Wine & Fudge pairing at Plasir de Merle

Published May 6, 2012 | By Lesley
Val & John Chilton (UK), wine and fudge pairing at Plasir de Merle, Franschhoek

 Vineyards are looking for creative ways to attract visitors and enhance their overall experience of wine tasting.

Last week John and Val Chilton from the UK tried the wine and fudge pairing at Plaisir de Merle in Franschhoek.   At first I was a little sceptic that such a sweet product would enhance the flavour of their red wines – but was pleasantly surprised.

Owned by Distell but run as a boutique vineyard, Plaisir De Merle is known for their full-bodied red wines.  Cellar master, Neil Bester invested time in selecting the optimum home made fudge to compliment his wines.

He came up with the following pairings:
Orange fudge with Merlot
Rum fudge with Cabernet Sauvignon
Chilli fudge with Shiraz
Cherry fudge with Grand Plaisir (a blend of six red culitvars)

An ample portion of home made fudge is provided with each wine and even thought this pairing is only R50pp I would suggest that two people could share.

Plaisir de Merle has always been a delightful vineyard to visit.  There is always a warm welcome at the door and following their renovations the tasting room has been restored with antique furniture.   The tasting is not rushed.  The host introduces the history of the farm and then takes the time to introduce each cultivar.  This new addition of pairing with fudge is a must for those wanting to experience for themselves how flavours of a wine are enhanced when paired with food.

Plasir de Merle, Franschhoek Tel 021 874 1071

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Tour of Stadium and Green Point Park

Published April 23, 2012 | By Lesley

International Woman's Club visit the Green Point stadium

The stadium is now offering a combo tour of the stadium followed by a short visit to the Biodiversity garden in the Green Point park.

I have been to the stadium many times, either as part of a tour or an event, but each time I learn something new.

The stadium can accommodate 120 wheelchairs – the areas are stragetically located around the stadium for optimum viewing and comfort.  On purchasing a ticket for a wheel chair space, the person pushing the wheelchair has free entrance to the event.

The 68,000 seater stadium has been reduced to the optimum size of R55,000 seats and can be brought back should the need arise.  I noticed for the first time that the seats are all different shades of grey – this was planned so that if a seat breaks, it can be replaced easily without spoiling the colour scheme.

After visiting the the stadium many time I learned that I no longer need to search for the signs indicating where the toilets are.  The wall is painted bright red so much easier to find them now.

We observed the men being suspended from the glass roof – there are 9,000 panes of glass which need to be cleaned each year and the process takes 35 days.

Takes two men 35 days to clean the roof

It was great to see again the facilities available to the sports men and women (changing rooms and showers etc) – plus also the facilities available to visitors who misbehave.  The stadium has it’s own police station and prison cells.

We walked through the tunnel to get close to the grass.  A perennial rye imported from Switzerland which were allowed to feel with our hands but not stand on.

For some small concerts, the grass has a special cover.  For the U2 360 degrees concert, the organisers paid for the grass to be removed and replaced!

It was only a 15 minute walk to the Green Point park.  If you don’t have time to do this on the same day it is worthwhile making a separate trip.

While the Green Point park is being used by families and joggers there is a wonderful Biodiversity garden – created with children in mind as there was an emphasis on education about how the Khoi used to live and what plants they grew for cooking and medicines.

Interpretive boards are scattered throughout the biodiversity garden and Green Point park - explaining the history of the area

Throughout the park there were interpretive boards – The first record of the fastest person on a bicycle in the world was carried out here.  There were military prisoner of war camps and a horse racing track.

An area has been set aside to grow the special grass required by the stadium so that as the grass becomes damaged it can be replaced quickly.

Final demolition of the old stadium started two weeks ago – the plan is to build an athletics track.

Stadium Tours run from Tuesdays to Saturdays at 10am, 12pm and 2pm.  The tour lasts around 45 minutes (depending on questions from the group).  Price is R45.60

The combo tour (with an additional visit to the Biodiversity garden) takes an addiotional 45 minutes and the total cost is R68.40

Contact tel 021 417 0134 or wilmot.abrahams@capetown.gov.za

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Last Night of The Proms

Published April 17, 2012 | By Lesley

Richard Cock conducts the Last Night of the Proms at the City Hall

Now in it’s 27th year, the Last Night of the Proms at the City Hall went off with a bang this year and was as usual sold out to a packed and excited crowd in the mood for a party.

This year’s show was named ‘Proms with a Bang’ in remembrance of 200 years since the defence of Moscow against Napoleon’s army at the Battle of Borodino in 1812.   The now famous 1812 Overture was composed by Tchaikovsky as a tribute to this battle and on the command of Richard Cock, the audience blew into the provided paper bags and created a bang of note.

