Wine Tasting at Buena Vista Social Café
Welmoed will be presenting its wines at the Buena Vista Social Café outside Stellenbosch on Monday 3 May.
This evening event will give clients an insight and tasting of our lovely wines.
Directions to the Buena Vista Social Café
Travelling along the R44 from Somerset West to Stellenbosch – look out for the Buena Vista Social Cafe on the left before Mooiberg Farm Stall. If you have hit the Annandale Road, you have gone too far!
Bowled over by White Wine Chicken Soup
With the mercury levels dipping and winter promptly on its way, winter soups are a great way to warm your soul without stretching your waistline. Celebrate the rich, spicy or creamy flavours in each.
These are an ideal meal for any winter occasion and soups made with a great tasting wine can turn something quite bland into something spectacular, this recipe is sure to warm you up on those cold winter days.
White Wine Chicken Soup
· 1/2 or a whole chicken
· 2 parsnips, peeled and chopped
· 1 medium head garlic, peeled
· 2 large onions, chopped
· 5 carrots, chopped
· 2 zucchini, chopped
· 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
· 2 stalks celery, chopped
· 2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
· 1 sweet potato, peeled and cubed
· 1 packet chicken vegetable soup mix
· 1 tablespoon dried oregano
· 1 teaspoon paprika
· 8 cups water
· 1/2 bottle white wine (try the Welmoed Sauvignon Blanc)
· salt and pepper to taste
In a large soup pot, combine chicken, parsnips, garlic, onions, carrots, zucchini, parsley, celery, potatoes, sweet potato, soup mix, oregano, paprika, water, wine, salt and pepper. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Boil 30 minutes, partially covered, then reduce heat to low and simmer another 90 minutes.
Don’t miss the Morgan’s Wine & Cheese’s Tasting Festival-
Make sure you visit Die Burger and Morgan’s Wine & Cheese’s Tasting Festival at Tygervalley Centre in Bellville, Cape Town on Thursday 30 April.
Visitors can look forward to a selection of quality wines from top wine farms across the region including
Welmoed will be showcasing some our revered value-for-money wines. Visitors will be able to sample a glass of the Welmoed Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Welmoed Brut, Welmoed Heyden’s Courage Red and White.
The festival will run from 12:00 till 23:00 in the food court arena. Sterling EQ, Skallebrak as well as Elvis and his band will provide great entertainment throughout the day.
For more info click here
A Symphony of wines, harmony and sound
According to recent research, playing certain types of music can enhance the taste of wines by as much as 60%. Therefore, it’s a sound decision that Welmoed has decided to sponsor the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra’s Autumn Symphony Season.
Welmoed’s handcrafted range, which prides itself on providing value-for-money wines, will be in perfect harmony with this world-class orchestra. Even music maestro Ludwig van Beethoven acknowledged the partnership between Sauvignon and sound, saying “Music is the wine which inspires one to new generative processes”.
After a very successful 4th International Summer Music Festival earlier this year, the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra have kick-started their Autumn concert series with an exciting line-up of artists.
The Welmoed range is led by varietal specifics and, combines a proud sense of history with a distinctive, carefully crafted approach. The range comprises a Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rosé, Pinotage, Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon – as well as a non-vintage Charmat Brut that adds a dash of sparkle to any occasion. These wines will be available at the concerts for music lovers to enjoy.
Event Details:
When: 22nd April – 13th May
Where: Cape Town City Hall, Darling Street
Time: Starts 8pm
Cost of concert tickets: R60 – R165 (tickets available at Computicket)
Visit www.cpo.org.za for more information.
Want some cheese with your wine?
Salt and pepper. Bonnie and Clyde. Peanut butter and jam. For an inexplicable reason, some combinations simply work well together. Another such perfect partnership is Welmoed wines and the SA Cheese Festival, hence the brand will be exhibiting their handcrafted range at this upcoming festival.
When paired together, wine and cheese simply bring out the best in each other (even though, much like most partnerships, experts cannot pinpoint the chemistry or elusive X-factor that makes this a perfect match).
