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Winederous 28 Februarie, 2013
Diary March Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 March Feast of the Grape: Join in the fun as local wineries from the Durbanville Wine Valley cele brate the harvest season at the Dur banville Race Course from 12 noon to 17:00 on both the Saturday and Sunday. While the chil dren are having fun the adults can sip and sample superb wines from the 11 wineries on show from the Durbanville region. Local restaurants will ensure you’re kept well fed throughout the day. Tickets to the festival cost R100 for adults and R50 for children and can be booked through www.webtickets.co.za. Your ticket allows you ac cess to the venue, as well as a complimentary tast ing glass and tasting coupons. Additional coupons can be bought throughout the day. For information visit ww.durbanvillewine.co.za.
Entrance is R60 per person and includes a com plimentary glass and barrel tasting of the 2013 Chardonnay for adults, whilst children under the age of 12 get in for free. Tickets are available at Eikendal or at the gates on the day. For more infor mation or to prebook your tickets phone the cellar on 021 855 1422 or email to info@eikend al.co.za.
Woord & Wynervarings, kontak die Stellenbosch American Express® Wynroetes by 021 886 8275 of www.wineroute.co.za. Kaartjies vir die onderskeie Woord & Wynge leenthede is beskikbaar by Computicket. Sitplek by die middagetes is beperk, so maak seker jy be spreek nou jou kaartjies. Besoek www.woord fees.co.za vir die 2013 Woordfeesprogram.
Vrydag 8 & Sondag 10 Maart Simonsberg Wynroete Woord & Wyn ervarings en Delvera Markdag:
Friday 15 March Fleur du Cap salt pairing dinner at Die Bergkelder: Discover the unusual combination of Fleur du Cap wines and artisanal salts from around the world when chef Craig Cormack returns to Die Bergkelder with one of his unique dinner experi ences, starting at 18:30. Craig has been pairing wine and salt for the last 5½ years and has an impressive collection of rare salts that have found the perfect companion in Fleur du Cap’s unfiltered range of wines. An ele gant threecourse dinner, accompanied by Fleur du Cap wines will be served. For those unable to make the dinner, the daily FleurduCapandSaltofferingsaretheperfectalter native. These pairings include five lighter savoury treats with wine. Die Bergkelder’s daily Fleur du Cap and Salt tast ing experiences cost R100 per person, whilst the Fleur du Cap and Salt Dinner costs R290 per person. Booking is essen tial. Contact Na dia Ferreira on 021 809 8025. For more infor mation visit www.fleurdu cap.co.za or join the Fleur du Cap Facebook community.
Sunday 3 March Eikendal Weintaufe:
Laidback weekend vibes meet family fun on the farm when Eikendal Estate – on the R44 halfway between Stellenbosch and Somerset West – hosts its popular Weintaufe Harvest Celebration. The event starts at 10:00 with the official baptism of the cellar’s first wine of the 2012 harvest – the flag ship Chardonnay. At around 12 noon visitors will get to taste this wine straight from the barrel. Other attractions include Eikendal wine tastings, live mu sicentertainment,craftstalls,luckydraws,vineyard tractor rides, fly fishing, barrel stomping, pony rides and activities for the little ones. Delicious food and wine will be on sale, so bring your friends, family and picnic blanket and claim your spot at the water’s edge for the perfect ending to your weekend.
