Gourmet Wine Tours of South Africa

A Day Of Wine And Food

Cape Town, South Africa 

December 7, 2013

By Sean Overpeck (CFE)

**A full article and index glossary of restaurants, wines, recipes and travel for 

Wine Dine and Play are in the pages section above, or by following these links:

By Cuisine  /  By Country

As a lover of food and wine, a trip to South Africa was something that I always wanted to do. Mainly the wine of course. In 2010, I went on a wine and food tour of France, visiting Bordeaux, Côtes du Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and Bourgogne. After that experience, I made up dream trips to all the countries in the world that had major wine regions, such as Stellenbosch in South Africa. I met and had many conversations with a buddy of mine at a camp in Kunduz, Afghanistan where I worked as Chef of the camp, and he was head of security, a South African. After several conversations about how I had interest in the wine and cuisine, my buddy Anton convinced me to go saying that the food and wine were very good, but the country of South Africa would be even better. Therefore, I began making the plans. When in the United States I had stopped into a used thrift store and was thumbing through the books and ran into a 2007 edition of Frommer’s South Africa. For $1.00, I bought the huge book, which had everything about South Africa in it and in detail.  When I read into the fifth chapter on the wines of South Africa, Stephen Flesch owner of Gourmet Wine Tours of South Africa was prominently listed as one of the main and better tour operators in the wine regions. Therefore, I sent him an email listed in the book, which was now nearly six years old, hoping it was still active, and I got a response. The details were worked out, and I hired Stephen for my South African wine adventure.

                                               

From the home page:

Explore the scenically stunning wine-lands of the Western Cape and experience the best of South African wine and food in the amazing variety of superb restaurants - a region which is an epicurean’s dream. Tours are offered for individuals or small groups covering the principal wine areas and estates of Constantia; Durbanville; Elgin; Franschhoek; Paarl; Somerset West; Stellenbosch; Walker Bay (Hermanus) and Wellington, combined with meals in selected leading restaurants. Arranged (pre-planned) tours are available or they can be tailored to your individual requirements. Scenic tours of the Cape Peninsula (including one or two wineries) are also offered. I am a registered tour guide and a member of the Cape Tourist Guides Association. The former Chairman of the Wine Tasters Guild of South Africa, I have a wide and intimate knowledge of the wines of the area, accumulated over forty years of wine tasting. I also know personally many of the winemakers and proprietors of the most important wineries. Currently, I am the Leader of the Cape Town Slow Food Convivium.

Main review:

Stephen Flesch owner of Gourmet wine Tours can arrange any type of tour you wish, as you can see from the excerpt from above. My interest was Stellenbosch and Franschhoek Wineries, with a tour of the Franschhoek area. We settled on the details of the day where we would visit six wineries, have lunch at Terroir, a tour of downtown Franschhoek, and up to the top of the Franschhoek Pass to view the entire valley, ending with dinner at The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français. I had visited the Constantia wine region a few days before, doing wine tastings at locations such as Eagles Nest Winery, where I tasted the best Shiraz I had ever had, Constantia Glen Winery, with wonderful views, Steenberg Vineyards, and  Constantia Uitsig, with dinner at Constantia Uitsig La Colombe.

Stephen picked me up from the condominium I was leasing from my friend who convinced me to visit South Africa in West Beach, Cape Town. As we began our drive going to Stellenbosch, leaving Cape Town we passed by the Cape Town Film Studios, where I could see three older ships in the distance sitting on a small pond of water. This is where the show Black Sails on Starz is filmed. Black sails now about to enter its second season is a story prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson's novel Treasure Island. The drive from my condominium on West beach to our first winery visit was a good hour drive, so Stephen helped the time go by, and talked about the history wine in South Africa, and South Africa itself. Stellenbosch was named after Governor Simon van der Stel (1639 - 1712), and the word Bosch in Afrikaans means trees. Also as part of the conversation, Stephen mentioned that South Africa has 23 wine regions, with over 600 wineries, with 150 being in Stellenbosch alone. 

