South African Wine Dinner

South African Wine Tasting and Dinner

Tuesday February 11, 2014

The Brasserie

Over the years, South African wines have matured and gained in stature.  We enjoyed some of the most well known and classic Vineyards from the Cape Town area.  Andrew Jones gave a brief background on each of the wines we sampled.  The Brasserie Restaurant, which has always provided our Society with absolutely wonderful meals, Chef Joe Mizzoni took on the task to present us with a dinner of South African origin. 

As our members arrived, they were offered Cape Chamonix Chardonnay 2009 with a lovely Spiced Local Pumpkin Soup Shooter and Grilled Bruschetta with Avocado, Tomato Chutney, ‘Brasserie Catch’ Yellowfin Tuna Biltong (a traditional dried meat).

Our first course was local Chicken Sosaties (Grilled Skewered meat) with Garden Banana Salad and Peri Peri Sauce (need I say hot?). With the chicken, we served Cape Chamonix Pinot Noir Reserve, 2011 and Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir 2004

Our main course was Short Rib Potjie (Slow cooking in cast iron pot) served with garden vegetables, and Corn Polenta.  We sampled two famous vineyards – Kanonkop Paul Sauer Cabernet 2002 and Rust en Vrede Estate 2003 a Cabernet/Merlot/Shiraz Blend.

The Dessert was Amarula Malva Pudding with local Guava Sauce, Crème Fraîche Vanilla Bean. Amarula Liquor is made from the Fruit of the Marula tree. The most wonderful natural sweet wine Vin de Constance Klein Constantia 2006 was served with our dessert.  If you can get a bottle, you should try the Klein Constantia!

I had the good fortune to be seated next to a young South African man who enjoyed the event and the selection of wines.  The evening was arranged by Justin Appleyard and Becky Schulz.  Wines were chosen by Andrew Jones.