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Lianda Beyers-Cronje, world traveller,
passionate wine lover
and wine columnist on
Nosy Rosy.
Parlez-vous Vino?
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There are bubbles in the air
There are flowers around every corner and
champagne in the air! It is officially Spring and although we are
sure to see more winter days ahead of us, the fresh sparkle in the
morning light and lingering days are telling us that it is once
again time to celebrate new life.
And what better way to do it than with a glass of
Overberg bubbly!
Wildekrans does it with sparkle
Great news is that Wildekrans Wines in Bot
River’s Wildekrans 2007 Methode Cap Classique was named national
winner in the Terroir competition recently!
Says winemaker William Wilkenson: “The award came
as the most wonderful surprise and is a real feather in our cap. It
was a special bonus as we launched our elegant new bottle shape and
stylish label at the same time.”
According to William, Wildekrans ‘ relationship
with bubbly started with an experiment in 2002 when the estate
decided to let some Chardonnay lie for two years on the lee’s.
“When we released our first batch of 3000 bottles
of Methode Cap Classique in 2006 we were overwhelmed by how quickly
it was sold out.”
Wildekrans received a Silver Veritas award for
the 2006 bubbly, also a Chardonnay origin.
The award-winning Wildekrans 2007 Methode Cap
Classique is a Chenin Blanc, a cultivar that works excellently as a
sparkling wine, says William.
The estate has planted more Pinot Noir and
Chardonnay vines and hope to extend its 2010 Methode Cap Classique
harvest to 5000 bottles which will come as a relief for the many
Wildekrans bubbly fans out there.
It takes some finesse to make a great bubbly,
declares William, but it seems as if the Wildekrans terroir is
working well for sparkling wine.
The 2007 Wildekrans Methode Cap Classique is
decribed as “deliciously fruity with bisquity aromas on the nose,
followed by a delicious fresh and creamy effervescence on the
palate, leaving a crisp and clean aftertaste.”
Now is the time to take a road trip along the
green, greem Overberg hills with its patches of golden canola and
get some of this lovely bubbly, even if it is just to toast Spring!
A Hemel-en Aarde first
La Vierge is releasing the valley’s first bubbly
on Saturday 5 September, just in time to celebrate all things new.
The Domaine des Dieux Claudia Methode Cap
Classique has as its origin Chardonnay grapes sourced from two
different vineyard sites in the Walker Bay. The Stanford vinryards
are situated within 2kn proximity to the Atlantic ocean while the
grapes from the Hemel-en-Aarde valley range between four and 12km
from the sea.
The proflie of this wine is based on the shy
bearing coastal vines and using careful handling, blending and
ageing, the wine expresses fresh apple and brioche character with a
tangy and invigorating follow through.
Enjoy this wine as a celebration on its own or
paired with seafood and mushroom based dishes. Not available in
stores yet, you will have to visit La Vierge’s lovely tasting room
with its infinite views over the valley to purchase winemaker Marc
van Helderen’s latest masterpiece.
Get closer to Creation
Situated some 18km along the rustic Hemel-en-Aarde
road, Creation is more than a wine farm, it is a destination.
The vibrant Creation team is celebrating spring
in a big way this month, starting with a Spring brunch on
Sunday 6 September. This is followed by a Fynbos lunch on
Sunday 13 September.
On Saturday 18 September, Creation is hosting an
international Pinot Noir tasting and on Thursday 24 September
visitors can enjoy a Heritage High Tea at the graceful
tasting room with is glorious views of the Babylon’s Toren. End
your Spring celebration with a Seafood Festival on Sunday 27
September.
Anli and André van Vuuren of Season Restaurant in
the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and Richard Bosman of The Deli in Hermanus
have put together an ensemble of delectable taste treats that have
been designed to pair perfectly with the Creation range of wines.
I was recently a guest at Creation where I had a
taste of the canapé platter selected to complement the Creation
range of wines.
How does aubergine and goats cheese pâté served
with a bread stick and Creation Sauvignon Blanc sound to you? Or
what about Springbok rilette with a port wine and cherry jelly
served with Creation Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot?
Oh, yum!
Warricks at Sumaridge
has some new treats on its menu. Try the warm calamari salad with
macadamia paste or the camembert fried in fig and nut batter. I am
definitely making some space in my diary to go out that way. See you
there!
Do the Overberg wine route at Chez El’
The latest, oh- so- trendy coffee bistro
addition in Hermanus is stocking some of the Overberg’s most
wonderful wines!
Says owner Elmarie de Waal: “I wanted to give
locals and tourists a taste of the great wines in our region and
they love it!”
I recently celebrated a new hair style with a
glass of dry white and a delectable cheese platter while absorbing
Hermanus special vibe with a view over Main Street and Lem’s Corner
from the balcony of Chez El’.
Prosit to Spring!
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