We arrived at the first winery on the list going up the long driveway with vineyards on both sides leading up to the main house and tasting room of Meerlust Wine Estate where during the tasting, they had an outstanding Meritage Blend called the  Rubicon given a 92 by Robert Parker. The palate is full bodied, structured but packed with fresh dark fruit and rounded, linear tannins with an aging potential of 15 - 20 years.

The next vineyard called Ken Forrester Wines, which was only a few minutes from the Meerlust Estate, where they had a nice patio area to sit down and get out of the hot sun. Stephen could tell that I really didn’t enjoy the white wine selections that they offered, but this is when Stephen found out that my favorite style of wines in this world are Rhône or  Rhône style blends, to which Ken Forrester did have The Three Halves and The FMC.

The third vineyard on the travels through Stellenbosch was one of my favorites of the entire day called De Trafford Wines, which also featured their sister winery Sijnn Wines. This vineyard had one of the best Merlots that I had ever consumed that reminded me of Emmolo Wine company, in Napa California. Also at De Trafford, I was shown and learned how to make Straw Wine, which is a process of drying grapes in the open sun on beds of straw, which is only done in South Africa by a handful of vineyards, De Trafford being one of them.

Straw Wine

The fourth stop on our tour was a beautiful estate that besides the wine vineyards also had a hotel, restaurant, golf course, and a gated neighborhood of upper-middle-class homes. The Estate was called Kleine Zalze, where is where we also had lunch at their restaurant Terroir. The vineyard had a nice Chenin Blanc, as well as a Shiraz, and the lunch was a good break. 

 

 

The fifth vineyard was called La Motte, which was a good 45-minute drive from Terroir and Kleine Zalze as we had to travel down a very scenic highway into the outskirts of the Franschhoek Valley. Franschhoek was originally a town settled by French Huguenots, escaping religious persecution from Europe and the Cape Colony, and the town’s focus is on education and theology with many schools and university’s as well as churches. At the center of the town was a large religious memorial dedicated to the Huguenots.  La Motte was one of the oldest properties in Franschhoek and focused on the life of a South African artist (Jacob Hendrik Pierneef 1886 – 1957). With the tasting room and restaurants, you could tell a lot of money was put into the property. They had a wonderful Chardonnay. 

The sixth and final tasting of the day was at the Cape Chamonix Winery, another wonderful property that had a fantastic Troika (meaning: Russian sleigh pulled by three horses), blended with Cabernet Franc 51%, Cabernet Sauvignon 40%, and Merlot 9%.

After that final tasting, we drove up to the Franschhoek Pass where I saw some beautiful views that were unlike any I had ever seen before, and it made me want to start looking for property to purchase. It was truly a magnificent sight to see.

 

 

As we drove back down near the town, we stopped at the Mont Rochelle Hotel for tea on the terrace. The property also had a mountain vineyard, but we did not do a tasting, just tea. Essentially we were killing time, and preparing for the main event of the day where Stephen joined me for dinner at the Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français, Rated #53 in the top 100 restaurants in the world by San Pellegrino for 2013. All I could say when the meal ended was wow.

 

 

 

Stephen drove me back to West Beach, collected all the wine that I had purchased from the tastings, and prepared them to be sent by air freight back to the United States for me, which would save me a fortune from shipping it, or ordering it from a distributor in the states at their outrageous prices. When I return to South Africa, I will use Stephen again. It was a wonderful and informative tour and made it one of the best days of the trip.

