#WineRoutingWithLloyd - Pierneef à La Motte

It's a well known fact that La Motte is one of my all time favourite #WineRoutingWithLloyd stops. It's on my list to visit with every trip to Franschhoek! This last trip was my visit to the restaurant - Pierneef à La Motte. I had previously been treated to a meal prepared by Chef Eric Bulpitt so was excited to sample something coming his kitchen in his playground. 

Like most things at La Motte, inspiration is drawn from the artist Jacob Hendrik Pierneef, hence the restaurant name - Pierneef à La Motte. The restaurant has a unique focus on heritage cuisine whilst embracing and interpreting various cultures; ingredients & recipes. Which resonates with the adoration Pierneef had for the South African landscape & the country's diversity. 

The restaurant reminds me of an old school dining room on the farm, with a modern contemporary twist & pop of colour. I must say, I rather like it. It's raining outside & the fire is crackling in fireplace whilst families are enjoying their Sunday lunch. It feels like home; cosy & relaxed. 

The à la carte menu provides hearty, comfort food & presented picture perfectly by Chef Eric. There are frequent interpretation changes to the menu, but the focus on culinary heritage is constant, using & modifying recipes that have been used over more than 3 centuries. The seasonal menu is inspired from produces straight out of the gardens at La Motte.

The menu perfectly pairs each offering with a La Motte wine. Chardonnay with the Fish or the La Motte Millennium with the Pork. One thing that I admire is that these pairings go beyond just what you taste, but extend to the play on textures of food & wine too. 

Never skip dessert! Especially when a Chocolate Torte from La Motte is on offer. (Okay, well it's an overload of chocolate. But good gosh, it is absolutely divine.) A Milk Chocolate Crémeux, Hazelnut crumbs, Raspberries with a Hazelnut Ice Cream. What a delightful explosion of flavour & texture alike with each mouthful. Pair it with the Cabernet Sauvignon & you're all set.  

The restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday; 11:30 - 15:30 but a reservation is a must. (You can do that here.)

#WineRoutingWithLloyd is driven by the #KiaSonet

Quick 6 for #CapClassiqueDay

A quick pick of 6 Cap Classique's that are up for drinking this #CapClassiqueDay - 1 September 2021!

This year, we are celebrating 50 years of Cap Classique! From modest beginnings to becoming one of SA's leading wine sectors.

It was only in 1971 when Frans Malan, owner of Simonsig Estate in Stellenbosch, from that harvest made the 1st natural bottle fermented sparkling wine in SA using Chenin Blanc. It was in 1973 that the first Cap Classique was released "Kaapse Vonkel" by Simonsig. Today there are over 250 SA producers in the Cape winelands that have a Cap Classique under their label. 

Moving from Chenin Blanc, nowadays - majority of Cap Classiques are made using Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier, and range from 12 to 60 or more months lees contact.

My quick pick - (In no specific order.)

1. JC Le Roux Brut
Not something that you would easily find, JC Le Roux now only produce the Scintilla Cap Classique, which is just an interesting bottle from this producer that is more well known for producing Sparkling Wines. 

2. Steenberg 1682 Pinot Noir Brut

A firm favourite that never disappoints - there is always a bottle or 3 in my house; you know - just in case you get that urge for a glass on a Wednesday eve. Fresh, crisp & full of flavour with a beautiful lingering aftertaste. 

3. Krone 2016 Kaaimansgat Blanc De Blancs

Something I recently tried - I must say, the Chardonnay grown in Kaaimansgat proves that the terroir plays a big role in the development of the unique characteristics of the varietal. A big yes for this one from me. 

4. L'Ormanrins 2013 Blanc De Blancs

Perfectly paired with fresh Luderitz oysters on a hot summer day! Always on point and refreshing. 

5. La Motte 2013 Vintage

This baby holds a special place in my heart & it's really where my love for bubbly developed. Unique flavours & aroma's alongside a texture like no other. 

6. Wildekrans 2016 Brut Rosé

The wild card in the pack. Rose petals & strawberries, with a creamy finish & fine mousse. A delightful candy floss finish. 

There are so many more options to choose from, so best you make a move & pop a bottle of bubbly in celebration of 50 years. Share your #CapClassiqueDay moment with us on social media. 

