Oceans Of The World Seperate Us But Wines Of The World Bring Us Together – What’s On At The SUPERSPAR

Oceans Of The World Seperate Us But Wines Of The World Bring Us Together – What’s On At The SUPERSPAR

Tuesday the 12th November saw the St Francis Bay Wine Club hosted by the Tops at SUPERSPAR Village Square, gather for the Veritas/Deloitte Wine Tasting under the guidance of Bennie Howard, a legend in the industry.

Bennie qualified as a Cape Wine Master in 1983 and was amongst the first group to achieve this prestigious qualification. His career has seen him involved with Stellenbosch Farmers Winery and organising the Nederburg Wine Auction (1989-2005). He is currently the Public Relations Officer for Meerendal Estate in Durbanville, where he also applies his passion for wine education at the Meerendal Wine Academy. Bennie is currently the vice chairman of Veritas, the longest-running and biggest wine and spirits competition in South Africa.

The selected wines included a Vintage Cap Classique, Jacques Bruére Brut Reserve, five white wines and three reds.

As usual, all the wines were noteworthy and preference depended on individual taste and imagining a suitable dish to accompany the wine. Bennie’s exceptional wine knowledge, anecdotal information and pearls of wisdom were undoubtedly a highlight of the evening.

Jean du Plessis, Richard Moolman, Jean Pierre du Plessis, Brett Botten, Mark Johnson, Lizelle Botten and Chrissie Johnson.

While presenting the Kleine Zalze Vinyard Selection Chenin Blanc 2023, Bennie shared that the Chenin Blanc varietal had its roots firmly based in the 1959 Lieberstein wine, which is said to have changed the wine-drinking habits of many South Africans. Lieberstein broke all sales records in 1964 by shipping 31 million litres of wine, making it the world’s largest-selling bottled wine of its time.

He described the South African journey of the Cinsault grape, from its humble beginnings in 1936, when, with a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, it was presented as Tassenburg, to the more refined products, such as the 2023 Piekenierskloof Cinsault of today.

Other interesting facts about wine history include the fact that South Africa boasts the largest population of old vines in the world.

“A day without wine is like a day without sunshine,” explained Bennie while mentioning that “life is too short to drink bad wine!”

SUPERSPAR Team – Morgan & Mickey Lindsay with Rue Masabalala

The St Francis Bay Wine Club hosts at least 20 tastings per year, with three special events towards the end of the year. This was the second of the three special events with one to go. If you are interested in participating, leave your details at the Tops at SUPERSPAR Village Square for Mickey Lindsay’s attention to include you on the WhatsApp group.

All the wines tasted are available at the Tops SUPERSPAR Village Square, St Francis Bay, while stocks last.

See more: Another Season Memory Maker! – Wine Of The Week At The SUPERSPAR

St Francis Bay Wine Club Explores Affordable Imports

St Francis Bay Wine Club Explores Affordable Imports

St Francis Bay Wine Club, hosted by the Tops at SUPERSPAR Village Square, held a tasting with a difference on Tuesday night. All of the wines tasted were imported. It was interesting to experience the differences in style and characteristics from the labels of France, Germany and Argentina.

After a welcome from Richard Moolman, owner of SUPERSPAR Village Square, who introduced Tiffany Hurst from Premier Cru Tasting, Tiffany guided the attendees through the nuances, intricacies and anecdotal history of the carefully selected wines.

Delightfully Approachable Champagne

The evening started off with a delightfully approachable Baron Albert Burt Champagne. This was followed by a Mirabeau Pure Cotes de Provence Rose. This offered a fresh fragrant citrus nose with floral notes on the palate.

Then, it was on to the white wines with Domain de Margalleau Vouvray. This Chenin Blanc is the product of four generations of the Pieaux family’s dedication to crafting wines in the region’s chalky and mineral-rich “tuffeau” soils.