Tour Prices 

(excludes, alcohol, taxes & 20% gratuity’s)

$£€¥ -                Under 50.00 (inexpensive)

$£€¥ x 2 -          51.00- 99.00 (moderate)

$£€¥ x 3 -          Over 100.00 (pricey)

$£€¥ x 4 -          Over 200.00 (expensive)

$£€¥ x 5 -          Over 400.00 (very expensive)

Currency:	Price
South African Rand (ZAR)	R 1,900.00
United States Dollar (USD)	$$$
Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)	£££
Canadian Dollar (CAN)	$$$
Chinese Yuan (CNY)	¥¥¥¥¥
European Union (EUR)	€€€

All rates include transport in an air-conditioned Mercedes B180 and tasting and admission fees, where applicable, but exclude the cost of meals and wines consumed which will be charged separately.

Address:         

P.O. Box 31353,

Grassy Park, 7888

11 peninsula Road

Zeekoevlei, 7941

South Africa

           

Cross streets:

Le Grange Road and Misrole Ave

Contact Information:

Website:	Gourmet Wine Tours of SA
Telephone:	021 705 4317
Fax	021 706 0766
Email contact:	Contact Stephen
Serving hours: South African Standard Time (GMT, Zulu, or UTC + 2:00)
Social Media  &  Accolades:	Facebook link
	Pinterest

Who is John Galt?

TTFN

“I like cooking with wine; sometimes I even add it to the food.”

Kleine Zalze

Stellenbosch, South Africa

A tasting with lunch at Terroir

 

It was my fifth day in country touring South Africa, and my second day dedicated to wine tasting, first in Constantia and now Stellenbosch. In Constantia, I did a self-driving tour as I went from vineyard to vineyard, and by the end of the day did not feel like doing anymore driving, so when it came to Stellenbosch, I got smart and hired a wine guide. For two main reasons, the guide would drive, a guide could get me into more wineries, and I could learn more about the region by discussing it with an expert. I hired Stephen Flesch owner of Gourmet Wine Tours of South Africa. I discovered Stephen after reading a book on South African tourism in the wine section and saw that he had been recommended in the book by Frommer’s. Therefore, for R 1,900.00 per person for a build your own style tour, Stephen picked me up in Cape Town and we were off, and the next Stellenbosch winery tasting was at Kleine Zalze Vineyard. 

Trending wines:

Kamen Estates,Sonoma         

Napa Wine Company             

Row 11 Santa Maria Pinot

Eagles Nest, South Africa

Silver Oak Cellars, Napa

Pillitteri Winery, Ontario

World’s Top 100 Restaurants:

Alinea, Chicago                      

The French Laundry, Yountville

La Petite Maison, Dubai

The Test Kitchen, Cape Town

The Tasting room at Le Quartier Français, Franschhoek

Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, Dublin

Follow Wine, dine, and Play:

Wine Dine and Play’s ratings for wine:

96 – 100	Extraordinary
90 – 95	Outstanding
80 – 89	above average
70 – 79	below average
60 – 69	poor/appalling/ “Cac”

Review basics:

Wine, Dine, & Play’s Rating	82/100
John Platters wine guide	Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2012 - 5 Stars                                                 Family Reserve Chenin Blanc 2012 – 5 stars 4 star ratings for 10 years previous
Wines Produced	Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Red Blend, Gamay, & Pinotage White: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, & Chenin Blanc Dessert: Vin Santo, Moscato, Port, Madeira, & Sauternes Other: Olive oil
Grape Blends	Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Current Vintage for 2014	Reds: 2008, 2010, 2011, & 2012 Whites: 2012, & 2013
Region Map	Stellenbosch
Regulatory	W.O.
ABV %	13.5 -15%
Barrel Types	New/old French or American Oak, and cast iron. (40% first fill, 30% second fill and 30 % third fill)
Barrel Aging	7 to 22 months

                       

South African wine Quality Standards:

