If Elgin is elegantly, what is the Simonsberg?; what is the Swartland? After judging the annual potjiekos grudge cookoff between the two appellations on Saturday, I can offer Sexily Simonsberg and Authentically Swartland as I can’t think of an adverb starting with an “s” that means genuine at the minute. Straight is clearly inappropriate for a region boasting Riebeek-Kasteel (which has much more attractive gays than Greyton, according to RK’s unofficial mayor Anton Espost) and Smallberries has been appropriated by the co-op.
That Simonsberg is sexy is a no-brainer. For starters, it’s full of former models like Kim Melck and Philip Myburgh and models in training like Kim’s daughters. When SARS trading as Quoin Rock presented their Steak And Redwine Spectacular fellow judge Emile Joubert wanted to award an extra five points (out of 20) for cleavage – a bit like how Steven Spurrier chooses wine for Singapore Airlines, blind tasting followed by a score for the label which miraculously keeps Krug in first class and Pichon at the pointy end. Emile’s breast bonus triggered a minor food fight with strawberries and cream flying over the judge’s table. Elegantly this was not – that came later at dinner with Elgin winemakers at Aubergine – an event my stomach was looking forward to (not) after sampling 22 potjies.
Three of the top four potjies came from the Paardeberg and authenticity was the common thread. Overall winner Willie de Waal presented a springbokboud on a bed of Paardeberg wheat with peaches and paprika while runner up and my favourite, Jan Eksteen, offered a lamb knuckle with dried and fresh figs grown on his farm Uitkyk. In joint third spot with Muratie, hosts Vondeling suggested Tannie Keppie se boerbok with a side-order of beetroot.
Seafood spectacular from Muratie
Wine of the day was Vin de François Pinotage from the Simonsberg. That this was no Jo’burg function was clear from the e-mail received on Monday listing items left behind:
1. Silver Sony Cybershot 8.1 mega pixel camera
2. Silver Canon Digital IXUS 750 7.1 mega pixel camera inside a red Tucano camera pouch
3. Woolworths cooler bag with a few plates, cutlary ect. inside
4. Camping chairs (4 x green with RMB printed on backrest, 2x blue, 6 x green, 2 x cream)
5. Small basket met houtlepel
6. Plastic bottle with marbles
