#WineRoutingWithLloyd - Quoin Rock

When in Stellenbosch, there are many wine estates that you could visit. The options & experiences are endless. However, one of my recent #WineRoutingWithLloyd stops in the Knorhoek Valley at Quoin Rock convinced me that it is one that you should have near the top of your must see/visit Stellenbosch estates.

This historic estate has undergone a transformation in the last few years. The passion of the owners for art, in all forms, is very evident. Be it visual, literature, performing or culinary; it all comes together at Quoin Rock showcase the very best. Their passion most definitely extends into the vineyard & further to the craftmanship that produces wine that embody the uniqueness of the terroir. 

But enough about that, lets talk wine - more specifically the Quoin Rock range. A simple tasting & straight to the point. 

 - Black Series Cap Classique

An elegant Brut with notes of Granny Smith Apples, Lime & Honey. A gentle mousse with tiny bubbles, adding to that elegance & giving it a smooth finish. A great choice to serve with seafood starters - oysters or salmon. 

 - Chardonnay

Energetic & vibrant. Ripe citrus & orange peel initially on the nose, followed by some vanilla & toasted brioche. A golden straw colour with glints of green as the the light dances through the glass. On the palate, that citrus comes through alongside a light buttery texture. Definitely a winner with fresh seafood. 

 - White Blend

A soft blend with stone fruits, figs & some sweet citrus notes on the nose. The Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon blend has a creamy & rounded finish. Again - the elegance in this wine is superb & would be a great wine for lunch or even those hot summer days next to the pool. 

 - Shiraz

A beautiful, big, bold wine that has a soft balance. Light floral notes of jasmine mixed with pepper & some vanilla. The oak adds even more elegance & smoothness. I'm salivating at the idea of having this with rich red meats, especially a Gemsbok steak. 

 - Red Blend

A big nose of red berries & layers of juicy ripe fruits. All of these follow onto the palate with a smooth entry & a lingering finish. Finish off the cheese platter after dinner with a glass of this. 

The wine tasting goes very well with either a cheese platter, a charcuterie board or a combination of the 2. Fresh meats, cheeses & olives to snack on as you enjoy the wine & the views. It truly is a modern winery that offers something for all the senses. 

Check them out here & booking a tasting is highly recommended. (Check out the Picnics too - I'm definitely doing that the next time I'm around.)

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#WineRoutingWithLloyd - Tokara

So #WineRoutingWithLloyd isn't just about the wine, but more so about all of the experiences along the wine routes in our country. A previous visit to Tokara for a wine tasting with winemaker Stuart set the bar high for the a 2nd visit. But this time around - I popped in to celebrate the arrival of Spring & the release of their brand new vintage of Extra Virgin Olive Oils.

Naturally - a glass of Tokara Blanc de Blancs 2013 Cap Classique to start the morning off right. 100% cool-climate Chardonnay from Elgin provides depth, elegance & complexity. A fresh fine mousse with apples & lemon blossom. On the palate toasted almonds with a crisp minerality. Just right & tastes like more. 

Olive Oil Master, Gert van Dyk led & guided us through the unique tasting of the new vintage Extra Virigin Olive Oils on offer at Tokara. (Check them out here.)

The 2021 harvest was somewhat of a smaller crop, but gave the opportunity to be a bit more selective & picking at the optimal ripeness. This ensures concentrated flavours in the Italian varieties that are grown at the foothills of the Simonsberg. "By picking & pressing at just the right time, we captures the true herbaceous & nutty flavours," Gert explains. 

When tasting olive oils, you'll be looking for fruitiness, bitterness & piquancy or spiciness. Just like with tasting wine, it's not just the taste, but it's an all encompassing experience from the aroma, to the textures. In order for the oil to 'open' up & release more flavour, you need to warm it up a bit first. Then take a small sip, swirl it in your mouth & swallow. Repeat & then on the 2nd taste, clear your throat after swallowing in order for that spiciness to really unfold.

Frantoio - a medium to intense oil with green grassy tones. The green notes carry through to the palate alongside added bitter notes, whilst leaving a nutty aftertaste.

Mission - is more mild with grassy & herbaceous characters. The walnut aftertaste makes this an all-round oil.

Mult-Varietal - a carefully blended oil to bring out the best characteristics. Notes of rocket & artichoke with a light herbaceousness.

The Unfiltered EVOO - a unique artisanal multi-varietal blend is specially selected for it's purity & unbridled flavours as the oil flows directly from the olive press.

Following the tasting, we have a small intimate lunch experience & I'm seated next to Gert. We had a wonderful conversation about food, wine, life & EVOO's. The way Gert talks about food & using EVOO's in cooking & how the flavour profiles of each would work with a variety of foods - giving me so many new ideas for my own meals back at home. "An intense EVOO is used to bring dishes to life."

Starters - artichoke & parmesan gratin, served with olive branch 'stok brood' (the branches, picked by Gert himself earlier that morning.) Paired with the 2021 Tokara Sauvignon Blanc.

Main - a tender lamb ossobuco with a creamy saffron risotto & gremolata served with 2018 Tokara Reserve Collection Cabernet Sauvignon.

Dessert - vanilla gelato with crystalised ginger, olive oil & almond cake & Tokara EVOO, perfectly paired with 2019 Tokara Reserve Collection Sauvignon Blanc Noble Late Harvest.

Gert is hands on involved in the entire process from in the olive groves right through the pressing & the bottling. He believes good oil is made on the tree & that fine olive oil is about capturing the goodness of the fresh olive in the bottle. Therefore hand-picked olives are cold pressed within 24 hours of being harvested in order to ensure flavour & freshness. 

Pop in at the Tokara Delicatessen for a complimentary olive oil tasting & purchases. Or you can arrange a more structured & guided tasting experience at the tasting lounge - but bookings are essential. 

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#WineRoutingWithLloyd - Middelvlei

Have you ever wanted to say that you've got a bottle of wine with your name on it? Well, like literally, you can have your name on it - one you blended & bottled yourself? Well - it's a rather exciting experience that you can get in on at Middelvlei in Stellenbosch. 

This unique experience allows you to create your own personalised bottle of wine that you can take home with you. So, it's official - I have the 1st bottle of #WineRoutingWithLloyd Middelvlei red blend

On arrival welcomed with a glass of their latest Rosé on a chilly morning, I sat down in the tasting room with a fresh stoked fire blazing to warm up. In front of me - the whole blending kit, 3 bottles of wine fresh from the barrel, tasting glasses, a pen & paper for notes. I've been wanting to do this kind of thing for a while, so to say that I was excited, is a bit of an understatement. 

Whilst going through the motions of tasting & creating your own blends, you'll get to snack on Middelvlei's famous freshly baked Potbrood served with their home-made Snoek Pâté & sweet strawberry jam. 

In those 3 bottles -

1. Pinotage: a Momberg classic. Deep ruby red with fresh fruit on the nose & palate. Accompanied by oak & some spice. 

2. Merlot: an easy drink glass with ripe red cherries & a smooth finish. 

3. Shiraz: a bit of body with pepper & darker fruits with a beautiful aromatic nose.  

Now that you understand a bit about each wine the fun starts - pour yourself a glass of each & taste. Taste & feel what your palate enjoys. Then into a 100ml test tube you pour your own desired mix of the 3. Go on a have a taster, see what stands out, make some notes - the good & the bad. And if you don't like what you've put together, you pour it out & start again. And again - until you find that perfect personalised blend that works for you. 

Multiply your final choice of blend by 10, give it a good mix & now it is ready for bottling. Time to put a cork in that bottle & add a foil cap & label your new creation. (Yes, you do all that too.) Check out my bottling experience here.

Also - there is enough left, after filling your bottle, for you to enjoy a glass or 2 of your final blend whilst you sit back & relax taking in the surroundings of the Middelvlei farm & finishing up the last piece of your Potbrood and jam. 

At R250, this is a lot of fun and the creativity you can express here with this experience is endless & can really be enjoyed by everyone.  If you love your own blend that much, you can have them make you a few extra bottles at R180 each & have them delivered to your door or collected at a later stage. 

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#WineRoutingWithLloyd - Ernie Els

Ernie Els is a well known name in not only the golfing world, but amongst wine enthusiasts too. Arriving at the Stellenbosch wine estate is truly something spectacular. The tasting room had been closed for a few years & only reopened in late November 2020.

It is thanks to the granite rich soil, that the Helderberg area is known to produce some really great Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz. Upon the walk to the tasting room, you are greeted by magnificent granite boulders that form a sort of a passageway & give a feeling of grandeur as you enter the tasting room that opens up with expansive views of the Helderberg mountains. 

The tasting room is like a luxurious family home - beautiful expansive decor, yet homely & inviting. Everything alludes to wine that is expressive, bold & big, whilst at the same time hinting at comfort & relaxation. If you are feeling adventurous, you can even tee-off from a spot right in front of the centre of the tasting room. 

The concept of Ernie Els was born back in 1999 & winemaker Louis Strydom released their maiden Bordeaux blend in 2000. Fast forward to today - there are 4 collections: Signature, Major Series, Big Easy & Proprietor\"s, each mainly focusing on expressive red wines. 

