February Valentine's Issue

February, the month of love

When the going gets tough, the tough get chocolate!

I cannot think of anybody who does not love chocolate. Serving chocolate with wine can seem a big problem as they can overpower many wines.

So you thought you should only pair it with sweet or fortified wine? Often it is the safer route, but a full bodied Cabernet with a dark, bitter chocolate is heavenly.

A guideline for serving chocolate with wine is to pair lighter chocolates with lighter wines and darker chocolates with full-bodied or fortified wines. Milk chocolate is great with Merlot or Riesling. If it disturbs you to serve wine with chocolate, give it a try. You might be pleasantly surprised!

We have a fantastic selection of Belgium chocolates made by Chocolatier Gaspard of Betty’s Bay. One of my absolute favourites in his selection is a date stuffed with a salted roasted Almond and covered with dark, bitter chocolate.  Who cannot agree more with his motto of “save the earth, it’s the only planet with chocolate”.

My all time divine chocolate cake recipe! [click here]

My favourite wines for Valentines

♥Ambeloui Miranda MCC WAS R160  NOW R140

Platter rated 4½ stars

♥Simonsig Chenin Blanc 2012  WAS R42 NOW R36.60

Platter rated 4½ stars

♥Cabriere Chardonnay/Pinot Noir 2012 WAS R79  NOW R70

Platter rated 3½ stars

♥Boekenhoutskloof Chocolate Block 2011 WAS R195  NOW R175

Platter rated 4½ stars

♥Henry Shiraz 2009 WAS R85  NOW R59.00

Platter rated 3 stars.

♥Rupert & Rothschild Classique 2010 WAS R117  NOW R105

Platter rated 4 stars.

Prices valid till 20 February or while stocks last.

To purchase any of the above wines simply click here and complete your order, or email me directly. This offer is valid in-store as well. Phone us on 028-316-3988 if you’re in a hurry or afraid that you will miss out!

Wine Shipments

Wines delivered world-wide best to suit the requirements of the client.

February 2013

Be My Valentine

Nothing in the world is single;

All things by a law divine
In one spirit meet and mingle.
Why not I with thine? -

See the mountains kiss high Heaven
And the waves clasp one another;
No sister-flower would be forgiven
If it disdained its brother;

And the sunlight clasps the earth

And the moonbeams kiss the sea:
What is all this sweet work worth
If thou kiss not me?

by Percy Bysshe Shelley
(1803-1822)

Our Valentine Wine

►Arendskloof Sauvignon Blanc 2012 WAS R82  NOW R49.90

Platter rated 3½ stars.

Full body, crisp texture and prefect balance mark it as a serious wine. Worth buying and keeping a few bottles of this superb wine!

►Belfield Aristata 2009 WAS R117  NOW R95.00

Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon blend. Incredible balance and finesse. Dark fruit, chocolate and spice flavours abound. Top selling wine of all newsletter specials in 2012.

To purchase any of the above wines simply click here and complete your order, or email me directly. This offer is valid in-store as well. Phone us on 028-316-3988 if you’re in a hurry or afraid that you will miss out!

Wine Appreciation Classes

1. Introduction to South African Wines

Four wine tasting sessions of 2 hours with 6 wines on tasting each night.

R400.00 per person

May 8, 15, 22 & 29 (arrive at 18:00, class starts strictly at 18:30)

2. Essential Partners – South African Food & Wine Pairing

Four wine and food pairing classes with 6 wine pairings each night.

R600.00 per person

June 5, 12, 19 & 26 (arrive at 18:00, class starts strictly at 18:30)

1 - Introduction to South African Wines

We will take you on a wine experience of South African wines. From the cradle to the table, from the vine to the bottle.

·         Short history background of the extraordinary journey of Vitis Vinifera.

·         Wine Appreciation: How we get around enjoying the fruits of the vine.

·         Why we asses wine.

·         How do you score wine and keep track of the experience.

·         Wine tasting criteria.

·         How does South Africa feature in the world of wine?

·         Wine growing regions of South Africa and the impact of the climate on grape growing.

·         Good wine starts with good vines and growing conditions.

·         Four seasons of loving care of the vine.

·         The basic grape anatomy.

·         How wine is made.

·         Why we mature wine in oak barrels. (and other ways of oak flavour integration.)

·         Grape cultivars and their flavour profiles.

·         Basic principles of wine and food pairing.

·         How to buy and store wine.

·         Glassware and serving of wine.

           

           

2 – Essential Partners – South African Wine Pairing with Food.
(Four wine and food pairing classes with 6 wine with food pairings each night) R600.00

·         Wine as an essential food partner

·         How do we taste?

·         The no no’s of wine and food pairing

·         Wine with each course

·         Wine as an aperitif

·         Wine with starters and salads

·         Wine with main courses

·         Wine with desserts and cheese

·         Wine as a between course partner

·         Create a food dish around a wine.

Wine Shipments

Wines delivered world-wide best to suit the requirements of the client.

For rates please contact us on winevillage@hermanus.co.za.