Monthly Archives: July 2012
Food And Wine Evening With Exceptional Bordeaux Style Reds Held At Holden Manz
Thursday, 16 August
Wine lovers with a passion for Bordeaux style red blends can look forward to a food and wine evening of absolute indulgence on Thursday, 16 August at the Franschhoek Kitchen, the signature restaurant at Holden Manz boutique wine estate.
Joined by the winemakers of Ernie Els, Eikendal and L’Ormarins, the Holden Manz team has an exceptional dinner in store, with Executive Chef Cheyne Morrisby presenting a menu of his signature Pacific Rim inspired dishes – each mouth-watering course paired perfectly with a full bodied red.
Shitake mushroom and coconut cream risotto will open the evening, coupled with the Holden Manz flagship and 2011 Decanter Gold winner, the Big G 2009. Scrumptious beef tataki will be complemented by the lingering spicy finish of the 2005 Ernie Els Bordeaux blend. The elegant Eikendal Classique 2009 with its pure fruit flavours will highlight the succulent flavours of Cheyne’s signature duck breast, follwed by a palate pleasing combination of roasted lamb and teriyaki pie with the rich plum and berry spice of L’Ormarins Optima 2008. Diners will be spoiled with a decadent 70% chocolate pot, orange dust and miso butterscotch, served with the Holden Manz Good Sport Cape Vintage Port 2009.
The Holden Manz Bordeaux Red Blend food and wine evening on Thursday, 16 August begins at 19h00 for 19h30 and costs R350 per person. For bookings call 021-8762729 or e-mail wayne@holdenmanz.com. To reach Holden Manz, turn right at the Huguenot Monument in Franschhoek and follow the signs for two kilometres. For more information, visit Holden Manz on Facebook or www.holdenmanz.com. GPS coordinates: Latitude: 33° 56’ 7” S; Longitude: 19° 6’ 54” E.
Ouma Loekie’s Botterkoekies With An Amarula Twist
My sons love making these biscuits and it was a great way to keep them busy during the holidays when they were little and of course under the legal drinking age.
When I decided to enter the Amarula Heritage Day competition, I was literally stumped because as everybody knows, I am not the greatest cook/chef in the world and my kitchen skills are limited to the basics!
Lo and behold – the sons came to the rescue by deciding to make this old family recipe with an Amarula twist – perfect to enjoy with coffee after a meal – especially at Christmas time when it is sort of traditional to have loads of baked goods in the house.
Of course when you change the recipe to add Amarula to the mix, you can’t very well let the little ones enjoy the fruits of your labour – divide your recipe and make one lot with Amarula and the other without – just remember to mark the containers clearly!
Here goes ;
Ouma Loekie’s Botterkoekies with an Amarula Twist
Ingredients
1 kg Self Raising flour
750g sugar
500 g butter
4 eggs
Pinch of salt
200ml Amarula
Method
Oven 180°C
Cream the butter and sugar and add the eggs.
Sift flour and salt into the butter mix.
Mix together until it forms soft dough.
If you find the dough on the soft side, add a dash of flour to get it to the right consistency.
Roll out on a floured surface, cut out shape with your favourite cookie cutters.
Put on lightly buttered baking sheets and bake for 10 minutes – until the biscuits start turning a golden colour.
Cool on a cooling rack and store in an airtight container.
Constantia Glen Five 2008 Crowned Top Red In Constantia
Constantia Glen, the magnificently appointed boutique wine estate known for exceptional cool climate Bordeaux-style reds, has triumphed as the producer of Constantia’s top red blend, the elegant flagship Constantia Glen Five 2008, at the 2012 Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards.
This highly acclaimed red, with a broad spectrum of aromas centred around a core of rich black berries, took first place as the top red blend in the Constantia Ward, Hout Bay Ward and the Cape Point District Terroir, adding to its list of accolades which includes gold medals at the 2011 International Wine and Spirit Competition (Best in Class), the 2011 International Wine Challenge, Germany’s Mundus Vini 2011 and the Sélections Mondiales des Vins wine competition in Québec, Canada.
Already in its 7th year, the Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards define the various terroir types of the Cape, recognising wines which offer a true reflection of South Africa’s diverse wine growing areas, with 276 entries received this year. An essential prerequisite for all entries is that only wines certified as Wine of Origin from a single vineyard, estate, ward or small district not divided into wards can be entered.
