THE PERFECT BLEND OF FOOD AND ICONIC WINE

Lockdown has re-ignited my love affair with wine…let me share a glass or two with you.

WINE TASTING IN THE CONSTANTIA VALLEY

Our first weekend winelands experience was blissfully executed at Klein Constantia, one of SA’s first estates, founded in 1685. A gentle meander through the vineyards replenished my soul before we arrived, unannounced, for a wine tasting. Luckily, we could be given a table for two and an attentive sommelier to lead us through our choice, the standard wine tasting.

After slowly appreciating the Sauvignon Blanc 2019, light and bright yet complex, we moved on to taste the unique Metis Sauvignon Blanc 2017, a collaboration between KC and Pascal Jolivet. The label so aptly depicts the alliance with two national flowers, the French iris and the SA protea. The estate red blend 2017 reminded me that Christmas is only three months away, full-bodied with notes of fruit and cinnamon. The Anwilka 2015, fresh and vibrant, was next.

I have an idea that the somm thought we were strange when we declined the offer of the classic, creamy Vin de Constance as we know and love it well. We planned to keep the treat to the end of our meal. Their 2017 vintage has just been released – another good reason to visit Klein Constantia.

THE BISTRO @ KLEIN CONSTANTIA

Lunch at The Bistro @ Klein Constantia is always an enjoyable affair; the setting is enviable, and the service is always superb. We were shown to a table on the deck where the promise of Spring could be fully appreciated with a bottle of the estate’s rosé.  Snoek paté with bread for my man and the lighter option of cucumber for me (nice touch) was followed by beetroot salad with candied nuts and goat’s cheese, for both of us. Simple yet sublime. I chose the fish of the day, kabeljou, no fuss, fried with new potatoes and broccoli. When you use top-class ingredients, do you need to fiddle with them? My man chose the robust, flavour-filled Wagyu meatballs and pasta. Obviously seriously out of dining-out practice, we had to decline the dessert options, and even the iconic Vin de Constance that we were eagerly awaiting. Perhaps I need to flex my fine-dining muscles again so that I can cope with more than two courses!

THE JOURNEY AHEAD

My appetite has been whet for a Summer that features many wine-farm adventures. Here in the Western Cape we are spoilt for choice. My aim? To fulfill my insatiable need for ongoing learning and stimulation. Anything worth doing is worth sharing, so be sure to join me on this fabulous journey of flavour.

Meanwhile, visit the Gourmet Guide magazine to read about gourmet inspiration, and the wines of the Cape South Coast.