The Corkless Mind

Tag: Wine

An Evening of Food and Wine Pairing at Kunjani Wine Estate

*Please note, Kunjani winery hosted me to attend the dinner, however, all views are my own*

I recently attended the very first wine and food pairing dinner at Kunjani wine estate in Stellenbosch. You may recall I was at their label launch earlier this year. The dinner consists of six courses and will be a regular occurrence at the boutique winery which will feature a fresh, seasonal menu with every dinner hosted by co-owner Pia Watermeyer.

The first course was a beetroot goat’s cheese salad, pistachio goat’s cheese balls, fig compote, grapefruit perfectly paired with the Kunjani Stolen Chicken Rosé 2018. It was quite a warm evening so this went down quite a treat! The second course, line fish, grilled artichoke, cauliflower puree, broccoli, pak choy, white wine chive sauce paired with an equally delicious Kunjani Chenin Blanc 2018.

The third course, was a refreshing palate cleanser of lemon sorbet to prepare us for the next course which was North-West Kudu carpaccio, quail eggs, horseradish, parmesan shavings, radish, pickled vegetables paired with my personal favourite, Kunjani Shiraz 2015. Next was an incredibly delicious biltong-spiced sirloin, king oyster mushrooms, carrot & cauliflower quenelles, asparagus, broccoli paired superbly with the Kunjani Cabernet Sauvignon 2017. Dessert always being my favourite course, was a chocolate-mint nougat mousse, pistachio crumbs, frozen yoghurt, and a brandy snap paired with the Kunjani Merlot 2017.

The dinner costs R550 per person, including wine and gratuity.
Bookings essential, prepayment secures your seat. Limited to 30 guests.

Note: bookings are subject to availability. Cancellations 7 days or less prior to the date of the dinner are non-refundable. T&Cs apply. This is a special event and due to space restrictions long/mixed tables are allocated and not individual tables. To book your spot for the next dinner call: +27 87 630 0409, or email: info@kunjaniwines.co.za For more information visit their Facebook page for updates: https://www.facebook.com/Kunjaniwines/

Thank you Kunjani for graciously hosting my husband and me, we can’t wait to be back again soon!

December 4, 2019
2019 Diners Club Winemaker and Young Winemaker of the Year Awards Announced
The winners of the 2019 Diners Club Winemaker and Young Winemaker of the Year awards were announced at a black-tie gala dinner at La Residence Hotel in Franschhoek on Saturday 23rd November, with Daniel Keulder from Nitida Wines, and Herman du Preez from Stellenrust Wines claiming top honours respectively.

The Winemaker and Young Winemaker awards, focusing on quality and recognition of excellence, are regarded as the country’s most prestigious and well-respected wine industry competition. Celebrating the skills and talent of the vintners, these awards are open to all in the South African wine industry at no cost, thus affording all winemakers an equal opportunity. The Winemaker of the Year is in its 39th year, while the Young Winemaker has been running for 19 years.

The awards are presented to the winemakers who produce a wine that the judging panel considers the best in a specified class. The categories for 2019 were Pinot Noir for Winemaker of the Year, and White Wines of any varietal or blend for Young Winemaker of the Year. The field was narrowed down to ten finalists through rigorous judging by a panel of wine experts: with five winemakers shortlisted for the prestigious Winemaker of the Year award, and five for the Young Winemaker of the Year title.

This year’s Diners Club Winemaker of the Year (Pinot Noir category), Daniel Keulder, amazed the judges with his 2017 Nitida Pinot Noir. The 2019 Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year, Herman Du Preez, received his award (White Wines category) for the 2018 The Apprentice White Cinsault.

The winning Winemaker receives R50 000 while the Young Winemaker, R25 000 and a trip to an exciting wine-producing destination.

The 2019 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year Judges include:

Nigel Greening – International judge
- Carrie Adams
- Debi Van Flymen
- Michael Crossley
- Nomonde Kubheka
- Gregory Mutambe
*End of press release* All information and images provided by the Diners Club.
November 25, 2019
A Taste of Spring at FOXCROFT – A Review

** This review was made possible thanks to FOXCROFT for hosting me**

It’s been three years since Foxcroft in Constantia burst onto the Cape Town restaurant scene and since then it has become a regular favourite with locals as well as international guests visiting the picturesque Constantia Valley to sample the best in food and wine. Head chef Glen Williams believes in a carefully structured farm to table approach, utilizing the freshest seasonal ingredients and showcasing them on the plate to deliver a finessed flavourful experience. I was honoured to be invited to review their spring menu which runs until the 15 December, the special runs from Monday to Sunday (R345 for four courses or R595 with wine pairing). You can also treat yourself to an exceptional lunch experience by booking the tasting menu at lunch at a reduced price of R595 or R920 with wine pairing, also until 15 December 2019.

