Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Pinotage and Biltong Festival at Perdeberg Winery

We were invited to attend this year’s Pinotage and Biltong Festival at Perdeberg winery and went on Sunday. We travelled through a huge rainstorm, but the weather, when we arrived, was good and we were able to sit outside to eat some lunch. Because of the bad weather expected, they moved the stands inside the barrel cellar this year. Not needed on Sunday, but Saturday, we were told, was wet
Cobie and Bjorn van Oort are the organisers of the Festival
We loved this drinking Zebra in the tasting room!
Outside, there were a few food trucks and some covered seating
Inside the Barrel cellar
Apparently, they had to move hundred of barrels to another warehouse so that they could hold the festival indoors
After paying or receiving their pre-paid tickets, visitors were given this card with a list of the wineries and could taste each Pinotage and each biltong sample, which were then ticked off the list. A prize was awarded for having all the tick spaces filled. The theme was purple and there was also a prize for the best dressed guests

In between each two wineries, there was a table with a sample of biltong, paired with the two Pinotages to taste
Some of the wineries had brought other wines, so you were also able to taste those
We began with the two white pinotages from Mellasat and Wellington Wines. We chatted with old friend, Mellasat owner Stephen Richardson. These wines were paired with a Lemon and Herb chicken biltong. Chicken biltong is new to us and was not universally liked, as it has a rather strange texture in the mouth. The flavour was good
The Beyerskloof 2018 Pinotage Dry Rosé is very French in style and so enjoyable
It made Lynne reminisce about summers in the South of France
The lads were enjoying the day and John enjoyed tasting the red Beyerskloof Pinotage on offer and the Rosé
Some lean biltong was paired with this wine and the Franschhoek Pinno Rosé
A mix of dry and wet biltong
Victor Sperling showed his Delheim wines and we also really enjoyed their 2019 Rosé
It is perfumed and easy to quaff (as rosés should be) and really showcases this grape
We normally don’t enjoy Barbecue flavour biltong as the spices are too strong and too hot. However this one was really good
All the Biltongs came from the Afrifoods Biltong Factory. Guests were given a small portion of each to pair with the two wines
Another really enjoyable Rosé was the 2018 Lanzerac; perfumed, crisp and zingy
On the Lanzerac stand. Lanzerac Pinotage, marketed by Stellenbosch Farmers Winery
and made by Bellevue in Bottelary was the first Pinotage to be marketed, in 1959
Marietjie Luus, Financial Director of Afrifoods Biltong Factory, with the Springbok Biltong, which was paired with the Angels Tears Le Chocolat 2017 PinotAge and Simonsvlei La Mocha Pinotage 2018, which is not too wooded, young, fresh & fruity 
The Kalahari droë wors 
Doran Vineyards kindly gave us each a glass of their Pinotage to enjoy with our lunch
We had tasted half the room and felt it was time for some food
People enjoying the vibe in the hall 
and a madonna and child
The Best Dressed punters and the winner of the competition
John had a good burger from this food truck. Later we heard how good their brisket was. Darn, next time
An amusing Rasta with an immaculate Mk1 VW Kombi. Chef Janet Richardson told us that his cakes were excellent
Lynne had a Pizza from the stand 'next door'
Stir fries, wraps and samoosas
some fooling about on the lawn
Balance wines were showing their Sweet Temptation Non Vintage 
Marietjie Luus and Danie Kirsten of Afrifoods. Badsberg behind had their very sweet Jerepigo for tasting
The musicians played well
and dancing ensued
Time to go back and taste the rest of the wines. Perdeberg CEO Gerhard van der Watt
tried some of their 2015 Perdeberg Dryland Resolve Pinotage. It is a classic, so drinkable and purchasable
On the Brampton stand, they were tasting the 2017 Pinotage; nice and juicy with an aftertaste of salty licorice
And then, on the Bellingham stand, we found our Wine of the Week. Vintage 2017, this lovely wine is perfumed with roses and dark berries, incense wood, showing characteristics of the Pinotage parent Pinot Noir. On the palate, plums, mulberry, raspberry, black cherry fruit, very juicy, layered fruit, good supportive wood, vanilla, with a hint of salt and crisp tannins. Then it mellows into long, soft, full flavours. Very satisfying, with dark fruit remaining on the palate. The Cinsault parent shows there. We had a glass at home later with some dark chocolate and it is such a good match. Chefs and Sommeliers, do try this; we don’t think we have had a better red wine with chocolate. R83 on line. We see Pick n Pay also has it on special
James Gower, Premium Brand Manager at DGB (Pty) Ltd was showing us the Bellingham wines
Bacon Chilli Biltong. Um, new, um, different, um, hot. Um, maybe not for us
Later in the afternoon, the customers were into the Can Can and the joys of life. Hope they were Ubering home
Founded in 1942. Perdeberg is no longer a Co-op and produces some really impressive wines, especially Chenin Blanc
which grows so well in the area. They are easy to reach. Turn left at Windmeul,  just off the R44 on the way to Wellington
A cheery farewell from the kind gentlemen who carried our wine to the car
(Of course we bought some, can never resist)
And a new attraction to try
A Spitbraai is always an attraction
Posted by MENU at 7:42 am 0 comments

