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Parlez Vous Vino?
Come on Summer!
We are slowly easing into
summer, the days are growing longer and with it the promise of lazy
afternoons, lingering long into the evening, while watching the sun
go down and sipping some of the world’s best wines here at our own
paradise-at-sea, Hermanus.
A new wine destination
I chose a perfect day to
head to Gabriëlskloof – the exciting new wine destination in the Bot
River valley, about 30 minutes from Hermanus on the N2, just past
the sleepy little town of Bot River.
The deli at Gabrielskloof
Gabriëlskloof Wine and Olive
Farm offers a modern cellar, tasting room and restaurant complex
situated on top of a hill with exquisite views over the farm and the
valley below. Ideal for functions such as weddings, special birthday
parties or stunning events, this is also the perfect spot for a
lovely outing with friends.
We were met by a beaming
Marianna Arends who first showed us around the complex and gave us a
peep of the little chapel next to the cellar and then invited us to
sit down for a tasting of Gabriëlskloof wine, olives, olive oil and
fresh bread.
I loved the Sauvignon Blanc’09 with its ripe green fig on entry and
secondary flavour of green nettle, shaved green nuts and gooseberry.
The perfect wine to drink absolutely chilled with creamy pasta,
seafood or chicken on a hot, hot summer day!
The Blend 2008 is a
traditional French-style Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon,
Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec with a mulberry
aroma on the nose. With just a hint of mint and layers of caramel
and dark chocolate, cinnamon and nuts, this wine is deliciously
accessible from vintage with the promise to age well. Pair with
roasted duck, venison pie or a steak on the coals and you have a
meal fit for a king.
Wine Columnist Lianda Beyers-Cronje being served
by Marianna Arendse.
The Gabriëlskloof Rosé will
be available by mid-November.
Winemaker Kobie Viljoen‘s
vision is to produce wines of distinction that reflect the specific
terroir. Patrons can still look forward to another white blend
consisting of 50% Semillon and 50% Sauvignon Blanc called Magdalena
and a Viognier that will be released in March next year. A premium
Bordeaux called Five Arches will be ready for release in December
2010.
I couldn’t resist buying a
gift pack consisting of Sauvignon Blanc, The Blend and
Gabriëlskloof’s Extra Virgin olive oil – the perfect gift for
Christmas.
Cellar tours can be booked
for groups of eight and it may be a good idea to book a cheese or
cold meat platter from the deli and sit on the terrace where you can
feast your eyes on the rolling Overberg vista.
The restaurant, owned by two
chefs, Juan van der Westhuizen and Frans Groenewald, offers an
innovative menu based on fresh seasonal produce. It is also
worthwhile making the trip for the hearty breakfast or just
delectable bread, cake or olives and preserves from the deli.
Pensioners can enjoy a
starter and main dish or a main dish and dessert on Mondays at a
very special price.
Prices of the variety of
gourmet dishes are more than reasonable while the ambiance in the
restaurant is relaxed and stylish.
Gabriëlskloof is presenting
an exhibition of Miglio jewellery from 10:00 to 17:00 on Thursday 5
November. This is the ideal opportunity for mothers and daughters or
girlfriends to visit this exquisite farm and enjoy breakfast, lunch
or just tea and cake while browsing for early Christmas gifts.
Opening hours of the
restaurant are seven days a week from 9:00 to 17:00 but it is
anticipated that the restaurant will be open until 20:00 during the
December holiday.
Wine tasting is from 9:00 to
17:00 on weekdays and from 10:00 to 14:00 on weekends.
Tribute to wine legends
The South African Wine Show
Association (SANWSA), one of the driving forces behind the 350 Years
of Wine celebrations and custodians of the annual Veritas Awards,
has taken the request from 350 steering committees on their
shoulders to pay tribute to those individuals who have played a
pioneering role in the South African wine industry over the past few
decades.
Twenty eight of the
industry’s living legends have been lauded at this year’s Veritas
Awards, which took place at the Cape Town International Convention
Centre (CTICC) on 10 October. The list comprised not only retired
renowned wine makers and viticulturists, but also prominent industry
leaders, wine writers, wine ambassadors and wine personalities.
Tim Hamilton Russell from
Hermanus, a wine pioneer who put wine making in the Hemel-en Aarde
Valley on the map, is one of these legends. The others are: Duimpie
Bayly, Gunter Brozel, Nino Costa, Jacob Deist, Ritsema de la Bat,
Piet Goussard, Phyllis Hands, Hennie Heyl, Gerhard Hofmann, Dave
Hughes, Lourens Jonker, Christo Kok, Prop Lategan, Julius Lazo,
Enrst le Roux, Swepie le Roux, Wilhelm Linde, Hans Losch, John
Platter, Norma Radcliffe, Pietman Retief, Dawid Saayman, Dassie
Smit, Spatz Sperling, Gys Steyn, Charl Theron and Joel van Wyk.
Spier wields Veritas
septre
Spier Wines reigned supreme
at the 2009 Veritas Awards early in October. The well-known
Stellenbosch winery clinched five double gold and half a dozen gold
medals at the annual gala-awards dinner, sponsored by Agri-Expo at
CTICC.
Other top achievers in the
double gold and gold rankings were Nederburg Wines (2 double gold, 5
gold), Fleur du Cap (2 double gold, 2 gold), Boplaas (2 double gold,
3 gold), Ernie Els Wines (2 double gold, I gold) and Windmeul Cellar
(2 double gold, 1 gold).
Anura, Cape Point Vineyards,
Diemersfontein and Guardian Peak also shone with two double gold
medals each.
Of the total of 1 728
entries, 40 won double gold, 109 gold, 444 silver and 679 bronze
medals.
Enjoy the sun, wine and good company – and the
whales - while they are still here!
Lianda Beyers-Cronje, world traveller,
passionate wine lover
and wine columnist on
Nosy Rosy.
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