Posts Tagged ‘False Bay’

Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from Steenberg Vineyards

Steenberg Vineyards have just released Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc 2011 excelling once again with one of the cultivars which has built the reputation of this Constantia Wine Valley producer. Set against the Constantia mountains and facing False Bay, the reliable rainfall, mild temperatures and granite ridges ensure that this farm creates the best of South African cool climate wines.

Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc 2011

J D Pretorius crafted this wine with a series of batches of fruit from different blocks on the farm. These were also harvested at different levels of ripeness resulting in a serious, complex wine. JD has this to say about the wine:

Our Sauvignon Blanc is a true expression of Steenberg’s unique position and terroir which is absolutely ideal for the production of this varietal. The decomposed granite soils in the Sauvignon Blanc are perfect for this grape as the soil is slightly leaner, and prohibits overly vigourous growth of the vines, which in turn promotes a naturally controlled lower yield and excellent concentration of fruit in the berries. In addition, the farm’s location near the ocean results in lovely mineral notes from the maritime influence, and traces of earthy fynbos are evident as a result of its setting within the Cape Floral Kingdom. We take great care to work with purity of fruit and allow expression of the terroir, with the aim of producing wines that show constraint and a sense of place. I believe the Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc 2011 is a classic example of this.

Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc 2011

This wine is so much more than a poolside tipple, as my significant other and I experienced as we sat on our jetty watching the sun drop behind the mountains while sipping a glass of this elegant wine. Very much a food wine, it is made to complement foods like sushi, lemon-garnished fish dishes, salads dressed with vinaigrette and Thai food. There are lovely aromas of grapefruit and green apple with different aromas coming through each time the wine is swirled in the glass. When sipping the wine there is the sensation of mouth-filling freshness and zest, and flavours of lime, green apple and ruby grapefruit. The sensations stay on the palate for the longest time – always a sign of quality in wine.

Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc 2011 sells from the cellar door at R95.00 a bottle.

Contact telephone: +(27) 21 7132211

Tasting and sales: Mon – Frid 09h00 – 18h00

Sat/Sun and public holidays 10h00 – 18h00

[Muti] [Laaik It] [Digg] [del.icio.us]

Tags: , , , , ,

Knead – dynamic bakery at Surfers’ Corner

Surfer’s Corner Muizenberg, on the False Bay coast is vibrant, trendy, scenically beautiful and the place where you want to hang out, wind or not, even if you don’t take to the waves on your long board.

Artisanal breads

Artisanal breads

This has been a hot surf break since the 1960′s and recently hosted the reunion for the Muizenberg diaspora for hundreds of surfer dudes from all over the planet. The record for the greatest number of surfers on a single wave was almost made here with 71 surfers but this was pipped by 84 surfers who rode on one wave the same day at Quebra Mar in Santos, Brazil.

Knead opened here in 2008 in a lovely, old art deco building facing the beach and is sister to Knead in Wembley Square, Cape Town. (Tel: 021-462 4183) Sit outside at a veranda table or on the counter chairs at the beach-facing window. On the left side is the fresh bread counter for walk-in sales and at the opposite end, the coffee station. Walk straight through to the surf shop on a higher level which sells surf boards, clothing and surfing paraphernalia.

The feel here is uber-casual – come barefoot in your beach towel if you like – welcoming & vibey. Dog -friendly and kiddie-friendly, you will meet them all here.

Brioche French toast, roasted field mushrooms, bacon with homemade tomato sauce and rocket

Brioche French toast, roasted field mushrooms, bacon with homemade tomato sauce and rocket

After being handed a menu the moment we sat down, we had to decide between the tantalizing choices on the breakfast menu. Treats like brioche french toast, roast field-mushrooms, with bacon, homemade tomato sauce and rocket or with smoked salmon, creme fraiche and herb sauce. Or Bircher meusli, soaked oats, orange, cinnamon grated apple, honey, berries and nuts. We had one of each. They were served quickly and were delicious. At other restaurants I have ordered meusli only to have it served to me in a soup tureen. Too much and impossible to eat. This serving of Bircher meusli is the right quantity and absolutely fresh.

Also on the menu are Bunny Chows which were invented in Durban on the east coast of South Africa. Traditionally they are servings of curried meat or vegetables served in half a loaf of bread which is hollowed out so that the crusts of the loaf form the “dish”. Knead offer buttered chicken curry or curried beef mince Bunny Chows.

Handmade slow-cooked beef, roasted onions, rosemary and red wine or roast chicken, mushroom, thyme and roasted onion pies are on offer together with salads and sandwiches.

A variety of quality, artisan breads and pastries are made right on the spot. One of my favourites is the date, cranberry and pecan nut loaf.

Get there early and stay late.

Knead’s contact number is (27) 21 7882909

[Muti] [Laaik It] [Digg] [del.icio.us]

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Uva Mira Boutique Winery

Uva Mira tasting room

Uva Mira tasting room

A visit to the stone, Swiss Chalet style tasting room situated high on the slopes of the Helderberg mountain in the Stellenbosch wine district, leaves you awestruck at the panoramic views of Table Mountain, Cape Point, Robben Island, False Bay and Table Bay. This is a spot where you can see forever!

These unique, high altitude vineyards set at between 420 and 620 meters above sea level, have decomposed granite and shale soils and all of this results in varietal wines which are elegant and distinctive expressions of the site.

With sensitivity to the indigenous fynbos, sustainable viticulture is practised at Uva Mira and proteas are farmed and exported.

The resulting wines have attracted numerous awards including Best SA Wine Producer of the Year and the Best Chardonnay in the World at the 2006 International Wine and Spirit Competition where winemaker, Mathew Van Heerden, was also named as one of  The Top Ten Winemakers in the World.

ceramic-tiles_resize

More recently,  The Platters SA Wine Guide 2009 awarded 5 stars to the Vineyard Selection Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2007. Stephen Tanzer ranked the same wine 93 in his International Wine Cellar Rating.

Uva Mira is situated off Annandale Road, Stellenbosch and the tasting room is open to visitors on Mondays to Fridays from 08h00 – 17h00, and on Saturdays and public holidays from 10h00 – 16h00 excepting for Good Friday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.

Tel: 021-8801683

Email: info@uvamira.co.

[Muti] [Laaik It] [Digg] [del.icio.us]

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Easy AdSense by Unreal
Better Tag Cloud