Lunch with Steenberg's new vintage at Bistro 1682

Another one of those terrible days.  With a storm sweeping in from the North West, we headed off to Steenberg to meet Marketing manager Caroline van Schalkwyk in the tasting lounge, where she welcomed us warmly with a glass of their new Sauvignon Blanc bubbly. Not an MCC, not enough time on the lees, more of a Prosecco, fresh and crisp with sparkly style. Then we sat down and tasted through some of their other wines before going through to the restaurant for what turned out to be a very long lunch indeed. Were we having a good time? Yes, you bet or we might have left at a decent hour. And we were captivated by Chef Brad Ball’s food from his new Bistro style menu. 

Our welcoming drink

Caroline tells us about it in front of a very necessary fire

This is the new Sauvignon Sparkling wine. We really like the new modern stand-out label with traditional touches

We then went on to taste four Steenberg wines

The 2014 Sauvignon Blanc is a classic green pepper Constantia Sauvignon, very much to our taste, with lots of asparagus and lime. Very quaffable, with elegance too

Then the Black Swan 2012 Sauvignon Blanc which was launched in May this year.  It's a blend of two vineyard blocks and is fermented in barrel and then transferred to stainless steel tanks, which makes it a Blanc fumé. Leesy rather than woody, it is also full of green peppers, with a nice touch of smoke on the end. Refreshing and complete.

Our tasting sheet

The weather was becoming murkier outside, but the view of the Constantiaberg is still magnificent

Then came the Steenberg Shiraz 2012. Spicy with black pepper, turmeric liquorice, cassia and red berries on the nose, this is a very pretty, feminine wine. It has a lovely mouthful of red and black cherries, vanilla with perfume on the palate and some salt on the end. And then Steenberg’s famous Nebbiolo , still one of only three made in South Africa, and always one of our favourites. It has a wild nose, full of childhood sweeties, raspberry jelly and a whiff of smoke.  On the palate, it is full of salty goji berries, raspberries and cranberries. So complex and appealing, it is a great food wine. It spends 15 months in oak.

Sparkling glasses and a fruity mobile in the tasting room where we met sommelier Kayla Mayman, who will serve you the Steenberg wines you want to taste

And then it was time for lunch in a corner of Bistro 1682

Chef Brad Ball, busy at the pass in the kitchen

We examine and discuss the new menu

And drink some more delicious Steenberg wine, These are the 2014 Sauvignon blanc and the 2012 Black Swan

A rare photo of the photographer. John having a good lunch

Caroline Poulter van Schalkwyk

The Menu

Many of us ordered the Chicken Liver Parfait with truffled granola and a cranberry compôte. Perfect with the Steenberg Merlot

But we looked enviously at the baked camembert, which was crusted with nuts and surrounded by fig syrup and parsley oil. A very pretty dish. Caroline saw the envy and ordered another one for the table to share

She had the Smoked trout with a poached egg, asparagus and salad leaves, served with a grainy mustard dressing

We were in the restaurant from about 1.30 till 5 and it never seems to empty. People came for lunch, stayed for tea and others then arrived for tapas and, as we were leaving, the evening dinner crowd started to come in. The kitchen closes at 8.30, so do get there early. You can stay later, but without food service.

The deconstructed Banting Beef Bourgignon:

On the plate: Cauliflower purée, lardons, mushrooms and fondant onions

In a separate bowl, the short rib of beef in a rich red wine sauce

The free range roast chicken with a crispy egg, celeriac purée, confi'ed garlic and a thyme cream. And, of course, some broccoli. Another Banting dish!

In deep discussion about the food and wine

Ah, the cheese course comes with a Banting nut and seed cracker!

The rose red panna cotta was perfect, just set, so nice and wobbly, lots of rose flavour and a lovely pistachio sponge, an unusual (in a good way) green fig ice cream set on a burnt marshmallow.

