Some people prefer the
terroir and oak influences of Chardonnay, some the medium body of berry, plums
and currant associated with Merlot. I usually opt for the R30-R40
selection at my local Checkers. A trip
to the Groot Constantia Estate was definitely in check to brush up on my
exquisite skills of wine tasting.
Unlike many of the other vineyards in the
area; the Groot Constantia Estate is more than just a vineyard offering
visitors wine tastings. It is the oldest and first bottle producing farm with a
rich 325 year history, starting with the acquisition of the property by the
popular commander and later Govener of the Cape, Simon van der Stel. The estate has won many awards for its wines
and is a National Monument and a prospective UNESCO World Heritage site. The
Who’s Who in the world that visited Groot Constantia includes King George IV
and Napoleon Bonaparte, his last request being to be served a glass of
Constantia wine.
The Jonkershuis Restaurant, which overlooks
the vineyards, offers Mediterranean cuisine in a charming, rustic atmosphere.
The collectables market, offers a chance to collect some “Old World Charm”, but
note that goods are priced at new world, touristic prices.
Among the wines offered for tasting are
Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and your tasting experience should
not be complete without the Grand Constance. Interestingly, a piece of bottle discovered
on the beach in 2004, from a British supply ship which sank in 1774, at Delware
Bay, USA, bears an old inscription of Groot Constantia Wyn. The inscription has
been resurrected today as a label for the Grand Constance, a modern equivalent
of the wine made during the 1700’s and 1800’s, making Groot Constantia famous.
Guided tours through the modern cellar are offered daily from 10am to 4pm
throughout the year. Tours last from 45 minutes to an hour and include wine
tasting. For a tasting with a difference one can book an evening with the staff
dressed in period costume - fitting for this most historical part of Cape Town.
It is probably better to try and make the journey on weekdays, outside of
tourist season because the farm is normally very crowded with busloads of
tourists, which decrease the personal experience of the tastings. One should also
try and pre-book wine tastings. CitySightseeing Cape Town tours offer a
free wine tour with the blue mini peninsula ticket, with buses arriving and
departing every 35 minutes.
Once one has consumed a healthy quantity of
fermented grapes: one can amuse oneself in and around the beautiful rose bushes
that line the driveway, sink into the oversized sofas, or let off some steam in
the large picnic area (picnic baskets are available upon request).
The souvenir tasting glass was a fantastic
touch and definitely one for the display cabinet. After all the voting and
election stress maybe what’s needed is a trip to Groot Constantia for a tasting
of the good life in a serene, Windows background worthy setting?
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