Richard Cock created the programme and introduced each piece by explaining the story and history behind the music.  As the Last Night of the Proms fell on the centenary of the sinking of the Titanic, My heart will go on (theme song from the movie), was beautifully sung by rising star Freidel Mitas.

Streamers and balloons in every direction possible

As the audience returned from the interval, the party mood began.  Streamers flowed in every direction and all the wigs and fancy hats came out – the orchestra was not excluded from this.

The party mood begain

Not the usual bell to let us know that the interval was over – but the Pipers of the Cape Town Highlanders lead us into the hall like the pied piper.

The second half was full of action – standing up, singing, arm waving, flag waving and Richard Cock was the grand master at engaging with the audience.

Our party behaviour was all in a good cause.  Proceeds go to the St Luke’s Hospice for the terminally ill.

The Last Night of the Proms is organised by the Rotary Club Wynberg.  Email knight@polka.co.za to become a promenader – meaning to go onto their mailing list and find out when the Last Night of the Proms will be held in 2013

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Boules & Braai at Warwick wine estate

Published March 5, 2012 | By Lesley

Boules competition at the Penthouse, Warwick wine estate

If you are a corporate group looking for an activity in the wine region and have already done many wine tastings – boules and braai is fun and informal.

AJG International from London took the opportunity to entertain their guests who were attending the Mining Indaba at Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).  We were 52 guests and on arrival at Warwick wine estate, transferred by safari vehicle to the penthouse.  A four-wheel drive vehicle was necessary as the road up through the vineyards would have been too challenging for a regular car.  At the top, their efforts were rewarded, with a glass of Professor Black Sauvignon Blanc and views of vineyards and the landscape stretching to Table Mountain.

The boules competition was a great ice-breaker.  Teams of six players quickly set about working together to throw the boules and support their colleagues.  All the heats were completed while Mark Springhorn, chef at Warwick sprung into action and created the best braai menu I have ever seen the wine region.

Mark Springhorn, chef at Warwick, created the best braai menu I have seen in the wine region

The day was not without it’s challenges as the temperature reached 42 degrees C – however most of the guests were only too happy to be away from the European snowfalls.

During dessert the finals were played and then the group began making their way down to the tasting room for coffee and by now some much needed air conditioning.

If you are group of business people and looking for a way to entertain your clients or looking for an activity to bring colleagues together in a fun environment, I would recommend a boules and braai.

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Kirstenbosch – Sunset Concerts

Published February 29, 2012 | By Lesley

Cape Philharmonic orchestra performed as part of the collection of Sunday evening summer concerts at Kirstenbosch Botanical gardens

There are only a few remaining sunset concerts at Kirstenbosch and for the locals and visitors who have never attended – you will be rewarded for making the effort.

Last Sunday the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra performed a collection of pieces to a sold out audience of 6,000.  Richard Cock, engaged with crowd and put ‘fun’ into classical music.

I booked my tickets online in advance through www.webtickets.co.za and as I live close by, I went to the ticket counter at gate one a few days beforehand and exchanged them for the concert tickets.  This enabled me to be able enter the concert area from the top gate and walk straight through avoiding any queues.

It can be a little intimidating as you approach Kirstenbosch and see the number of cars parked around the area – your head is filled with a dreaded anticipation of the traffic jam on leaving the concert.  However – this is not the case as you find that a few leave early, some leave as the concert finishes and some remain in the concert area to finish their picnic and enjoy the setting.  We were home in around 15 minutes – which is pretty good considering 6,000 people attended.  The concert area has several pathways where the audience was not permitted to place their picnic blanket, so entering and exiting was easy.

The concert area of Kirstenbosch is open to ticket holders from 4pm and the music starts at 5.30pm.  We arrived around 4pm so that we could choose our spot.  Chairs are only permitted at the edge of the concert area and with the natural slope, everybody has a perfect view.

If you are a local and think you may be going to several concerts, it is probably worth while to invest in one of the chairs without legs – they provide you with support for your back and don’t block anybody’s view.

My International visitors were surprised by everybody following the litter rules of Kirstenbosch – there are no bins and everybody must take their rubbish home with them.

The Sunset concerts offer a variety of music performances – so there is something for everybody’s taste.  Check out the remaining schedule on the website www.oldmutual.co.za/music, book your tickets and enjoy the evening.

Prices vary between R80-R100 and includes the gardens entrance fee (which is currently R40pp)

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Reyneke Wine Estate – Biodynamic farm in Stellenbosch

Published February 23, 2012 | By Lesley

Samantha poured the Reyneke wines for Penny, Ray and Len from New York

It was a breath of fresh air to come across Samantha in the tasting room at Reyneke wine estate – a warm welcome to my guests from New York, and full of enthusiasm and knowledge about organic/ biodynamic farming.