Guess who had the Chocolate Nemesis? With honey ice cream, an orange anglaise custard and a chocolate almond crumble. Yum

Chef Brad Ball came and joined us at the table and we had lots to talk about while we tasted more wine with the excellent food

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© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2014

Celebrating ten years of Saronsberg Shiraz at Auslese

Tasting 10 vintages of Saronsberg Shiraz

We feel very privileged when we are invited to this sort of tasting. Saronsberg winemaker Dewaldt Heyns took us through the ten vintages of their Shiraz at Auslese this week, followed by lunch with our favourites. To see the progression of this wine on one table is amazing and very, very interesting. It started out as a big, full on, spicy, warm Shiraz and, as the vines have aged, it has turned into a Northern Rhône style shiraz, full of minerality and refined layers of flavours, but still recognisable as the same wine. Lynne had two very different favourites, the award winning block buster from 2007 and the elegant 2010; hard to believe that they are from the same vines, but what a marvellous progression. We have all asked if we can do this again in another 10 years, so that we can taste 20 years of the wines’ progress! Here’s hoping that we will all still be around tasting wine.

The farm was bought in 2002 by Nick and Mariette van Huyssteen and, in 2003, was badly hit by a fire. The vines were ‘aggressively’ replanted and they also added more surrounding vineyards. In the early days, some of the wine was bought in. Now it is all produced on Saronsberg. Is this the best area for Shiraz? It really does seem to suit the Tulbagh area. Does Tulbagh have a terroir indicator on its wines? We found tobacco on the nose and palate of the odd year vintages.

All these wines have dark and dense colour. It was interesting to see how fresh some of the older wines still are, showing lots of further growth potential. The earlier, full, fruity style changes as the vines aged and many people preferred one style to the other. We liked wines from both ends of the spectrum and were delighted to find that we could drink them with lunch. Lynne’s preferred vintages were the 2007 (Tobacco, silk, mulberries and ginger on the nose and full to bursting with ripe warm fruit and spice and some soft chalk. No faults and it still has lots of life left to keep on giving). The contrasting wine that she scored the highest is also the favourite of winemaker Dewaldt and it is he 2010: Vanilla on a shy nose, intense minerality, elegant ripe cherry fruit with whiffs of violets. Soft fruit on the palate which intensifies on the back palate, spices and long, long flavours. A definite food wine. It was also interesting to taste 2013 and surmise how it will develop – not yet a final blend, as it is still in barrel and will be bottled in October/November. It has a pretty nose of violets, spice, dark cherries and some creaminess. Lots of shy fruit hiding in the wine, with lots of depth, but it is seeking balance and does not yet have strength. Dewaldt will sort this out when he does the final blend, we are sure

Delightful canapés of a fish mousse, produced by the Auslese chefs

and lovely fresh oysters

The long table took 38 journos and other wine related experts and invitees – it was a tiny bit of a crush, especially as we all had 10 glasses in front of us

Auslese (and Aubergine) sommelier Khuselo Mputa pouring, with Cathy van Zyl MW watching with amusement. Next to her are Maryna Strachan and Karen Glanfield Pawley

Greg de Bruyn CWM, James Pietersen of The Wine Cellar and wine writer Angela Lloyd

Oops! Lynne sent one glass flying over John’s nice clean trousers

With ten glasses at each place, space was very tight and some of us need to use our hands when we talk

Dewaldt Heyns, winemaker of all the vintages at Saronsberg, tells us about the vintages while Harold Bresselschmidt, Chef and Owner of Aubergine and Auslese, acts as a pourer. Lynne is checking out the quantity he is, fairly, pouring

‘Legs’ on wine can indicate its substance, quality and, often, its keeping ability

Dewaldt told us, not only about the vintages, but also the weather in each year, which has a profound effect on the wine. Was it a windy, wet or dry year, were there heat waves or was it cool? Did we have rain at harvest? All these factors and more can seriously influence what goes into the bottle.

