Celebrating Women's Month with Durbanville Wine Valley

I received a beautiful Women’s Day pack from the Durbanville Wine Valley which included some scrumptious pairings. The great part is that the valley worked together to pair these items across farms and all coming from women!

The Durbanville Wine Valley is 20 minutes from Cape Town CBD and has a long history of producing champion wines thanks to the region’s cool climate, and diversity of soils and slopes. It also has numerous interesting dining experiences.

This is what I tasted…

Diemersdal Malbec and Klein Roosboom savoury cheesecake

Winemakers Janeke Beck and Mari Branders paired Diemersdal Malbec 2019 with savoury cheesecake-in-a-jar, prepared by chef Lorianne Heyns from Klein Roosboom.

“Malbec is one of the few bold red wines that consistently pair well with cheese,” says Mari. “The savoury cheesecake made by Lorianne works particularly well with our style of Malbec. The wine was aged in French oak barrels, and has layers of ripe black fruit and spiciness.”Lorianne and her team chose to make a cheesecake that includes slow-cooked black pepper shallots, parmesan and kalamata olives, heirloom beetroot and shavings of biltong. “The flavours allow the spiced undertones of the wine to come through,” she says, adding: “It’s a delicious combination!”

Chef Lorianne Heyns, Klein Roosboom

Winemakers Janeke Beck and Mari Branders of Diemersdal

D’Aria Merlot with a Durbanville Hills cheese and onion loaf

D’Aria winemaker Lutske Doubell paired the farm’s Merlot 2019 with gorgonzola and red onion chutney loaf prepared by Durbanville Hills chef Tamzyn Ehlers. “The smooth, dark fruit character of the wine is perfect with the heartiness of freshly baked bread,” says Lutske. According to Tamzyn, the cheese holds up to the medium-bodied woodiness of the Merlot, while the chutney adds a sweetness that complements the rich, plum flavours of the wine.”

Winemaker Lutske Doubell, D’Aria

Canto Wines Cap Classique with Durbanville Hills chocolate brownies

Rounding out the offering, Canto brought sparkle with its Chardonnay MCC 2018 from winemaker Anneke Potgieter. The wine is paired with chocolate brownies prepared by chef Desiree Palmer of Durbanville Hills. Anneke says the MCC has nuances of brioche, apple and marzipan on the nose that fit perfectly with the brownies.“These brownies are chocolate indulgence,” says Desiree. “They are moist and fudgy; what makes them extra special is the chocolate ganache topping. It’s is a pairing made in heaven.”