My dear friend Megan from Authentic Blog and I chose to sample the wine pairing menu. Every dish was thoughtfully constructed with each wine to complement each other perfectly. Their love of wine is certainly reflected in the successful winemaker’s dinner series collaborations, where diners enjoy a five-course chef’s menu paired with a first-class cellar’s hand-picked wines. The wine list is fresh and exciting, with a few Swartland gems in the mix.

They import as little as possible and use small-scale, sustainable, ethical and traceable suppliers wherever possible. The menu starts with the bread course, which was a pillowy light focaccia with pesto in the center. If there wasn’t all four courses that followed I would happily stuff my face with more of that! Starters followed with an utterly delicious Yellowfin tuna dish, that consisted of salsa macha, whipped avocado, jalapeno, and a crispy tostada for texture or in my case to make your own little taco! This was all paired with Silvervis’ Smiley Chenin Blanc from the marvelous Swartland region. We were treated by chef Glen, to a taster of the chicken ballotine, also on the menu as a first course. The chicken ballotine was beautifully plated with liver parfait, nectarine segments, mushroom and chunks of toasted brioche croutons for texture.

My incessant need for all things shellfish ensured I chose the west-coast mussels for the second course. Neatly gathered together in a bowl, the mussels together with a few slivers of pickled squid, succotash and mayu oil. I stood and filmed with bated breath as our amazing server Lindsay, poured the mussel chowder into the bowl to make a delicious and beautiful meal. Paired with a light and fruity 2018 Arendsig Chardonnay.

Oak Valley Pork, a beautifully plated meal of Kimchi, charred cabbage with spicy peanuts and bite-sized cubes of pork crackling. Every morsel on the plate I would eat a thousand times over! Incredibly tasty and paired with an equally delicious and well-rounded 2018 Thorne & Daughters Copper Pot.

And now for my favourite course, dessert! Simply titled, yoghurt. My dessert was certainly inspiring of spring and how fresh and flowery the season is. Cradled in the centre of an egg-shaped bowl, was green apple jelly spheres, litchi granita, beautifully decorated with elderflowers and geranium. Paired with a glass of 2019 “The Freshman” Sauvignon Blanc.

The food, the service, and the wine were absolutely spectacular. For the price of R595, the experience was such a real treat! Chef Glen and team show such a real passion for fine food and attention to detail, its easy to see and taste why they are ranked as an Eat Out eatery and You really don’t want to miss out on this fantastic Spring special. Make your booking before the 15th of December: https://www.foxcroft.co.za/book-online

Massive thanks to the amazing FOXCROFT Team for graciously hosting us and treating us like such royalty! We cannot wait to be back again.

November 19, 2019
The 2019 FNB Sauvignon Blanc Top 10

Last week I had the privilege of attending the FNB Sauvignon Blanc Top 10 at the tallest skyscraper in Cape Town, the FNB Portside Building. 2019 being the first year I am attending my very first wine awards gala, excitement leading up to the day was palpable. I was invited to attend as media and brought my husband along as my plus 1, he ended up striking up new connections with a few winemakers, whilst I mingled and caught up with a few of the industry’s best. The evening was glamorous with lots of the participants Sauvignon Blanc flowing from table to table.

The Top 10 were drawn from a broad collection of entries this year, with 107 producers submitting 183 wines. The country’s diverse wine growing regions were well represented with five out of the six regions in the Western Cape delivering at least one wine in the top 20. A total of 12 of the top 20 wines were from the 2019 vintage, confirming the overall industry consensus that this year was an outstanding year for Sauvignon Blanc.