The line up of the ten wines we were tasting. They have won multiple awards over the years, as you can see from the stickers. The interesting thing is that the bottle without any award stickers, the 2009 Shiraz, was felt by many attending to be one of the best wines in the tasting, proof that it often needs time for a wine to come into its best

Winemaker Dewaldt Heyns

James Pietersen

Graham Howe

Mariette van Huyssteen

Greg de Bruyn CWM

Wade Bales and James Pietersen, chatting while enjoying some warm bouillon

Wade talking to Alan Mullins CWM

Journalist Samarie Smith and Anel Grobler

Johan Crafford and Johane Nielsen

Broadcaster Guy MacDonald and Anel Grobler

Sommelier Khuselo Mputa liked the same two vintages that stood out for Lynne. All of them were good wines, but most of us have preferences!

Chef Harold Bresselschmidt with Jane Broughton

The lunch menu offered dishes paired with Shiraz vintages

Just seared fresh tuna, coated with dukkah spices in what tasted like a nut paste. The pink grapefruit was a lovely contrast.

Unctuous braised lamb shank with very fine textured shiraz flavoured polenta a Shiitake mushroom filled with pickled cabbage with Romanesco (a type of broccoli)

John's special version was prepared specially, without the mushrooms

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© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2014

John & Lynne Ford’s Main Ingredient MENU list of Wine Shows and Tastings

John & Lynne Ford’s Main Ingredient MENU list of Wine Shows and Tastings

(Click on the bold highlights to access websites for more information)

Events are listed in the order in which they will occur, starting with the most imminent date.

Note: These events are published with information provided by the event organisers or their representatives. John & Lynne Ford and their businesses cannot be held responsible for any incorrect or misleading information and receive no remuneration for this service

JULY

Thursday and Friday 24th & 25th July  FNB Limpopo Wine Show  - Meropa Casino, Polokwane. The eighth FNB Limpopo Wine Show takes place in Polokwane on 24th and 25th July. Limpopo wine lovers have the opportunity to sample some of the country’s top award-winning wines, many of which grace the pages of the country’s most respected wine lists and catalogues.  Show visitors can be sure to enjoy recent vintages of well-known wines, discover lesser-known labels and complete the evening with a premium brandy tasting. With over 40 producers exhibiting at both wine shows – Springfield Estate, Oneiric, Welgemeend, Morgenhof, Spier, Groot Constantia, Glen Carlou, Vondeling and Oude Molen Brandy to name a few  – wines are also available for purchase via the Shop@Show retail facility which delivers to the purchaser’s home or office.  Light meals will be available for sale at the show. Ticket Price: R130 (includes unlimited tastings and wine tasting glass);  no under 18s, nor babies and prams.  A complimentary show guide includes producer information and informative notes on wine variety characteristics, food matching and serving temperatures. Tickets can be purchased via www.computicket.com, Money Market counters in Shoprite Checkers stores and at the door subject to availability. Enquiries:   011 482 5936/5/4. The FNB Limpopo show is one of the trio of regional wine shows directed by wine authority Michael Fridjhon and organised by OutSorceress Marketing. Contact: Alex Mason-Gordon 011 482 5936 or email: alex@outsorceress.co.za

Friday 25th to Sunday 27th July The Pick n Pay Taste of Durban is back at Suncoast Casino & Entertainment World (Suncoast). Chefs from eight of Durban’s top restaurants will create special menus of starter-sized dishes, including their signature dishes, designed to reflect their individual philosophies, whilst showcasing seasonal and premium ingredients. Taste of Durban 2014 promises to be the most exciting ‘foodie’ event of the year. Marcelle Roberts from Café 1999 is back for the third-year running with her inimitable brand of casual cuisine.  Louise Potgieter from Havana Grill at Suncoast and Little Havana and Chef Nardia Adams, from Asian Tapas spot Greedy Buddha, will be cooking up a storm and Lucy Markewicz will be flying the colours for Freedom Café.  Popular Indian restaurant Amaravathi Palki, Market and Beluga, brings the total of participating restaurants to eight. Enquiries should be directed to Joanne Hayes, Tumbleweed Communications, Postnet Suite 218, Private Bag x10, Musgrave 4062. Cell:  +27 83 627 7249, Fax:  086 514 7729 tigerjo@iafrica.com SKYPE:  tigerjo83813

