app. Starting from R99 per month, there are so many benefits; and a Gold membership will cost R189 per month. I guess you could say I’m a sucker for a loyalty plan. Image by whatwolf on freepik But also, anything that could help me in the long run. For example, despite my car insurance, I have an AA membership, which has been very helpful to change tyres (don’t judge me), tow my car (twice because of bigger problems), and get me started again when my car’s battery has ..read more

This article first appeared on Recharged. Formula 1 is jumping on the AI bandwagon to up its game in making judgments on track. The FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile), motor sport’s governing body, shared their plan to bring artificial intelligence (AI) into the mix to keep a closer eye on track limits in Formula 1. And they’re trying it out first at the Abu Dhabi race this weekend. A quick guide to track limits When a driver puts all four wheels over the white line as set out by the race director as the track limit, they exceed track limits, which may result in a penalty. So, wh ..read more

The Johannesburg Cap Classique, Champagne & Bubbles Festival is back, and it’s promising to be bigger, better, and bubblier than ever before! Mark your calendars for Friday, May 17, from 18:00 to 22:00 and Saturday, May 18, from 11:00 to 16:00. The Johannesburg Cap Classique, Champagne & Bubbles Festival brings the celebration to the Inanda Polo Club in Sandton, and you won’t want to miss it! Day one (May 17) Picture an exclusive evening filled with bubbles galore! Get ready to indulge in the finest Cap Classiques from South Africa, Champagnes from France, and Proseccos from Italy. Yo ..read more

This article first appeared on Recharged. With only a few weeks before season six of Drive To Survive (DTS) and less than a month until the first Formula 1 race of the season, I thought this was a good time to persuade fans of the sport to do the right thing. You see, in the fast-paced world of Formula 1, where split-second decisions and cutting-edge technology dominate, fans demand an immersive and comprehensive viewing experience. The F1 TV app steps into the spotlight, promising to deliver the thrills and spills of every Grand Prix to the palms of your hands. Let’s explore the features, fu ..read more

It’s been a while since I did a book review, and Louisa shared these two James Patterson quick reviews with me. 12 Months To Live By James Patterson and Mike Lupica The main character, Jane Smith, a criminal defence attorney, has a lot going on in her private which impacts her legal duties. Not only does she have to defend Rob Jacobson, a very wealthy man who has been charged with murder, but she also has to deal with some devasting news she received during the trial. Her side-kick is Jimmy, a likeable character who watches Jane’s back constantly as she and he have to dodge bullets because som ..read more

This article first appeared on Recharged. Anyone who’s dealt with any government agency breaks out in cold sweats at the thought of doing anything relating to official documents. From changing your surname on your ID to applying for a new passport, we often spend sleepless nights trying to figure out if there’s a way around all of it. And while most banks have made identity document and passport processes relatively pain-free, one major pain point for South Africans is our driver’s licence cards. Between a broken-down printer – yes, the one and only printer – and the five-year expiration ..read more