Finding Wining: That’s A Might Big Bottle You Got There Mister

We have, over time, established that I am a rather partial to The Wine and adventures pertaining to the consumption thereof. When an opportunity arises to attend an event that involves not only examples of The Good Food but also sampling of The Wine from Very Large Bottles – one attends. One should never miss it, in my opinion.

This most wonderous event took place in what I am led to believe is the oldest wine-producing region in the country on the loveliest of recent winter days. Two entire venues were dedicated to serving up incredibly fine examples of The Good Wine from Very Large Bottles as well as the loveliest of foods from a selection of some of our very finest Makers of The Food. Herewith follows an account as comprehensive (read disjoined) as my hasty scribbles on the day (read illegible) allow along with some pictures which are not of the finest quality due to my considerable difficulty in balancing a glass of wine and a notebook whilst attempting to photograph The Wine I wanted to be consuming. Unfortunately, photography fell second to wine consumption in the end. I apologise. Without further ado – herewith and in no particular order:

MOSTLY WHITES & MCC’s:

· Newton Johnson Family Chardonnay (2012): A previously enjoyed, very enjoyable Chardonnay. The account of my enjoyment will follow in due course. (*)

· Sumaridge Chardonnay (2010): Rye, honeyed apricots, pea & ham soup, orangey. (*)

· Graham Beck Brut (NV): 50% Pinot Noir, 50% Chardonnay. 24 months on the lees. Sweet & crisp, very drinkable. Perfect for sunny days & happy thoughts.

· Thelema Blanc de Blanc (1994): 17 years on lees, 100% Chardonnay, degorged in 2011. Honey, rye, buttered toast. (**)

· Steenberg Black Swan Sauvignon Blanc (2012): 10% oak, old barrels. Dusty pineapple, green pepper litchis, sand, creamy, soft, clouds of dust. (*)

· Steenberg Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc (2012): Fresh, mouthwatering, Berocca nose, fizzy on the nose, finishes dry, summertime on the beach, classy JC Le Roux. Releasing September2013. (**)

· Pol Roger Reserve Brut (NV): 33% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Noir, 33% Pinot Meunier (3 traditional Champagne grapes). 3 years on lees, 33% reserve wine, made from a combination of 140 vineyards. Toasted grapes, dry with lurking sweetness. (**)

· William Fevre Chablis (2011): 100% Chardonnay, unwooded. Pea mousse on brioche, creamy & soft with a touch of yeast.

· Filia MCC (2011): 100% Chenin, zero dosage, 20 hectares of Chenin grapes supplied to Swartland region, 14 months on lees, 5 months in tank. Sea breeze, asparagus, rye brioche. (*)

· Drappier MCC (NV): 3 years on lees, Pinot Noir. Honeyed brioche rye, fresh & sweet but subtle. (**)

· Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay (2012): Single block, 12 months in 100% new oak, quartz stone in the soil reflects sunlight onto the grapes. Honey scones, honey butter, softness, butterballs, round. (**)

· Idiom Cape Blend (2008): A sneaky red in amongst the whites – a rather pleasant gentleman amongst the ladies. (*)

· Raats Old Vine Chenin (2011): Another previously encountered joy – ever worth revisiting!

· Buitenverwachting Chardonnay (2009): Not bottled in magnums, 11 months in barrel, 50% 1^st fill, 50% 2^nd fill. Prickly pear, pineapple, peaches, fresh watery fruits, honeysuckle, minty freshness, palate cleansing. (**)

· Keurmont Sauvignon/Chenin/Chardonnay/Viognier: Fresh melon & pineapple, creamy litchis, fruit salad and happiness, sunset wine. (*)

· Mullineux Family White (2012): Cheese & apricots, creamy & savoury. A just right white.

· Beaumont Leo’s Chenin (2011): Yet another revisited favourite brining back ever such fond memories of an adventure involving beards and barrels.

· Radford Dale Chenin (2012): 1^st & 2^nd fill oak. Lime marmalade, orange zest, fresh & light but enough personality, spunky smart girl wine. (*)

· Cape Point Sauvignon Semillon: 75% Sauvignon, 25% Semillon, 14 months oaked, 70% new. Passion fruit concentrate.

· Yardstick Chardonnay (2012): Creamy caramel clouds with orange & soft spice. (**)

REDS:

· Creation Pinot Noir Reserve (2012): Rich, tanniny, but soooo drinkable. Great transition wine.

· Crystallum Ridge Pinot Noir (2012): Marmite on matzos with butter

· Crystallum Valley Cuvee Corema (2012): Spicy

· Keurmont Syrah (2011): 24 months on oak. Pillowy, smooth, soft, smoked meat.

· Sadie Syrah (2008): 8 parcels of grapes, schist, shale & sandstone, 2 years on neutral wood.

· Boekenhoutskloof Syrah (2009): Syrah mousse, cheeky, not tart, clouds of raspberry.

· Mullineux Kloof Street Red (2012): Balsamic berry, peppered blueberries.

· Sijnn Shiraz (2011): 20% new oak. Tanniny ginger

* In my haste to scribble notes at this point, I seem to have lost track of a few essentials such as blend names & vintage. Also, there was a magnum of baked brie in the vicinity which may have averted my attention.

· The Trafford (2006): Spicy cream & berries.

· Creation Syrah Grenache: Spicy berry soup

· Delaire Graaf: 61% Cabernet, 18% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot, 7% Shiraz, 3% Malbec, 3% Merlot, 18 months in French oak, 50% new. Nutmeg cobbler, soft but tannic.

· Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot: Green pepper potato bake.

In amongst this magnitude of The Good Wines, were numerous examples of exceptionally fine foods including:

· Braised venison with bobotie bread & chutney cream from the genius behind Waterkloof’s restaurant, Gregory Czarnecki

· Caesar salad bites and goulash soup from Buitenverwachting’s Maker of The Fine Food, Edgar Osojnik

· Veal brisket & the teensiest, tastiest fish cakes from the ever-wonderful Harald Bresselschmidt of Aubergine

· Shaved black forest ham with parmesan & rocket on toasted ciabatta courtesy of Raith’s

· A delicious smelling monkfish, prawn & mussel chowder with the loveliest parmesan pap by dear Peter Tempelhoff of The Greenhouse

Another greatly successful adventure amongst the ever finest of The Wines and The Foods - I shall begin saving for next year post-haste.