Like a cyclist with a hangover, a journey up a new road in the winelands can become a nightmare as one wobbles onwards in fear that the next pit stop will never arrive. However, ocassionally there is unexpected pleasure as instead of collapsing and expiring from dehydration, an oasis appears as a saviour like Jacob Zuma to the Youth League.
So as this merry band of tasters headed up the Devon Valley Rd in Stellenbosch, a pall of excitement hung over us like fragrant smoke at a Dr Victor concert. A quick turn into Clos Malverne but with only 15 min to go until the official closing for the day, would we be welcomed or rejected like fox hunters at a Greenpeace picnic. But wait, from the shadows of the tasting room emerged a man of similar spirit to the Winepleb - unaffected by the tedium of opening and closing times, unimpressed by the lack of a German luxury sedan among our band of plebs and undaunted by our obvious intent to settle in find something good in any plonk presented, however long that may take.
A salute to our host JP who took us enthusiastically through a range of good to excellent wines at prices that would suit the pocket of almost any tightarse and possibly the odd Scottish visitor or two. while our badly behaved brats lounged over the leather couches like a bunch of lazy bergies, we enjoyed the view and sipped.
So, with respect to sir Platter, here are the ratings:
Setting and atmosphere ****
Welcom and service *****
Quality and value ****
Favourite wine - Pinotage Reserve 2007 (already drinkable, fantastic colour, rich plums, soft aftertaste @ R90.00 per bottle.)
So as this merry band of tasters headed up the Devon Valley Rd in Stellenbosch, a pall of excitement hung over us like fragrant smoke at a Dr Victor concert. A quick turn into Clos Malverne but with only 15 min to go until the official closing for the day, would we be welcomed or rejected like fox hunters at a Greenpeace picnic. But wait, from the shadows of the tasting room emerged a man of similar spirit to the Winepleb - unaffected by the tedium of opening and closing times, unimpressed by the lack of a German luxury sedan among our band of plebs and undaunted by our obvious intent to settle in find something good in any plonk presented, however long that may take.
A salute to our host JP who took us enthusiastically through a range of good to excellent wines at prices that would suit the pocket of almost any tightarse and possibly the odd Scottish visitor or two. while our badly behaved brats lounged over the leather couches like a bunch of lazy bergies, we enjoyed the view and sipped.
So, with respect to sir Platter, here are the ratings:
Setting and atmosphere ****
Welcom and service *****
Quality and value ****
Favourite wine - Pinotage Reserve 2007 (already drinkable, fantastic colour, rich plums, soft aftertaste @ R90.00 per bottle.)