Die Stellenbosch American Express® Wyn roetes gaan boekdele spreek wanneer sy Groter Simonsbergsubroete letterkunde met wynkunde verweef tydens die 2013 Woordfees, en dié jaar likse hoogtepunt met ’n loslit markdag by Delvera landgoed afsluit. Gesogte kelders, geleë langs die voet van die Simonsberg, sal eksklusiewe Woord & Wynerva rings die Vrydag aanbied, wanneer aanhangers van literêre kuns en vermaak tydens middagete die gaste van die land se voorste skrywers en inspire rende persoonlikhede sal wees. Die 2013 Woord & Wynprogram bied intieme “woordenwynwisselinge” soos ’n ete saam met die lawwe Liz Meiring by Uitkyk; ’n kuier saam met storieman Dana Snyman by Neil Ellisland goed, en Stellenbosch skrywer Karin Brynard wat die kollig saam met Delheimwyne sal deel, terwyl die land se gunsteling “Oupa en Ouma”, Johan en Lida Botha, by Muratie stories sal vertel. By die markdag wat Sondag van 10:00 by die Delveraagrivillage plaasvind, kan besoekers uit sien na ’n pretbelaaide dag met die beste wyne van die roete, kontreikos, stalletjies met unieke plaaslike produkte, oestydvermaak, perderitte en musiek. Vermaak, wat ’n kinderteater insluit, is ook vir die kleinspan gereël. Toegang tot die Simonsberg Wynroete markdag is gratis. Die Vine Hopperpendelbussie bied gaste ritte na en van Stellenbosch op die dag. Vir inligting oor die Simonsberg Wynroete markdag en die
Saturday 16 March Franschhoek Summer Wines Festival: Celebrate the last days of summer in style and head off to Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards where more than 30 of the Franschhoek Wine Valley’s finest wineries will be showcasing their top summer wines at this exclusive event. The festival will be open from 12 noon until 17:00, and the theme for this year’s event is “ele gantly white”. Participating wineries include La Bri, Morena, Colmant, Môreson, Anthonij Rupert’s Cape of Good Hope and Terra del Capo, Franschhoek Cel lars, Bellingham, Noble Hill, Leopard’s Leap, La Motte, SolmsDelta and Haut Espoir. To ensure you don’t go hungry, visitors will be able to purchase delistyle food from the Harvest
Table, prepared by the chefs in the Leopard’s Leap kitchen, and delicious ice cream from the ice cream bar. Tickets cost R180 per person which includes a tasting of all the wines on show. Tutored tastings will be held at 13:00 and 15:00 on the day. Seating is limited so prebook your seats via events@fran schhoek.org.za. Tickets can be purchased directly from www.webtickets.co.za and booking is essential as tickets are limited to 500 people only. For more information contact the Franschhoek Wine Valley offices on 021 876 2861.
Saterdag 23 Maart ATKV Franschhoek Oesfees by Solms Delta: Dié Kaapse landelike musiekfees by die Solms Delta wynlandgoed is om dankie te sê aan die Franschhoekvallei se plaaswerkers vir al hul harde werk, en as ’n viering van die nuwe wynoes en die vallei se kleurryke kultuurerfenis. Die werkers woon die fees gratis by en ’n beperk te aantal kaartjies word ook aan die publiek be skikbaar gestel. SolmsDelta se eiesoortige wyne soos en smaaklike Kaapse kos word deur die loop van die dag aangebied. Kunstenaars wat vanjaar gaan optree is Mango Groove se Claire Johnston, Emo Adams, die Heu wels Fantasties, Radio Kalahari Orkes, Tidal Wa ves, Hot Water, Tribal Echo, Valiant Swart en vele ander. Plaaslike talent sal SolmsDelta se Kaapse Klopse, die Langbroeke en Soetstemme insluit, asook die Delta Vastrap Genootskap en Lekker Lek ker Delta. Die seremoniemeesters is die gewilde 7de Laan duo, Vinette Abrahim en Christo Davids en daar sal ’n speelarea vir kinders wees wat bestuur word deur Kidz at Heart. Voorafbespreekte kaartjies kos R120 per per soon. Bel die landgoed by 021 874 3937 of be spreek aanlyn by www.ticketbreak.co.za. ’n Be perkte aantal kaartjies sal ook op die dag beskik baar wees by die hek teen R140 per persoon. Kinders onder 12 jaar betaal R20, wat toegang tot die speelarea insluit. Wyn, kos en ander verver sings sal te koop aangebied word. Vir verdere in ligting, besoek www.solmsdelta.co.za of Face book.com/solmsdelta.
