Bringing the winelands to the city

Busy schedules and limited time keep us from exploring the various wine regions in South Africa. This year however the Taj, Cape Town decided to bring the winelands to the city with a series of events that showcase the incredible diversity of the wine, food and people of the Cape winelands.

Placing focus on 2 or 3 regions at a time, the Taj Expression Series takes wine and food fanatics on an unforgettable culinary journey. Once a month one of South Africa’s top chefs presents a 4 course dinner, designed especially to express the culture and complement the wines of the featured regions.

Guest Chef Simone Rossouw from Babel restaurant at Babylonstoren kicked things of on the 1st of March with a menu designed specifically to suit selected wines from the Wellington and Paarl region. Before dinner, guests had the opportunity to taste the wines of Avondale, Glen Carlou, Mellasat, Mischa, Noble Hill, Tormentoso, Veenwouden Private Cellar, Vilafonté, all from the Paarl region, along with the wines of Andreas, Bosman Family Vineyards, Diemersfontein, Doolhof, Dunstone, Schalk Burger & Sons & Welbedacht Estate  from the Wellington region.

Chef Simone Rossouw from Babel Restaurant at Babylonstoren (photo credit, Main Ingredient)

The uniqueness of the Expression Series lies in the fact that the selected wines from both regions feature on the Taj’s various restaurant lists throughout the month of March. Those who did not make it to the first event can pop around to either Mint or Bombay Brassirie during the course of the month and enjoy either a glass or a bottle of the various wines on offer. All wines will also be available for purchase at their new Wine Kiosk, which is open 7 days a week.

To add to this, Chef Simone menu has been incorporated into MINT Restaurant’s Table d’hôte menu for the entire month of March. Two of Taj chefs have spent time with Chef Simone to ensure that her dishes are replicated correctly and those who missed out on the first evening have the opportunity to experience the delectable creations of Babel until the end of March.

Featured dishes include a fresh compilation of green salad bursting with flavours of vegetables, fruit, fragrant herbs and edible scented flowers dressed in a mint geranuim dressing along with smoked Franschhoek trout with strawberry creme fraiche on a strawberry and Babylonstoren viognier drizzle. A Gorgonzola Brulee with almonds and parmaham crisp dessert will seduce the sences of the sweet tooths.

The Franschhoek trout was paired with the Optenhorst Chenin Blanc from Bosman Family Vineyards and a Malbec from Doolhof

To top it all there will also be weekly wine tastings at the hotel – each Wednesday evening in the Lobby and every Thursday lunchtime outside on St George’s Mall, whilst the Earth Fair Market is taking place.

The next Expression Series will feature the wine of  Elgin, Lambertsbay and the Cederberg. A selection of wines from these regions will be paired with the food of Chef Gordon Manuel from The Venue @ South Hill, Elgin. Chef Gordon’s dishes will also be available on Mint Restaurant’s menu throughout the month of April along with selected wines from the 3 regions. The price for the 4 course dinner is R325 per person and includes all wines.

Don’t delay, secure your space today by emailing  restaurants.capetown@tajhotels.com

For more photos of the Wellington and Paarl Expressions event check out Main Ingredient