The Big Easy (Ernie\"s nickname) is the entry level blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Mourvèdre & Viognier. It\"s all in the name here - it really is an easy drinking red that is big & bold, but with softer fruit characteristics on the nose & palate alike. Also in the Big Easy range is the Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé - the perfect drink for hot summer days. 

The Proprietor’s range is the where winemaker Louis Strydom allows the wine to be a true expression of the property & surrounds. (The granite rich soil is very evident in playing a part in shaping these wines.)

Definitely one of my favourites - the Proprietors Syrah. A beautiful dark wine with hints of purple hue as the light bounces through the glass. An aromatic wine on the nose, slightly sweeter than expected with some star anise coming through. Whilst on the palate a fruit forward wine with those hints of spices, it’s definitely a wine that I’d stock up on for the next 10/15 years to see how it develops over time. 

Snack on a cheese & charcuterie platter whilst enjoying the wine tasting that is perfect for 2 to share, with a selection of cheese, meats, olives & bread. Check out the wine tasting menu here.

#WineRoutingWithLloyd is driven by the #KiaSonet.

Quoin Rock 2018 Chardonnay - a trip down memory lane

With the cooler weather already here - winter mornings are cold, but usually by 10, it's already warmed up and the sitting back relaxing in the sun with a glass of wine is a great way to spend the day. And I've found the perfect wine to pour in that moment. The white wine of choice this winter.

Let's touch base back down in Stellenbosch with the newly released 2018 Chardonnay from Quoin Rock. 

Quoin Rock is one of those modern estate's that once you arrive, you'll feel at home & enjoy every moment of it. A #WineRoutingWithLloyd experience a while back proved that it was an incredible experience. Being a lover of all things Chardonnay, a trip down memory lane whilst sipping this wine at home. 

In your glass - a beautiful straw colour with hints of vibrant greens as the light bounces around in your glass. On the nose - like a real Stellenbosch Chardonnay, a ripe citrus aroma mixed with vanilla spice oak & lightly toasted brioche.

The citrus aroma develops further on the palate with citrus peel and a light buttery texture thanks to ageing in French oak barrels. All in all; resulting in a well-balanced wine that has a fresh acidity & minerality that lingers with a gentle lemon/lime finish. 

A wine that should be savoured with every sip, be it on it's own, or paired with a plate of seafood either now or even in 10 years from now!

Check out Quoin Rock here. 

#WineRoutingWithLloyd - Le Pommier

When you're driving from Stellenbosch to Franschhoek, along the Helshoogte road, you'll end up going past quite the few spots to stop in for some wine. But the one that #WineRoutingWithLloyd discovered & absolutely loved, was Le Pommier Wine Estate! 

Best way to summarise Le Pommier would be to say that it is an intimate country lodge with just 12 suites & 2 self-catering units where you can visit the restaurant for a hearty meal, or sip on some wine whilst sitting in front of the fireplace or on the patio looking out over the Simonsberg mountains. 

Keeping things simple, but by no standard inferior, you'll find a Sauvignon Blanc, Rose, Cabernet Sauvignon & Red Blend in the tasting room to sample & sip.

Offering a unique food pairing for these 4 wines.

A Cape Malay style prawn with the pale green Sauvignon Blanc. The nose of gooseberry & tropical fruits accompanied by a palate of lime & a mineral finish. 

The salmon pink Rosé with hints of strawberry on the nose & rich fruit on the palate. Definitely a wine that is very inviting & perfect for those summer months next to the pool snacking on small bites. 

A fresh beef pie with the red blend giving off some dark black berries & black currants & hints of refreshing menthol. Soft & velvety with a lingering aftertaste. 

With the full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon, thin slivers of carpaccio bring out the spicy plums & cigar box & finishes off with a rich long sweet fruit. 

As the French name suggests, the farm is situated on land that once used to be an apple orchard & now homes the vineyards used to produce the wines on offer. Explore the estate a bit & you'll end up finding some beautiful accommodation options that are inviting & really had me relaxing the moment I arrived. 

Off to dinner after a bubble bath in that gorgeous tub!

The restaurant is quaint & inviting. (Even more so with the fire going to warm you up in the evenings.) The menu is uniquely South African - Cape Malay with a twist! So think Bobotie, Chicken Pie & Malay Chicken Curry - just some of the options to choose from. 

I opted for the Lamb Shank & paired it up with the Red Blend. (What a delight!) And why not end off your dinner with a proper Malva pudding too! 

I was properly full after dinner & ready for a good night rest! And then to top it all off, waking up to this view is something that will have you kicking off your day relaxed & rejuvenated after watching the sun rise over the water. 

Check out Le Pommier here & plan your next stopover between #VisitStellenbosch & #FranschhoekLife.

#WineRoutingWithLloyd - Driven by the #KiaSportage