Thursday, October 24, 2013

Sunday fun at the Wine on the River Festival, Robertson

Arriving at the festival, on a rather gloomy day, but the rain did hold off
Marquees are strung along the grassy riverside so, even if it does rain, you don’t get wet
The view down the Breede River towards Robertson
Wine, Olives, art, all were on show
The tempura prawns were good, the sushi freshly made on the Mimosa Hotel stand
People relaxing and enjoying themselves with wine as the main attraction
Lots of places to sit, to empty your glasses and there are even chandeliers
The band was amazingly good.  They played everything from Chris Kristofferson to America, Neil Diamond, Stones, Mammas and Poppas and good rock and had the crowd loudly singing along
Lynne with Colyn Truter at the Arendsig stand. No sign of Arendsig’s owner, Lourens van der Westhuizen, because his wife has just given birth to twins and he was with her
With Bennie Stipp, De Wetshof marketing director, on the De Wetshof stand
The two De Wetshof MCC bubblies
All the Chardonnays, Shirazes and MCC Bubblies of the area were available in the tasting tent, so you could sample them all and find the ones you liked without having to go to the stands trying to taste everything on the show. We thought this a very sensible idea.
The wines were separated into the different characteristics
A short explanation of the wines open for tasting
There are some really wonderful Methode Cap Classiques being produced in Robertson/Bonnievale
More, chilled to taste
Some classic and some interesting Chardonnays to taste
From pale partridge eye to bright pink, these are the Pinot Noir MCC’s
And a selection of Shirazes
Lovely quiet ponies to ride
The children were having a lot of fun
We finally catch up with Elizma Spangenberg-Botha, Manager of the Robertson Wine Valley
Here comes a big hug!
Martin Bruwer, the viticulturalist at Quando, and Estelle, his wife
Our heart stopping lunch, in both meanings of the phrase! Crisp and very greasy onion rings, crisp battered fish and chips for John and two perfectly cooked and seasoned lamb chops for Lynne
Our hosts for the weekend, Philip Jonker, owner of Weltevrede and his affectionate wife, Lindelize
Perhaps not the best day for a trip on the river but normally a fun experience
Karl Uwe Papesch owner and winemaker of Fraai Uitzicht restaurant and vineyard with his helper Tina Chimutashu
Johan van Zyl, winemaker at Springfield Winery
Festival visitors getting into the spirit of the occasion
Time to depart – you can see the rain is finally coming closer.
This is the huge tent stocked to the gunwales with wines of the area to buy and take home at very good discounted prices. Profits go to local charities
© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2013

Wade Bales Wine and Malt Whisky Affair, 2013 at the African Pride 15 on Orange hotel

Sauvignon enthusiast Pieter de Waal and Dr Winnie Bowman CWM
Maryna Strachan and Paul Cluver the younger
Lots of tasting activity in the hotel concourse
and lots of chat in the restaurant
Cheeses, jams, breads and other snacks were provided
It was a good venue for a wine tasting
Dalla Cia’s latest limited edition release Teano.
Barend Barnard of L’Avenir talking about the wines
So good to see our old friend Chris Keet showcasing his excellent wine First Verse, a Bordeaux blend.
The whisky room was very, very popular and therefore very, very crowded
© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2013

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

2013 Nedbank Green Wine Awards lunch at Moyo, Kirstenbosch

The upper entrance to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
  The famous Camphor Avenue, planted in 1898
A welcoming committee of Moyo staff
Moyo Restaurant
Welcome drinks on the lawn before the awards
Sampling some of the wines entered into the competition
We take our seats for lunch – attending were the winemakers, the judges, representatives of the Sponsor Nedbank, their guests and the media
All the wines were available for tasting in a side room
The menu with the paired wines
Welcomed by Ian Dinan, publisher of Getaway magazine
and Greg Garden, ‎Group Brand Executive at Nedbank speaks about their part in the programme
Francois Rautenbach, Dr Paul Cluver and his wife, Songvej,  listen to the awards
Moyo's philosophy
On our table were Pearl Oliver, sommelier at the Mount Nelson; Samantha Bain, Ian Dinan, awards judge Clayton Howard,  Greg Landman of Country life and Head judge and journalist Fiona McDonald.
The first course: crisp Pea and Potato samoosas
They were served with a sweet tomato and mint chutney and were very moreish
Fiona MacDonald,  who was the Panel chair for the judges, giving her speech
Dr Paul Cluver gives his acceptance speech
And then was surprised by another award, and then another
Fiona telling us how the judges reached their decisions
Laibach winemaker and cellarmaster Francois van Zyl
Old friends: Duimpie Bayly CWM with Checkers Shoprite national wine buyer Stephanus Eksteen
Potjies of well cooked spiced rice to go with the main course...
... of an authentic Cape Malay lentil Bobotie ...
...and Chicken Tagine with preserved lemons and green olives. Succulent and well cooked it was all very enjoyable.
A serving of both
Laibach’s award for the Best Organic Red Wine
Nora Sperling Thiel of Delheim
Cinnamon Mousse Cake made with West African dark Chocolate and topped with a lovely caramel almond cracknel and a minute spot of  berry coulis alongside.  An interesting dessert – chocolate goes very well with cinnamon and the soft texture of the cakey mousse was pleasing.

© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2013

Friday, October 18, 2013

BUITENVERWACHTING RESTAURANT WEEK full menus


  This light and airy restaurant is decorated in inviting shades of cream with earthy highlights.
The chic Restaurant exudes style; exquisite artwork is a feature of both the restaurant and the lounge.

BUITENVERWACHTING RESTAURANT WEEK
  24 October - 3 November 

 Full menus : Lunch and Dinner 
  

LUNCH

Starters
 
Layered Pepper, Aubergine, Zucchini, Tomato & creamy Feta
with Rocket, Basil Pesto, Olive Tapenade & Balsamico
 

Homemade Linguine with Pesto,
Avocado, Zucchini & oven dried Tomatoes
with Bisque & Argentinean Wild Prawns add for Starter R45 for Main R75
 

Our 3 popular Soup
Mielie, Spinach & wild African Garlic Soup with Lamb Pie
 

Homemade Gnocchi Carbonara
sun dried Tomatoes, Spinach, Olives & creamy Feta
 

Steak Tartar
made to order, ground Chalmar Sirloin served with nine
traditional garnishes (allow 15min preparation time)
 
Mains
 
250g Fish & Chips
with homemade Sauce Tartare
 
The Original Way of Wiener Schnitzel
with homemade Chips, Parsley Potatoes or Potato Salad
 

Pan-fried Chalmar Rib Eye with Café de Paris Butter,
red Wine Shallot Jus, Sauce Béarnaise, Chips & Vegetables
 
Buitenverwachting 150g Beef Burger,
Crisps, Balsamico Onions, red Pepper Salsa,
Bacon, Spring Onions Crème Fraiche and Lettuce
 
Sticky Pork Belly with Crackling
5 spice Jus, Shiitake - Noodle Pocket, Ponzu stir-fried Vegetables
   
Desserts

Vanilla Panna Cotta with Strawberry - Balsamico Sorbet
& Amarula Zabaglione in Cannolis
 
Raspberry Soufflé in a Glass
garnished with its own Sorbet, Coulis & Jelly, crispy Sponge
   
Honey-Saffron Ice Cream
Panko-Coconut deep fried Banana, Valrohna-Grand Manier Truffle,
Passion Fruit & Ginger
   
Selection of Local Cheeses
Condiments, Apples, Pears, Crackers & Bread


2 courses: R145 with matching wines R205   |   3 courses: R245 with matching wines
  
Menu to change without prior notice
  
Please Note: 10% gratuity will automatically be added to tables of 7 or more guests

  
DINNER
 
Starters
 
Layered Pepper, Aubergine, Zucchini, Tomato & creamy Feta
with Rocket, Basil Pesto, Olive Tapenade, Pine Kernel-Parmesan Shortbread & Balsamico
  
Foie Gras
Valrohna, Fruits, Brioche & torched Quail Ballontine
  

Homemade Linguine with Pesto,
Avocado, Zucchini & oven dried Tomatoes
with Bisque & Argentinean Wild Prawns add for Starter R45
 

Edgar’s Caesar Salad
Pan fried Norwegian Salmon, Gem Lettuce, poached Quail Eggs, white Anchovies, Parmesan & Croutons
 

Our 3 popular Soup
Mielie, Spinach & wild African Garlic Soup with Organic Lamb Tapas
 
Mains
 
Roasted Lamb Shank, its own Juice,
with creamy Rosemary Polenta, green Beans,
Millie, Garlic Confit & Honey roasted baby Onions

Sticky Pork Belly with Crackling
5 spice Jus, Shiitake - Noodle Pocket, Ponzu stir-fried Vegetables

Roasted Monk Fish Osso Bucco & Mollusks
Bouillabaisse Jus, Capers, Fennel, baby Leek, Celery, Saffron Rouille &Tomato Risotto
 

Chalmar Rib Eye in a Bone Marrow Crust
with Red Wine Shallot Sauce, Kohlrabi-Morel Confit Potato & green Asparagus
 

Pan-fried Cutlet & grilled Loin of Springbok,
With Juniper Berry Sauce, Crème Fraiche-Almond Potato,
Red Cabbage, Crocante red Wine Pear, Roots & Tubers
 
Desserts

Buitenverwachting Chocolate Variation
For the serious Chocoholic
 

Vanilla Panna Cotta with Strawberry - Balsamico Sorbet
& Amarula Zabaglione in Cannolis
 

Raspberry Soufflé in a Glass
garnished with its own Sorbet, Coulis & Jelly, crispy Sponge
 

Honey-Saffron Ice Cream
Panko-Coconut deep fried Banana, Valrhona-Grand Marnier Truffle, Passion Fruit & Ginger
  

Selection of Local Cheeses
Condiments, Apples, Pears, Crackers & Bread


3 courses: R225 with matching wines: R315   |   5 courses: R325 with matching wines: R475
  
Menu to change without prior notice
  
Please Note: 10% gratuity will automatically be added to tables of 7 or more guests

   
       
Buitenverwachting, Klein Constantia Road, Constantia, Cape Town, South Africa
Telephone: +27 (0) 21 794 5190  |  Facsimile: +27 (0) 21 794 1351  |  Restaurant: +27 (0) 21 794 3522
Email: restaurant@buitenverwachting.com  |  Website: www.buitenverwachting.co.za