In terms of cheese and wine pairing, the only thing you should know is: If it pleases your palate, it’s perfect. While it really boils down to personal taste, here are a few guidelines for pairing cheese and wine:
- White wines match best with soft cheeses and stronger flavours
- Red wines match best with hard cheeses and milder flavours
- Fruity and sweet wines work with a wider range of cheeses
- The more pungent the cheese you choose, the sweeter the wine should be
When offering several cheese choices in a wine and cheese pairing, white wines fair better than reds. That’s because several cheeses, particularly soft and creamy ones leave a layer of fat on the palate that interferes with the flavour in reds, rendering them monotonous and bland. Quite the opposite with sweeter whites, which nicely complement a full range of cheeses. Add to this the ‘sparkle’ of a sparkling wine which will help break through the fat in heavier cheese and your will have an ideal wide reaching appeal.
Common wine and cheese pairing suggestions
| White Wines | Recommended Cheese |
| Sparkling Wine | Brie or Camembert |
| Chardonnay | Mild cheddar, Gruyère, Goats Milk, Parmesan, Ricotta, Provolone |
| Chardonnay (Unwooded) | Brie, Harvati, Mature Cheddar |
| Chenin Blanc | Brie, Goats Milk, White Stilton with apricots or cranberries |
| Sauvignon Blanc | Goat Cheese, Edam, Herb Cheeses, Roquefort |
| Red Wines | Recommended Cheese |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | Camembert, Sharp Cheddar, Blue Cheeses, Cream cheese, Gruyère, Mature Cheddar |
| Pinotage | Gouda, Parmesan |
| Merlot | Goats Milk, Gruyère, Mature Cheddar |
| Shiraz | Sharp Cheddar, Farmhouse Cheddar, Feta, Gruyère, Maasdam, Parmesan |
| Sweet Red | Stilton, Gorgonzola, Brie, Blue Cheese |
Throw a wine and cheese pairing party
Here are some tips for setting up a memorable and fun wine and cheese pairing party:
- Purchase cheeses in large wedges for an ideal presentation
- Cheeses should be served at room temperature
- Serve most wines fairly cool
- Let your reds breath 15 – 20 minutes after you open them
- Make handwritten name cards for all your cheeses
Start with the basics and move to the unfamiliar and if you are still unsure visit the SA Cheese Festival from Saturday the 24th of April to the 27th April at Bien Donné where you will be able to taste and eat delectable cheeses with the delicious range of Welmoed and Versus wines.
The Top 10 Most Used Wine Terms
There are numerous wine terms to describe all the different aspect of wine. The wine tasting site , eBacchus , has drawn up a Top 10 Most Used Wine Terms list from all the wine ratings and tasting notes they have received.
Here are the terms.
Aroma
The intensity and character of the aroma can be assessed with nearly any descriptive adjective. (eg: from “appley” to “raisiny”, “fresh” to “tired”, etc.). Usually refers to the particular smell of the grape variety. The word “bouquet” is usually restricted to describing the aroma of a cellar-aged bottled wine.
Balance
Denotes harmonious balance of wine elements – (ie: no individual part is dominant). Acid balances the sweetness; fruit balances against oak and tannin content; alcohol is balanced against acidity and flavor. Wine not in balance may be acidic, cloying, flat or harsh etc.
Crisp (Whites)
Wine has pronounced but pleasing tartness, acidity. Fresh, young and eager, begs to be drunk. Generally used to describe white wines only, especially those of Muscadet de Sevres et Maine from the Loire region of France.
Finish
Term used to describe the taste left in the mouth after swallowing the wine. Both character and length of the aftertaste are part of the total evaluation. May be harsh, hot, soft and lingering, short, smooth, tannic, or nonexistent.
Fruity
Used for any quality that refers to the body and richness of a wine made from good, ripe grapes. A fruity wine has an “appley”, “berrylike” or herbaceous character. “Fruitiness” usually implies a little extra sweetness.
Smooth / Soft (Velvety)
Generally has low acid/tannin content. Also describes wines with low alcohol content. Consequently has little impact on the palate.
Spicy
Almost a synonym for “peppery”. Implies a softer, more rounded flavor nuance however.
Structure
The flavor plan, so to speak. Suggests completeness of the wine, all parts there. Term needs a modifier in order to mean something – (eg: “brawny” etc).
