Thursday, June 15, 2023

In MENU This Issue. First 14 Wine Estates 50th, LeRiche tasting, Siris Trade tasting, Trophy Wine Show awards lunch


Officially, winter starts at the solstice, next week. Reality check – winter came in May. We have already had weeks of gales, heavy rain and bone-chilling cold. Fires are lit every evening and whenever we have visitors. Our measured rainfall to date is almost at the 2022 year-end level.

But there is always a bright side. We have had four wonderful wine-related experiences, starting with a lunch at Groot Constantia to celebrate the 5oth Anniversary of the promulgation of the Wines of Origin and the listing of the first fourteen declared South African wine estates. And to end this list of stories, the Investec Wine Trophy awards lunch. Next week, we will attend the Trophy Wine Show public tasting. It will be a great show to experience with the best of South African wine to taste. Details are at the end of our report of the Awards.

First 14 Wine Estates in South Africa Celebrate 50 Years of Wine of Origin Scheme

The First 14 Wine Estates in South Africa have formed a Collective to Celebrate 50 Years of Wine of Origin Scheme and the Granting of Wine Estate Status

Since the introduction of the Wine of Origin scheme in 1973, this landmark initiative established the legal protection of South African wine-producing areas along with the regulation of wines made from a specific cultivar or vintage. The W.O Scheme is internationally recognised as one of the best of its kind. Click on this link or the photo to read on...

Le Riche pre-release wine tasting at Wine Cellar

We were given a very difficult choice this week. Go to the Wine Cellar on Monday to attend a pre-release tasting of Le Riche wines OR go to the farm later in the week for a walk around tasting. John wanted to do both but, seeing reason, we finally plumped for Monday and so enjoyed the tasting with Cellarmaster Christo Le Riche. Read on Here

Siris Vintners Trade tasting at the DoubleTree by Hilton Cape Town - Upper Eastside

This report is unusual in that it is a solo effort. Lynne had a commitment to a Horticultural Society meeting, so John took notes as well as photographs. He would have loved to taste everything, but time constraint limited the choices

It was good to see old friends, father and son team Peter and Nick Pentz from Groote Post in Darling. Read on…

The Investec Trophy Wine Show Awards Luncheon

The luncheon function was held at Delaire Graff

We were shown, when we arrived, to a very rainy car park and had a fantastic, helpful driver, Bhayibheli, who took us in his golf cart from the drenched car park down to the door of the Restaurant and tasting room and back again at the end of the event. Click on this link or the photo to see the whole story...




All our stories can be seen in the Blog Archive near the top of the column on the right

If you do not wish to receive e-mails from us, please email menucape@gmail.com with the word 'UNSUBSCRIBE' in your email

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The Trophy Wine Show Awards Luncheon

The luncheon function was held at Delaire Graff
We were shown, when we arrived, to a very rainy car park and had a fantastic, helpful driver, Bhayibheli,
who took us in his golf cart from the drenched car park down to the door of the Restaurant and tasting room
and back again at the end of the event

We were wrapped in cloud and the terrace was also wrapped in plastic

Some lovely, welcoming and smiling faces with a selection of excellent Cap Classique wines
It makes such a difference on a cold and wet day to be so welcomed

Chatting in the entrance hall

Brad Paton said that he was unsure as to why he was there
We knew it was to get an award; everybody who attends the lunch has won either a gold medal or a trophy
We could guess what it would be for,
as, at the Feedback session, the judges said that there had been one outstanding dessert wine
We have always been big fans of his excellent Buitenverwachting "1769" Limited Release NLH
 Unfortified Dessert wine

Some interesting canapes were circulating. Miso glazed aubergine with smoked tomato, basil. Very umami 

Beef tartare, potato pavé, shiitaki bacon, crispy spinach. Very tall, needed two bites! Very good

Confit cauliflower, romesco sauce and parsley. For the vegetarians

One of the stunning Graff collection jewels in the entrance halls, A replica of a large amber brown topaz
This is a very good facsimile and very covetable

More of the cauliflower canapé which did need a fork

Michael Fridjhon and Cathy van Zyl MW

Not a hair out of place
Amorim Cork (SA) MD Joachim Sa and Buitenverwachting cellarmaster Brad Paton

The display of trophies

Crisp Sesame lavash and warm ciabatta were the bread offerings

Michael Fridjhon starts proceedings

The audience of winemakers, wine farm owners, competition judges and media representatives

Hugo van der Ahee, Head of Winelands Region at Investec Bank Ltd
He told us that Investec is here to support and celebrate our wine industry

The list of wines to be served with lunch. We were able to ask the sommeliers to bring certain wines for us to taste

The menu

John's starter, without mushrooms, was a roasted slice of butternut topped with vegan cheese, carrots and tomato
Very good for vegans, not so much for John who said the "cheese" was rather bland

Lynne's starter, mushrooms on top of unfilled ravioli pasta with a foam, might have benefitted from a sauce?

Time for the gold medals. You can follow this link to see who won what: https://www.trophywineshow.co.za/winners-and-results/trophy-winners-2023/

Then it was time for dessert
It was a glorious Chocolate Ganache delice with a coffee ice cream and ocoa crumb, caramel jelly and macadamia nuts

Lynne was served a superb green tea after lunch, so fragrant and refreshing

An excellent double espresso for John

Janice Fridjhon gets a hug from James Pietersen.  She does such a magnificent organising job

It was a boot day! 

Trophy for the Most Successful producer awarded to Zevenwacht Cellarmaster Hagen Viljoen
by Georgie Alexander, High Net Worth International Leader, Investec Bank

All the Trophy winners
Photograph per kind favour of Danie Nel

The top performers

The top of the pass, still wreathed in chilling fog
We cannot wait to taste the winning wines at the Public tastings:
Johannesburg on 14th June and Cape Town on 21st June

There will be public tastings in Johannesburg and Cape Town

Booking arrangements here: https://www.trophywineshow.co.za/diary-of-events/

All our stories can be seen in the Blog Archive near the top of the column on the right

If you do not wish to receive e-mails from us, please email menucape@gmail.com with the word 'UNSUBSCRIBE' in your email

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