Unlike some European countries, South Africa does not have any requirements for the process of making wines in a particular region—for instance, allowing only certain trellising methods or varietals. However, there are certain quality requirements.  For a wine to be labeled as a particular varietal or as coming from a particular region, estate, or vineyard, it must also not display any “unacceptable quality characteristics,” which means the wine may not be turbid, contain excess sediment or crystals, have faulty/insufficient color, or display undesirable flavor characteristics. Among the several characteristics listed as unacceptable, a wine may not be overly tannic, thin or watery, or oxidized. For a wine to be labeled as coming from a particular area, 100% of the grapes used to make the wine must have been grown there, and producers may only label their wines using officially-recognized geographic areas.  In addition to designating a particular geographic unit, region, district, or ward, a producer may also designate the wine as coming from a particular estate or may label it as a “single vineyard wine.”  However, to do so the producer must first register the area where the grapes were grown with the Wine and Spirit Board.  Single-vineyard wines must have been made from a single varietal that is produced in the area registered with the board, and the area registered may be no larger than 6 hectares.  Estate wines must be made entirely—including bottling—in the registered area where the grapes were grown.  Also, if a particular varietal—or “cultivar” as the law defines it—is listed on the bottle, at least 85% of the grapes used in making the wine must have been of that type. This same 85% rule applies to designating a particular vintage year.

Cases Produced:                                          

Per Year:

400,000                                                                            

Chenin Blanc 2013
Chardonnay 2012
Pinot Noir 2011
Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Shiraz 2010

                       

Price chart:

$ -                    Under $50.00 USD

$$ -                  Over   $50.00 USD

$$$ -                Over $100.00 USD

$$$$ -              Over $200.00 USD

$$$$$-             Over $400.00 USD

Bottle prices:

Wine Selction:	Currency:	Country:	Price Chart :
Chenin Blanc 2013 (750 ml)
R70.00	ZAR
$6.40	USD		$
£3.84	GBP		£
€4.65	EUR		€
¥39.14	CNY		¥
Chardonnay 2012 (750 ml)
R73.00	ZAR
$6.68	USD		$
£4.00	GBP		£
€4.85	EUR		€
¥40.82	CNY		¥
Pinot Noir 2011 (750 ml)
R95.00	ZAR
$8.69	USD		$
£5.21	GBP		£
€6.32	EUR		€
¥53.12	CNY		¥¥
Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (750 ml)
R100.00	ZAR
$9.14	USD		$
£5.48	GBP		£
€6.65	EUR		€
¥55.92	CNY		¥¥
Shiraz 2010 (750 ml)
R100.00	ZAR
$9.14	USD		$
£5.48	GBP		£
€6.65	EUR		€
¥55.92	CNY		¥¥

Visit these sites to get up to date currency rates:

 

Alternatively, visit:

Coin Mill Currency Converter

Cost of wine tasting in USD (p/p):

3 wine Flight:	$1.50
5 wine flight:	$2.50

                                                                       

Scroll down below to the main review to read the tasting notes

From vineyards home page:

Kleine Zalze wines are marked by classical structure and complexity matched by a vibrant flavour intensity.  Discernibly South African in style, they are refreshing, beautifully balanced and well suited to food.  They are made according to traditional methods, with minimal cellar intervention but supported by modern equipment.

Each vineyard block is vinified independently to give the winemaking team the building blocks to create wines that taste of place.  Close attention is paid to cultivating grapes of exceptional quality and each vineyard is assessed and managed individually during the growth period. Extensive yield reduction is also done to produce the best quality, fruit driven wines with outstanding character and maturation potential.

The intensity of the 'New World' in its full fruit flavours, combine with the elegance and structure of the 'Old World', yielding wines of character, complexity, and balance, reflecting our given terroir and climate. This refined approach to viticulture and winemaking, together with the attention to detail and the personal touch that goes with being a family-owned estate, contribute to the ongoing success of Kleine Zalze’s wines.