Constantia Glen Five 2008 is available at leading wine outlets and fine dining establishments and sells at the cellar door for R245.
One of the jewels of the Constantia Wine Valley, Constantia Glen is open daily from 10h00 till 17h00 on week days and from 10h00 till 16h00 on Saturdays and Sundays. Look out for the Constantia Glen signs towards the top of Constantia Main road. Call 021-795 5639, e-mail wine@constantiaglen.co.za, visit www.constantiaglen.com or www.facebook.com/ConstantiaGlen for further information. The GPS co-ordinates are S 34º 0’39.6” E 18º 24’30.6”.
De Krans Top Of The Ports At Terroir Wine Awards
The De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2008 walked away with the title of Top Port at the 2012 Terroir Wine Awards (also known as the Novare South African Terroir Wine Awards), announced at an awards function held on 26 July in Paarl. The brainchild of renowned wine writer, Marius Labuschagne, the competition was conceptualised to define the various terroir types found in the Cape.
Regarded as the ‘buzzword’ amongst wine aficionados for a number of years now, the basic concept is to discover wines that best reflect the terroir in which they are produced. The industry has seen a definite increase in terroir producer over the years who want to portray the unique origins of the wines. The Terroir Wine Awards honours the wines which accurately portray South Africa’s different wine growing areas. All entries must be a certified Wine of Origin from a specific single vineyard, estate, ward or small district not divided into wards.
The judging panel comprises a panel of experts who are regularly exposed to all the wines from the relevant districts. The esteemed panel start out by tasting the wines blind, to test quality, and from there rank entrants in the finals where the regional winners compete. Led by renowned oenology lecturer, Charl Theron, his fellow judges included Andrea Freeborough (Die Bergkelder cellarmaster), honorary Cape Wine Master Dave Hughes, well known wine journalist David Biggs, Pierre Marais, Guy Webber (Stellenzicht winemaker), Cape Wine Academy CEO Marilyn Cooper and Irina von Holdt CWM.
Regarded as their flagship port, boasting numerous awards which includes a 5-star rating in the 2011 Platter’s South African Wine Guide, the De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2008 is a vibrant plum colour, with dense aromas of prune, spice and tobacco, and has the potential to mature for a further 20 to 25 years. A fleshy, chewy mouthful of flavours, showing tannic grip, concentrated red fruit nuances, and a firm structure ensuring considerable longevity. Retailing for approximately R230 per bottle, savour this premium port on its own, or serve with stronger cheeses.
For more information on this award-winning port or any other ports and wines in their range contact the cellar at
044 213 3314 or email dekrans@mweb.co.za. De Krans wines are distributed nationally by Wine Worx (tel. 021 886 9165).
Taste Exceptional Wines At Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction Showcase
Cape Town: Thursday, 23 August 2012 / Johannesburg: Thursday, 30 August 2012
Experience exceptional wines with a creative edge and great diversity of styles at the Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction Showcase in Cape Town on Thursday, 23 August and Johannesburg on Thursday, 30 August, when members of the Guild present the wines that will go under the hammer at this year’s Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction.
Celebrating 30 years of winemaking excellence this year, the Guild, an association of some of the finest winemakers recognised for their high standard of craftsmanship, comprises 45 members who jointly represent the pinnacle of South African wine achievement. Only wines crafted exclusively for the Guild by these exceptional winemakers are sold at the annual Auction which is open to the general public, wine collectors as well as the liquor and restaurant trade.
The Showcases in Cape Town and Johannesburg afford wine lovers the opportunity to taste these rare and innovative Auction wines as well as other acclaimed flagship wines of Guild members in an informal, walk-around tasting hosted by the winemakers themselves.
You will also have the opportunity to bid on rare signed bottles from previous Guild Auctions during the Silent Auction in aid of the Nedbank CWG Development Trust. Founded in 1999, the Development Trust assists with education, training and empowerment of young people from wine farming communities and includes the Guild’s Protégé Programme, a mentorship scheme for young, upcoming winemakers.
