Tasting the Olifants River Sauvignon Blancs 2012 straight after the Young Wine Show had given them a go, we were blown away. One three heart, one two heart and three hearts out of ten wines tasted. To taste what we’re talking about, try the Sir Lambert 2012. Monika Greef, the west coast wine route Miss who becomes a Mrs next weekend, was “so happy” as the same wines failed to skitter at the Young Wine Show. Could it be that Charles Hopkins,Erika Obermeyer and the other judges are on an asparagus trip? We’ll have to wait for the results to see. Here is Anibal tasting blind in Vredendal this morning. Wish more wine guides tasted this way!

That observation off my chest, I too fell for the vegetable that makes your wee smell funny, exactly one week ago when we tasted Durbanville, blind. But could we please have equal time for the west coast delicate, floral bouquets with a mix of tropical and gooseberries on the palate?

My roquefort salad last night at Paiters Grill above Capitec Bank in downtown Vredendal mixed black olives with tinned pineapple and pepadews and was brilliantly complemented by the Sir Lambert 2011 for R95 which echoes the flavours. The salad comes in two sizes, small (R50) and large (R60) which is family friendly. The schnitzel special offers two small for R100 or two large for R120 which, with a polystyrene doggy bag, provides tomorrow’s lunch. Probably one third the price of a Cape Town equivalent.