Sunday 27th July 10h30 until 16h00  MURATIE TO HOST A MINI PORT FESTIVAL  Make the most of the Cape winter and head out to the historic Muratie Estate in Stellenbosch where the Melck family, in conjunction with Juvenal Corks, will be hosting a Mini Port Festival on Sunday 27th July. Port lovers are invited to cosy up in one of the Cape’s oldest wineries, sailing from ‘port’ to ‘port’ with South Africa’s Top 10 Port Producers, appreciating the rich and luscious flavours and noshing on delicious winter warmer treats from the food stall. In addition, adhering to their mantra “nothing chocolate….nothing gained”, von Geusau will be tempting taste buds with their decadently delicious hand crafted chocolates. And for those who enjoy mellow fireside relaxation, the Muratie Farm Kitchen will be open as usual. All the Ports on show will be available for purchase at cellar door prices. Cost: R80 per person including a tasting glass. Due to limited space, visitors are advised to book in advance. Telephone: 021 865 2330 or Email: info@muratie.co.za At Muratie, the passion for preserving the estate’s rich heritage and the intriguing human stories woven into the very fabric of its centuries old history, are captured in every nook and cranny of this family farm, where the unique old-world ambience is almost tangible. Muratie’s history is also commemorated in the naming of the estate’s wines after the extraordinary characters from the farm’s colourful past, each with its own enchanting story described on the back label. And there are a myriad stories reaching as far back as the 17^th century. With a Port tradition that dates back to the 1940’s, Muratie’s popular Ben Prins Cape Vintage pays homage to the estate’s legendary Ben Prins, winemaker at Muratie from 1957 until 1987. Affectionately known as Barefoot Ben, his trademark was his bare feet. Guarded over by ancient oak trees, a visit to Muratie reveals a piece of history where time has largely stood still: a unique and magical environment where visitors can enjoy Muratie’s legendary wines, honest farm food and great hospitality. Tel: 021 865 2330 · Email: info@muratie.co.za · Website: www.muratie.co.za · GPS: S 33 52.234   E 18 52.554

Monday, 28th July The Vineyard Hotel continues its series of ongoing complimentary wine tasting evenings in July, showcasing some of the finest wines from a variety of estates in South Africa. July’s tastings conclude on a high note with Spier Wine Farm, one of the oldest in South Africa.  Spier will present a selection of their award-winning wines, which have been hand-picked and produced with quality and sustainability in mind, on 28th July. A representative from the estate will host the hour-long tasting from 6pm.  Tastings are free of charge. For more information, please call 021 657 4500 or alternatively visit www.vineyard.co.za.

Wednesday, 30th July, CAROLINE’S 2014 RED WINE REVIEW takes place at The Table Bay Hotel, in the ballroom. As usual, it starts at 17h00  and goes on until 21h00. Last entry: 19h30. Taste the finest South African red wines, and meet the winemakers who created them! Tickets @ R200 on sale now, exclusively from Computicket. The ticket price includes a programme and crystal tasting glass, which you will receive at the door. Parking in the hotel vicinity, or any V&A Waterfront parking area, for own account.
Thursday, 31st  July to Sunday, 3rd August  Visit the Good Food & Wine Show  at the Coca-Cola Dome in Johannesburg and stand a chance to win a complete wine cellar worth R20 000 from the Wade Bales Wine Society. A special wine fridge, filled with exclusive and specially selected boutique estate wines, will be won by a lucky winner at the show.  Visitors can enter the competition by visiting the Wade Bales Wine Society stand at the Gauteng Good Food and Wine Show where they can also sample choice premium wines.  The Wade Bales Wine Society has been introducing exclusive and limited-release wines to its 10 000 clients since 2007. Visitors to the Good Food & Wine Show are being given the chance to show off their bartending skills under the guidance of a master mixologist at the Interactive Cocktail Zone hosted by the Bartenders Workshop. Budding bartenders can shake or stir their very own cocktails behind the bar and impress fellow visitors with their bartending skills. Interactive demonstrations will take place every half an hour at the Interactive Cocktail Zone for the duration of the Good Food and Wine Show. Book tickets at Computicket. www.goodfoodandwineshow.co.za

