A judging panel, headed up by well respected Cape Wine Master (CWM) Duimpie Bayly set about tasting over 50 wines and matching up what he and his fellow judges thought worked best with each course. These fellow judges included journalist Maryna Strachan, CWM Dr Winifred Bowman, CWM Elsie Pells and CWM Ina Smith. This is not a competition in the traditional sense, because there is no first or second prize or gold and silver winners but rather a pairing of the best of the Breedekloof wines with carefully chosen gourmet dishes, proving that the Breedekloof region produces wines of the finest quality that is capable of rubbing shoulders with the best chefs in the world.
The ‘winning’ wines were presented at the gala dinner, and the pairing was compared to a meal fit for kings and queens.
The wines were as follows, served with the following dishes:
COURSE 1: Smoked trout
Slanghoek Cellar Chenin Blanc 2012
Waboomsrivier Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Badsberg Cellar Chardonnay 2011
Deetlefs Estate De Hageveld 2011
COURSE 2: "Pap & Vleis"
Goudini Wines Shiraz 2011
Waboomsrivier Cellar Arborea 2010
uniWines Vineyards Groot Eiland Shiraz / Pinotage 2011
COURSE 3: Duo of springbok
Mountain Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Seven Oaks 6+1 Pinotage 2009
Botha Cellar Shiraz 2011
Bergsig Estate Icarus 2010
COURSE 4: Broken milk tart with passion fruit
Slanghoek Cellar Crème de Chenin 2010
Badsberg Cellar Badslese 2009
Deetlefs Estate Soet Hanepoot 2009
Tea / Coffee:
Opstal Estate Chardonnay Barrel Dessert
uniWines Vineyards Ankerman Nectar de Provision
“Since its inception the event has been extremely well supported by the producers as we feel that not only is it an opportunity to showcase some of our finest wines, but also an opportunity to introduce people to the wines of the region in a different light,“ says Melody Botha, CEO of Breedekloof Wine & Tourism. “Due to the popularity of the event we have decided to host the gala dinner in Cape Town beginning November.”