Monday, July 15, 2024

In MENU This Issue - Investec Trophy Tasting, V&A Winter Wine, Fyn lunch, Upcoming tastings


In this issue we show you three wine tastings we enjoyed, two pretty serious, the other aimed at having fun, South Africa’s most highly rated restaurant and three great wine tasting events to salivate over. Enjoy, we did!

The 2024 Investec Trophy public tasting at the CTICC in Cape Town



The Investec Trophy Wine Show is one of the best opportunities we have to taste some of the best wines from South Africa. There is a very large number of wines to taste and it pays to try and be selective, although one always has some favourite producers who may not have won a Gold or a Trophy, but have nevertheless consistently made superb wines and one will always stop for a chat and a taste. See the wines and winemakers here…

Time Out Market Winter Wine at the V&A Waterfront



We were invited to this event and had no idea what we were in for. It was some of the best fun tasting wine we have ever had. Cheers! There will not be many, if any, wine descriptions as Lynne was on medication and could not taste a thing that day. So sad, as there was great wine available to taste. However, they had a game of wine Bingo going on and you had to ask questions of the wine pourers to get a sticker and fill up your sheet. It was hilarious. Read on…

Winter Special lunch at Fyn

We love good food; it is a passion, so we follow all the top restaurants on social media. Reading their menus is a guilty pleasure, and we admire the awards they garner, if we think they deserve them! We also find following food trends interesting. We have a background in food having run a successful business selling unusual ingredients and fine wine and Lynne is a passionate cook who has a very wide repertoire. However, life on a pension does not make for regular visits, so we have respect for top restaurants who offer winter specials for the locals each year. This means we can at least sample one or two of our favourites. Read on…

Three exciting wine tasting opportunities to look forward to


We have three of the year's best wine tasting opportunities to attend in the very near future. It would be good to see you at them. Caroline's Wine Reviews feature her pick of the best wines in their categories. Each producer brings the wine Caroline picks as their best. Simonsig’s Vintage Village offers a two week opportunity to taste their Vinoteque collection of carefully cellared vintage wines and Wine Concepts’ Seductive Sauvignons gives you a chance to taste their selection of the finest Sauvignons South Africa has to offer. Read on here… 

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

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Posted by MENU at 5:04 pm 0 comments

Three exciting wine tasting opportunities to look forward to

We have three of the year's best wine tasting opportunities to attend in the very near future
It would be good to see you at them

Caroline's Wine Reviews
feature her pick of the best wines in their categories. Each producer brings the wine Caroline picks as their best

Simonsig’s Vintage Village
offers a two week opportunity to taste their Vinoteque collection of carefully cellared vintage wines and

Wine Concepts’ Seductive Sauvignons
gives you a chance to taste their selection of the finest Sauvignons South Africa has to offer

Click on the headlines and pictures below to open the individual websites

Two of our favourite annual wine tastings are Caroline's Red and White wine Reviews. Caroline Rillema picks the producers she believes to be the best - and she's not known for her mistakes

So, if you want to taste a great selection of the best South African red wines, buy a ticket or two to this year's Red Wine Review which will take place on Thursday 25th July in the Members’ Lounge at the DHL Stadium outside Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront from 17h00 to 21h00

At the entrance, you will be given a crystal tasting glass and a detailed list of what’s available for tasting. Attendees will be able to place orders to purchase from the list at a 15% discount relative to the usual retail pricing.

The ticket price is R495 per person, and there is secure, undercover parking available at R60 per car – both available via Quicket. 

Purchase tickets online at: https://www.quicket.co.za/.../265349-carolines-red.../...
We hope to see you there!
PS You can see our story about last year's Review at
https://adamastorbacchus.blogspot.com/.../carolines-red...

A Teasing of Tastes Through the Seasons: Unveiling Simonsig’s Vintage Treasures at Vintage Village

Visitors to Simonsig will be able to go to their tasting room any time from 10am to 4.30 pm from Saturday 27th July to Saturday 3rd August to experience the Vintage Village. Tickets cost R150 per person

You’ll be able to take a stroll down memory lane and discover the stories behind Simonsig’s Vinoteque wines with their immersive Vintage Village experience. Sample a selection of perfectly cellared vintage reds, whites, and Cap Classique that span two decades, handpicked by third-generation cellarmaster, Michael Malan.