EDITORIAL COMMENT Join in celebrating and blessing the 2013 harvest The 2013 harvest season is well under way and that means the Winelands are once again alive with celebrations and festivals. In this issue we focus on Paarl’s Ommiberg harvest festival with all the information you need to plan your visit to the Paarl Wine Route. A total of 17 wineries will be participating, offering fun for the whole family which includes tasting the new young wines, grape stomping, vine-yard tractor rides, kiddies’ entertainment, live music, arts and crafts, and great food ranging from picnics to braais to gourmet delights. Also during March, the Durbanville Wine Valley will be hosting the Feast of the Grape festival, Eikendal will once again offer their legendary Weintaufe Harvest Celebration, and Solms-Delta will be extending a warm thank you to all the farmworkers of the Franschhoek Wine Valley for their hard work during the harvest with the ATKV Solms-Delta Oesfees. A limited number of tickets are available to the public at his popular
event, so hurry up and don’t miss out on this unique Winelands festival. So what can we expect from the 2013 harvest? The predictions are positive and by all accounts it should be one of exceptional quality. “The winter before the harvest has an important role to play in the eventual quality of wine grapes,” says La Motte cellar master, Edmund Terblanche. “We need cold temperatures for decent dormancy and rain to replenish the water levels. Last year, we received both.” It was indeed a wet winter, even in the Walker Bay area where a two-year dry spell was finally broken. An exceptionally cold winter with around 35 percent more rain than average was followed by a warm and dry December and January. There were some concerns about the high humidity and more rain just before harvest time as the extra moisture could cause rot in the early cultivars such as Semillon. And then there was the wind! A strong southeaster during Novem-
ber and December caused some damage to vines and may result in a slight decrease in the volume of the harvest compared to 2012, but the good news is that windy conditions during ripening prevent diseases and ensure healthy grapes. So we’ll let De Grendel cellar master Charles Hopkins have the last word: “In South Africa we are blessed with the quality of most vintages. In my 27 years in the SA wine industry, I have never experienced a total failed harvest.”
hedda.mittner@hermanustimes.co.za
Winederous 28 Februarie, 2013
HARTENBERG
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Riesling Rocks!
HEDDA MITTNER
Hartenberg was rocking on an unseasonably wet Saturday when winemakers from all over the Winelands came to this historic estate on 9 February to showcase their Rieslings at the second Riesling Rocks festival. Host Carl Schultz, celebrated cellar master at Hartenberg and one of South Africa’s finest Riesling masters, was joined by the crème de la crème of cellars producing Weisser/Rhine Riesling at this cosy food and wine celebration. No amount of rain could douse the visitors’ enjoyment as they mingled with the winemakers and tasted the exceptional Rielings of Nederburg, Thelema, Klein Constantia, Nitida, Spioenkop, Ross Gower, Groote Post, De Wetshof, Jordan and Howard Booysen while tucking into delectable deli fare. Possibly the most versatile of all white wines, Riesling can be enjoyed with practically any food. The dry-style Rieslings were beautifully enhanced by the oysters and sushi, while the spicy charcuterie, curries and speciality dishes presented by Ghenwa’s Lebanese Cooking Club made excellent partners for the sweeter Rieslings. “The popularity of Rielsing is enjoying a resurgence in Europe and the rest of the world,” says Carl, “and South Africa is following the trend. The growing enjoyment of Asian cuisine and fusion cooking world-wide perhaps has a lot to do with it, as Rieslings pair so well with this type of food.” Growing up as the oldest of five sons of a botany teacher in Montagu, Carl often went on field trips with his father and originally wanted to become a fruit farmer. He studied