Friday, April 12, 2019

This Week’s MENU. Thokozani Ovation launch, Jacaranda Estate, Avgolemono soup, Jacaranda Cuvée Rouge

A kelp gull flies over a fynbos covered coastal hillside

We are very privileged. We are, as we are frequently told, very lucky to be able to do what we do. At which point we repeat Gary Player’s oft repeated quote: “I believe in luck and the more I practice the luckier I become”. We were part of a small group invited last week to a wine estate owned by an imaginative and far-sighted couple and to witness the immense progress they have made with a project we have been watching for several years. And then, to visit a tiny operation which is making spectacular wines, ethically and with huge respect for their environment. Those stories follow; we’ll be happy if you enjoy them as much as we did being there…

A very special invitation from Diemersfontein in Wellington to a Private Party to officially launch their Ovation brand - hosted by Thokozani Wines at Diemersfontein Wine Estate. This was held last Friday night and we were offered accommodation on the farm, so we didn’t have to drive home that night.
Ovation is a wine label of Thokozani Wines which was originally produced (exclusively) for Woolworths - but its fame has led to it now further spreading its wings in the market. We arrived as they were getting the venue ready, just before 5…

While we were in Wellington, we were directed by Rene Reece, the Wellington Wine Route Liaison & PR, who asked if we would like to visit the smallest registered Wine Estate in South Africa. With only 4.5 hectares, of which only 3.2 are under vines, Jacaranda Farm is producing some interesting and beautiful wines. The farm is a riot of purple when the 90 year old Jacaranda trees are in bloom. They are open 10 to 4 Monday to Saturday, closed on Sunday. http://www.jacarandawines.co.za/en/

Easter will be upon us very soon and some of us are making plans to have a family lunch. With the weather not too warm, we thought a soup might be a great dish to start the meal. We love this light, lemony Chicken based soup which is often served at holidays or celebrations in Greece. It is not difficult to make…

This wine wowed us when we visited last weekend. It is from Jacaranda, a small farm in Wellington
It's a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Petit Verdot and 28% Merlot. Dark garnet in colour, with incense wood, rich red berries and of course violets from the Petit Verdot. Lovely juicy fruit - raspberries, mulberries and the violets are on the palate too. Gentle licorice wood from the 9 months in oak with some warmth and some nice chewy tannins on the end. A wine you just want to keep on drinking with or without food and with friends. We would pair this with meat dishes and rich sauces. R115 from the farm






11th April 2019






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Posted by MENU at 12:07 am 0 comments

Thursday, April 11, 2019

Thokozani Ovation launch at Diemersfontein, Wellington

A very special invitation from Diemersfontein in Wellington to a Private Party to officially launch their Ovation brand - hosted by Thokozani Wines at Diemersfontein Wine Estate. This was held last Friday night and we were offered accommodation on the farm so we didn't have to drive home