Cape Town Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction Showcase
Thursday, 23 August 2012
Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC)
18:00 – 21:00
R170 per person including a tasting glass
Bookings via www.WebTickets.co.za
Johannesburg Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction Showcase
Thursday, 30 August 2012
The Atrium, Nedbank, 135 Rivonia Road, Sandton
18:00 – 21:00
R170 per person including a tasting glass
Bookings via www.WebTickets.co.za
The Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction will take place on Saturday, 6 October 2012 from 09h00 at Spier Conference Centre in the Stellenbosch Winelands and is open to the public.
To find out how you can attend the Auction to obtain these rare and exclusive wines, visit: www.capewinemakersguild.com, email info@capewinemakersguild.com or call Tel: +27 +21 852 0408.
Neethlingshof Scoops Two Terroir Awards
Neethlingshof has won two national awards in the 2012 Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards for the estate’s 2012 Gewürtztraminer and 2011 The Maria. The Maria, which forms part of the reserve Short Story Collection range, was also chosen as one of the five top estate wines entered for the competition now in its seventh year.
Neethlinghof’s performance, along with that of one other producer, saw Stellenboschkloof win this year’s Novare Trophy for SA Terroir Top Wine Area.
The Gewürtztraminer was selected as the best wine of this cultivar in the competition while The Maria was adjudged the best natural sweet wine.
A delighted De Wet Viljoen, Neethlinghof’s winemaker for the past ten years, said the awards must also be seen in the context of the estate’s efforts to restore the balance between farming operations and the natural environment, and to make wine that reflects the unique character of the farm.
“Our wines must have a unique, distinctive identity, and they must reflect what is popularly called, ‘a sense of place’,” he says.” If our wines don’t have a distinguishable character of their own, then there is no sense in bottling them under the Neethlingshof label.”
Neethlingshof recently became one of the small number of Biodiversity and Wine Initiative (BWI) champions in the Winelands. It has also just been informed that it came among the Top Ten in the international Sustainable Wine Growing Competition organised annually by the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT).
De Wet said the grapes for the Gewürtztraminer came from a 25-year-old dryland vineyard delivering 5 tons per hectare of quality grapes year after year. “The wine shows the spicy aromas so typical of this niche cultivar, combined with tropical flavours balanced by good acidity.”
The Maria, named for the resourceful and feisty widow Maria Marais who dominated the history of the farm for close on 50 years in the 1800s, is a noble late harvest blend of Weisser Riesling and Sauvignon blanc. Both vineyards from which the grapes were harvested are more than 25 years old and produce only two to three tons of grapes per hectare. Both are in the path of south-westerly winds bringing moisture-laden air from over False Bay and their grapes are spontaneously infected with Botrytis cinerea year after year by spores present in the vineyards.
The 2011 vintage of The Maria recently scored 92 out of a possible 100 in a report on South Africa’s sweet wines by the International Wine Review, widely rated as one of the world’s most influential opinion formers on wine. Earlier this month The Maria also received a gold award in the annual ratings of the South African Wine Index (SAWI).
Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky Teams Up With The Nasua Mobile Cape Cobras
Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky, proudly South African and crafted at The James Sedgwick Distillery in the Boland town of Wellington, is joining forces with the Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras, a first for these two iconic Cape brands. The announcement was made at a premium gala dinner this evening (27 July) and comes only weeks after Paul Adams took the reign as head coach.
According to Marcel Swain, brand manager of Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky, the partnership is a natural fit which will allow both brands to offer consumers and the trade an opportunity to experience the special flavours and personality of the Cape in a unique fashion.
Ayanda Tini (Good Hope FM), Paul Adams (Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras-afrigter) and Tammy B (Good Hope FM)
“The Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras are the current champions of the Domestic One-Day Competition, with 10 players representing South Africa, whilst Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky is South Africa’s first 100% single grain whisky, acclaimed internationally. It has just achieved its third consecutive gold medal from the International Wine and Spirits Competition held in London. They are both local heroes. The cricket team combines the best of the Western Cape and Boland, while Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky combines the impact of the best of local grain with a unique double maturation to create a distinctive taste.
“By creating a synergy between the local cricket talent and the craftsmanship of a locally produced premium whisky, the result can only provide exciting opportunities for both brands.”
The partnership will see the roll out of joint national campaigns as well as Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky being the preferred liquor offering at both the Newlands and Boland cricket suites.