Johan Reyneke took over the farm in 1998 from his mother and has created an environment based on the philosophy of Rudolph Steiner – Biodynamic Agriculture.  This is is more than about organic farming and not using chemicals.  It is a holistic approach to farming the land in conjunction with cosmic cycles, rhythms and forces.  Decisions about suitable days for planting, pruning, harvesting etc are made not only on the usual parameters of weather, ripeness etc, but also alongside the cycle of the moon phase.

Only 35-40 minutes drive from Cape Town, Reyneke Wines is worth passing by not only for wine tasting but learning about the principles behind Biodynamic Agriculture.

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Castle of Good Hope – Visit by the International Woman’s Club Cape Town

Published February 15, 2012 | By Lesley

Giovanna Sartour, President of the IWC, lighted the cannon at the Castle of Good Hope with Gerry de Vries from CAOSA

On my walking tours I like to start at The Castle of Good Hope – The Dutch East India Company settled in this area on arrival in 1652, and the castle is the oldest building in South Africa.

On every visit I always learn something new and was delighted to join the private tour offered to the International Woman’s Club Cape Town, hosted by Lt. Col. Bryan Sterne.

After a brief introduction, Bryan handed us over to Gerry de Vries from The Cannon Association of South Africa. Gerry is often at the castle firing a cannon on the hour for education and fund raising.  He called out for a volunteer to offer R100 to light the cannon and our group put forward our President, Giovanna Sartour.

I have heard this quite a few times now and usually stand quite far back with both ears covered with my fingers.  So I did feel for her a little as she bravely lit the cannon, not realising just how loud it was going to be.  She did very well indeed.

Bryan took us through the military museum and the Anglo-Boer war exhibition – he explained important details about the battles between the English and Dutch for occupation of the Cape, with reference to their uniforms and weapons.

I think that Lt. Col. Bryan Stern enjoyed having lunch with 30 ladies on Valentines day in the Officers Mess

Then for me a highlight – lunch in the Officers Mess.  A room in which one can only imagine the conversations which have taken place and walls decorated with historical military memorabilia.

I was drawn to the framed document, outlining the programme of events for Princess Elisabeth (Queen Elisabeth), who celebrated her 21st birthday in Cape Town on April 21, 1947.  This unique document carries the signatures of Princess Elisabeth and her father King George VI.

Lt. Col. Bryan Sterne explained the military memorabilia which decorated the walls of the Officers Mess

After lunch I stepped out onto the balcony to watch the next excited volunteer donate R100 and get ready to light the cannon.

For R100 donation you can light an authentic cannon at the Castle of Good Hope with Gerrie de Vries from The Cannon Association of South Africa

The Castle of Good Hope is open seven days a week.  Free public tours lasting 30 minutes are conducted at 11am, 12pm, and 2 pm from Monday – Saturday.

In addition there is a key ceremony which lasts around 10 minutes at 10am and 12pm.  Try to arrives at least 15 minutes in advance as they lock the gate.

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Wine and grappa tasting with Giorgio Dalla Cia

Published January 25, 2012 | By Lesley

Giorgio Dalla Cia explained how their Grappa is hand crafted

Tour-guiding is a wonderful profession and I am sometimes reminded of this. Especially when I was fortunate to have an appointment with Giorgio Dalla Cia for the Johannessen family from Norway.

Giorgio buys his Pinot Noir skins from Meerlust – a key to making quality grappa is to distill the skins within 12 hours after they have been pressed for wine making.

The Johannessen family then moved into their delightful Italian restaurant to taste the Giorgio range of wines.   While they were being poured, Gunnar Johannessen shared a story about the blind tasting his wine club in Norway enjoyed a few years ago.  The Meerlust Rubicon 1987 was selected as the Mouton-Rothschild!

The Johannessen family tasting the Giorgio range with Giorgio Dalla Cia

After two hours of stories and tasting with Giorgio Dalla Cia, it was time to move on to lunch – but not without buying some grappa and Giorgio (his Bordeaux blend).

The Dalla Cia Wine and Spirit Company are located at 7A Lower Dorp Street, Bosman’s Crossing.  Tasting fee is R65pp.  Plan your visit to arrive in time for lunch at their loveky little Italian restaurant Pane E Vino Food & Wine Bar

Telephone Numbers

Dalla Cia Wine & Spirit Company Tel 021 888 4120

Pane E Vino Tel 021 883 8312

On Saturday mornings there is a farmers market close by.

