Within the dramatically beautiful mountain landscape of the Cape winelands the travelling gourmet can find many “adequate” destinations.

Besides the countless wineries that are welcoming visitors, also a good amount of restaurants are supplying patrons with memorable dining experiences.

The small town of Franschoek, only 15 minutes away from Stellenbosch holds a particular place in the gastronomic scene of South Africa. Here, the country’s probably most acclaimed chef, Margot Janse has build up her small culinary universe, the  ”Quartier Francais” which comprises a hotel and 3 restaurants. Read the rest of this entry »

Again 2 winery visits where I didn’t take many tasting notes.. But both were already worthwile for the beauty of the facilities and friendliness of the people working there, so I’m gonna post a couple of pictures at least. I guess this friendly atmosphere also distracts one from taking propper notes. Read the rest of this entry »

Rust en Vrede, which doesn’t actually mean “Rest in Peace” as I first thought (silly me :P) but rather “calm and peace” as someone suggested, (Well, correct me if I’m wrong please, don’t want to google everything) was the next winery we visited.

They are exclusively focussing on red wines and received a truckload of awards for their achievements in that field so far. Knowing this, of course, sharpened our senses and our concentration as we were eager to find out about wines that are supposedly part of the spearhead of the South African wine industry. Here are the quick notes I wrote. Read the rest of this entry »

Being based in Stellenbosch, we didn’t have a long way to the various wineries. Our first visit brought us to Dornier estate which is actually linked to the former German airplane constructors. In fact, quite a few estates in the winelands are owned by industrial families which reminded me a bit of Bordeaux but with a more romantic side of corporate ownership. Read the rest of this entry »

After a week in the Western Cape region of South Africa I am now back in Germany. It was my first time in this country and I can only say that I was very impressed. First of all by this incredible landscape full of contrasts: the mountains, the vineyards, the dunes, the rough shores and this climate where the warm sun is confronted to the ice cold waters of the South Atlantic.

This fertile land also translates on your dinner table. Numerous restaurants offer Read the rest of this entry »

This bottle is part of my Burgundy experimental series where I try to pick bottles of good vintages, but from vignerons which are not of worldwide reputation. I was told by my undercover informants, that Hudelot-Noellat would be such a winery and ordered their Vosne-Romanée village wine from the solid 1999 vintage. Read the rest of this entry »