K-eynote W-ines at the V-ineyard

KWV Monday 15 May 2017 http://www.kwv.co.za/index.php https://www.vineyard.co.za/ Experience: 4/5 Wines: 4/5 KWV is more famed for brandy than wine production but it was 6 wines, rather than the customary 4, that were showcased at the Vineyard Hotel tonight. The tasting was held on the back lawn, instead of indoors as for the Italian wines last …

Verticle Tasting on the Ridge in Elgin

ELGIN RIDGE ORGANIC WINES Friday 12 May 2017 http://www.elginridge.com/ Experience: 4/5 Wines: 4/5 Elgin Ridge was the last vineyard I planned to visit in the Elgin Valley. I had already been to the more established and older wineries - Paul Cluver, Oak Valley, Charles Fox, Almenkerk and Iona - but not here. The 20 hectare …

I-own-a Wine Farm!

IONA WINE FARM Friday 12 May 2017 http://www.iona.co.za/ Experience: 4.5/5 Wines: 4.5/5 There are times during wine tasting when one unexpected moment changes the entire direction or recollection of the tasting. It could be a particular wine, for example the 2016 Chenin Blanc at DeMorgenzon or 2016 Estate Chardonnay at Hamilton Russell, which are the …

Good Things Come in Twos – at Southern Right too!

SOUTHERN RIGHT Friday 12 May 2017 http://www.southernright.co.za/ Experience: 3/5 (Tasting Room closed) Wines: 4.5/5 The Hamilton Russell dynasty does things in pairs. Hamilton Russell vineyards grow Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and produce 2 single variety Estate wines only. Ashbourne Wines, that border the Hamilton Russell property to the East and founded by Anthony Hamilton Russell …

British Reserve and Excellence at Sumaridge

SUMARIDGE ESTATE WINES Friday 12 May 2017 http://www.sumaridge.co.za/ Experience: 4/5 Wines: 4/5 The ocean was clearly visible 8 kilometres away from the elegant teal Tasting and Dining Room at Sumaridge wine estate. Whilst the glowing fire brought welcome warmth from the stiff, chill breeze outside, I needed no reminder that the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley is famed …

Virgin Whites Led Me into the Last Temptation

LA VIERGE PRIVATE CELLAR Friday 12 May 2017 https://lavierge.co.za/ Experience: 4.5/5 Wines: 5/5 The La Vierge Private Cellar is a lot of fun. Set on a rising bend off the R320 between Hermanus and Caledon in the attractive Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, the approach to the large, open Tasting Room and Restaurant is via a raised walkway …

The Italian Collection at the Vineyard

NOBILE COLLEZIONE ITALIAN WINE IMPORTER Monday 8 May 2017 https://www.nobilecollezione.com/ https://www.vineyard.co.za/ Experience: 3.5/5 Wines: 4.5/5 Return to the Vineyard Hotel was welcome as I had missed a few Monday tasting evenings whilst away from Cape Town. I was keen to return for another reason too. Italian wines were being offered, a departure from those usually …

Serenity without Worry or Preoccupation in the Chapel

ATARAXIA WINES Saturday 6 May 2017 http://www.ataraxiawines.co.za/ Experience: 4/5 Wines: 4/5 The Ataraxia vineyard sits high up in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. The distinctive wine lounge, built to look like a white chapel in the vernacular architectural style of the Overberg, sits high too. Its elevated position beneath the Babylonstoren mountain range makes for a spectacular …

Vertically Challenged Amid the Big 5!

Tuesday 9 May 2017 I had long been excited for this meeting. ‘Vertical tasting’ is one where wines from successive vintages, usually consecutive ones, are tasted and compared side-by-side. They are usually offered at specialist tastings and typically for red wines with their more pronounced ageing process. I had never undergone a ‘vertical tasting’ of white …