These pages are not supposed to be about me, but sometimes the things I do loom larger than at other times. My recent New York State trip was such an example and so is this.
I have just arrived in Stellenbosch, in South Africa’s Western Cape, to be a judge at the Michelangelo Wine Awards. I was here last year too, but return as a newly promoted chairman of a panel of judges – wish me luck.
So, everyday this week I will be tasting hundreds of South African wines in the morning and visiting various wineries in the afternoons and evenings. If I can I will keep you posted on anything of interest – so, keep checking back.
For those of you who do not know Stellenbosch, it is a delightful town. It is very pretty, almost twee at times – in a nice way like Niagara-on-the-Lake. Stellenbosch is also a university town, so is very lively with bars and cafes flooding out on to the streets. The buildings are in the main late 18th and early 19th century – and gorgeous, as are the beautiful streets lined with ancient trees. The backdrop, too, is lovely as the town is surrounded by mountains – which you can just make out in the photograph above.
I have just enjoyed a splendid lunch at the Cape Town Fish Market, so feel fortified and ready for the tastings to come.
Incidentally, while I think about it, I would be grateful for your thoughts on the following.
Over the last year or so I must have had at least a dozen airline meals on various long haul flights. None of them were the worst meal I have had over that year. Strangely the worst meal I have endured in recent months was perhaps the most carefully planned with the chef explaining each and every course and the sommelier telling us why he had partnered a certain wine with the dish. Every bit was nigh on uneatable, while the meal I had on the South African Airlines plane last night, the ones I had on Air Canada last month and the food on Virgin Atlantic last year were all perfectly acceptable and enjoyable.
Yet, so many people declare – almost as an article of faith – that airline food is terrible and that they never eat it, indeed that one cannot eat it.
I have not found that to be the case at all and would be interested in your thoughts.
More tomorrow…in the meantime here are some more pieces about South Africa.
Here comes the judge! We look forward to your missives. S
…and a good judge too!
Enjoy Stellenbosch, wine and your onerous duties.
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