Quick 6 for International Chardonnay Day - 2021

A quick 6 pick of Chardonnay this morning ahead of International Chardonnay Day! The white grape variety with styles that vary from the creamy & wooded to the lean & sparkling. Originally birthed & mastered in Burgundy, France. But lets rather delve into something local - I believe South Africa has some of the top Chardonnay in the world & at some of the best price points that will definitely be serious value for money. 

I went through my stash over the weekend & pulled out some of my favourites. But in no time, I had too many to write about. So I decided to go with those that have a special place in my memory, so I settled on a quick 6. In no particular order (because each one is a pure beauty in it's own way):

Van Loveren - 2018 Christina 

Full bodied with creamy textures & hints at oak. Typical citrus notes accompanied by those buttery aromas. A wine that goes with so much. I am a lover of carrot cake and some of the best carrot I've ever had was that which my Gran baked when I was younger. Rich & bold with creamy frosting. The roasted pecan nuts adding something that reminds me of hints of oak. An unusual but unique pairing. 

Quoin Rock - Chardonnay
I was fortunate enough to have lunch at the estate on a #WineRoutingWithLloyd trip that was absolutely phenomenal. It's one experience from that tip that to this day still stands out. The pairing that stood out the most, was the Chardonnay with a Pickled King Oyster Mushroom. Complementary & contrasting flavours that combine to bring out the best in both the wine & the dish. Creaminess of the mushroom contrasting against the light citrus notes of the wine. The wine finishing off elegantly leaving you wanting more. 

Ataraxia - 2018 Chardonnay

If you've never been to Upper Hemel-en-Aarde, I highly recommend it! This tasting room or 'Wine Lounge' is situated on a hill at the base of Babel mountain & most people initially see it and think it is a chapel of sort. It is exquisite. My memory here is from sipping on a glass of Chardonnay whilst in conversation with winemaker, Kevin Grant & then getting to ring the tower bell on a #WineRoutingWithLloyd trip. (See it here.) This Chardonnay is like no other with a minerality that mimics the terroir it's been grown in. A freshness of citrus accompanied with oakiness that rounds of with a smooth finish.

Creation - 2018 Reserve Chardonnay
Chardonnay makes a very good breakfast wine in my opinion. The creamy textures of eggs benedict with a fresh hollandaise match up perfectly with a big bold glass of slightly chilled Chardonnay. At Creation - they offer a very affordable "Brunch Pairing." (Check out more of it here.) This is a fragrant Chardonnay with lemon blossoms combined with honeycomb. Further on the nose - grapefruit & a touch of cinnamon. Bold & creamy, yet soft & elegant with a delightful Upper Hemel-en-Aarde minerality that finishes off & lingers just long enough until the next sip. 

La Motte - 2017 Chardonnay
Around 13 years ago I went on holiday to visit family in Cape Town & on a day trip to Franschhoek, La Motte was the very first wine farm that I ever visited. So it will always stand out in my memory as one of those special places that opened up the world of wine for me. This Chardonnay is a medium/full bodied glass full of citrus notes with hints at white peaches & oak. Finishing off with a smooth freshness. A lovely wine to accompany fresh seafood or on it's own in every season. 

La Bri - 2016 Chardonnay
La Bri is where my love for Chardonnay originates. Years ago, at a tasting up in Pretoria I met winemaker, Irene. Initially I told her that I only drank Sauvignon Blanc - but she challenged me to give her Chardonnay a go. This beauty is clear & hints at pineapples, white peaches & creamy lemons. The finish is elegant & smooth whilst a nuttiness of fresh biscuits lingers a while longer. Whilst explaining the flavours & aromas that I noted, something in that moment just hit home & I knew I was missing out on Chardonnay. 

So many more memories accompanied by a good glass of Chardonnay. You should be exploring your palate & giving them all a go this #ChardonnayDay! 

Top 5 for #SauvignonBlancDay 2021

A much anticipated day of year for many wine lovers - today & the whole weekend, #SauvignonBlanc will be flowing in many households. So I thought I'd let you know what #SauvignonBlanc I'll be sipping on over the next few days - each deserve a special mention. (In no particular order...)

