The weather seems to be playing with us at the moment – as I write this, the sun is shining as hard as it can and people (mad ones, obviously) are swimming in the Sea Point outdoor pool. But last week, we had battened down the hatches and people were steaming gently inside the bar after braving the wind, the rain and the cold to come and see us – all very confusing.
Anyway, whatever the weather, we’re ready for it this month. Our new awning will be up in a week or two and our wines this month are calculated to banish any winter blues – they certainly make me very happy!
I’ll talk about the reds first because I had so many lovely ones to choose from that they managed to muscle out one of the whites. I just couldn’t resist two wonderful shirazes (from organic winery Matzikama and Ken Forrester), the most mouthwatering Merlot I’ve had in ages (from Kloovenberg), an elegant Cabernet from Stellekaya and a fun and funky Carignan from Welgegund. So the whites are one short, but are still a lovely winter selection with the cheap and cheerful Delheim blend standing alongside the rich and opulent Raats Chenin – a little pricey but very well worth it. Top that off with the last vintage of Steenberg Unwooded Chardonnay and the first vintage of Hillcrest Sauvignon and you have a great set of wines – if I say so myself!
Winners in May – as always, the Sauvignon Blanc outsold all the others with Newton Johnson proving once again that a cool climate and Sauvignon are perfect partners. The fresh and drinkable Mont Destin Chenin was also very popular as was the Ruitersvlei Cabernet, the Linton Park Merlot and the Glen Carlou Classique. My money is on the Kloovenberg and the Hillcrest this month – will I be proved right??
Food like Mom used to make the email lines to the UK have been red-hot this past month as my mother sends me lots of lovely winter-warming recipes from my childhood. You’re going to start seeing lots of wonderful comfort food dishes coming soon – bangers and mash, fish pie, beef stew, bobotie (oh alright, so we don’t have much bobotie in Yorkshire – but it’s still a ‘mothers’ recipe, only this time it’s our chef’s mom who has passed it on to him) – all calculated to give you a nice warm fuzz and inner strength against the winter chills. Lots of reasons to come and join us – so we’ll see you very soon!
Cheers, Cathy, Kevin & The Team at The Nose
info@thenose.co.za