Once your guided walking tasting is complete, you will be welcome you to sit back and relax at one of their fireplaces and enjoy a platter or hearty soup to complement your experience.

This is also an exclusive opportunity to purchase these special vintage wines, with a 10% discount on offer when you create an online shopping profile – it takes less than 5 minutes and is free of charge!

Bookings for this are done via Dineplan and more info on this year’s event is here: https://www.simonsig.co.za/event/vintage-village-at-simonsig/

Last year, Vintage Day was a one day event. See our story at https://adamastorbacchus.blogspot.com/2023/08/vintage-day-at-simonsig.html

Wine Concepts Seductive Sauvignons Festival

While we battle with the elements it is good to remember that July is typically the peak of our rainy season and it presages the season of growth, Spring, which will begin next month. Wine Concepts has timed a special event to herald the onset of Spring with Sauvignon blanc, the most popular wine varietal in South Africa.

40 farms have been invited, with some bringing several wines from both varietals, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as blends. So over 100 wines should be available for tasting on the evening.

We produce many superb, world-beating Sauvignons blanc, especially in the cooler wine producing areas, and our Cabernets are also able to compete with the world's best. you will have a chance to taste them at Wine Concepts Seductive Sauvignons Festival at Moyo on the edge of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on August 15th

All the showcased wines will be available to order at discounted prices from Wine Concepts on the evening, making it a great opportunity for you to stock up on your favourite wines. Don't miss out on this chance to expand your wine palate and discover some new and exciting wines. Follow the link to buy your tickets and get ready to be seduced with Wine Concepts!

Venue: Moyo Restaurant, Kirstenbosch. Cape Town.
Date: Thursday, 15th August 2024
Time: 18h00 to 21h00
Cost: R450.00 per person – includes entrance, wine glass and light snacks

Only 200 tickets are available, and these can conveniently be purchased via www.webtickets.co.za or at any of Wine Concepts branches. Alternatively, tickets will be available at the door on the afternoon. All tickets subject to availability.

The last Seductive Sauvignons in our record was at The Vineyard in 2017
https://adamastorbacchus.blogspot.com/2017/08/wine-concepts-seductive-sauvignons-at.html
but we were at Wine Concepts’ Grape Escape at Moyo last month

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

Posted by MENU at 12:45 pm 0 comments

Sunday, July 14, 2024

Time Out Market Winter Wine at the V&A Waterfront

We were invited to this event and had no idea what we were in for
It was some of the best fun tasting wine we have ever had.  Cheers!
There will not be many, if any, wine descriptions as Lynne was on medication and could not taste a thing that day
So sad, as there was great wine available to taste
However, they had a game of wine Bingo going on and you had to ask questions of the wine pourers
to get a sticker and fill up your sheet.  It was hilarious

The Time Out Market was built as Cape Town Council’s Dock Road Power Station, commissioned in 1904

Based on the original Lisbon Time Out Market, which we visited in 2018, the layout and the vibe is very similar
We love sharing tables and meeting new people

Behind the check-in desk one can see the old power station's overhead engine room crane,
still in position above the upper gallery
We collected our glasses and climbed up to the gallery where the wine tasting tables were

Tom Mills with adoring fans! He was the "Name you cannot Speak" Tom Riddle in the Bingo

Wines from La Vierge in Hemel and Aarde Valley

More in the ice bucket

Niels Verburg showed his Luddite wines

and was having a good event

His Luddite and Saboteur wines, the latter unusual for wines of quality in that they are closed with crown corks

Isak Nieuwoudt showing Newton Johnson wines

Looking down at the food court

The long bar upstairs

More of the wines to taste.  They were also running a blind tasting competion which was very popular

Oak Valley Office and Logistics Manager Fabio Turilli

Oak Valley Chardonnay please! It's one of John's favourites

Malusi Maghodi with Villiera wines

Their superb crisp Cap Classique, one wine Lynne could taste and enjoy

Mooiplaas winemaker Bertus Basson, no relation to the eponymous chef, with his delicious Houmoed Chenin blanc

Malusi Maghodi pouring Villiera Cap Classique for convenor Dane Raath

Clink!

 and Spencer Fondaumiere, representing the South African Sommeliers Association


Gregory Haigh with easy drinking wines made by Brookdale winemaker Kiara Scott

Some very different labels with a sense of fun

The event was designed to appeal to a young, ambitious clientele and appeared to have succeeded