 Ovation is a wine label of Thokozani Wines, originally produced (exclusively) for Woolworths - but its fame has led to it now further spreading its wings in the market. We arrived as they were getting the venue ready just before 5
We and other members of the media were put up in the Guest House. A merry band
We had the bridal suite upstairs
Very comfortable and spacious with one of those huge football pitch beds, and lovely views of the farm
At the appointed time of 6 pm we all arrived at the party and our first drink was the new Ovations Spumante, a semi-sweet sparkle, served with a fresh strawberry. On the stand were canapés which had been paired with this wine. It is very reasonably priced at R69 a bottle. We drank this while all the speeches were in progress
A wrap filled with salad leaves, guacamole and cream cheese and topped with pineapple and a sprig of fresh coriander. It did partner well with the semi-sweet spumante
Or you could have hot (in two senses of the word) peppadews stuffed with cheese
And the bottles are colourful and would liven up any party
Members of media posing for the camera
Owners of Diemersfontein, David and Sue Sonnenberg. David Sonnenberg's background in clinical and industrial psychology has always meant that he cares very much about developing the potential of staff. When he and Sue returned from the UK to run the farm in 2000, they wanted not just to run Diemersfontein as a business, but as a community. In 2007, Diemersfontein launched its empowerment company, Thokozani, with 35 staff shareholders, including its white managers so as not to artificially split the workforce. This has been one empowerment project that worked. Several of the staff shareholders who began in quite menial positions, are now in senior Director positions and are helping to run Thokozani. They have been behind the launch of the Ovation wines. You can read all about this superb project here https://www.thokozani.co.za/about/. We were at the ceremony at which the first share certificates were presented to the original shareholders. It was a moving and inspiring event
Lucy is Sue's new dog; she charmed everyone at the party
The guests began to gather and the house was brightly lit
Denise Stubbs, Managing Director of Thokozani and HR Manager of Diemersfontein Wine and Country Estate, made the opening speech and told us what was happening with the Ovation wines. The Zulu word Thokozani means to rejoice or to celebrate and that was what we were there to do. Three wines are available in Woolworths, the Sauvignon Blanc, the Merlot and the Cabernet Merlot Red blend
She told us that she took her first sip of wine at 34. David is still mentoring her and still pushing her. She said "How can we change the lives of the community? The legacy in wine of just following what your parents and their parents did is not enough. You need to transform and grow. Look at where you started and where you are now". They are celebrating a brand that is working and we must spread the word. To get their brand into Woolworths, they had to go through the same rigorous specifications that everyone else does; they were not give a free pass or an open door. The wines have to sell
She called some of the staff who are shareholders up on stage and told us how their jobs had changed. They are all successes. Tamerin Crotz started as a receptionist and is now a Director and the Hospitality Manager; Aubern Williams was a team leader and is now the tasting room Sales and Brand manager; Cheslin Prince is now Guest House Manager; Hilary Brinkhuis manages Logistics for both and is a Director
Several staff members have won important singing contests and they now have their own group. They performed several songs for us and really delighted the audience. They are very, very good
A stand at which wine and canapés would be served after all the speeches
David Sonnenberg welcomed us all and spoke about the journey they have all been on, about the future and how rewarding it is to see people fulfilling their dreams and taking advantage of these opportunities and really growing. He told us that spending time on the farm as a young child really changed his life for the better because of the people he met and interacted with, especially one of the farm workers with whom he had a special relationship
Zinzi Golotela, Woolworths Corporate Affairs, said this is a beautiful empowerment story and journey; we need more in this country. And don’t be shy about who you are and what you have achieved
Beverley Ann Schäfer is currently Western Cape Provincial Minister of Economic Opportunities, Tourism and Agriculture in the Western Cape Provincial Legislature. She spoke about empowerment and the future of agriculture and development
Winemaker Francois Roode told us about the Ovation Wines. They have had some success recently. Tsogo Sun has taken the entire stock of Pinotage for their national hotels. And the Thokozani wines have won awards, a Platinum at Michelangelo in 2017 for the SMV
Time to taste the wines and eat some canapés for supper
The Sauvignon Blanc is crisp with tropical fruit and green pepper notes, with flavours of pineapple and summer fruit

Lemon smoked artichokes with mint and baby tomatoes
A Thai coriander curry with baby prawns on a spoon
Grilled courgette ribbons, topped with goats cheese and herbs on a stick
The Merlot is quite robust, with good red berry fruit, some earthy flavours with spice and oak
The Calzone more resembled Vetkoek with some bacon and a little cheese inside. We very much enjoyed the mini potato skins stuffed with shredded lamb
The Ovation Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot red blend is full of cassis, cherry and ripe plum flavours, with nice soft tannins on the end. Good with food! These pulled pork samoosas were very welcome
A tray of canapés; we think this might have been the chicken, but we didn’t taste it; it disappeared so fast
Melanzane dip made with aubergine and a red pepper dip to accompany slices of ciabatta bread
The Thokozani Shiraz Mourvedre Viognier always delights with its complexity of fruit and flavour
and if you were not drinking and driving or just thirsty...
The speeches ended and we could go and try the wines and the canapés for supper
They had a great band called Jerry and the Bandits and we all got up to dance and have some fun
Even the slightly older members of the group can shake a leg
Rob Gower, Wine Buyer for Woolworths, enjoying the evening
and even some langarm
At about 11, we were taken into the conference room for our surprise, which turned out to be a feast of desserts. A white chocolate Croquembouche made of choux pastry buns filled with custard cream
Ice Cream Lab were making ice cream on the spot with liquid nitrogen
Mini melkterts
A creamy sago pudding
Brightly coloured macarons
And the pièce de resistance, a many layered Dobos cake that comes from Hungary. Lynne tasted walnuts in it and it was as light as a feather with a lovely creamy filling. Luckily there were two because they both vanished
A joyful group picture of all the celebrants, except the photographer, of course; he is there, just there, in your mind
and we each received a present of the two new Ovation wines
Lucy liked John; she went to sleep on his feet, a sign of approval!
Back at the house, we were cheered when we came back as all the other (younger) media people were already home and many already in their PJ's. They did sing for a while before we all went to sleep
Breakfast was in the restaurant next morning
We all gathered at a long table which kept expanding
Everyone was served with a muesli, yogurt and fruit
Coffee or tea and David joined us for a chat
And a full cooked breakfast with toast, butter, cheese and jam
bacon, scrambled eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, and fried potatoes
Others sat outside and enjoyed the fresh air
These two ducks are a pair and are active all over the farm tiding up the snails and slugs
This beautiful large sculpture carved from a dead tree is still rooted into the ground. Time to head home. Thank you all at Diemersfontein and may your success continue with all the brands. We love and respect what you are doing and where your efforts are leading you
Posted by MENU at 11:12 pm 1 comments
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