Showing posts with label Glenwood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Glenwood. Show all posts

Thursday, 6 June 2019

#WineRoutingWithLloyd - Glenwood Vineyards


If you are ever #WineRoutingWithLloyd & find yourself venturing out towards Franschhoek, you really don't need to stay on the main road. I highly recommend you veering off in the direction of Glenwood Vineyards. (And make lunch reservations there whilst you are at it.)

You know I'm all about the unique & different. Well, when I heard about what Glenwood Vineyards has to offer, I had to investigate this fine wine & food experience.


The drive in, is already just a beautiful & picturesque one. So on arrival you are given six glasses of Glenwood Vineyard wines for a tasting. But don't finish the whole glass just yet.
Each of these wines has been paired with lunch menu option for you to choose from. But, here comes the twist! Your menu comes in the form of a Tasting Palette, so essentially you get to sample each of the 6 dishes before you actually have to order your main lunch meal.


What a great way for someone as indecisive as me to work my way through the menu options & the accompanying wines to make sure I make the right choice. The menu definitely caters for all palates in my opinion, with lots of locally produced cheese, meat, fish, veggies & herbs! (They even have a vegetarian option.) The menu does change every now & then according to what is in season.

Chardonnay Unoaked 2017 x Ceviche 
- A zesty Chardonnay with hints of citrus & has a smooth minerality, which balances out beautifully with the fresh delicate textures of marinated fish.

Chardonnay Grand Duc 2016 x Carpaccio
 - The natural falvours of the carpaccio are accentuated with some truffle oil, both with bring out & enhance the beautiful bold butterscotch flavours in the Chardonnay.

Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2017 x Duck Caesar Salad
 - A fresh taste of earthy minerality is enhanced by the subtle salt & spiciness of the duck.


Syrah Grand Duc 2015 x Mushroom Risotto
 - the natural flavours from vegetable stock & mushrooms compliment when combined with earthy spiciness of Syrah.

Semillon Sauvignon Blanc Grand Duc 2016 x Pork Belly
 - a somewhat lively minerality, whilst the acidity of the Bordeaux-style cuts right through the fat of the Pork Belly.

Shiraz 2016 x Sirloin Steak
 - natural flavours of the meat crusted with pepper is highlighted by the spiciness of the Shiraz.


The tasting room is open for lunch every day, except for Tuesdays & Wednesdays. Booking is essential, as they only offer seating for 20 guests. (So you really don't want to rock up there & be disappointed if they can't accommodate your party for lunch.)


#WineRoutingWithLloyd - Driven by the #KiaSportage

Wednesday, 26 August 2015

Franschhoek Food & Wine Festival


Franschhoek Food & Wine Festival

For those of us that don't get the opportunity to travel too often, love wine and food are in for a great treat! The inaugural Franschhoek Food & Wine Festival is set to take place at Montecasino from 28 - 30 August 2015 when the culinary capital of South Africa makes it's way up to Johannesburg.

Jennifer Prinsloo (CEO, Franschhoek Wine Valley) says that their research indicated majority of visitors to Franschhoek originate from Gauteng and so it was decided to bring "a uniquely Franschhoek experience to them."


Anyone who knows me, will know that I absolutely love wine and wine in large quantities is even better.

Ernest Hemingway said this and I quote:
"Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing."

The list of estates that you will be able to sample from is quite something and include quite a few of my favourites.

Anthonij Rupert Wines
(Definitely try their MCC - L'Ormarins)
Black Elephant Vintners
(I have heard, via the grapevie, the MCC is very good)
Boekenhoutskloof Winery
Boschendal
(The Blanc de Noir is just lovely in all senses of Berries)
Chamonix Wines
(The Chamonix Reserve 2013 is one of my new favourites)
Glenwood
Grande Provence Estate
Haute Cabrière
La Bri
(The 2013 Chardonnay has a butterscotch undertone to it, which is amazing)
La Motte
(This is my favourite estate that will be here! The Sauvignon Blanc!)
Lynx Wines
Morena
Môreson
Rickety Bridge Winery
Stony Brook


Oh! I may just mention this. The people that will be pouring your wines will be the actual winemakers themselves who actually made the wine that you are going to be sampling so they literally know everything there is to know about the wines!

And for those moments of weakness, when eating is cheating, you can find some of the best local, ie. Franschhoek based, chefs cooking up some of the most amazing culinary delights.

Boschendal Restaurant & Deli
Bread & Wine
Foliage Restaurant
Fromage de France
(Speciality Producer Lodine Maske)
Grande Provence Estate - The Restaurant
(Chef Darren Badenhorst)
Huguenot Fine Chocolates
(Speciality Producer Danver Windvogel)
Paulina's Restaurant at Rickety Bridge
(Speciality Producer Melissa Bird)
Pierneef á La Motte


If this is not enough to get you out of the house this weekend, then just imagine the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra playing in the background. No wait. You won't have to imagine it as the JSO will be there and will be playing beautiful music to accompany the amazing food and wine that you will be letting your senses delve into.


Session times:
28-08-2015 : Friday - 18:00 - 22:00
29-08-2015 : Saturday - 12:30 - 16:30
                      - 18:00 - 22:00
30-08-2015 : Sunday - 12:30 - 16:30

Tickets: Buy Tickets HERE
General Entry - R150 (Entry & Tasting Glass)
Hospitality - R570 (VIP Entry, Tasting Glass, Exclusive Shared Facility, Premium Wine Bar Access)

Some of the other exhibitors that you will bump into include the following:

Find the Franschhoek Food & Wine Festival
Web: www.franschhoekfoodandwinefestival.co.za 
Facebook: Franschhoek Food & Wine Festival
Twitter: @FHKFoodWineFest

Join in with the conversation on social media using:
#FHKFoodWineFest & #FranschhoekMonte