Groot
Constantia brings home an 1821 bottle of its famed Grand Constance
Groot
Constantia was recently the successful bidder in an overseas auction for a 195
year old bottle of Grand Constance 1821, a wine that was produced in the Groot
Constantia Cloete Cellar. They were so delighted at acquiring the wine and returning
it to its origin that they invited a group of us to celebrate its return last
week. They also promised a surprise event during the day
The Groot Constantia Manor House, one of our
iconic National Monuments and celebrated as South Africa's oldest wine
producing farm, founded in 1685
The welcome drink was a glass of their NV Brut Rosé,
a light salmon pink, floral with flavours of brioche, apple and nuts
Canapés were served. Paté topped with chutney
Small tomato tarts
Blue cheese topped with apple crumble
Very good samoosas with a very thin, crisp pastry skin, served warm
Information about the Grand Constance wine. The
event was held in the old Cloete Cellar behind the manor house, which is currently
undergoing renovation. Half of the cellar will house a museum, whilst the other
half will be an additional tasting room where visitors can have a unique heritage
experience of the Groot Constantia wines
“With such a notable and celebrated history to
this centuries old South African brand, we are suitably excited to have this
nearly two centuries old Grand Constance bottle returning to its ‘birthplace’”,
said Dr Ernest Messina, Chairperson of the Groot Constantia Trust
Dr Messina and Groot Constantia's Marketing
manager, Grant Newton opening the parcel in which the 1821 Grand Constance
bottle was delivered
The bottle is revealed
It does still contain wine
Not much of the label is left, but enough to
identify it.
Everyone wanted a picture
Then came the special event which was inspired by
the delivery of the 1821 wine
This niche in the wall of the Cloete Cellar will
become a time capsule. Prominent members of the farm and people connected to it
were each asked to place one of 12 bottles of Grand Constance 2009 into the niche. The
Estate will brick it up. This time capsule will only be opened on 2 February
2109 when the South African wine industry will be celebrating 450 years of existence.
The stored wine will then be 100 years old.
Beautiful clivias blooming in abundance on the
farm
Time for lunch in Jonkershuis restaurant
Lunch was served family style, so you could help
yourself. The starter was a different coloured beetroot salad served with ashed
goats cheese and assorted salad leaves
and a good tender beef Carpaccio with burnt
pineapple and a crème fraiche. Both were delicious
Guests sat in the open courtyard
The menu for lunch
Bottles of the current vintage of Grand Constance
2013 with a vase of King Proteas (Protea cynaroides). It sells for R516 a bottle on the farm
We drank the Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon 2015, very
refreshing, nicely crisp
Serious discussion! Wine journalists Christian Eedes and Sandile
Mkhwanazi
Other Groot Constantia white wines on offer
and the Merlot went very well with the Carpaccio
and the main course
Also on offer the award winning flagship, Gouverneur's Reserve 2013
A huge helping of perfectly cooked seared Kudu
Loin served with spring vegetables, apricots and a Grand Constance reduction.
Lynne had to take a doggie bag home
The fish option
The dessert of a Bruléed lemon tart with its
mascarpone mousse and a honey and rosewater syrup really impressed. The pastry
was light and crisp, the lemon curd an exact balance of sweet and sharp. And
with a glass of the Grand Constance to top it off, we were in heaven. It is a
perfect balance too of honey sweetness and good grape acidity, filled with
apricots, nuts and light caramel, with whiffs of rose petals from the Muscat