Main review:

Stephen Flesch of GourmetWine Tours of South Africa had picked me up in Cape Town, and we were now about to visit the forth winery of the day and have lunch at Terroir, which was on the same property of Klein Zalze. We had already done tastings at Meerlust Winery, Ken Forrester, and De Trafford Winery, which also produces Sijnn Wines. As part of the tasting, I was given six wines listed below under the tasting notes with the Chenin Blanc and Shiraz being my favorites of the tasting. We then sat down for a lunch at Terroir, which was adjacent to the tasting room, and enjoyed a three-course meal, where I ordered a full glass each of the Shiraz and Chenin Blanc.

Now because I was part of a tour, the tastings were included in the overall price for each winery that day. As an American visiting South Africa, the tastings in both Constantia and Stellenbosch were an experience within themselves, much different to the tastings in Napa and Sonoma, California. Most tastings in California, Washington State, New York, and Oregon starts at $25.00-$40.00, so when I found out the cost for the tastings in South Africa I was shocked. The average is $3.00-$6.00, Kleine Zalze being $2.50 (ZAR25.00)

This or these wines remind me of:

The Chenin Blanc was nice, as was the Shiraz. The Shiraz did reminded me of the same quality from the Steenberg Vineyards, in Constantia, and the Blanc reminded me of Vinum Cellars White Elephant 2012, a Napa California winery. The rest of the wines did not really enthuse me all that much hence the lower rating in the 80’s compared to other wineries in Stellenbosch that rated much higher, but then that is personal opinion.

Bouquet & Palette:

Wine & Grape:	Nose:	Palette Experience:
Kleine Zalze 2013 Chenin Blanc	On the nose, there are concentrated aromas of tropical, peach and litchi fruit with hints of botrytis and well-balanced French oak wood flavors.	Ripe layers of tropical fruit, both combined with subtle wood give this wine a good length of fruit and creamy mouth feel, with an elegant acidity in the background. Enjoy now or mature for 3 – 5 years.
Chardonnay 2012	An elegant, smooth, well-balanced wine with fine citrus, pear and ripe apple flavors.	The strong complex flavors on the palate were carefully blended with the lime, mineral Robertson wine thus giving a wine with a good balanced structure.
Pinot Noir 2011	The wine shows a bright red color with an intense deep berry tint.	Strong cherry, herbal aromas with chalky dry tannins on the palate.  The wood adds a good, soft, clean complexity with the spicy fruit well integrated.  The wine shows an elegant, silky length with a medium full structure.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2010	The wine shows rich dark berry, plum and spicy aromas with well-integrated French oak tannin.	On the palate, the flavors are well integrated with firm ripe tannins, providing the wine with a medium-full velvety texture.  Medium full-bodied wines that can be enjoy now or keep for up to eight years.
Kleine Zalze 2010 Shiraz	This wine has a deep ruby-red color with a prominent blackcurrant, berry and spicy fruit aromas on the nose.	On the palate, the wine shows hints of richness with black- and mulberry flavors and is well integrated with the oak tannins to give the wine a bold, lingering aftertaste. The wood is well integrated and gives the wine a soft, slightly smoky finish.

                                                                                               

Château or Vineyard Owner:

Kobus Basson

Winemaker:

Johan Joubert and RJ Botha

Viticulturist:

Henning Retief

Tasting room address:          

Strand Rd

Stellenbosch 7600

South Africa

 

Cross streets:

Caledon & Tegno Road

Contact Information:

Tasting room:	+27 (21) 880 0740
Fax:	+27 (21) 880 0716
Winery:	+27 (21) 880 0717
Website:	Kleine Zalze Estate Vineyards
Email:	Contact Winery
	Facebook Link
	Twitter @kleine_zalze

Hours of tastings:

Monday to Saturdays:

09:00 - 18:00

Sundays:

11:00 - 18:00

S. African Standard Time (GMT +2:00)

“Explore Kleine Zalze wines”

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Review by:

Chef Sean Overpeck (CFE) w/ General Malory 2011

Chef Sean cooks for soldiers in Afghanistan, 2012:

 “I like cooking with wine; sometimes I even add it to the food.”