Seven Through To Semi-Finals Of The Bollinger Exeptional Wine Service Award 2012
Last year’s runner-up and 3rd-placed sommeliers again through to the Semi-Finals
A wide range of enthusiastic applicants entered the First-Round of The Bollinger Exceptional Wine Service Award 2012. All applicants completed an ‘open book’ test, from which the top seven have progressed to the Semi-Finals.
Runner-up of The Bollinger Exceptional Wine Service Award 2011, Wayve Kolevsohn, of The Roundhouse Restaurant (previously at Le Quartier Français) and 3rd-placed Gregory Mutambe, of The 12 Apostles Hotel and Spa, are both through to this year’s Semi-Finals.
First-Round candidates were assessed on the basis of their completed Questionnaire (theoretical component) for which the minimum pass was 65%, as well as on the basis of their experience in wine service in fine dining establishments.
Again this year, all the Semi-Finalists are from Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, which have the highest concentration of fine dining restaurants in South Africa.
The 2012 Semi-Finalists are:
Gauteng Present Employers
Jeff Lopes The Saxon Hotel, Johannesburg
Kayetan Meissner Sandton Sun, Johannesburg
Western Cape
Gregory Mutambe The 12 Apostles Hotel and Spa, Camps Bay
Wayve Kolevsohn The Roundhouse Restaurant, Camps Bay
Howard Booysen Aubergine Restaurant, Cape Town
Christo Deyzel Indochine Restaurant, Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa, Stellenbosch
KwaZulu-Natal
Eric Botha Oysterbox Hotel, Umhlanga
• The Semi-Finals will take place on 6th and 7thAugust 2012 at Morgenhof Wine Estate in Stellenbosch.
• The Finalists will compete in Cape Town on 8th October 2012 at Ellerman House, Bantry Bay.
• The winner of The Bollinger Exceptional Wine Service Award will again be announced at the Swartland Revolution, on Friday 9th November 2012, and will win a trip to France, including a trip to the prestigious House of Champagne Bollinger.
Semi-Finalists for the practical component of the competition will be tested on their knowledge of wine styles and tasting ability in the form of a Blind Tasting. They will be assessed further on their competence in making Food and Wine Pairing recommendations, and finally on their ability to perform tasks of professional Wine Service.
The Competition entry criteria are:
• Those currently employed in the service of food and wine and with a history of minimum three years of such service.
• Contestants are required to have substantial knowledge of the local wine scene and of the professional service of both food and wine.
• An adequate knowledge of international wine appellations and styles of wine is also a prerequisite.
• More importantly, however, the contest examines the ability of those selling wine in the hospitality industry to relate what is produced in South Africa to the expectations of international visitors more familiar with the major wine producing regions of the world.
Judges at all rounds of the Competition will include internationally trained sommeliers; Cape Wine Masters; and members of the hospitality trade.
The South African Sommelier Association is fully behind The Bollinger Exceptional Wine Service Award and some of its members will again be judges at the Semi-Finals and the Finals.
For further details, visit the official website: www.wineserviceaward.co.za
Doolhof: Making Their Mark With Malbec Once More
Doolhof has once again reinforced its position as one of the leading producers of Malbec in South Africa by being selected as national winner for Malbec at the 2012 Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards. The wine to receive top honours was the The Signatures of Doolhof Malbec 2010 This is the third year this honour goes to a Doolhof Malbec.
Earlier this year The Signatures of Doolhof Malbec 2010 was also chosen from around 400 of South Africa’s top wines and one of only 51 red wines to be included in the prestigious Top 100 South African Wine Challenge list. The 2010 Signatures of Doolhof Malbec is the 4th Malbec vintage to be released at Doolhof and follows in the celebrated footsteps of the previous vintages. Previous accolades for Doolhof Malbec include: The 2007 vintage receiving double 
gold medals at the Michelangelo International Wine Awards, as well as the Tri Nations Wine Challenge, a gold medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards, as well as being chosen as the top Malbec in the annual Novare Terroir Wine Awards. The 2008 vintage clinched a gold medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards and the 2009 was awarded a gold medal at the Michelangelo International Wine Awards and received the honour of being chosen the Top Malbec at the Novare Terroir Wine Awards.
