Cape Town - This selection of wines from Western Cape cellars could partner a festive menu for Christmas, New Year or any celebratory occasion. The wines are, with one exception, recent releases, which consumers are likely to find at their favourite boutiques as well as at the cellars of origin.
To start the meal in style, some fine bubbles in onion skin hue: Allee Bleue’s 2012 Brut Rosé Cap Classique, a blend of mostly pinotage with some chenin blanc and a little pinot noir, offers wafts of strawberries and apple and is creamy and crisp.
It’s also the ideal aperitif to convert doubters who still think pink fizz is not worth drinking.
A luxurious seafood salad makes the first course, demanding a stylish sauvignon blanc as an accompaniment.
Boschendal recently launched their limited production Appellation series of Elgin wines – a chardonnay, pinot noir and elegant 2012 sauvignon blanc, (R195) which has already collected its first gold at the Michelangelo Awards.
Citrus and granadilla on the nose leads to a fine balance of delicacy and minerality.
Main courses that cater for both vegetarians and carnivores are up next, the former a mixed mushroom and blue cheese mousse, sauced with wholegrain mustard-spiked reduced chenin.
This will be complemented with a brilliant 2013 unoaked chenin blanc from Annex Kloof’s Xenna range. Produced from old Swartland vines, it’s concentrated yet fresh, crisp and packed with fruit, selling for an astonishing R35.
Find it at the farm (free delivery of cases), at their farmstall on the N7 or from 5ounces.co.za.
Two red blends will enhance courses starring lamb, beef or venison. Iemanjá 2009 (R140) is an exciting blend of mostly touriga nacional with tinta barocca, made from mature Swartland vines – a fairly unique and powerful example of Micu Narunsky’s talent and dedication. For details, see www.micunarunsky.com.
The number of quality shirazes flowing from Cape cellars keeps increasing, making it difficult to settle on a single label.
But, the Oldenburg Vineyards Syrah 2010 (R200) wins as it’s plummy aromas and rich berry flavours make it a festive choice likely to please most palates.
And so to dessert, where the 2012 vintage of Fleur du Cap’s Noble Late Harvest is as irresistible as its predecessors. The Bergkelder cellar pairs this with Maldon salted fudge, a glorious indulgence, but this five-star patrician will enhance a range of finales, including blue-veined cheese.
Another five-star Platter winner waits to be served with coffee: KWV’s 15-year-old Alambic is a full-bodied potstill limited release with a string of awards to its name. The flavours of Christmas – dried fruit and spiced nuts – offer the palate a finale that’s perfectly in keeping.
Art meanders and markets
Clos Malverne in Stellenbosch’s Devon Valley launched an art meander recently. A Void in the Landscape consists of sculptures and paintings gracing gardens, vineyards and the farm’s restaurant. The expo is on until the end of January.
Gabrielskloof cellar near Bot River will hold its Favourite Things market on December 13 and 14. This is a showcase for the quality products of 30 locals who make, bake, curate, craft, sew and share delights that range from cheese, beer, ceramics, jewellery and more.
For more details, e-mail Nicolene Finlayson on nicolene@ gabrielskloof.co.za.
This is the season to add sparkle to Boland jaunts with a bubbly tasting at the House of JC Le Roux in Devon Valley outside Stellenbosch. The Cap Classique tasting costs R45 and offers the flagship Scintilla, the Brut, Pinot noir 2009, Pinot Noir Rosé 2009 and the sweeter La Vallée Rosé. At noon, there will be a performance of sabrage, and visitors can linger over lunch on the deck or indoors at Le Venue restaurant.
The beautifully crafted unfiltered Fleur du Cap wines are now paired with artisanal salted delicacies at the Bergkelder cellar near Stellenbosch station.
This trendy partnership sees the sauvignon blanc matched to dolmades and sulphuric salt and the chardonnay paired with green olive pesto and black lava salt. The merlot is partnered by chicken liver paté with caramelised onion and Murray River salt, and the cabernet with sun-dried tomatoes, matured gouda cheese and Khoisan salt.
The tasting costs R75 and is available from Monday to Saturday. To book, contact Nadia Ferreira at 021 809 8025.
Harvest festival fun at Delheim
Looking ahead to next year, the Start of Harvest celebration takes place at Delheim estate outside Stellenbosch on January 25 and 26.
This event sees a grape stomping race, laidback picnics and guided cellar tours. Guests help themselves from the buffet lunch in the vat cellar and settle on the shaded lawns to listen to live music.
Make up your team for the stomping contest and book in good time. Tickets cost R220 for adults and R110 for children under 12, and this includes activities, food and a glass of grape must. For details and bookings, e-mail [email protected]. - Weekend Argus