Dan in Tashkent

Dan is in Tashkent, leading a Ffestiniog Travel group to travel the railways of Uzbekistan.


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Tasting for NEWTS

Postponed from 2 March 2018 I was at last able to present the wines to NEWTS on 5 April.

Titled Stars of South Africa, they had all achieved 5 Stars in Platter execept for the two Saboteurs which had 4.5.

Luddite Wines Saboteur White 2015 Wine of Origin South Coast abv  12.5%  > Niels Verburg Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Fume Blanc, Chardonnay

Shannon Vineyards Semillon 2015  Wine of Origin Elgin abv 13.5%  > Gordon & Nadia Newton Johnson

Botanica Wines The Mary Delany Collection Chenin Blanc 2013 Wine of Origin Citrusdal Mountain abv  13.5%  > Ginny Visser

Alheit Vineyards Hemelrand Vine Garden 2015 Wine of Origin Hemel & Aarde Ridge > Chris & Suzaan Alheit    Field Blend of Roussanne with some Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay  and Verdelho

Luddite Wines Saboteur Red 2014 Wine of Origin South Coast abv  14.5%  > Niels Verburg Shiraz, Mourvedre, Cabernet Sauvignon

Shannon Vineyards Merlot 2013 Wine of Origin Elgin abv 14%  > Gordon & Nadia Newton Johnson

Warwick Estate Cabernet Franc 2013 Estate Wine of Origin Simonsberg-Stellenbosch abv  13.5%  >Nic van Aarde

Flagstone Writer’s Block Pinotage 2015 Single Vineyard: Wine of Origin Breederkloof abv 14.47%  > Gerhard Swart

Reyneke Reserve 2014 Wine of Origin Stellenbosch abv  13.15%  >Rudiger Gretschel 100% Syrah, certified organic and biodynamically grown,

Delheim - Cape Malay Curry in Potje

Only managed to get to Delheim twice this trip. First time had excellent Ostrich Bobotie, this time Cape Malay Chicken Curry, a stalwart of their menu that I've been ordering for many years, served in a small potje with Rotie, Rice and sambal, coconut and chutney. And wine!

I love their tasty home made bread.

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Lunch at Neethlingshof Estate

I like a lot about Neethlingshof - the wine, the winemaker, the food and eating outside on the veranda during harvest seeing grape hoppers driven below us and backed into the winery destemmer opposite. 

This was our second visit this trip. First time it was too inclement to sit outside so we lunched in the splendour of the old manor house. We were lucky then to be given a table because they had not got my reservation made online; power cuts meant no internet for them.

I had the lentil bobotie with rice, sambal, chutney and sliced banana coated in desiccated coconut. The bread was also good.

Since the droughts and consequent water shortages we are seeing more 'air water', which is - as far as I can make out - effectively what you get by using a dehumidifier.

Grapes were coming in, these were Malbec. Neethlingshof were one of the first to grow and make Malbec in the Cape.

And this is the view from the veranda

Lunch with Pierre at Jordan Estate

To Jordan Estate for lunch with good friend Pierre Loubser. There's two restaurants and Pierre had chosen the Bakery where we could sit outside with tremendous views over the valley.

Since they don't make Pinotage we enjoyed a bottle of Black Magic Estate Merlot 2015, and I bought a bottle to take to Jan & Jenatte's braai.

 

Gordon's Bay Beach

Returning from lunch at Ocean Basket, at top left. Nice walk there around the sandy bay then past the sand dunes to the new harbour and the restaurant next to the sea overlooking the harbour.

And Joan loves prawns.

Gordons Bay beach at dusk.

Gordons Bay Impossible Road

There's only one way to get into this road - its a dead end, but it has a No Entry sign. So how did those cars get there :)