In this popular series we feature selected sommeliers from top restaurants around the world. This week we welcome Maarten Koek from Restaurant Perceel in Capelle aan den IJssel, Holland. Maarten is also a cheese expert who recently received the title ‘Beste Fromager van Nederland’.
In the two years since the opening of the restaurant it has been awarded a Michelin star and received the Capelle Entrepreneur of the Year award while Chef Jos Grootscholten was named ‘Promise of the Year’ by the independent restaurant and hotel guide, GaultMillau. To read more about the restaurant or to make a reservation, click here.
Maarten says:
We became acquainted with Creation and its wines in November 2015 when Carolyn Martin visited us and we hosted two memorable wine and food pairings (lunch and dinner) which were so successful that our guests are still talking about that Sunday!
One of our favourite Creation wines is the Syrah, Grenache blend from the year 2013. It is the perfect match for Chef Jos Grootscholten’s famous Iberian Pork Cheeks which is cooked for 48 hours at 64 degrees Celsius to release the intense, natural flavours of the meat and reward with a soft, juicy texture. Jos serves it with red cabbage, red currants and onions in different preparations. The red cabbage contributes freshness, the red currant acidity and the different onion preparations sweetness – all in all an ideal dish for the cooler seasons lying ahead in South Africa.
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10th Anniversary of our first vintage
Yes, it was ten years ago that the maiden Creation vintage was harvested – and how have we grown since then! In this series we feature the memories of some of our clients, starting with Ralph Fuch, Wine Educator at the German Wine and Sommelier School in Germany.
“When I visited South Africa in 2008 a friend told me that there was a new winery in the Hemel-en-Aarde run by a Swiss winemaker, JC Martin. On our arrival there the Tasting Room was completely empty – not a single chair, nothing! The guest toilets had just been completed the day before we visited and the kitchen wasn’t equipped yet. There were no guests, just us, but JC gave us a tour of the winery. We tasted a few of his wines and I remember that the 2006 Bordeaux-style blend impressed me most. It was a young and wild wine that was very much driven by its Petit Verdot part. I was anticipating that over time this wine will develop and all the rough edges will integrate well. I bought two cases of this wine and back home I put it to sleep.
“The first time I cracked a bottle was probably in 2012. The wine was still too young! The next time I opened a bottle was in 2014. Yes! Now the wine did exactly what I was anticipating and interestingly the primary fruit had not fallen off!
“When I planned my visit to Creation in August 2015 I learnt from JC that 2006 was his maiden vintage, so I decided that two of my bottles will travel back to their birthplace.”
JC comments: “Thank you Ralph! We tasted the wine and it is amazing how well it has matured.”
Events Calender
Hermanus
2 April, 9h00 – 13h00: Hermanus Country Market, Hermanus Cricket Club
A small market with a lot of soul where good friends meet, hug and eat … You can look forward to an amazing array of fresh organic produce, homemade delicacies, artisan breads, probiotic yoghurts, handmade cheeses, home smoked fish, happy hen eggs, wheat-free bakes and local wines. For more information click here.
Cape Town
10 April, 14h00 – 17h00: Pinot Noir Tasting, Vineyard Hotel, Colinton Rd, Newlands
Forming part of the Vineyard Hotel’s annual ‘Tastes’ calendar, this is a special festival for Pinot Noir aficionados, showcasing the wines of some of the best South African Pinot Noir producers. Guests are invited to sample an exciting variety, accompanied by canapés and live music. Cost: R215 per person and guests are encouraged to book early. To book: please email or call 021 657 4500.
13 April, 17h30 – 21h00: Tuning the Vine
Returning for its fourth #Innercitywineroute adventure, Tuning the Vine continues to rock the city with wine. With last year’s events drawing some 4 000 on-foot wine tuners, this year’s Tuning the Vine has once again created some good wine experiences on the hippest streets of the City. For more details click here. Tickets available at Quicket online – or collect a ticket at one of the ticketing stations at 91 Loop and Orphanage Cocktail Emporium.
4 May, 19h00: Fine Wining presented by Creation Wines at HQ Restaurant, 100 Shortmarket St, Cape Town
With summer coming to an end, HQ presents a winter series of ‘Fine Wining’. Perfect for those colder Cape Town evenings. Booking is essential, call 021 424 6373 or email to avoid disappointment.
Gauteng
14 April, 18h00 – 23h00: Conversations at Hyatt Regency, Johannesburg
We are delighted to invite you to the Other Foundation’s third Conversations Johannesburg event for 2016. It will be hosted by Hyatt Regency Johannesburg in Rosebank. To learn more about the Hyatt Regency visit their website and see this perfect place to enjoy some great company, food and wine. Tickets are R190 and available on here. Don’t forget to RSVP on Facebook to let others know you will be there.