In alphabetical order, this year’s top 10:

. Cederberg Ghost Corner Sauvignon Blanc 2019

·         De Grendel Koetshuis Sauvignon Blanc 2019 (Wooded)

·         Diemersdal Winter Ferment Sauvignon Blanc 2019

·         Du Toitskloof Land’s End Sauvignon Blanc 2018 (Wooded)

·         Groote Post Seasalter Sauvignon Blanc 2019 (Wooded)

·         Lomond Sauvignon Blanc 2019

·         Merwida Sauvignon Blanc 2019

·         Spier Ideology Sauvignon Blanc 2019

·         Stark-Condé Round Mountain Sauvignon Blanc 2018 (Wooded)

·         Tokara Reserve Collection Elgin Sauvignon Blanc 2019 (Wooded)

Wine lovers will be able to acquire the 2019 FNB Sauvignon Blanc Top 10 collection via Wine of the Month Club. For more information, email admin@sauvignonblanc.com.

A technical seminar based on this year’s performance will take place on Wednesday 20 November in Franschhoek. For more information or to become a member, visit www.sauvignonblanc.com or call 021 975 4440.

October 18, 2019
Experience the Newly Launched Tryn at Steenberg.

I am ashamed to say it was my very first time visiting Steenberg Wine Estate. I wish I had been sooner, alas there is no time like the present, right? Steenberg Wine Estate is situated roughly 25 minutes from Cape Town in the luscious green neighbourhood of Steenberg, Tokai. Tryn, a vibrant new signature restaurant has opened at Steenberg with renowned Constantia chef, Kerry Kilpin, at the helm of this opulent well oiled machine.

Dedicated to Steenberg’s 17^th century founder, Catharina Ras, or Tryn as she was known to her nearest and dearest, the new restaurant is contemporary in spirit with fabulous food, bold accents and modern textures. Today, Steenberg Farm continues to honour her name with the opening of Tryn and dedicating two signature wines to her: the flagship red blend, Catharina, and the prestige cuvée, Lady R Méthode Cap Classique.

Chef Kerry takes her culinary skills to the next level, featuring an abundance of fresh, seasonal ingredients, honest flavours and intuitive service. Known for adding a touch of Asian and Middle Eastern flair to her classically prepared food, Chef Kerry enlivens the familiar with exciting twists and flavour combinations to delight all palates.

Her menu is accessible and easy to navigate with ample choice of deliciously prepared dishes. Meat lovers will find all their favourite cuts, while vegetarians can savour Kerry’s signature brand of delectable tastes and textures. Her profound passion for ethically sourced fish also shines through on the Tryn menu. With that said, you will find a wood carved fish with an Abalobi barcode to scan to learn more about the sustainable catch of the day.

Each meal is paired to perfection with an award-winning Steenberg wine to compliment the meal and create an unforgettable sensory experience. I certainly cannot wait to be back to discover more of what Steenberg has to offer. The food and experience at Tryn is nothing short of an incredible opulent experience, perfect for a fancy yet relaxed date night or an intimate birthday dinner.

Tryn is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For bookings contact +27 (0)21 7137178 or email info@tryn.co.za

Special thanks to the talented team at Tryn and to GC Communications for hosting me.

October 16, 2019
My Top 10 Reds to Drink Right Now

Over the past year I’ve been lucky enough to taste so many varietals from many a region, local and international; I didn’t know existed. Through the WSET course it has diversified my palette and changed my viewpoint for the better. Before I started level 2 I had more of a fondness for a full-bodied Chardonnay than a spicy Syrah, with that said here’s a list of my favourite reds right now.

Luddite – 2013 Shiraz

If you follow my blog, you know how much of a fan I am of this amazing Bot River Winery. With every vintage pushed out, Luddite proves to always hit it out of the park! First tasted at their tasting room, the 2013 Shiraz is a pricey, but well-worth it investment piece. Dark purply red in hue, showing fantastic vibrance and colour to the edge of the glass. On the nose, expect perfumed, floral, hints of violet, Speculaas spice, typical Luddite cloves and dark fruit. The palate shows elegant balance. Gentle spice, bruised plums, dark cherries with a long elegant finish with balanced tannins and a hint of wood. Absolutely delicious!

Ashborne – 2018 Pinotage/Cinsault

The Ashborne range derives from the Hamilton Russell legacy; and first made its debut in 2001. Consisting of 80% Pinotage and 20% Cinsault, this red blend is made from grapes sourced from old vines in the rockstar Swartland region. The Cinsault adds softening to the rich Pinotage, astonishing in length and has great complexity. “Ashbourne began as a quest to make something extraordinary out of Pinotage in ancient, unusually clay-rich, shale-derived soils.” – Anthony Hamilton Russell.

