The view from the top
of the Piekenierskloof Pass
Load shedding.
It is, yet again, the horrible buzz word in our minds. As we type this, we
anticipate the awful deadness of unsaved words and a blank computer screen.
Save at the end of every sentence! It does make one conscious of the importance
of electricity in our lives. We are closer than ever to installing a photovoltaic
electricity system in our house. It is called “Sunkissed” for a very good
reason, so it’s a bit of a no-brainer. The criminals who tried to steal our
country have done tremendous damage and it will take a lot of time and effort
to repair and recover and, while the politicians dither, we must take care of
our own needs. This week’s stories are largely about a little expedition to a
very interesting area, the “home” of Grenache in South Africa…
We attended a function at the Norval Foundation Gallery
in Constantia late last year and wanted to go back and have lunch at Skotnes
restaurant and see the gallery. We headed there this week but, unfortunately,
picked a bad week to see the art. All the galleries were closed as exhibitions
were changing . However we had a great lunch, became Members and had a good
walk in the garden and a small tour inside. Becoming a member is easy, and has
real benefits. You get free entrance for a year and discounts in the restaurant
and in the shop. https://www.norvalfoundation.org/membership/
The building is very impressive…
We love travelling out into the country and were
really intrigued when we received an invitation to Piekenierskloof, an area up
the N7 about 2 hours from Cape Town that we have not visited before. It is near
Citrusdal and we have not ventured into that area for several years.
Coincidentally, we had driven near it on our way back from holiday in Lambert's
Bay, having taken the wrong road home…
After we checked out of Hebron on Saturday
morning, we drove back down Piekenierskloof Pass and headed for Piketberg where
we wanted to taste the wines at Org de Rac. We were invited there last year to
a media day, but were not available as we were travelling. We had meant to come
for a long while and this was our opportunity as they are not open on Sundays.
It is a beautiful farm high on a small hill overlooking the N7 and the wheat fields…
Our friend Shelley Sandell owns Tierhoek wine
farm in the Piekenierskloof and when she heard we were going to be in the area
at the weekend for Friday night, she offered us a stay at the farm afterwards,
which we were very happy to accept. She and her late husband Tony bought the
farm in 2001 and discovered very old Chenin and Grenache bush vines, which they
have cultivated. Tierhoek wines have
won several good awards. They also modernised the old farm buildings, but in a
very respectful way, to preserve their heritage…
a blend of Verdelho, Roussanne and Chenin.
Elegance on the complex nose, rather French in style. It lights up the palate,
and has that elusive but sought after tingle on the tongue, a great blend with
summer peach flavours. Such a good food wine…
It is so hot at the moment
that cooking becomes a chore and we are eating lots of salads. This one was
popular several years ago and we thought it about time to revive it given that
watermelon is in season. Besides some chopping, there is not much to do. And it
looks and tastes sensational. Sousing the onion in lime or lemon juice takes
away that raw onion flavour that makes it repeatable and indigestible.
Sunday 24th February Groote Post's February 'Made with Love" Country Market For further information Contact I Love Yzer:
022 451 2202 or info@iloveyzer.co.za www.grootepostcountrymarket.co.za
Facebook.com/GrootePostCountryMarket • @GPCountryMarket
14th February 2019
© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2019
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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