1. La Motte - 2021

In all honesty - a go to wine for me. You will ALWAYS find this in my house. (And this is the brand new vintage, which was only harvested in February 2021!) As you swirl your glass - a light straw colour, with glints of green & an initial nose of fresh green apples & gooseberries. Intense tropical flavours of passionfruit & pineapple develop on the palate & end off with a clean lemony finish. Balanced with some good body & concentrated flavours that linger in a refreshing aftertaste. On it's own, or with food it's comes highly recommended. 

2. Robertson Winery - 2020

Last year's vintage, but easy to drink all year round - giving fresh with aromas of bell-peppers & green apples, followed by tropical fruits notes of mango & granadilla on the nose & palate. A gentle acidity giving it that zesty crispness on the finish. A very good wine to enjoy with seafood to complement those fresh salty flavours. (I'd recommend even snacking on some freshly oven baked asparagus whilst sipping on this bottle.)

3. Steenberg Rattlesnake - 2019

The newly released lightly wooded wine is multi-layered & gently textured. A rich & alluring mouthfeel from that touch of Oak & Concrete contact during fermentation. In the glass, a light golden hue as it swirls & aromas of fresh asparagus & Cape gooseberries with hints of lime. All following on the palate with a beautiful balance of acidity & minerality that lingers just long enough. Definitely erving this bottle alongside a creamy pasta. 

(See more about the Steenberg Rattlesnake 2019 #SauvignonBlanc here.)

4. Groote Post Seasalter - 2020

Take me back to the ocean! A beautiful fresh & crisp, zesty fruit-filled nose. Colours of light green & yellow bounce around in your glass between those accompanying flavours. On the palate, grapefruit & lime develop to add that touch of acidity, but then you have that smooth feel from a touch of Semillon that balances it all out. A cooling minerality that pulls through on the clean finish. It's in then name - served nicely chilled with a seafood feast.

(See more about the Groote Post Seasalter 2020 #SauvignonBlanc here.)

5. De Grendel Koetshuis - 2019

A complex & multidimensional pale straw colour wine that has a fresh & invigorating nose of melons & creamy pears. A vintage that follows a severe droughat during 2018 provided for concentrated flavours & allows for the wine to develop in the bottle & in your glass. (So it's a wine that you could keep for another 3-5 years before indulging.) Flavours on the nose, develop on the palate & a smooth finish & lingering aftertaste. Imagine this with fresh seafood salads & lighter meats accompanied by a creamy white wine sauce. 

#WineRoutingWithLloyd

Top 5 Red Wines for Heritage Day

So it's almost Heritage Day! And knowing most South African's this is just another excuse to have a braai. (Well, at least in my house, I never need an excuse to put some lamb chops or a steak on the flames)

And if I'm not having a cold beer, I'm definitely opening a bottle of red wine to enjoy. So I decided to have a quick share of my Top 5 Red Wine picks for this Heritage Day - 24 September 2020, that I'd look at adding to my shopping list this week. 

Sharing them in no real order. Alphabetically always works well, but to be different here they are from Z to A.

1. La Motte - 2018 Millennium (Franschhoek)

An exceptional wine, resulting from a harvest that was smaller than anticipated, yet yielding grapes with distinct flavours. The various varietals - Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot & Malbec; were all matured separately for 12 months in oak barrels. On the nose - ripe red raspberries & creamy toffee with a complement of slight herbaceous & earthy aromas. Always lovely when what you smell carries through onto the palate when tasting. Flavours of blueberries develop as the wine lingers & the acidity keeps the wine fresh the whole way through. 

Paired with Rump Steak & a Creamy Mushroom Sauce.

2. Four Cousins - 2019 Collection Cabernet Sauvignon (Robertson)

The youngest on the list, but most definitely ready to drink. Cabernet Sauvignon; globally, being the biggest selling wine, brings a smooth dark chocolate & mocha aroma to the nose. Whilst dark ripe blackcurrant flavours develop on the palate. Again, it's ready to drink - a nice silky smooth finish & mouth-feel. 

Paired with everything Shisa Nyama, (Especially the lamb chops)

3. Ernie Els - 2017 Major Series Cabernet Sauvignon (Stellenbosch)

One of those real Stellenbosch Cab Sauv's. Ripe red fruits - berries, strawberries & cherries initially hit the nose, followed by slight cigar notes & then a touch of freshness. Some tight tannins on the palate accompanied by black & red fruits, with a touch of liquorice that comes through nice & soft. A beautiful wine with some serious aging potential. 

