This
year we were invited to this, one of our favourite festivals, for just the opening day which was a pity, as we really wanted to go for longer - there is so much to do
at the festival, but we were told that there was no accommodation available; it is
very popular. We were transported by minibus from the V&A Waterfront with
an early start planned for 8am (it is a 2½ hour plus drive). We had taken an
Uber to get there as parking at the V&A all day would cost rather a lot. We
actually left an hour late because we waited for late-comers, which compromised
our limited time in Robertson. We arrived back in town at 7.45 pm. And, because
we were delayed waiting for someone to collect something from us which they had
left on the bus, we finally arrived at home at 9h20. It was an interesting and
fun but very, very long day
The beautiful Breede River at Goudmyn Farm in
Robertson on the banks of which the Festival is held. So good to see the River
so full, but so sad to report that it is all going into the ocean. They tell us
the river needs to clean itself out
We started in the Tasting Tent ...
... with a tasting of seven Mèthode Cap Classique
bubblies from the area
ably guided by Philip Jonker, winemaker and owner of
Weltevrede
First a word from Peter de Wet of Excelsior; he is
the Chairman of the Robertson Wine Valley. Peter told us that, as this was
International Champagne Day, they thought that a bubbly tasting would be a very
appropriate way to start it. We all agreed
The line-up: Paul Rene Brut, 100% Chardonnay; Philip Jonker Enthios
from Weltevrede, 60% Chardonnay 40% Pinot Noir; Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs 2012;
Jacques Bruère 2010 Blanc de Blancs; Philip Jonker The Ring from Weltevrede; Villion 2009 Blanc de Blanc from Viljoensdrift and De Wetshof Cuvée Brut, 65% Chardonnay and 35% Pinot
Noir, 20% in barrel. It certainly is a valley that makes good MCCs
Then after a short comfort break, we went straight
into a tasting of Chardonnays, guided by Johann de Wet of De Wetshof, a farm
that makes several superb Chardonnays. This is the first flight, all unwooded:
Rietvallei 2018; Springfield’s Wild Yeast Chardonnay; Langverwacht Kelder NV
and Limestone Hill 2017 from De Wetshof
Johann told us that there are many variations of Chardonnays,
which are either unoaked or oaked, with natural fermentation or inoculated -
and he explained how it works. Then the area plays its part, as does the
winemaker using his skills. Robertson is a long valley with huge variations of
soils, some with limestone, others none. There is the wind effect which plays
its part; this is not a warm area, it has heat during the day, but frost at
nights sometimes gives it the coldest nights in the Western Cape. The cold protects
acidity and freshness
The next flight poured was all wooded Chardonnays
De Wetshof Bateleur 2015; Arendsig
2016 from Bonnievale; Mont Blois 2016; Bon Courage 2016 and Robertson Winery's Constitution Road from McGregor (where there is no limestone)
Another short pause to admire the river and finish
our Chardonnays
Then lunch was served which consisted of tapas on long boards
This was chicken with chakalaka
Smoked salmon mousse with grated beetroot
Olives and a snoek paté
Black rice topped with radish, carrot and
ginger
Broad beans and udon noodles, bacon and prune Devils
on horseback
Beef, sliced and topped with hollandaise sauce
More salmon served with gherkins
Biltong paté and chicken in mayonnaise
Sundried tomatoes, cheese and butter with
roosterkoek
Following lunch, a tasting of Cabernet Sauvignons
of the area, guided by Peter de Wet. Cabernet comprises 10% of the vines in the
area, 1040 hectares. Black and red fruit without massive alcohols
The line-up of the first flight: Jan Harmsgat made
by Lourens van der Westhuizen of Arendsig; Arendsig's own 2015; De Wetshof
Naissance 2015, 90% new oak and Goedverwacht's Maxim 2015 from the cooler end
of the valley
The second flight: Kranskop 2014; Incara 2013 from
Bon Courage; Excelsior’s Evanthius 2013 and Springfield’s Methode Ancienne 2011. We
learned that Robertson will soon be dividing into individual wards, 9 in all
when agreed
Then, suddenly, it was nearly 3pm and time to go
and quickly see something of the festival, which opened that day. This is one of
the food trucks
This is why it is such an enjoyable festival. Sitting
under a huge umbrella on the riverbank enjoying good wine with friends and
finding good food to enjoy too
A golden hippo called Mr B on the Fat Bastard
stand
Tasting Arendsig's lovely wines with Colyn Truter
And getting a pour from Elzette Steyn at Weltevrede’s stand
Fanus Bruwer of Quando looking serious, or is that
seriously interested?
And a final friendly farewell from the lovely
girls, Elbè Nortje and Lisa Keulder, on the Graham Beck stand before boarding the bus for the trip
back to Cape Town
© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2017
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