Andreas 2015 Shiraz

Andreas is a boutique winery situated in the Wellington wine region. This magical Shiraz I love so much is made new world style with only limited yields, the winery makes exclusively one varietal – that being Shiraz. The 2015 vintage is smooth, full-bodied, with characteristic peppery, spicy, berry notes, has great length, and has excellent ageing potential. A great conversation starter at any dinner party.

Ataraxia 2016 Pinot Noir

Grown on low-vigour, stony, clay-rich Bokkeveld Shale derived soils, the maritime-influenced climate is so marked that Ataraxia’s Pinot noirs are the very last to be picked in the Hemel-en-Aarde region. Which makes for delicious punchy dark cherry and perfect minerality with a hint of earthy mushroom on the palate. A sure winner for any Pinot noir fundi.

Creation 2018 Pinot noir

Right next door to Kevin Grant’s Ataraxia, is Creation. As published a few weeks ago, I was graciously hosted by Carolyn Martin co-owner of Creation. The FynArts 7 course Pairing is a must if you plan on visiting! It’s really tough to choose just one wine you favour over the other, when you find everything tastes of perfection! But If I had to pick a favourite red, I’d choose their 2018 Pinot noir. This ruby red gem proves to be rich in dark forest berries and sour cherry with a lovely earthy bouquet.

Vondeling 2018 Monsonia

Vondeling Monsonia is named after Monsonia Speciosa, a very rare species of fynbos (vegetation type occurring in the Western Cape region of South Africa) found in the Paardeberg mountain, the home of Vondeling wines. Bright violets are infused with dark fruit with just a hint of earth and wood smoke. Sweet spices abound, rich in cloves, subtle nutmeg and aromatic coriander. The palate is alive with red berry fruit and has a hint of rich chocolate with undertones of wild herbs. Vondeling’s Monsonia has a full-bodied viscous texture with a lovely long finish. I paired this with this gifted box of goodies from the winery to make Beef Stroganoff with freshly-made tagliatelle.

Louisvale Wines – 2017 Five Barrels Cabernet Sauvignon

Known for their full-bodied Chardonnay, Louisvale Wines produces an elegant Cabernet Sauvignon too! Of course being situated in Cabernet Sauvignon wine country (Stellenbosch) climate makes all the difference, but one can also attribute this to the fantastic Winemaker. It is a multi-layered Cabernet Sauvignon with aromas and flavours of Black Currant, Dark Chocolate and hints of Cedar and Cigar Box.

Van Loveren – The Rhino Run Range: 2016 Ian Player

This special range released by Van Loveren to help combat rhino poaching and in honour of the late Ian Player, to which proceeds of this range goes to the foundation to protect the endangered species. Voted by the Platters guide as a 2019 Hidden Gem, this wine has rich almond, plum and mint on the nose, followed by ripe berry, cassis and red current on the palate. Intrigues with a soft and toasty finish. This lovely red blend consists of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. An easy drinking red!

Anthonij Rupert – Terra Del Capo 2016 Sangiovese

This quintessential Italian red shows ripe plum, black cherries, cassis and spice on the nose. The entry is a textural one: dry but well fruited. Cherries and plums make their luscious, rich presence known right from the outset. The wine is graceful with restraint evident in the lovely balance of fruit, acidity and tannin. The flavours are not overplayed and neither is the oak, which adds firm support without overwhelming anything. Delicious brush of spice and well-judged succulence. A rewarding, fresh mouthful that lingers. Paired with a hearty Bolognese made with fresh pasta of course.

Groot Constantia – 2016 Pinotage

Certainly one of my favourites of this underestimated varietal. Groot Constantia makes a delicious Pinotage in a cool region that is Sauvignon Blanc wine country. This delightful Pinotage shows flavours of vanilla from barrel maturation combined with strawberry and ripe plum on the nose. Red fruit flavours follow on the palate. The wine is elegant with a fine tannin structure and a long finish. A sure winner in my books! Pair with Lamb, or a delicious homemade Bobotie.

Bonus feature: This is a goodie!

De Toren – 2017 Fusion V

This exquisite Bordeaux-style blend has a pure and complex flavour, with intense aromas of dark red fruits, mineral perfumes and a deliciously creamy cassis. This full-bodied wine maintains a sleek tannin structure with an immaculate developing palate. Pairs perfectly with roasted/grilled lamb as pictured above at Chefs

Hit me up in the comments and let me know red you’d like to try or what’s your favourite.

Happy Wine Wednesday! x

August 21, 2019