Wine Experiences & Accessories

My husband Mark, and I share an interest in wine. We both have independently completed various Certificates and Diplomas in Wine and only recently reduced our wine book library to about 1600 books!
The most revered room in our home is our rather quirky, baroque wine cellar! It is temperature controlled to maintain a cool 16°C, old worn Persian rugs adorn the floor and deep pink walls show off the collection of interesting wines.

We belong to a number of wine tasting groups, where we have the opportunity to formally taste and explore many wines and styles. We regularly spend a few informal hours tasting what is new in the magnificent Cape Winelands. In addition to this, we always taste and study the wines wherever we travel. We even found a rather delicious Chenin Blanc in Thailand!

I will share some of these vineous adventures with you.

Biscotti with Pecans and Chai Spices

2020-05-18T13:51:54+02:00May 18th, 2020|From the Kitchen, Italy, Wine Experiences & Accessories|

It’s a complete fluke that I took to baking on Sunday 17th May 2020…. World Baking Day! Biscotti, another memory from Italy. These crisp biscuits originated in Tuscany where they are traditionally dipped in a wine, Vin Santo. When we were enjoying a wine pairing at a neighbouring property on our Tuscan Foodie holiday in [...]

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A Taste of Tuscany – food, wine & friends!

2019-11-20T15:01:07+02:00November 20th, 2019|Italy, Travel & Adventures, Wine Experiences & Accessories|

We have frequently visited France where we always choose to spend time in a self catering establishment where we can shop at the local markets and cook our own meals. When we planned our Italian adventure this year I was determined to spend as much time as possible in rural Tuscany, doing the same. Many [...]

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The intriguing Moulin Touchais Wines

2017-11-20T13:38:32+02:00November 23rd, 2017|Uncategorized, Wine Experiences & Accessories|

A wine tasting this week prompted me to share this wine experience with you! Situated in the Loire Valley, France in the Coteaux-du-Layon appellation (region), in the village Doué-La-Fontaine, is a rather unusual Chenin Blanc producer, Moulin Touchais. Why is this wine so unusual? When freshly made these wines will simply not be [...]

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Newton Johnson Wines & Restaurant

2017-10-25T13:05:52+02:00November 1st, 2017|Dining in & out, Uncategorized, Wine Experiences & Accessories|

With stunning views this family owned vineyard boasts a beautiful restaurant and amazing wines. Their wines are truly world class. A few years ago their Pinot Noir featured on the cover of decanter magazine as one of the top 3 Pinot Noirs outside Burgundy! We were welcomed with a glass of NJ Sauvignon Blanc 2017. [...]

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Hamilton Russell Vineyards

2017-10-25T12:50:01+02:00October 28th, 2017|Wine Experiences & Accessories|

Hamilton Russell Wines specialises in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, while their neighbouring farm Ashbourne, also belonging to Anthony Hamilton Russell, diversifies with reds: Pinotage, Cinsaut, Grenache and whites: Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. The winemaker at Hamilton Russell Vineyards, Emul Ross, hosted a special tasting in the barrel maturation cellar. We were [...]

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Creation wines – creative food & wine pairing

2017-10-25T13:56:30+02:00October 26th, 2017|Dining in & out, Wine Experiences & Accessories|

    Creation Wines is situated near the top of the Hemel en Aarde Valley and is owned by Swiss born JC (Jean Claude) and his wife Carolyn Martin. This is one of our favourite places to visit to enjoy their food and wine pairing.   The glasses are Riedel, the team welcoming and serving [...]

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La Vierge Wines

2017-10-25T12:37:47+02:00October 25th, 2017|Dining in & out, Wine Experiences & Accessories|

As you drive up the Hemel en Aarde (Heaven and Earth) Valley you cannot miss the bright pink doors of La Vierge Private Cellar. The unusual appearance prepares you for just that ..... the unusual! You enter the tasting room and the restaurant over a bridge overlooking the huge stainless steel tanks of the winery. [...]

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A wine and food week-end in the Hemel and Aarde Valley

2017-10-25T11:02:39+02:00October 25th, 2017|Dining in & out, Travel & Adventures, Wine Experiences & Accessories|

We were part of a group of 40 wine & food enthusiasts who invaded the Hemel & Aarde (Heaven and Earth) Valley near Hermanus just over one hour drive from our home, or 90 minutes from Cape Town, for a week-end of decadence! The valley is situated in the Overberg Region and is [...]

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French inspired meal to match a Bordeaux Wine tasting

2017-08-01T20:49:39+02:00August 1st, 2017|Dining in & out, From the Kitchen, Wine Experiences & Accessories|

Our small, ladies only, wine group meets monthly in our homes. The hostess presenting the wine tasting also prepares the meal. Last night I presented a Bordeaux Blend comprising of all 5 Bordeaux grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot and then we tasted all the single varietals to understand how [...]

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