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Victoria & Alfred Waterfront: Walking Tour

Published January 24, 2012 | By Lesley

The walking tour starts at the Chavonnes Battery Museum. Historian and guide Willem Steenkamp introduced the maritime history of how life started at the Cape

All visitors and locals make their way to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront at some stage in their lives, and last week I learned that there is much more to this destination than shops, restaurants and boat trips.

Tucked away on the clock tower side (opposite the departure for Robben island ferries), is the Chavonnes Battery museum, and the starting point for the walking tour.

In collaboration with the Chavonnes Battery museum, the Waterfront has introduced a walking tour to highlight the history of the area and what it was like when the Dutch first arrived at the Cape.  But it is not ramble of facts, figures and dates.  The Waterfront is brought alive by stories.  Stories of some of the characters and incidents which happened during the last 300 years.  Stories about how the historical Waterfront is merging with modernisation.

Some of us in the group remembered the penny ferry, the small boat which transported guests to Berties Landing before the swing bridge was introduced in 1997.

The foundation stone for the docks was laid by Prince Alfred (Queeen Victoria’s second son) and there is a plaque to commemorate where he stood in 1860 – I must admit I have walked passed this plaque millions of times and hadn’t realised it.

Willem also showed us the secret tunnel – built for transporting slate to build the Waterfront and the Time-Ball used for navigational purposes in the early days.

Willem Steenkamp explained the formation of the Alfred basin and the Victoria basin

My favourite story was about the Union Castle mail ships – They used to arrive on Wednesdays with mail for the banks and many of their passengers were the rich and famous.  While their trunks were being inspected by customs, they took tea at the Harbour cafe (today the Hildebrand restaurant).

It doesn’t matter if you have been to the Waterfront many times or a first time visitor to Cape Town, this walking tour is for everybody.

Price is currently R50pp and it lasts from one to one and half hours depending on the number of questions asked on route.  The Walking tour is currently starting at 11am, please call in advance to book and there may be some additional times added in the future.

Please bring a hat and some water as there is little shade during the walk.

For enquiries please contact The Chavonnes Battery Museum: Tel 021 416 6230

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Mandela’s House, Drakenstein Correctional Services

Published December 19, 2011 | By Lesley

Bronze statue of Nelson Mandela, entrance to the Drakenstein Correctional Services. Sculptor, Jean Doyle

On February 11, 1990, eyes all around the world were fixated on the TV screens as Nelson Mandela walked through the gates at the Victor Verster prison, a free man after 27 years.

For the final 18 months of his incarceration, Mr Mandela was under ‘house arrest’.  At the back of the prison lies a regular three-bedroom home where Mr Mandela negotiated his release and was re-introduced to the modern world.

The tour around the home was brought alive by two wardens:  Willem Esterhuizen with 27 years service and Mr Fisher of 28 years service.  Both wardens shared their experiences of working alongside Mr Mandela as if it was the first time they were telling these stories.

“Take yourself back 27 years and think about what we are using today that wasn’t around then” said Willem.  Cell phones, lap-tops etc came to mind, when Willem announced that Mr Mandela had asked why there were two TVs in the house, only to be informed that it was a microwave in the kitchen.

Mr Fisher told us that Mr Mandela took along time to even put his toes in the swimming pool – he had never seen the creepy crawly before and was not confident to get too close to it.  All the modern day appliances which we take for granted today.

Mr Fisher, warden for 28 years, explained how the negotiations were carried out at this table

The house and garden/braai area was bugged and in the third bedroom, Mr Mandela had a small gym

“he was a gentleman of habit” recalled Willem as he explained that Mr Mandela used to exercise every morning.  He could hardly control his laughter as the told the story of wardens using the exercise bike when Mr Mandela went to hospital for health checks.  They couldn’t understand how he knew that they had been on it, until Mr Mandela enlightened them that he used to make a note of the kilometres on the bike.

Willem Esterhuizen, warden for 27 years, explained this third bedroom was Mr Mandela's gym

At the end of our visit to the house, we followed Mr Fisher and Willem, through the back garden gate – this is where they believe he started his first walk to freedom.

It was incredible to see the number of self-sustaining projects offered by the Drakenstein Correctional Services.  They have pigs, chickens, lemons trees, vegetable gardens; all of which provide jobs for inmates preparing themselves for society.

Mr Mandela's home for his final 18 months incarceration within the Drakenstein Correctional Services (formerly Victor Verster prison)

As it was now lunchtime, some of us decided to explore the restaurant in the prison, located just inside the main entrance.  I had Hake and chips at R40 – delicious value for money.  The restaurant is staffed with inmates who are well-behaved and close to their release.

It was a honour to visit Mandela’s House as it is not currently open to the public.  I am sure it will be the future, and then an important stop for visitors in the wine region.

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