Paired with a Pepper Crusted Fillet.

4. Creation - 2018 Syrah Grenache (Walker Bay)

A magnificent dark purple in the glass. But when the light touches it just right, you'll see flashes of deep crimson. A 75% Syrah & 25% Grenache blend that gives you a nose of ripe black olives that are complemented by a some white pepper. On the palate, leaning towards a very well full-bodied blend that has intense flavours of ripe plums, spices & an elegant smokiness that adds some mystery. The acidity is just right & is going to give you fantastic aging ability on this bottle.

Paired with Steak (with some extra fat) & Curried Beans.

5. Blaauwklippen - 2017 De Blaauwe Klip (Stellenbosch)

A Bordeaux blend for the books. The 5 varietals are harvested from 9 Blaauwklippen sites & knowing the aging takes place in oak barrels lets you know you're in for a treat. Enticing notes of dark plums & warm dark chocolate pudding fill your glass whilst hinting at a bit of a cigar box. A surprisingly vibrant palate, that lends itself to smooth, velvety texture. Something between a full & medium bodied wine for me, but has a beautiful lasting aftertaste. Another bottle that will do well being kept for a few years. 

Paired with the Malva Pudding for Dessert.

What's on your braai this Heritage Day? And more importantly, what will you be pairing it with? 

Top 10 Wines for turning 30

So I'm turning 30 this year! Actually in 2 weeks time, on the 23rd of July. I was going to travel to France to sip on Champagne & indulge in some foreign wines as a spoil. However, here we sit with the Corona Virus epidemic that has hit the entire world harder than expected & unfortunately, I had to cancel my 30th birthday trip and now I'll be celebrating alone at home. 

So, instead I've decided to share my top 10 favourite wines, that I'll be sipping on over the next month, with you. (This is honestly no easy task to narrow down a list to only 10, so it's taken some real thought & hard decision making.)

So in no particular order...

1. Ataraxia - Pinot Noir (Hemel en Aarde)

I remember sharing a glass from the 1st unlabeled bottle of 2017 with winemaker; Kevin Grant on a #WineRoutingWithLloyd trip back in 2018. The wooded red wine seems to reflect the light, whilst the nose promises a blend of ripe cherries, fresh earth & oak. And that's exactly what follows through on the palate with a soft ripe red fruit aftertaste & finish, making it an everyday wine for me. 

2. La Motte - MCC (Franschhoek) 

A beautiful mix of Chardonnay & Pinot Noir culminating in a heavenly fermented glass of fine bubbles. Soft on the palate, with a burst of flavour. Hints of citrus & baking brioche on the nose. Finishing off with a freshness that cleanses the palate to prepare it for the next sip. 

3. Steenberg - Semillon (Constantia Valley)

Aromas of honey mixed with white stone fruits hit your nose on the first smell and slowly carry through to the palate with roasted almonds developing alongside soft fruits. At the Steenberg Garden Party, I discovered that the aftertaste is everything, combining citrus & floral spices that linger the perfect amount of time between sips. Definitely a wine that's only going to get better & more complex with time. 

4. Flagstone - Dark Horse Shiraz (Stellenbosch)

Mysterious in every way possible. Like the Dark Horse. A 100% Shiraz that embodies all the best characteristics thereof. As the name suggests, a dark plum colour fills your glass with a complex combination of aromas that fill your nose - dark black fruits & dark chocolate with subtle undertones of spice. All of which follow through on the palate developing from the tip of the tongue right through to the back of the mouth ending in a smooth winning finish. 

5. Holden Manz - Cabernet Franc Reserve (Franschhoek)

A discovery that Gerard Holden introduced me to at the Winter Sculpture Fair is a rich & elegant wine that legitimately hits all the right spots. A Burma ruby has got nothing on the red that fills your glass. Ripe raspberries mixed with tobacco leaves, lavender & fresh black fruits take over as the aromas develop. And on the palate, a smooth wine with balanced savoury flavours mixed with those fresh black fruits. (Not opening my last bottle for another 8 years at least.)

6. De Grendel - Koetshuis Sauvignon Blanc (Durbanville)

Another #WineRoutingWithLloyd first. The first stop on the very first trip back in 2018 too. Pale straw  with glints of green and gold as the light passes through the glass. Something between a mix of ripe pineapple & creamy melon on the nose & the palate, that gives the wine added longevity to age for another 3-5 years whilst the complexity develops too. 

