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Thursday, March 21, 2013

Opening of the Vondeling Tasting Room

Matthew Copeland, Vondeling’s winemaker, behind the new tasting room counter with Willie de Waal of Scali and Christian Eedes

Julian Johnsen, his daughter and Fiona McDonald greet M. Albert Roux

The impressive vaulted ceiling in the building

There were stations at which we could taste each wine the estate produces

The first of many marvellous canapés. Goats cheese and caramelised onions

Green gazpacho

Mini caprese salad on croutons

Tomato gazpacho

Pea polenta topped with springbok

Fish samoosas and a sweet chilli dipping sauce

Baby won tons in a sharp sauce

Shareholder and Managing Director of Vondeling, Julian Johnsen, welcomes us all

Journalist Neil Pendock chats to Vondeling’s UK sales representative

It was a large party and many of us preferred the terrace outside in the early evening

Sesame chicken strips

Belly of pork

Beetroot risotto, cream cheese topped with a preserved green fig

Asian flavoured seared salmon

The busy tasting room counter

Elaine Rousseau of Food Fanatics, the caterer for the event, who produced masses of superb food without let up throughout the evening...

... in an unbelievably small space

Speeches were short and to the point

Winemaker Matthew Copeland tells us about the vertical tasting of 2005 to 2010 vintages of Vondeling’s Babiana White blend

A stunning view of the Voor Paardeberg vineyards and the country beyond, at sunset

This is wheat and wine country

Part owner and investor Anthony Ward tells us why he invested in the farm

M. Albert Roux explained his connection with Vondeling, South Africa and the Cape. M. Roux’s wife is from Zimbabwe and they visit every year

The far hills turn pink and blue as the sun sets

Three well known winemakers: Andre Badenhorst of Doran Vineyards, his son Adi Badenhorst who is part of the Swartland Revolution and Duimpie Bailey

M. Roux cuts the ribbon to open the tasting centre

Master of Wine Cathy van Zyl and her husband Philip Van Zyl, Editor of the John Platter Guide

Jane Eedes with her delightful daughter

Winemaker Matthew Copeland with the bottles lines up for the Vertical tasting

Time for a chat in front of the Kanonkop mountain

Vondeling’s gleaming tank Cellar – full of newly made wine

Francis Naughton, a very entertaining fellow from Ireland, who also makes wine – Naughton’s Flight

M. Albert Roux and his wife have a quiet moment together

The band who entertained us all evening, with soft, elegant music

Chenin Blanc Association of South Africa's second annual Chenin Blanc Winter Showcase

Arrival at 10 am. There is lots to chat about. Lynne talks to Jeff Grier of Villiera about the harvest

We are welcomed by Ken Forrester before going in for the tasting

26 Chenins to taste. On the left, General Manager of Delaire Graff Johan Laubser at the table of the table on the left WM Cathy van Zyl, Editor of John Platter Guide Philip van Zyl, Journalist Graham Howe, David Trafford. On the right a journalist from Wynboer on her laptop; blogger Johathan Snashall and Bruwer Raats

The list of wines we tasted, with their dates, technical specifications and prices

Five chenins to start with

At another table, winemakers Carl van der Merwe, Niel Groenewald, Razvan Macici, Francois Roode and Johan Grimbeek from Kanu

David Trafford of De Trafford and Sijnn wines

Journalist Graham Howe looking pensive and growly

Ken Forrester in the magnificent Delaire Graff winery talking to their winemaker Morné Vrey

and tasting fermenting Sangiovese from the tank, 12 days into fermentation

Ken helped plan and lay out this winery

Lunch followed in Delaire's Indochine restaurant

Studying the menu are Jonathan Snashall, Kathy Jordan and Sebastian Beaumont at the table on the left.

First a huge bowl to share of deep fried vegetables in gram flour batter. Crisp pastry pieces with three different dips: Cucumber, tomato chilli and black bean

The menu for the meal

The wines we could enjoy with the lunch

Then the Amuse. A tender Linefish siu mai dim sum dumpling, with gengati (looked on Google but cant find out what this is – the dish did taste of ginger, so perhaps it's another name for it), orange pearls and fennel

The magnificent sculpted cheetahs on the lawn outside the restaurant, Table Mountain in the distance

Nicolette Waterford, the brilliant PR consultant who put this tasting and lunch together for the Chenin Blanc Association, with Ken Forrester and Christina Harvett, just about to enjoy their duck starter.

Our starter was Thai duck served with pickled radish, fresh bamboo shoots, cashew nut brittle and orange jelly

This restaurant has magnificent views and great art.

This beautiful hanging of migrating birds helps to bring down the height of the ceiling

Main Course was Pork done three ways in 7 Thai spice power, with a master stock, picked garlic and red pepper with pea shoots, peas and edamame beans. The crisp croquette was also filled with small pieces of pork in a great sauce. This was a delicious dish where the pork was perfectly cooked.

Ken Forrester talking to Ivan Oertle and Rebecca Constable of Woolworths wine Department, RJ Botha of Kleine Zalze and Jeff Grier in a pause during lunch.

The accompaniments to the main course were stir fried bok choy and black rice

Ken thanks us all for coming. On the table at the right are Chris von Ulmenstein of Whale Tales and General Manager Johan Laubser

Dessert was a simple and deliciously refreshing mango parfait with passion fruit coulis, coconut & rose-water sorbet, ginger crumble and raspberry pearls