You should drink...
In Robertson there is a winery that is celebrating 150 years and has a
fantastic Cabernet Franc. That winery is Rietvallei and this wine is from a
single vineyard planted in 2003 and is full bodied and oozing black berries and
toasty oak.
Kobus Burger is the winemaker and owner of the estate and has a real passion
for Cab Franc which he calls his favourite cultivar to work with citing the
flavour profile as something extraordinary...he is right and his JMB Cabernet
Franc 2011 (wild yeast fermented) is something to stock up on.
You should eat...
I know I mentioned it last week but that was before I fully tried it...the
Leopard's Leap wine and food pairing at just R120 a person is one of the best
pairing experiences I have ever had (and I have had a lot). They have
successfully managed to find dishes that have contrasting textures and which
step away from the usual and expected.
The whole tasting lasts about 2 hours and is led by Harry (the marketing head)
and Pieter the chef. Examples of what are on offer are their pairing of MCC
with sweet corn soup and MCC jelly cubes (made with agar agar). Harry
introduced it by saying "we didn't want to play safe. Everyone pairs MCC
with oysters but who at home has fresh oysters lying about. Mainly, we want to
do dishes that have been ignored because people are positive they don't
work."
My favourite pairing was the Chenin/Grenache blend with its slight perfumed
nose and gentle acid paired with a tomato, olive oil and coriander salsa - no
longer can we maintain that only Sauvignon Blanc goes with tomatoes.
I could go on but I want you to experience it for yourself. It's completely
worth it.
You must stay...
Franschhoek Country House and Villas offers 5 * luxury accommodation in a setting that will transport you to a beautiful French village.
Invited for an overnight stay with dinner at their restaurant Monneaux, the
husband and I felt ever so fancy...and with good cause because it's an
absolutely stunning place to get away from it all. Immaculately kept gardens,
50+ fountains, sweeping rose and jasmine bushes, there are two pools, spa
facilities and the most attentive concierge I have ever experienced; he takes
every guest on a tour of the hotel before they check into their room so that
they feel like the entire hotel is for their perusal. The rooms have prominent
French country influences, are spacious and immaculate and are completely what
you would expect from being in a 5* establishment.
The restaurant has a fabulous terrace with the interior having accents of
azure. The chef is Louis Jansen and the menu really downplays the lovely
flavours in his dishes which have a strong Mediterranean theme to them. The
portion sizes are not French (we all hate those pea-sized, over-priced morsels)
and the food isn't a science project but rather a reassuring expression of good
ingredients and clever cooking (The crème brulee was super yummy). The
strongest praise I have is for the staff; diligent and attentive without being
in-your-face AND, they pour a proper glass of wine.
Breakfast in the morning might have ruined me for life as a smorgasbord of
fresh fruit, meats, cheeses and the option of cooked breakfasts left me rolling
out of there in a happy delirium.
This is the place to head to for an escape. Sheltered from prying eyes and
operating in a slower time zone even than Cape Town, take your SO and lose
yourself.