White wine blends – in my books, the true unsung gift of our vineyards. Proudly introducing Glen Carlou‘s Collection White Blend 2020 – the bottle that pays a beautiful homage to the delicious complexity of white blends, and a pure showcase of our Cape grapes. Introduction Nowhere as much talked about or as popular as…
Tag: Food and wine pairing
{news} Celebrate #GrenacheDay with Muratie’s Mr. May Grenache Noir
It is International Grenache Day on Friday 17th September, so raise a toast to this complex, versatile and intriguing grape with its luscious juicy ripe red fruit flavours, silky tannins, savoury spice and seductive mouthfeel. Grenache also happens to be one of the most adaptable food-pairing wine wines in the world. Click here to read…
{news} Durbanville Valley celebrates Spring with collab of fine food and wine
Russian composer Igor Stravinsky described one of his musical-choreographic works that was eventually to rank among the most influential of the 20th century as “a unified idea: the mystery and great surge of the creative power of Spring”. The same inspiration for that work – The Rite of Spring – now drives the Durbanville Wine Valley in…
{wine} Grand gouda and wine: Leopard’s Leap Culinaria Grand Vin 2019
Cheese and wine is an all-seasons indulgence. Leopard’s Leap has ramped up the gooey goodness by pairing their Culinaria Grand Vin 2019 with mature gouda for the ultimate conversation starter platter. Introduction With the promise of the most classic pairing of cheese and wine on my doorstep, I simply melted at the knees when I…
{experience} Celebrating Shiraz with Simon’s at Groot Constantia
In preparation for National Shiraz Day on 21 August 2021, my eternal love affair with Shiraz recently culminated in a sensational sipping experience at Simon’s Restaurant, tucked into the leafy embrace of Groot Constantia. Introduction One might say it was a celebration too early, but such a deep and complex wine varietal like Shiraz should…
{news} Winter indulgence with Roodeberg and chocolate brownies
Convert your kitchen into a chocolatier’s winter workshop and wow family and friends with smoky chocolate brownies inspired by Roodeberg’s cherished Classic Red Blend with a story in every bottle for over 70 years. Created by Ilse van der Merwe, the well-known food writer and TV personality at www.thefoodfox,com, as the perfect winter indulgence with…
{wine} A celebration of an exceptional harvest: Stellenbosch Hills’ Kastanjeberg 2020
Uncorking a bottle of Stellenbosch Hills Kastanjeberg Chenin Blanc 2020 is a celebration in all senses of the word – a celebration of terroir, of excellence, of true craftsmanship and of exceptional harvests. Introduction When an elegant bottle of Stellenbosch Hills’ newly released and limited Kastanjeberg Chenin Blanc 2020 landed at my door, I knew…
{wine tasting} From Gouverneurs to liquid gold: chocolate and wine pairing at Groot Constantia
Every time I drive up the vineyard-laden lane to the heart of Groot Constantia, yet another bit of unexplored territory awaits me. This time, this historic estate lured me into its gracious embrace with a Chocolate and Wine pairing invitation. Introduction With hectares of unspoilt beauty and world-reknowned and significant architecture, a visit to Groot…
{wine} Together through collaboration: Boland Cellar’s new-look One Formation wines
With a foundation of strong underpinning ethics, Boland Cellar‘s One Formation range of wines are not just beautiful from the outside, but filled with pure collaborative goodness from vine to bottle. Introduction Eternally drawn to a beautiful label and the dark curves of a wine bottle, I received these two beauties from Boland Cellar with…
{news} Lovin’ dry Rosé? Choose Nederburg!
Refreshing, crisp and zippy with an invigorating dry taste, Nederburg’s Grenache Carignan Rosé 2020 takes South African blush wines to a new level of sophistication. Just the right choice to celebrate International Rosé Day on 25 June! No longer burdened with a perceived gender bias, rosé is enjoyed equally by men and women across the…
{wine} Deetlefs Wine Estate: three courses for three bottles – a celebratory meal
Over the years, Deetlefs Wine Estate has rightfully collected a vast amount of prime property in my ever-full wine racks. In the build-up towards their 200 years’ existence celebration in 2022, I thought I’d introduce you to a few of my favourites so long. Introduction My first meeting with Deetlefs was in the early throes…
{sparkling} Timed to perfection: 50 years of Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel
I feel quite sheepish to admit that I’ve never tasted Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel, the absolute alpha and omega of South African Cap Classique. Having said that, this gap in my internal wine library was recently filled by being invited to celebrate its 50th anniversary this year with two sparkling new releases. Introduction My wine career…