Wednesday, March 06, 2019

Launch of coffee table book Constantia Glen - A Timeless Vision

An invitation to Constantia Glen for the launch of their new book which is published by Quiver Tree
and is now available in all good book shops (we saw it in Exclusive this weekend) and on the farm
Constantia Glen is high up near Constantia Nek and the tasting facility has wonderful views of the vineyards
The launch was held in the conservatory. Julian Richfield enjoying a glass of the Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blanc poured by Luke Tod, FOH Manager. It's a classic Constantia Sauvignon with a drop of semillon added, crisp limes and greengage with hints of pyrazines
Winemakers Justin van Wyk and Megan van der Merwe with Julian
They were taking a very short break for this as they were in the middle of harvesting
Also on offer was the Constantia Saddle Rosé made from Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
and Petit Verdot grapes. It is lively and full of strawberry and cherry flavours, so easy to quaff. Only from their tasting room
A gathering crowd
PRO Gudrun Clark with Journalist Fiona McDonald
Owner of Constantia Glen, Alexander Waibel with the book titled Constantia Glen - A Timeless Vision
He said it was something they have been meaning to do for a while as there is so much to see and discover on the farm
The beautiful photography is by Craig Fraser and the words by Clare O'Donoghue
Constantia Glen CEO Horst Prader
Creative Director at Quivertree Publishers, Libby Doyle with Photographer Craig Fraser
Lynne had a long chat about publishing with Libby
Justin van Wyk told us about the farm and the current vintage
Some of the very good canapés that were served. Caprese sticks, small warm meat pies and some fillet steak on small toasts
More of those pies, crisp rosti topped with cream cheese and smoked salmon, then crackers with a cream cheese and radish
Good samoosas, spicy coated chicken skewers with a dip
and savoury biscuits topped with cheese and slices of fresh fig were very enjoyable
The two red wines are always so impressive. It was hard to tell which one we prefer, they are both so good.  The Constantia Glen 2015 Three is a Bordeaux blend headed by Merlot, with Cabernet Franc, & Cabernet Sauvignon is soft and sweet and velvety with layers of fruit, soft tannins and seamless oak notes
The Constantia Glen 2014 Five is at its peak and will continue to excite for much longer. Bolder, bigger than Three, it is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec has more perfume and a little wildness with the classic dark berry fruit. Full and satisfying on the palate, loaded with ripe fruit and supported by good tannins and wood, it is very hard to stop imbibing ...  It is our Wine of the Week
And even more canapés
Such choice, such abundance
Wine Merchant Michael Bampfield Duggan, CEO of WOSA Siobhan Thompson
and Author Graham Viney who has recently released his own book The Last Hurrah
Herr Prader making sure we are all enjoying the wines .. and we were
The laden vines, just waiting to be picked

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