WINE & DINE: WHAT’S NEW IN FOOD AND DRINK

WINE & DINE

What’s New in Food and Wine

Lets Get Fezzy

Eikendal has just released the latest vintage wines in its premier range INFUSED BY EARTH, a terroir-focused collection produced only in years of exceptional quality. This is only the second time that Eikendal has bottled wines under this banner. Both varietals—the Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc—are from 2017, a vintage widely recognised as among South Africa’s best. Eikendal’s new wine range is ideal to add some pizazz to any festive occasion.

WHAT’S NEW, FRANSCHHOEK?

ere’s always something on the go in trendy Franschhoek. And the latest news is that LA PETITE FERME has appointed a talented new head chef, Odette Olivier. She comes with a wealth of local and international experience and is set to re-invigorate the dining experience at one of the Cape’s most scenic locations. Odette will oversee and implement the menu design and provide oversight of the restaurant. A er years of local and international experience, now at La Petite Ferme, Odette looks forward to building on the property’s great culinary and hospitality tradition. Open for lunch Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 to 15:00; and, dinner seven days a week from 18:00 to 21:00.

Do you ever wonder why there aren’t more wines with the word ‘Chateau’ more wines with the word ‘Chateau’ on their label? We use lots of French on their label? We use lots of French terms when talking about wines, so terms when talking about wines, so why not Chateau? Apparently, in 1935, why not Chateau? Apparently, in 1935,

South Africa signed an agreement South Africa signed an agreement preventing the term from being used preventing the term from being used by local producers. But guess which by local producers. But guess which wine was already made and escaped wine was already made and escaped the prohibition? You guessed it, the prohibition? You guessed it, CHATEAU LIBERTAS. And, at almost 90 years old, this classic Cabernet 90 years old, this classic Cabernet Sauvignon-led red blend is still Sauvignon-led red blend is still performing exceptionally well. performing exceptionally well. The 2019 vintage featured as The 2019 vintage featured as a top ten wine in the 2021 a top ten wine in the 2021 Prescient Signature Red Blend Prescient Signature Red Blend Report earlier this month. And it Report earlier this month. And it was selected as the best buy of was selected as the best buy of all, retailing as it does for a mere all, retailing as it does for a mere R59 a bottle. Now that’s not at R59 a bottle. Now that’s not at all bad for one of the country’s all bad for one of the country’s longest-established red blends. longest-established red blends.

THE DREAM TEAM: BOSJES AND TINASHE CELEBRATING WITH A BIRTHDAY BLEND

Feel the need to celebrate but don’t have a big event coming up? Why not join DIEMERSFONTEIN in celebrating their 21st vintage. at’s more than two decades in wine. To commemorate this event, the estate is preparing a limited-edition wine. Named TWENTYONE, this Shirazdominant blend is exclusively available from Diemersfontein’s tasting room, PROE deli, and online store. What’s in the bottle? You’ll have to buy one to nd out.

We all love a good collab; whether it’s wine and cheese, curry and hollowed out bread, or brandy and coke, South Africans have a few good favourites. And we bet the next collab to celebrate will be Tinashe Nyamudoka collaborating with Chef

Nicholas Oosthuizen on the BOSJES 2021

WINE RANGE. On stepping into the shoes of

SA wine industry icon, the late Allan Mullins, wine blender of BOSJES’ maiden range, Tinashe said, “Taking on a project to which Allan was so dedicated is an honour, and I have big shoes to ll.” His brief: Create intriguing blends that would re ect the brand’s commitment to exceptional quality and accessibility.

And we believe he’s done just that. e new wines complement the current range and pair very well with dishes created by the BOSJES Chefs for each eatery.

CONGRATS, SIMONSIG! It’s not that surprising that SIMONSIG WINE ESTATE – who released SA’s very fi rst Cape Blend in 1994 – has been included in the judges’ fi nal Top Five at this year’s Perold Absa Cape Blend Competition. That’s for the winery’s Frans Malan 2017 wine. A hearty congratulations to a pioneer in South African’s wine industry. And, this comes just after being named champions of the Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 too, with their Chenin Avec Chêne 2019. We can’t wait to see what they have up their sleeve for us next year.