Visit to the family in the Wilderness, South Africa.

My brother and his family live in the gorgeous Wilderness area.  It is a 5 hour drive from Somerset West.  Normally I hire a car and drive myself, but seeing as though it was just me this time I decided to take the Inter-Cape bus.  The cost was very reasonable and the bus was luxury plus. Many years ago I made the mistake of thinking the Greyhound in America was similar to the Greyhound in South Africa.  Take it from me, this is not the case. There is a disclosure when you book your ticket that there is christian material on board.  The only thing they do is pray when you are going over Sir Lowry's pass.  Believe me going over the pass will make the staunchest of atheists pray. 

I love visiting my brother and his wonderful family.  My niece and nephews are delightful and I spend as much time as I can with them.  On Friday evening we went to the local evening market.  I love walking around and visiting each vendor and seeing the amazing talent people have.  I without a doubt stood behind the door when talent was handed out. Except for the talent of bitch, I own that.  My brother and his wife have a store/coffee shop in Hoekwil.  Their breakfast is amazing and very reasonably priced.  They are very supportive of local, organic produce and the repertoire they have with the clients is great.  Such a wonderful tight knit community.

The Village Shop, Hoekwil

My sister in law loves purple.

This bread does not last long.

My brother taking a coffee break

My sister in law knows how I love my eggs.

 

Afrikaans for The Patio

The Village Shop

mmmm Beer

This gentleman did the most incredible wire bead work.

My gorgeous nephews and niece.

Dinner

The most amazing schwarma you will ever have.

My brother is a phenomenal cook.  He makes the most incredible prawns in the very typical Portuguese style.  Lots of garlic, olive oil and peri-peri.  Whenever I go home my brother always makes his prawns, it has become a tradition and one I don't mind at all.  My sister in law makes a mean salad, there is never any left.  There is nothing better than sitting around the braai, glass of excellent South African red in your hand, waiting for the coals to get to the perfect temperature.  I love this time as my brother and I get to catch up and as he turns the farmers sausage a little stab of guilt flows through you as you look over the fence at the cows gazing back at you.  The moment of guilt becomes a distant memory when you take that first bite.

Boerewors and Peri-Peri chicken

Prawns Portuguese style

Best salad and mostly from their garden.

Lorenzo the bull

The vegetable and herb garden and the happy cows.

My next blog post will be about our incredible morning spent at the Wild Oats Farmers' Market.  I promise to blog in a more timely fashion from here on out.

Until next time, be kind to each other.

Bouchard-Finlayson

Bouchard-Finlayson Pinot Noir

After our disappointing visit to Hamilton Russell we decided to try another winery to determine whether finding a good Pinot Noir in South Africa was a fruitless effort.

The tasting room of Bouchard-Finlayson is in a gorgeous thatched roof building.  Workers were in the fields harvesting the grapes and I was ready to taste and have a bite to eat.  The welcome we received was far better than what we had just experienced. 

Bouchard-Finlayson, Hemel en Aarde Valley

The beautiful thatched tasting building



One of the tasting areas





Another tasting area in the barrel room.



Bouchard-Finlayson Chardonnay

We had a great cheese, meat and olive platter for lunch and once again I did not take a picture.  Trust me, it was spectacular and enough food for 3 of us and the cost was $11.00 at the current exchange rate. 

Our favorite white was the Blanc De Mer 2011.  Per the tasting notes this has a Riesling dominance.  The balance is Viognier 22%, Chenin Blanc 10%, Sauvignon Blanc 10%, Chardonnay 5% and Semillon 4%.  The nose was peachy and tropical and on the palate crisp with layers of gooseberries.  I got quite a bit of pineapple, I think my cousin snorted hers from trying to pick up the pineapple notes.  Please note the tasting pours that we get, this is not the 1oz pours in the States.

The Chardonnay Crocodile's Lair 2010 was drinkable.  A titch too much French Oak for my cousin and I, but we both agreed that this was one of the better Chardonnay's out there.  Per the tasting notes it states a 'white peach' personality which I did not find, but my nose is still a baby in picking up various notes, so I am not going to argue with the wine maker.



Bouchard-Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2010

My cousin and I were eager to try their Pinot Noir. Were we going to be disappointed? Was the trip to Hermanus a bust?

I eagerly held my glass up to my schnoz and inhaled.  The bouquet was lots of plum and a titch spicy.  I swirled my glass and took my first sip.  It was smooth, plummy, spicy and a winner.  We both agreed that we had found a great Pinot Noir and promptly placed our orders.
  

Our wonderful wine hostess.



Wine prices in South African Rands



What a great place to have a conference.



Harvesting Pinot Noir. He was so happy to pose for me.



He then removed his hat and was happy to pose with the grapes.



More happy harvesters



I would agree.

We were happy we found a great South African Pinot Noir.  I will be bringing a bottle home with me to share with my friends, I am sure they will mirror my findings.  

  



For a third world country, we do have a sense of humor.

With regards to my last blog post I thought I should share with you one of my favorite ad's from home.

Cracks me up. Every. Time.

I'm from where?!

Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa

Today I was at the gas station.  I live in a State where people pump your gas for you.  I am 100% okay with that.  The female attendant was speaking with another attendant.  This is how the conversation went.

Male Attendant:  My girlfriend is doing an internship in Cape Town and is only paying $35.00 per month for internet access.  

Female Attendant:  Wow that is great.  You would think in a third world country it would be more.

Wait. What?  What did she just say?  Oh no she didn't.  I did the reverse tortoise and my head shot out of my car window and loudly exclaimed:

'Excuse me?  I am from Cape Town and South Africa is far from being a third world country.'

Female Attendant:  *crickets*

Verbal bitch slaps make my day. 

It's so simple.

Every time I go back to South Africa I always chuckle when I buy medicine.  This is the packaging.  No child proof caps.  No warning labels.  No having to bend the pill enclosure thingamabob in opposite directions while facing East on one foot.  This is it. 

So simple.  Keep medicine out of the reach of children. 

The End.

Fast Five Friday

Thanks to Tim at Life of Riles for this great idea.  Click on the link and read what it is all about then come back and read my Fast Five.

So here are my Favorite Five wines... surprised?  You shouldn't be.

 

The Chocolate Block ~ Boekenhoutskloof, South Africa.  Only a few barrels are made a year so if you see it on your liquor store shelf buy it because it might not be there the next day.  

Fast becoming a cult wine.

Chameleon ~ Jordan Winery, South Africa.  Called Chameleon for a reason, the taste is totally different from what you smell (the bouquet).  It will blow your mind, but it is hard to find in the States It is sold under the label Jardin.

 

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, France ~ okay I know not 'technically' a wine, but in my top five and this is my list so...

Pinot Noir, Johan Vineyards, Willamette Valley, Oregon.  The first winery we take guests to.

 

                      Pierre Jourdan, Clos Cabriere, South Africa ~ sparkling wine and nummy any time!

So there you have it, now what are yours?