AUGUST

Thursday 31st July and Friday 1st August  FNB Free State Wine Show - Leopards and Lace, Bloemfontein. The second FNB Free State Wine Show in Bloemfontein on 31st July and 1st August.  Limpopo and Free State wine lovers have the opportunity to sample some of the country’s top award-winning wines, many of which grace the pages of the country’s most respected wine lists and catalogues.   Show visitors can be sure to enjoy recent vintages of well-known wines, discover lesser-known labels and complete the evening with a premium brandy tasting.    With over 40 producers exhibiting at both wine shows – Springfield Estate, Oneiric, Welgemeend, Morgenhof, Spier, Groot Constantia, Glen Carlou, Vondeling and Oude Molen Brandy to name a few  – wines are also available for purchase via the Shop@Show retail facility which delivers to the purchaser’s home or office.  Light meals will be available for sale at the show. Ticket Prices: R130 (includes unlimited tastings and wine tasting glass);  no under 18s, nor babies and prams.  A complimentary show guide includes producer information and informative notes on wine variety characteristics, food matching and serving temperatures. Tickets can be purchased via www.computicket.com, Money Market counters in Shoprite Checkers stores and at the door subject to availability. Enquiries:   011 482 5936/5/4. The FNB Free State show is one of the trio of regional wine shows directed by wine authority Michael Fridjhon and organised by OutSorceress Marketing. Contact: Alex Mason-Gordon 011 482 5936 or email: alex@outsorceress.co.za

Friday, 1st August from 5pm - 8pm  Wine Concepts on Kloof’s Winter Wine Fair. Join Wine Concepts in Kloof Street for their Winter Wine Fair wine tasting. Taste over 60 wines, craft beers and local gins. Lucky draws, live music and special offers from participating producers. Remember that all wine on tasting will be discounted for the evening. Wine Concepts is on the Ground Floor of the Lifestyles on Kloof Centre, ample parking available.

Saturday, 16th August 11h00-17h00  Simonsig’s Vintage Wine Day. Taste and buy rare vintage wines and enjoy a family day out, filled with hearty food, music and children’s activities at Simonsig’s Vintage Wine Day.  With wines dating back to the early 90’s, you can enjoy Cellarmaster Johan Malan’s private selection at superb prices. Besides the rare chance to taste and buy these older vintages, visitors will have the opportunity to attend a Master Class by Simonsig Cellarmaster Johan Malan and winemaker Hannes Meyer, who will lead a tasting showcasing older Kaapse Vonkels, wooded Chenin blanc, the Tiara red blend and Johan’s Heirloom Shiraz... Entry fee: R150 pp. Simonsig Wine Club members: R120 pp. Tickets can be bought from WebTickets.

Thursday, 21st August from 18h00 to 21h00. Nedbank CWG Auction Showcase Cape Town at CTICC, Jasminium Conservatory (Ground Floor). Price: R170 per person. The Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Showcase at the Cape Town International Convention Centre offers wine lovers a preview of the wines crafted exclusively for the prestigious Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction. Meet the Guild members and sample exceptional wines with a creative edge and great diversity of styles in an informal and interactive environment. The Showcase also features a silent auction of rare wines in aid of the Guild's Development Trust. Since its inception in 1985, the Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction has become a quality benchmark of what can be achieved by South African wine producers. The Auction is open to the public and takes place on Saturday, 4 October  at Spier Wine Estate, Stellenbosch. Book Online

