The Cape without wind is the best!

As January progressed, the weather just got better and better! Nick and Kerry arrived from Wales on Monday 7th; so of course we braaied. We went boating on the river in Stanford and to the beach at Walker Bay Nature Reserve, sightseeing in Franschoek and wine tasting in the Hemel and Aarde Valley. The Saturday morning market at Hermanuspietersfontien winery is a must, with great artisanal food washed down with bottles of chilled estate wine. We planned on just popping in and ended up staying till they closed up before heading home for the usual Perdeput braai. Next time,Simon and Sam,you will have to spend the weekend instead of trekking back to Capetown so late!After a week in the Eastern Cape, we returned to Vermont for a few days before heading to Stellenbosch and a week in Capetown. As usual, it all turned into a magical, social gourmet tour - a week of  friends and food. Thanks to Danie and John, Mads and Andrew, Dave and Renee, Steven and Caroline ,Hugh and Jessica and Jann for wonderful meals and hospitality.The culinary hightlight was getting a last minute booking at The Test Kitchen, voted SA's top restaurant in 2012. Linda joined us for a 5 course food and wine pairing of very interesting food and wonderful wine.

New Year in the Western Cape

It's become a bit of a ritual; trekking down to the Western Cape every January. This year we arrived on 27th December and by 28th we had had our first BIG BRAAI on the Perdeput verandah. On the 29th, we collected Tracey from the airport and just had to pop in for lunch at 96 Winery Rd. One of the great things about being in the Cape is visiting all the wine farms to buy wine - and drinking far too much of the stuff!
Wine tip no.1 - Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc Reserve is better value than his pricey FMC.
Then we tackled the scenic route from Gordon's Bay to Betty's Bay for a braai at Steve and Sharon's. Sunday saw us returning to Betty's Bay for a party at Dom's too.
On New Year's Eve, we had a lunch at Bientang's Cave; the restaurant with the BEST location in all of the Cape!
Wine tip no. 2 - you have to drink some Southern Right Sav Blanc every summer- and some Iona too. And lucky you, if you can sit a few metres from the ocean to drink it!

Last years New New Party in the Karoo was always going to be a hard act to follow, but thanks to Janet and Victor for opening their home and hosting a really wonderful party. Sunset drinks on the patio with the  marvellous sea view, followed by an "everything on a stick" braai - kebabs, sosaties, veggies and fruit sticks for dessert! The teenagers built a massive bonfire in the garden and we sat and danced around the fire to Neil's awesome New Years' music compilation till nearly 3am. We just laughed so much - it was a wonderful way to start to 2013. When Tracey and Danie performed their little impromtu John Travolta and Olivia Newton John impersonation to the tune of "You're the One that I want", I knew she was cured of her new year party phobia forever!
On the 2nd, we drove to the Elim wine area for lunch at Black Oyster Catcher.
Wine tip no.3 - you don't have to drink Sav Blanc young - BOC was selling a 2007 Sav Blanc that is delicious!
It is always a good idea to stop in at the friendly Raka Winery to taste wine.
Wine tip no. 4  - Raka Quinary at less than R100 per bottle is a far better premier red blend than Ernis Els Signature at R525!
On the 3rd, we drove up our "local" Hemel and Aarde wine valley to Ataraxia and Creation wine farms.
Wine tip no. 5 - Ataraxia Chardonnay was voted in the top 10 Chardonnays in the world in 2012 by Parker.
Wine tip no.6 - You can't miss the food and wine pairing experience at Creation wine estate.
We were all so inspired by the Creation experience ,Tracey, Paulet and I came home and created a 6 course food and wine pairing dinner for 10. We didn't get all the pairings spot on but we had fun trying and enjoying the good food and great wine. By Sunday everyone had left to face another year at work and Hermanus was back to it's quieter self. Luckily for us though, our next group of holiday partners was about to arrive.


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