7. Waterford - Kevin Arnold Shiraz (Stellenbosch)

A firm favourite dating back to 2016 when I met Kevin Arnold at a private tasting with friends. And since then, it's always been on my list. A rather complex wine on both the nose & palate with ripe red & dark fruits, somewhat earthy yet fresh. Touched off with plums & spice it makes for perfect drinking & a velvety smooth finish that's only going to get better with age. 

8. Le Lude - MCC (Franschhoek) 

There really is just something about MCC that comes out of the Franschhoek Valley. The Le Lude Non Vintage MCC I discovered on a tasting with then winemaker - Paul Gerber back in 2012/2013, just when Le Lude came onto the scene. Finer bubbles in a South African MCC I have not experienced. An elegant bubbly with aromas of citrus blossoms & fresh lime. Hints of sweet nougat & roasted almonds. But a fresh taste & feel on the palate developing flavours of grapefruit, lemon & pears. Then the aftertaste not only leaves you with wanting more, but also with honey & vanilla. 

9. Leopards Leap - Culinaria Chenin Blanc (Franschhoek)

#WineRoutingWithLloyd was started to discover the unique & what I found at the Chef's South African Table with the then head chef - Pieter de Jager gave me some new found respect for Leopards Leap. A Chenin Blanc that is very well defined with aromas of ripe white peaches, melons & hints of spice. A vibrant acidity in the wine complements all the flavours, but best part is the oak on the wine gives it that extra bit of structure that's going to ensure this wine ages real well if you can keep it on the wine rack for long enough.

10. Mullineux Quartz Chenin Blanc (Swartland)

A white wine that has been made to age! An interesting straw colour, with glints of a lemon yellow as you swirl your glass. The quartz ensures the beautiful mineral character hits the nose alongside some ripe citrus. These follow onto the palate with added white peaches & a somewhat creaminess whilst finishing off nice & fresh. 10 to 20 years will only give the wine more opportunity to develop enhancing flavours in the bottle.

So here's to sipping on some real good South African wine & celebrating 30 years. 

#WineRoutingWithLloyd - La Motte

It's no secret that La Motte has been one of my favourite wine estates for quite some time. And every visit back to this Franschhoek based estate is a reminder of what a gem it really is. 

Early morning arrival just as the sun peaks out over the mountains & onto the vineyards & the magnificent Wine Bearer, is something to experience & see for yourself. The colours of the light on the grass & in between the vines will have you staring a little longer than you'd expect. 

What better way than with a glass of really good MCC? The La Motte Vintage MCC is something special, & already, just the bottle shows that. A gorgeous fresh wine with a delicate mousse with aromas of nuts & ripe fleshy pears. 

It's here in the beautiful tasting room where you will get to sample the wide variety of award winning wines in style. What I really loved about this visit was the very well-informed wine ambassador that was on hand throughout the entire tasting to guide us & tell us more about the estate & the original works of art by SA artist Jacob Hendrik Pierneef that adorn the walls of the tasting room. 

The current vintage tasting is definitely the one to opt in here for. You'll be taken on a bit of a journey of the wines on offer at La Motte, from their Sauvignon Blanc to their Syrah. 

An additional add on, which I highly recommend, is tasting of the Hanneli R. Named after Hanneli Rupert, this is a complex Syrah based blend that has spent 40 months of oak barrel maturation. (That alone already tells you that this is something really unique & exactly what #WineRoutingWithLloyd has been looking for.)

There are cellar tours available per reservation, where you will be guided through the cellars.

Also on the property is the La Motte Museum. Where you will find the history of the estate, family & some renowned artists from around the world. If you are lucky enough, you may find Sculptor - Toby Megaw at work on a new addition to the exhibition. Sitting there watching him work & chatting to him is mesmerizing to say the least. 

If art is your thing, then there is a Sculpture Walk where you are taken around the gardens & shown a selection of sculptures & explained how they fit into the La Motte history. 

Again, just look at the sheer natural beauty as the sun rises & warms you up. If you can't decide on what estate to visit in Franschhoek, let me make up your decision & go with La Motte. You won't regret it.

