Friday, April 12, 2019

This Week’s MENU. Thokozani Ovation launch, Jacaranda Estate, Avgolemono soup, Jacaranda Cuvée Rouge

A kelp gull flies over a fynbos covered coastal hillside

We are very privileged. We are, as we are frequently told, very lucky to be able to do what we do. At which point we repeat Gary Player’s oft repeated quote: “I believe in luck and the more I practice the luckier I become”. We were part of a small group invited last week to a wine estate owned by an imaginative and far-sighted couple and to witness the immense progress they have made with a project we have been watching for several years. And then, to visit a tiny operation which is making spectacular wines, ethically and with huge respect for their environment. Those stories follow; we’ll be happy if you enjoy them as much as we did being there…

A very special invitation from Diemersfontein in Wellington to a Private Party to officially launch their Ovation brand - hosted by Thokozani Wines at Diemersfontein Wine Estate. This was held last Friday night and we were offered accommodation on the farm, so we didn’t have to drive home that night.
Ovation is a wine label of Thokozani Wines which was originally produced (exclusively) for Woolworths - but its fame has led to it now further spreading its wings in the market. We arrived as they were getting the venue ready, just before 5…

While we were in Wellington, we were directed by Rene Reece, the Wellington Wine Route Liaison & PR, who asked if we would like to visit the smallest registered Wine Estate in South Africa. With only 4.5 hectares, of which only 3.2 are under vines, Jacaranda Farm is producing some interesting and beautiful wines. The farm is a riot of purple when the 90 year old Jacaranda trees are in bloom. They are open 10 to 4 Monday to Saturday, closed on Sunday. http://www.jacarandawines.co.za/en/

Easter will be upon us very soon and some of us are making plans to have a family lunch. With the weather not too warm, we thought a soup might be a great dish to start the meal. We love this light, lemony Chicken based soup which is often served at holidays or celebrations in Greece. It is not difficult to make…

This wine wowed us when we visited last weekend. It is from Jacaranda, a small farm in Wellington
It's a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Petit Verdot and 28% Merlot. Dark garnet in colour, with incense wood, rich red berries and of course violets from the Petit Verdot. Lovely juicy fruit - raspberries, mulberries and the violets are on the palate too. Gentle licorice wood from the 9 months in oak with some warmth and some nice chewy tannins on the end. A wine you just want to keep on drinking with or without food and with friends. We would pair this with meat dishes and rich sauces. R115 from the farm






11th April 2019











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