Wednesday, March 06, 2019

New Wingerd Vista market opens at Delvera, Stellenbosch

Sunday morning saw us on the R44 heading for Del Vera, who hosted their first Wingerd Vista Market
Oh, this looks interesting for lunch. A Wild Boar on the spit
There are many that roam the countryside near Wellington and they have to be controlled as they do enormous damage to the vineyards. They are, apparently, descended from some imported European boars (and sows) which escaped from captivity years ago. This young one looked as though it is would be delicious. On leaving, we bought two of the Panini rolls stuffed with the meat and had them for our supper
Janine van Zyl, Owner, Founder & Executive Chef at Cold Gold Artisan Ice Cream & Sorbet
She has just taken over the restaurant at Del Vera, which will soon open, and managed the market
Inside the shed was the market
And a familiar face in our wine world with her own product, MalMalva flavoured marshmallows in different guises
We loved the rose and pink peppercorn. She has some very unusual flavours too
A pancake stand right next to Clemingold gin, which you could taste and buy
Delheim wine estate, which owns DelVera, has the wine stand, so you can buy by the glass or the bottle
Some seating inside and some outside. It was very hot and humid, so many preferred inside
BELCROQ Croquettes Belgian Style with bitterballen, olieballen and other Vlaamsche treats
Jewellery, gifts, biscuits and rusks, made to support autistic children
And there were a few bygones stands
We tried two beers from the Biervrou stand, a rather bitter lager and a dark and treacly ale
A sign at the restaurant door with directions to some of the usual occupants at DelVera
Inside the restaurant, just waiting to get going. We do hope to return when Janine has the restaurant up and running
She showed us her spotless kitchen and it is a chef’s dream
and umbrellas on the lawn
And, far away from everyone else, the smokers' area

Launch of coffee table book Constantia Glen - A Timeless Vision

An invitation to Constantia Glen for the launch of their new book which is published by Quiver Tree
and is now available in all good book shops (we saw it in Exclusive this weekend) and on the farm
Constantia Glen is high up near Constantia Nek and the tasting facility has wonderful views of the vineyards
The launch was held in the conservatory. Julian Richfield enjoying a glass of the Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blanc poured by Luke Tod, FOH Manager. It's a classic Constantia Sauvignon with a drop of semillon added, crisp limes and greengage with hints of pyrazines
Winemakers Justin van Wyk and Megan van der Merwe with Julian
They were taking a very short break for this as they were in the middle of harvesting
Also on offer was the Constantia Saddle Rosé made from Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
and Petit Verdot grapes. It is lively and full of strawberry and cherry flavours, so easy to quaff. Only from their tasting room
A gathering crowd
PRO Gudrun Clark with Journalist Fiona McDonald
Owner of Constantia Glen, Alexander Waibel with the book titled Constantia Glen - A Timeless Vision
He said it was something they have been meaning to do for a while as there is so much to see and discover on the farm
The beautiful photography is by Craig Fraser and the words by Clare O'Donoghue
Constantia Glen CEO Horst Prader
Creative Director at Quivertree Publishers, Libby Doyle with Photographer Craig Fraser
Lynne had a long chat about publishing with Libby
Justin van Wyk told us about the farm and the current vintage
Some of the very good canapés that were served. Caprese sticks, small warm meat pies and some fillet steak on small toasts
More of those pies, crisp rosti topped with cream cheese and smoked salmon, then crackers with a cream cheese and radish
Good samoosas, spicy coated chicken skewers with a dip
and savoury biscuits topped with cheese and slices of fresh fig were very enjoyable
The two red wines are always so impressive. It was hard to tell which one we prefer, they are both so good.  The Constantia Glen 2015 Three is a Bordeaux blend headed by Merlot, with Cabernet Franc, & Cabernet Sauvignon is soft and sweet and velvety with layers of fruit, soft tannins and seamless oak notes
The Constantia Glen 2014 Five is at its peak and will continue to excite for much longer. Bolder, bigger than Three, it is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec has more perfume and a little wildness with the classic dark berry fruit. Full and satisfying on the palate, loaded with ripe fruit and supported by good tannins and wood, it is very hard to stop imbibing ...  It is our Wine of the Week
And even more canapés
Such choice, such abundance
Wine Merchant Michael Bampfield Duggan, CEO of WOSA Siobhan Thompson
and Author Graham Viney who has recently released his own book The Last Hurrah
Herr Prader making sure we are all enjoying the wines .. and we were
The laden vines, just waiting to be picked

Musgrave Gin launches Copper, a range of brandies

An invitation this week from Musgrave Crafted Spirits to the launch of a new Disruptive Spirit had us intrigued. The launch was on our publication day, so we only managed a quick trip late afternoon to taste what turned out to be two new brandies
Both are flavoured Copper Potstill brandies. Musgrave Copper Vanilla has good notes of real Vanilla and is they say "Made to Mix" and it does make rather good cocktails. The Musgrave Copper Black Honey is infused with African Black Honey which is quite prominent. Also meant for mixing with other flavours. We first tried them both just over ice and enjoyed their different flavours, both are soft and sweet
A familiar face; Aubrey Ngcungama of the Arambrook Boutique Hotel,
ordering a cocktail from the mixologist Owen O'Reilly at the bar
Bottles still waiting for their labels, Vanilla on the left, Black Honey on the right
The launch was held at the historic former Cape Town Club building in Queen Victoria Street, now known as Rhodes House
Marketing manager Katie Coetzee, their Accountant Louise and owner of Musgrave, Simone Musgrave
Some good fried fish on a pea puree to help soak up the alcohol was served with other canapés
Business & Executive Coach Greg Castle with the girls
One of the cocktails on offer using the Vanilla Brandy
Obviously he has done this before!
We tried one of these cocktails, it was Black Honey with a dash of Chambord liqueur, Monis dry sherry, a dash of salt and topped up with ginger beer. A fresh fig and a spring of lavender were added just before serving. Nice and spicy and refreshing
In a corner, the band played