Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Stunning new wine shop in Paarl

I was invited to a ladies brunch at the 10 Chapters restaurant and wine shop in Paarl on Saturday. What a great discovery!

As a person who is quite passionate about branding, I really appreciate a brand with a great story. And this is the cutest story ever...

10 Chapters is named after the (WOSA) ten terroir regions in South Africa. Each area has its own logo and wine made by 10 Chapters. They have also selected other wines from each area that are sold in the shop. The ten terroirs then each represent a chapter in the 10 Chapters of South African wine.

The interior is beautiful and they serve light meals and tapas and wine per glass (or bottle).

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

The beauty of simple food and great wine

Yesterday was one of those fabulous Cape Town days where it felt good to be alive. Had a meeting with Cape Royale to finalise the last arrangements for the Women's W(h)ine Night Out* on 24 June and then I was going to head back to Stellenbosch.

Got to the intersection of Green Point main road and Buitengracht, and realised SuBarShi is just round the corner. I pulled in there for a quick bite of sushi... Dragon rolls - my favourite! The chef makes them perfectly, with just the right balance of succulent tuna on the outside and fresh prawn and avo on the inside. Culinary delight. I decided on a Kanu (wooded) Chenin 2007. I'm not really a big fan of Chenin, but I have to say lately I'm quite enjoying some of the wooded ones. We tried Kanu's wooded Chenin at CWA certificate course last year and I remember liking it a lot. The balance of the soft, juicy tuna and crispness of the Chenin worked so well...

Back at home I prepared some lamb shank for friends for dinner. Had to choose a wine to compliment the prepared-with-love-and-lots-of-patience dish served with mediterranean potato mach and a salad of cucumber, mint, yogurt and pomegranate. Then my eye caught my much-loved bottle of Cirrus Syrah 2006 and I just new that would be the perfect match.

Fact: Food prepared with love tastes good.
Fact: Food prepared with love and served with an excellent wine, tastes divine!

*Don't miss out on Van Pepper Wines and Cape Royale Luxury Hotel's exquisite dinner party for women on Wednesday 24 June!