#WineRoutingWithLloyd

The X-Factor of Franschhoek Chardonnay

Did you know? Together with Sauvignon Blanc & Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay is 1 of 3 most planted varieties in Franschhoek,

Did you know? Together with Semillon, Chardonnay is regarded as the future of wine production in the Valley.

La Motte recently released their 2015 Chardonnay & their 2013 Méthode Cap Classique, which is 68% Chardonnay.

Cellarmaster Edmund Terblanche shares his ideas around why Franschhoek Chardonnay so special: "Chardonnay's popularity makes it one of the most planted white varieties in the world - about 160,000 ha. It is also planted in more wine grape areas than any other grape variety."

In recent years many a viticulturist (a fancy name for those guys that grow grapes) have come to an agreement that Chardonnay is an easy variety to produce, as it can be planted in most wine countries & still result in a wine of a satisfactory quality. 

So with a bit of research, I discovered that Chardonnay best performs when planted in a lime-rich almost chalky, poor & well-drained soil with a much cooler climate.

Now, Franschhoek does not have a lime-rich soil & we all now that it the climate in Franschhoek is most definitely not cool, but they do have the poor well-drained soil. But is this actually enough to give us the best Chardonnay? It must be something special, that special X-Factor that has the Chardonnay from the Valley consistently performing well & being listed under the Top 10 of the Chardonnay du Monde competition. 

Something that I was taught a while back, is that you need to use all 5 your senses to enjoy a glass of wine properly.

So here is how you go about it:

1. Hearing. You toast to good wine & clink your glass with another.

2. Sight. Look at the wine & what do you see. 

3. Smell. Take in the aroma of the wine & identify what you smell on the nose

4. Feel. Take a sip of wine & swirl it in your mouth. Left-to-Right. Back-to-Front. Let it roll over your tongue & feel the wine move in your mouth.

5. Taste. The easy part. What do you taste? Identify some of the flavours that coming through & are prominent on your palate.

So I indulged in a bottle of the La Motte 2015 Chardonnay over the December holiday & here are my notes.

1. I shared a glass with my Dad & we toasted to family being together over the festive season. Cheers.

2. The La Motte 2015 Chardonnay has a light straw colouring.

3. Initially I picked up on the fruity smell. On the 2nd take, I pick up pears & then there is a slight sweet oak somewhere.

4. Wow. What a smooth, creamy & polished wine. For some reason, La Motte seems to get this right with a lot of their wines. 

5. A beautiful lingering citrus taste of a fresh lime & the after taste of green apples.

A bit of background info on the La Motte Chardonnay:

- Originates from La Motte & is planted 200 m above sea-level on southern & south-western slopes.

- At the cellar you can get a bottle for R110 each.

- Alcohol - 12.35% vol

- Residual sugar - 1.5 g/l

- Total acid - 6.1 g/l

- pH - 3.55

Be sure to follow La Motte

Twitter - @LaMotteWine

Facebook - La Motte

#GreenWineAwards

12 Days of Christmas - Day 12

and on the 12th day of Christmas...
... on my Christmas Wishlist

My Own Christmas Dessert - 



Step 1 - Clean out a glass, cup or bowl.
Step 2 - Buy mini caramel swiss-rolls from Woolworths and cut them up and layer the bottom of your glass, cup or bowl.
Step 3 - Add a dash of some La Motte Millenium to cover and moisten that swiss-roll up. (Have a tot or two if you wish)
Step 4 - Using fresh cream & instant chocolate mousse. Prepare your own double thick chocolate mousse and add to your glass, cup or bowl.
Step 5 - Using some fresh berries (blue berries, raspberries & mulberries) add a bit of freshness to your glass, cup or bowl.
Step 6 - After preparing a bit of jelly of your choice, fill up the glass, cup or bowl to the brim.
Step 7 - Pop into the fridge to cool and set.
Step 8 - Served with some delicious homemade ice-cream laden with peppermint crisp, lunch bar & pecan nuts.

Enjoy! Oh, and don't feel guilty! After all, we will be back in the gym to 'stick to' those New Years Resolutions.

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

(Chef Christiaan Campbell)

Bread & Wine

(Chef Niel Jewell)

Foliage Restaurant

(Chef Chris Erasmus)

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

(Chef Michelle Theron)

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