Monday, June 13, 2016

A tasting of Constantia wines in the Ellerman House cellar

When we had our wine and food shop, Main Ingredient at the bottom of Kloof Road, we often had the chef and the sommeliers from Ellerman House visit us. We were invited to come and see the fantastic wine cellar but somehow never managed to get there. Finally, last Monday, we could see it when we attended Constantia's trade wine tasting there. What a splendid place for a wine tasting and what great wines they produce in the valley and on the hills of Constantia. Ellerman House is a ultra luxury boutique Hotel on Kloof Road in Bantry Bay.
Different Constantia wineries dotted around the room, plenty of good tasting glasses and some cheese and charcuterie to take the edge off hunger.
All local cheeses
Some new to us, some not
Smoked ham, salami, and an assortment of bread and crackers
Soft cheeses (could have been a little riper)
Different hams and salami
olives, pickles, relishes, chutneys, figs
Discussing wine while tasting with Alan Wickstrom of Klein Constantia. It's one of our favourite things to do
Lovely ladies on the Steenberg table
Gavin Withers having a rest from wine in the small lounge. A good place to decide what wine you fancy having for supper that night
We suspect a wine deal was being struck here
Stuart Botha from Eagle's Nest showing his wines and Restaurateur Neil Grant of Burrata, Open Door and Bocca restaurants tasting wine with the Johann Olivier of Beau Constantia. There were two mystery wines we had to identify as well as several older Constantia wines to taste
A host of awards on this 2013 Groot Constantia Chardonnay
An entire vine on show, but it's a metal sculpture
The double helix wine rack in the temperature controlled glass room
Wines fill both sides and the helix has seven whorls
Below is a limestone cellar filled with treasures; the limestone was imported from Champagne
A great selection, as the guests may request any wine they like and Ellerman prides itself in being able to supply it. Where price is of no object
Rian du Plessis of Pick n Pay in the V&A Waterfront having a happy time, as were we
Oh to be let loose in there...
The marvellous view of Bantry Bay from the hotel as the light fades into dusk
Enjoying a last glass in the garden
Ellerman House sits on the cliff top above the remains of what used to be a botanical garden
© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2016

No comments: