I have the feeling that when you leave this country next August 6, on the border with Namibia, will start a few hectares of vineyards that are useless. My passion for wine, that comes from afar, just had to stumble on my last week in Cape Town where he was looking for: Wine tastings at three euros! I had heard of Stellenbosch, as the great temple of South African wines, but despite being a 60 kilometers from the city I had come up there thinking it was a place of turisteo. The reality is the problem of tripping over prejudice and now, if it's my, mount a tent in the area embraced French oak barrels.
Stellenbosch is a good place for lovers only wines. A part of the European skin this country has. Road-class hotel holds eleven stars which are not missing any detail. Everything is kept and clean to extremes unimaginable. Addition, about 30 km, is a local, Franschhoek, today it is literally a French village (I created the first Gauls (los huguenot, who came to South Africa in the mid-seventeenth century). Streets, restaurants, warehouses and stores are named in this language: cult of food and wine. I'll get parts.
We wanted to go to Franschhoek to eat at a restaurant called "La Petite Ferme" and they say that is unmatched. We arrived at half past three and we were sent to "the petit merde".
Stellenbosch, My first day (Monday) I did a tasting of five wines that give you choice in the most luxurious hotel cellar Asara. 30 Rands (three euros) per person and five wines to choose from the menu. Explanation of each stock and spittoon that menda used to see if anyone has taken their wine and I get to fill more glasses. Then, so that one was a sports enthusiast, I saw Ernie Els, South African golfer, Wineland tenThenu in the area and took the car and went there. "Has he been here this morning", Tipa says I welcome upon entering, like I said it is Saint Peter stripping the vines. Place, under the shadow of the Helderberg Mountains, is fascinating. The whole valley is really beautiful. Other 30 Rands, this time for three wines only (Ernie is well traveled and know that in Europe and the U.S. by 30 rand give you a napkin). Then, Franschhoek wanted to come to lunch at a restaurant called "La Petit Ferme" and they say it is unique. We arrived at half past three and we were sent to "the petit merde". Just eating a bacon sandwich and it tasted like avocado failure.
But as one has decided to take your car in the last week in the city, because this morning I've decided to take it out of my culinary misstep. Before I stopped at the winery "La Motte". A tasting of three delicious wines, especially the last, La Motte Shiraz Grenache Pierneef, in which mixed with Spanish Garnacha grapes. Delicious. Addition, you can visit the area and taste the wine barrels by the fireplace. The place deserves, much, punishment. Then, finally, we have reached the coveted restaurant. The food is good, quality, but the site really excels views. A large garden, in the highest part of town, from which you can gaze across the valley and the sea of ??vineyards. The house Merlot drinking allowed, but it is no wonder (I'm more of Shiraz and Pinotage, that is the variety native to South Africa). Not that I go crazy South African wine, but one day at home we are likely to have exceeded the rate per day bottle, but looking I found, my taste, some jewelry. For example, the Saronsberg (Shiraz) or Jacbosdal (Pinotage). The price of a bottle shop hover between seven and 14 EUR (it is already an expensive wine). A good wine, very good, costs no more than 25 EUR. Well, I leave that I have my farewell dinner with the Spanish colony which will give us time to finish with a few other bottles. Cheers
