Taj Expression Series draws to a close with the wines of Durbanville

Last Thursday saw the last Expressions Series of 2012 at Taj, Cape Town. Over the past 12 months the team at the hotel hosted wine producers from the various wine regions in South Africa. This provided guests the opportunity to taste some of our country’s finest wines and cuisine from the winelands, in the heart of the city centre.

Durbanville was the last region to showcase their wines and Chef Ian Bergh from De Grendel Restaurant impressed the guests with a lip-smacking 5 course menu, paired with wines from the Durbanville valley. His Pork belly cooked in brandy got everyone talking while the pumpkin milk tart placed the cherry firmly on another successful wine and dine evening.

Some of the wine highlights of the evening included the 2009 Durbanville Hills Rhino Field Merlot, the 2009 De Grendel Merlot, The Soprano from D’Aria, the 2011 Nitida Calligraphy, and the 2011 Diemersdal Grenache along with their 2010 Private Collection red. Although Durbanville is mostly known for the Sauvignon Blanc, the reds stole the show for me.

It’s hard to believe that 2012 is coming to an end. During the 12 months Taj Cape Town really went all out to impress the palates of their guests. Each and every evening we attended had some new and exciting surprises. It really enriched the wine knowledge of those who were part of the 2012 Expression Series and we cheers to another year of great food and wine to follow.