Doolhof is located in the historic Bovlei valley, north east of Wellington and currently 2.5 hectares of the 380 hectare farm is planted with Malbec. The Malbec vineyard was planted in 2003 and is the highest vineyard on the property situated just below the Bainskloof Pass. The location of this vineyard means that the vineyard team must compete with baboons and wild pigs for the grapes, resulting in limited production! Doolhof Wine Estate is an accredited member of the Biodiversity in Wine Initiative which is an industry wide project to help promote the conservation of fynbos.
The Signatures of Doolhof Malbec 2010 sells for R115.00 per bottle.
For more information, please visit: www.doolhof.com
Savour Fleur Du Cap’s Finest At Winter Wine Party In Constantia
3 – 4 August 2012, Simons of Groot Constantia
Taste Fleur du Cap’s legendary Noble Late Harvest and Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon at the two-day WineStyle’s Winter Wine Party taking place from Friday, 3 to Saturday, 4 August at Simons of Groot Constantia when renowned estates from all over the Winelands bring out their ‘Best of the Best’ for you to enjoy.
Boasting 5-star ratings for five consecutive vintages from Platter’s South African Wine Guide, Fleur du Cape Noble Late Harvest is fast approaching iconic status and the 2010 vintage is sure to entice with its golden hue. Fleur du Cap will also be showcasing their Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 – a must for lovers of big reds. This vintage was crowned as the best South African Red Bordeaux Varietal over £10 in London and brought home the Regional Trophy from the 2012 Decanter World Wine Awards.
The relaxed, informal WineStyle Winter Wine Party takes place from 3 – 4 August 2012. Tickets are available on www.webtickets.co.za at R 100 per person, including a wine glass. Visit www.wine-style.co.za for more information.
Top Honour For Moosaic’s Wine Cellar
Mosaic@Orient has been named the winner of the Best Long Wine List in Gauteng, Freestate and the Northern Provinces at South Africa’s Wine List Awards 2012, the country’s first independent wine list awards.
It was also awarded the prestigious 3 flutes, the highest ranking given by the judges. Cape Wine Master Junel Vermeulen, who is the restaurant’s sommelier, explains what makes the Mosaic wine list so special: “The wine list is one of the most extensive in South Africa, representing top wines out of our six regions, and includes a variety of ports and older vintages at a reasonable price.
The list includes a few rare international and local wines.”
Increased Entries For 2012 Young Wine Show
Entries for this year’s SA Young Wine Show have surpassed the 2 000 mark. This might well be an indication of a promising 2012 harvest in terms of grape and consequent wine quality. It also underlines the confidence that wine makers and cellar masters from the country’s eight diverse wine regions still have in this, the oldest and largest competition for young wines.
From 23 – 27 July proficient wine experts will blind taste and consider samples of the 2 124 participating wines. The highest acclaim of the competition is undoubtedly receiving the coveted General Smuts trophy for the country’s best young wine. The Pietman Hugo trophy for the highest marks in five categories, as well as other championship trophies and gold, silver and bronze medals are surely just as desirable.
Cellar masters and wine makers invariably receive invaluable feedback on their current decisions regarding wine styles and production methods when their fledgling wines are reviewed.
Qualified wine makers and experts with specialist knowledge about the wine styles and cultivars are annually selected to judge the entries. For this reason wine makers have for decades trusted and supported this competition. As in previous years an eighth learner judge will join the panels consisting of seven experienced judges. Due to popular demand from the industry the training opportunity for emerging assistant wine makers, cellar and vineyard workers will again coincide with the judging process.
The stars of the 2012 vintage will be announced during a gala event on Thursday 16 August at the Sport Centre of the Bloemhof Girls High School in Stellenbosch. The award ceremony is presented under the auspices of Agri-Expo that initiated the country’s very first wine show some 180 years ago.
Wines compete in seventeen different categories and in addition to the two main trophies, entries stand a chance to be named SA Champion in the various classes. The categories include Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Sémillon, Other White Cultivars, Dry White Blends, Sweet White Wine, Noble Late Harvest, Pinotage, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Other Red Cultivars, Dry Red Blends, Port, Dessert wine and Muscadel.
Sauvignon Blanc leads this year’s entries with 121, while Shiraz (wooded) follows with 111 entries and Red Blends (wooded) attracted 109 entries.
For more information, contact Elsabe Ferreira at tel 021 863 1599, email to admin@veritas.co.za or visit www.youngwineshow.co.za. For the latest news follow South African Young Wine Show on Facebook or Twitter #sayoungwine.
