Thursday, March 07, 2019

This Week's MENU. Musgrave Copper, Constantia Glen book, Muratie Harvest festival, Starlight Classics, Wingerd Vista market at Delvera, Asparagus & salmon risotto, Constantia Glen Five

A pied crow flies on a misty Stellenbosch day
This has been a week in which we have enjoyed a few special events, and even a little rain, but the best, most eagerly anticipated was the annual Starlight Concert at Vergelegen wine estate in Somerset West. A spectacular evening of music in a very beautiful setting. The photographs will give you an idea of what we saw; you will have to wait until it is broadcast on MNet later in the year to hear the music which was brilliant showcase of the amazing talents we have in this country. Read on and enjoy….
An invitation to Constantia Glen for the launch of their new book published by Quiver Tree and 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…
We were intrigued by an invitation to the launch last week by Musgrave Crafted Spirits of a new Disruptive Spirit. The launch was on our publication day, so we only managed a quick trip in the late afternoon to taste what turned out to be two new brandies. Both are flavoured Copper Potstill brandies…
One of our annual pilgrimages is the Harvest Festival at Muratie. We love the people there and so enjoy this very real and unpretentious festival each year. We were seated at the media table in the shade and presented with this huge sharing platter of cheese, samoosas, superb rillette, bread, grapes, olives and pickles…
Sunday morning saw us on the R44 heading for DelVera who had their first Wingerd Vista Market. Janine van Zyl, Owner, Founder & Executive Chef at Cold Gold Artisan Ice Cream & Sorbet has just taken over the restaurant at Del Vera which is soon to open…
One of the high points of our year is an invitation to the RMB Starlight Concert which took place on Saturday night, at Vergelegen. This was the 21st year of this spectacular concert and the invited acts and performers never cease to amaze and delight. Before the main concert begins…
The Starlight Concert has other aspects! All worth a mention. We gathered on arrival in the famous Rose Garden at Vergelegen where there were canapés and an open bar. Many of us had the bubbly to start, both were from Simonsig
This is an easy risotto to make and rather delicious.  Economical too with the salmon. Serves two greedy people for supper.  Asparagus is in season and Lynne cooks it very briefly in the microwave with a drop of water for just 1 and a half minutes.  Thick green asparagus is not really suitable for the recipe, just use medium.  Do use real risotto rice, all others will go mushy and be soggy. See the whole recipe here…
The Constantia Glen 2014 Five, which we tasted on the farm this week, is at its peak and will continue to excite for much longer. Bolder, bigger than their Three, it is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec.  Read on…

Events for you to enjoy
Friday, 8th – Saturday, 16th March  9th Annual Zabalaza Theatre Festival at The Baxter. Click here for details
Sunday, 10th March Cape Town Cycle Tour, the biggest staged race in the worldMore info here
Wednesday, 13th March, Tuning the Vine 17h30 to 20h30 Collect your tasting glass and wrist band from starting stations, 91 on Loop Boutique Hostel or The Station on Bree and head out on your hunt for top-class tastings
Saturday, 16th March The annual Cape Town Carnival returns to the Fan Walk with the theme ‘Vuka Ukhanye’ – ‘Arise and Shine More info here
Tuesday, 19th – Sunday, 31st March The Mother City Comedy Festival. More info here
Friday, 29th – Saturday, 30th March The Cape Town International Jazz Festival at The CTICC More info here
Sunday, 31st March Groote Post Country Market between 10h00 and 15h00. For further information on the Groote Post Country Market Contact I Love Yzer: 022 451 2202 or info@iloveyzer.co.za www.grootepostcountrymarket.co.za · Facebook.com/GrootePostCountryMarket · @GPCountryMarket
Thursday, 15 August          Nedbank CWG Auction Showcase Cape Town
Tuesday, 20 August           Nedbank CWG Auction Tasting Pretoria*
Wednesday, 21 August     Nedbank CWG Showcase Sandton
Wednesday, 2 October    Nedbank CWG Development Trust Dinners
Thursday, 3 October         Nedbank CWG Sports Day
Friday, 4 October             Nedbank CWG Final Pre-Auction Tasting*
Saturday 5 October          Nedbank CWG Auction   Enquiries about CWG events to bookings@capewinemakersguild.com * Events in red are by invitation onl
7th March 2019

© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2019

PS If a word or name is in bold type and underlined, click on it for more information

Phones: +27 21 439 3169 / 083 229 1172 / 083 656 4169

Postal address: 60 Arthurs Rd, Sea Point 8005

Recommendations of products and outside events are not solicited or charged for, and are made at the authors’ pleasure. All photographs, recipes and text used in our website and ancillary works are © John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus. Our restaurant reviews are often unsolicited. We prefer to pay for our meals and not be paid in any way by anyone. Whether we are invited or go independently, we don’t feel bad if we say we didn’t like it. Honesty is indeed our best policy. While every effort is made to avoid mistakes, we are human and they do creep in occasionally, for which we apologise. This electronic journal has been sent to you because you have personally subscribed to it or because someone you know has asked us to send it to you or forwarded it to you themselves. Addresses given to us will not be divulged to any person or organisation. We collect them only for our own promotional purposes. If you wish to be added to our mailing list, pleaseclick here to send us a message and if you wish to be  removed from our mailing list

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