Tannins (Reds)
A naturally occurring substance in grapeskins, seeds and stems. Is primarily responsible for the basic “bitter” component in wines. Acts as a natural preservative, helping the development and, in the right proportion, balance of the wine. It is considered a fault when present in excess.
Taste
Refers to the basic sensations detectable by the human tongue. Current scientific opinion defines these as “sweet”, “salty”, “sour”, “bitter” and “MSG” (Monosodium Glutamate) flavours all registered by the tongue taste receptors. The traditional view of the tongue having four distinct surface zones to register those tastes has recently been revised by a report of new research discoveries.
Welmoed Brand News
The Welmoed wine range has something to offer for any palate.
The wines in the Welmoed range are led by varietal specifics, and placing quality ahead of price, these approachable wines combine a proud sense of history with Welmoed’s distinctive, carefully-crafted approach.
The range comprises a Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rosé, Pinotage, Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, and a non-vintage Charmat Brut which adds a dash of sparkle to any occasion.
For more info on our wine visit: welmoed.co.za
Salmon with Avocado and Watercress
There are few great recipes on the Welmoed website and this one is one of my favourites.
This recipe is easy to prepare, lovely to eat and not too bad on the diet.
Ingredients:
4 x 100gm pieces of salmon,
silicone paper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large avocado, diced
8 sprigs of watercress
8 teaspoons of fresh trout roe
8 teaspoons of finely diced red onions
Ginger Lime dressing:
3 tablespoons light soy sauce
Juice of 2 limes
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon fresh ginger chopped
Salt and white pepper to taste
Method
Preheat a static oven to 150°C. Brush each piece of salmon with olive oil and place skin side down onto silicone paper. Place the salmon into the pre-heated oven for 10 minutes.
Remove from oven and skin side down, slice each piece in half length wise.
Place cut side up in the middle of a serving plate, draped over the avocado, dress with tablespoons of dressing and garnish with watercress, trout roe and red onion.
Serve Immediately
Dressing:
In a blender, place the ginger, lime juice and soy sauce. With the blender on high, slowly add the oil as one would for a mayonnaise. Check for seasoning. Use the same day.
Wine: The popular Welmoed Sauvignon Blanc will be the perfect wine to serve with this meal
Source: www.sea-ex.com
Welmoed 2010 Competition
Welmoed is running a competition in The Netherlands where the main prize is a 9 day tour to South Africa including flights, accommodation, game drives and other special excursions in Cape Town.
This competition is only open to people living in Holland and for more info visit our website or southofafrica2010.com
Say Syrah, Shiraz- What’s the difference?
“What is the difference between Shiraz and Syrah?”. In fact, they are one and the same grape. No one really knows why the grape named Syrah in France was renamed Shiraz in Australia, possibly after the famed city in Iran.
The reason Australians (and New World Wines) retained the name is probably a bit for tradition and a lot for marketing, although they may not have intended to create so much confusion among wine drinkers.
There are some wine critics who believe that there is a difference in wines labelled Shiraz often tastes different than those labelled as Syrah. Some New World Shiraz wines are frequently big, ripe and high in alcohol while in France Syrahs are often a bit austere, with higher tannins, and are better for aging. So the name difference can be useful, but this is certainly not always the case. And now some New World wines are bottling their wines as Syrah and some French as Shiraz, so the field is getting a lot less clear.
A great traditional South African Shiraz is the Welmoed Shiraz. A fusion of sweet ripe fruit and black currant tones ending in a sweet spicy liquorice hints. Rich lovely palate of sweet spicy characters. Wood well integrated and complements a well-balanced medium to full bodied wine.
Taste, eat, drink and play at this year’s SA Cheese Festival
The SA Cheese Festival is no doubt one of the most popular foodie events on the calendar. The festival brings together cheese makers and food artisans from all over the country and gives visitors the chance to taste, eat, drink and play in a relaxed yet festive atmosphere.
This gourmet gathering takes place from Saturday 24 until Tuesday 27 April 2010 at Bien Donné on the R45 between Paarl and Franschhoek.
Bring the whole family and treat yourself to a day in the country surrounded by the most sumptuous eats and treats.
Welmoed wines will be one of the exhibitors at the event, so be sure to visit our stand and sample our superb range of wines.
For more info: cheesefestival.co.za