oenology, viticulture and winemaking at Elsenburg, graduating in 1989. In 1990 Carl joined Simonsig and after four years he came to Hartenberg where he is now the cellar master, working alongside winemaker Patrick Ngamane and newcomer Tammy Jeftha, the first Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé to be appointed by a member of the guild as a permanent member of the team. Carl takes a keen interest in viticulture as, he points out, winemakers spend only two months of the year in the cellar and the other ten months in the vineyard. “If you can control what happens in the vineyard,” he says, “you can control what goes in the bottle.” Among the many accolades Carl has received – most notably for Shiraz and Riesling – is the sought-after Diner’s Club Winemaker of the Year trophy in 2005. Riesling is one of the noblest wines in the world, with the smallest bunches and berries of all white varietals, which results in the concentrated flavour and aroma that is typical of Riesling. The Hartenberg Occasional Riesling 2012 certainly rose to the occasion. About 50% of the grapes were botrytised, which accounts for the sweet perfumed notes on the nose, giving way to a floral and honeyed mid-palate. This wine has a rich complexity and excellent ageing potential. The Hartenberg Estate Riesling 2010 is a multi-award winning wine with about 25% of the grapes showing signs of Botrytis. The floral bouquet and spicy richness on the nose is followed by soft summer fruit on the palate and a citrus zest which is light and refreshing. Both Rieslings are a delight on their own and also pair well with smoked and spicy foods, and sweet treats.
Food stalls and live entertainment in the marquee at Hartenberg kept visitors to the Riesling Rocks festival warm and happy on a cold rainy day. PHOTOS: HEDDA MITTNER
Ghenwa’s food stall presented visitors with spicy Lebanese cuisine which went down a treat with the top-notch Riesling wines.
Hartenberg cellar master Carl Schultz and winemaker Patrick Ngamane.
Despite the weather, the Riesling Rocks festival was a jovial affair with an impressive turn-out of wine lovers.
Among the Riesling producers who showcased their wines at the Riesling Rocks festival was Spioenkop from the Elgin Wine Valley.
4 Winederous Tickle your taste buds at the house of sparkling wine 28 Februarie, 2013
HEDDA MITTNER Privileged guests were treated to a sparkling event at The House of JC Le Roux on Valentine’s Day when cellar master Elunda Basson hosted a celebration lunch paired with their range of Cap Classique wines. Following a stylish four-month makeover, South Africa's leading home of sparkling wine has reopened its doors with a glamorous new look. The Valentine’s lunch kicked off in the revamped La Fleurette tasting room which spills onto a new outside deck with views across the picturesque Devon Valley. Guests were greeted with complimentary flutes of JC Le Roux’s flagship MCC and winner of the 2012 Amorim Méthode Cap Classique Challenge, the Scintilla 2003, a classic blend of Chardonnay (75%) and Pinot Noir (25%) which has spent a remarkable seven
years on the lees. This luxuriously smooth and well-balanced wine was served with oysters and sushi before the guests sat down to lunch in the chic new restaurant Le Venue. The five-course lunch was paired with the JC Le Roux Brut, followed by the Pinot Noir 2008, La Vallée, Pinot Noir Rosé 2008 and La Vallée Rosé. Elunda said she would like to encourage South African wine drinkers to enjoy bubbly with any occassion and not only at festive celebrations, and the menu was designed to illustrate the way in which various MCCs and sparkling wines can complement a meal. The House of JC Le Roux is open seven days a week. The restaurant is open from 09:00 till 16:00 with breakfast served between 09:00 and 11:00 and lunch from 12 noon until 15:00. To reserve your table or for information on cellar tours and tastings, call 021 865 8200 or visit www.jcleroux.co.za.
rd 3 & 2ndMarch
Durbanville Race Course 12h00 -17h00
Dress: white with a touch of green
R100 per adult · R50 per Child www.durbanvillewine.co.za · www.webtickets.co.za
JC Le Roux cellar master Elunda Basson performing le sabrage. PHOTOS: HEDDA MITTNER
The full range of JC Le Roux’s Cap Classiques were served at lunch.