Live music too

Isak Nieuwoudt with Newton Johnson fans

Skanyiso Tshaya and Mihlali Tshongaye from Quoin Rock
Lynne and her partner each won a bottle of their red wine in a competition
Two minutes to draw wine words in pictures and her partner had to identify the words

You can look down at the food court where chefs from popular Cape Restaurants serve some of their dishes

Ramenhead is Peter Tempelhoff's Ramen restaurant in Pariament Square

Chef Bertus Basson's De Vrije Burger is in Stellenbosch

Pizza ordered by a young American couple who sat across the table from us. Made by Eugene Smith’s YARD outlet

We ordered two burgers and you are given a device that buzzes when your food is ready so you can go and fetch it 

Does chef Bertus Basson pay a royalty to thriller author Deon Meyer for using his anti-hero Bennie Griesel's name?

Our two burgers came in good buns, were a bit overcooked but tasted good and the chips were epic and very crisp
We only eat chips now and then when we are out; we don't like frying food at home. A real treat

And the free ice cream with sprinkles is fun, if its messy, it reminds one what it was like to be five years old

As we left, the Waterfront's festivities were in full swing

This young woman saw John taking photographs and asked him to take hers
She was given a card and asked to send an email address so that we could send a copy,
but no word has been received

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

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Posted by MENU at 2:57 pm 0 comments

The 2024 Investec Trophy public tasting at the CTICC in Cape Town

The Investec Trophy Wine Show is one of the best opportunities we have to taste some of the best wines from South Africa. There is a very large number of wines to taste and it pays to try and be selective, although one always has some favourite producers who may not have won a Gold or a Trophy, but have nevertheless consistently made superb wines and one will always stop for a chat and a taste

Lynne and Janice Fridjhon catching up, they have lots in common

The show was in the newish second section of the CTICC
Lynne tried to attempt to taste all the wines that won a trophy but as the tables were not laid out alphabetically
It was a real challenge finding some of them and she walked many miles
It was a very social trip and she had lots of chats with friends who are winemakers
and, hopefully, made a few new friends 

A good way to start - Graham Beck Extra Brut, shown by Michelle Taylor and De Waal Gerstner

A taste of SeaSalter for Chris Kelly from Groote Post winemaker Lukas Wentzel

Cape Wine Masters Winifred Bowman, Bennie Howard and Catherine Dillon

Ewen Wilson happily showing his Gold Medal Lothian Chardonnay

KWV senior winemaker Kobus van der Merwe pouring his Trophy winners

and with his Mentors Chenin blanc

Rene and Michael Bampfield Duggan of Wine Concepts

Jeanne Talbot showed the Thor Vintners Trophy winner Lara Semillon 2023

Pierre Wahl of Survivor

Joseph Dafana and friend

Bloemendal winemaker Andri Hanekom showed the
Trophy winning Best Museum Class Bloemendal Kanonberg
2018 Sauvignon Semillon blend and best Museum class Bloemendal Semillon 2017

Winemakers Lukas Wentzel of Groote Post and Dawie Botha of Antonij Rupert wines

Lizemari Geldenhuys of Kleine Zalze
with the Trophy winning Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Groote Post communications manager Peter Pentz with PR agent Posy Hazell

A very glam Posy

C le Roux winemaker Matthys Botes
showed his Trophy winning JC Le Roux Méthode Cap Classique Scintilla Vintage Reserve 2015
 and Pongrácz Méthode Cap Classique Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs NV

The wines

Glen Carlou Gold medal Chardonnay 2023

Jaen Lochner with the Trophy winning Stark-Condé Round Mountain Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Stark-Condé Round Mountain Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Gold medal winning Buitenverwachting 1769
We think this is one of the very best Constantia Dessert wines
Made when they have Botrytis on the vines, a Noble Late Harvest
with perfect honeyed sweetness and lime crispness in balance,
made to last from Muscat de Frontignan by Cellarmaster Brad Paton

Matthew Fridjhon, son of Michael and Janice, with De Wet Cellar 's Mashup Sauvignon blanc

Bouchard Finlayson winemaker Chris Albrecht

Stark-Condé's impressive collection of Trophies

Cape Point Vineyards Isliedh  2022 Sauvignon Semillon blend won a Trophy

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

Posted by MENU at 12:57 pm 0 comments
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