Wednesday, 27th August from 18h00 to 21h00 Nedbank CWG Auction Showcase Johannesburg at The Atrium, Nedbank Sandton, 135 Rivonia Road. Price: R170 per person. The Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Showcase in the Atrium at Nedbank's Head Office in Sandton offers wine lovers a preview of the wines crafted exclusively for the prestigious Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction. Meet the Guild members and sample exceptional wines with a creative edge and great diversity of styles in an informal and interactive environment. The Showcase also features a silent auction of rare wines in aid of the Guild's Development Trust. Since its inception in 1985, the Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction has become a quality benchmark of what can be achieved by South African wine producers. The Auction is open to the public and takes place on Saturday, 4 October  at Spier Wine Estate, Stellenbosch. Book OnlineWednesday, 27th August Pop-Up Dinner with Bistro Sixteen82. Adventurous diners looking for a new culinary experience will get their fix with one of Bistro Sixteen82’s enormously popular Pop-Up Dinner. This evening of avant-garde gastronomy will feature a five-course menu presented by a “surprise” chef from an award-winning South African restaurant and skilfully paired with Steenberg wines. Please contact Edwina on 021 713 2211 or reservations@bistro1682.co.za to reserve your seat.

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

Friday, 3rd October from 18h00 to 21h00 Cape Winemakers Guild Final Pre-Auction Tasting at Spier Conference Centre, Stellenbosch. Price:  R350 per person. The Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Final Pre-Auction Tasting offers wine lovers a final preview of the wines crafted exclusively for the Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction. Sit down for a formal tasting and sample exceptional wines with a creative edge and great diversity of styles, presented formally by the winemakers.  Since its inception in 1985, the Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction has become a quality benchmark of what can be achieved by South African wine producers. The Auction is open to the public and takes place on Saturday, 4 October 2014 at Spier Wine Estate, Stellenbosch. Book Online.

Friday, 17th to Sunday,19th October Join us in Spring 2014  for the Robertson Wine on the River Festival. The Robertson Wine Valley brings a spring Experience on the banks of the Breede River! This idyllic open-air wine festival takes place on the banks of the Breede River at the Goudmyn Farm between Robertson and Bonnievale. Just imagine a setting with the river flowing by, vineyards all around, beautiful hills and shading poplar trees.  Add to that live music, plenty of wines to taste, BIG SCREEN RUGBY, picnics and other local produce – and you’ve got yourself a spring festival not to be missed! Cost and Bookings here

Tuesday, 21st October  Caroline’s White Wine & Cap Classique Review is one of the most important events on the South African wine calendar. It is a showcase of a maximum of 60 wineries that have consistently achieved the highest accolades in all the top competitive platforms. Each of the selected wineries is invited to show just one wine for tasting by the public. This must be their flagship wine, and it will be shown by the winemaker personally. One can engage with them and learn, in an organised yet informal atmosphere in the ballroom. The annual event is to be held on at TheTable Bay Hotel, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town. Time: 17h00 until 21h00. Arrive anytime, and get your programme and crystal tasting glass at the entrance. Tickets @ R200 are available exclusively at Computicket online, or at their outlets in major centres. See more at: http://www.carolineswine.com/annual-white-wine-review-2014#sthash.j3ubJQur.dpuf

Wednesday, 29th to Friday 31st October 5pm – 9pm daily RMB WineX at The Pavilion, Sandton Convention Centre, Maude Street, Sandton. RMB WineX, the undisputed festival of choice for the discerning wine consumer, is a celebration of all that is good to savour and experience in the world of wine. Now in its 15th year in Sandton, the show boasts the greatest selection of South Africa's top cellars under one roof together with an exciting array of newcomers, boutique producers and garagistes – all passionate about what they make and why it is different. Tickets will be available via Computicket.com. There is ample parking at Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square. Game also offers space for parking.

NOVEMBER