#WineRoutingWithLloyd - Constantia Glen

It's definitely one of my favourite #WineRoutingWithLloyd stops. The combination of the view, the wine, the food & the company at Constantia Glen is always a winner. Last time I sat down for lunch with winemaker Justin van Wyk was in May 2019, & it really just feels like yesterday.

This Heritage Day, Constantia Glen is pulling out all the stops. You'll be in for a treat - indulge in a South African Braai platter whilst listening to some local live music, (live music, currently weather dependent). A rather generous platter for 2 - lamb straight of the spit, boerewors, braai-broodjies, pap poppers with cheese & peppadews, Chakalaka, mixed salad & olives, for only R360.

With the weather taking a turn for the better & that feeling of Spring in the air, good food needs good wine. On my recent visit, I tasted some of the latest offerings & I can reassure you that it would all make a good combination. (Especially the red Bordeaux varietal blends - Constantia Glen THREE (2017) & the Constantia Glen FIVE (2018)).

A premium offering of wines at it's best. The THREE - a blend of 3 Bordeaux varietals; Merlot, Malbec & Cabernet Sauvignon. A dark red that unwinds into a lighter & more lively garnet colour in the glass. On the nose there's a distinct hint of ripe red & black fruits mixed with a touch of savoury elements. Whilst on the palate those ripe fruits follow with a velvety mouthfeel & with some minerality to linger just long enough until that next sip. 

The FIVE - bright aromas of plums, black currant & touches of dried herbs followed by tender savoury notes & just a slight hint of violets. The Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot & Malbec makes for a great food wine, especially for Heritage Day. A powerful & structured palate that follows well from the nose & finishes with a lingering freshness.

All the other popular cheese & charcuterie platters & menu items are naturally available - the Trout Rosti is fresh & full of flavour. A delightful mix of textures that accompany the wines so well. 

I'd highly recommend to make that reservation, as space is limited with current level 3 lockdown restrictions. 

#WineRoutingWithLloyd is driven by the #KiaPegas

#WineRoutingWithLloyd - Constantia Glen

A wine estate that has one of my favourite views in Constantia, is most definitely Constantia Glen. There is just an air of surreal tranquility that is really just good for the soul. We finished our #WineRoutingWithLloyd trip this year, with a stop here. And what a way to end off a great trip. 

Lunch with winemaker - Justin van Wyk. A real down to earth guy & we just had a wonderful afternoon of eating some of his favourite items from the menu & sipping on some of the award winning wines that come from the estate. 

Just a quick mention, that the Constantia Glen TWO 2018 is 1 of 5 white Bordeaux-style blends that were recently rated as 'wine of the year' in Tim Atkin's 2019 SA Special Report, & got a 95/100 for the 3rd consecutive vintage. Whilst the Constantia Glen FIVE 2015 & Constantia Glen THREE 2016 both scored 93 points. 

The Constantia Glen TWO is my favourite. A soft barrel fermented blend of Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon where the oak, tropical fruits & slight minerality are combined & balanced elegantly. 

The Constantia Glen THREE, is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc. These grapes are hand harvested & sorted, so you know that some serious care has gone into making sure these grapes are perfect. Dark red & black fruits coming through on the nose & intensify on the palate into something slightly more savoury. 

The Constantia Glen FIVE, is the flagship wine & a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec & Petit Verdot. Ripe black cherries initially hit me hard on this one, but with some time & air, there was a bit of floral & even herbaceous notes. On the palate, a rich full bodied wine that is like velvet. 

Having a conversation with Justin van Wyk really does leave you in awe of the incredible work that a winemaker actually goes through to get from vine to bottle. He is definitely one of the really calm & collected guys & that really comes through in his wines. The attention to detail in prep of grapes & the fermentation process are proven in the outstanding quality of the wines you'll get here. 

The menu is seasonal, & will surprise you each time you get there. But what I can guarantee, is that you will always find something fresh & interesting to eat. 

From a fresh Tuna Niçoise salad or the winemakers choice of flat bread, or as it is otherwise known - Flammkuchen, that sports Boerewors & an egg! Each to his own, but definitely don't be shy & be adventurous when ordering something off of this menu. 

To end off. A delectable chocolate fondant, that will have satisfy that sweet tooth of yours! I love how the acidity of the strawberry breaks through that sweetness of the dark chocolate. Yum.

#WineRoutingWithLloyd - Driven by the #KiaSportage