Next up was a Chardonnay in the form of Albert Bichot Chablis. With its origins in Northern Burgundy, the wine benefits from being planted on the gentle slopes that offer different exposure. This results in, the complexity on the nose and making this the charming drinkable wine that it is.

St Francis Bay Wine

Perfect Partner

The next leg of the wine-tasting journey took us to Germany with a Korell Kabinett Riesling. The wine’s heritage dates back some 250 years. The crystal clear, fruity, yet powerful wine delighted, with many considering it the perfect partner for a good cheese or the crispy crackling of a pork belly.

Gabrielle Meffre Laurus du Rhone Villages and Chateau Des Demoiselles were first up for the reds. Both these wines scored well on the Critic Ratings and were well received.

Then it was off to Argentina with the Catena Zapata Malbac. The story behind the wine and the move to Argentina to resurrect the Malbec was fascinating. Based on the tasting experience, the accolades of #1 World Best Vinyard and the firmly established 2nd Most Admired Wine Brand in the world in 2023 are well deserved.

The evening ended off with a delightful selection of snacks that included the much-loved pork belly, salmon and cheese board.

Experience Something Different

When asked why one would buy an international wine when we produce so many good wines locally, Tiffany responded, “We have a beautiful country, yet we still travel abroad to experience something different. In the same way, experiencing wines from other countries broadens our tasting experience. It gives us a more informed perspective to appreciate our local products.”
All of the wines were well priced and not what you would expect from imported wines of that calibre.

The St Francis Bay Wine Club hosts at least 20 tastings per year, with three special events towards the end of the year. If you are interested in participating, leave your details at the Tops at SUPERSPAR Village Square for Mickey Lindsay’s attention. He will include you on the WhatsApp group.

All the wines that were tasted are available at the Tops SUPERSPAR Village Square while stocks last.

Read more: Another Season Memory Maker! – Wine Of The Week At The SUPERSPAR

Another Season Memory Maker! – Wine Of The Week At The SUPERSPAR

Another Season Memory Maker! – Wine Of The Week At The SUPERSPAR

As the festive season approaches and we prepare to take a break , spend time with family and to celebrate, lets make sure we have the right ingredients to make these occasions memorable.

This week’s recommendation to get things going in style is a very special sparkling wine because what would a celebration be without some fine bubbly?

Gold Award

The Matriarch is a product of the Nitida Cellars in Durbanville and was the recipient of a Gold Award in the Cap Classique Challenge in 2023 as well as receiving four-star ratings from Platter’s in 2023 as well as 2024.

This is a Cap Classique sparkling wine, meaning that it is made in the traditional Méthod Champenoise style, where the second fermentation takes place in the bottle under crown cap, resulting in finer bubbles that add elegance to the overall tasting experience.

Expect childhood memories of Grandma’s cinnamon apple strudel and custard pastries in a kitchen filled with familiar smells when you have your first sip. The rich, full and luxurious flavours rest easy on the palate and are reminiscent of the fire in that kitchen’s big hearth.

Bubbly For Breakfast

Another Season Memory Maker

If you are on holiday there is no reason why you shouldn’t sip some bubbly for breakfast! The Matriarch is especially good when served with a buttery croissant, topped with lightly smoked salmon, or perfectly poached Eggs Benedict.

The blend of Pinot Noir (50%) and Chardonnay (50%) was bottled in 2022 and has a pH value of 3.33, meaning that it has a lower acidity which is complemented by an average residual sugar content making it a very drinkable delight.

The Matriarch is currently in stock at Super Spar Tops, Village Square St Francis, so make sure you stock up to make those lazy summer days that much more memorable!

 

See also: Frozen For You Now Available At SUPERSPAR – What’s On At SUPERSPAR

Read More: See also: Another Season Memory Maker with Tops At Spar

Frozen For You Now Available At SUPERSPAR – What’s On At SUPERSPAR

Frozen For You Now Available At SUPERSPAR – What’s On At SUPERSPAR

We have some exciting news for our local shoppers! A popular range of high-quality frozen meals called “Frozen for You” has landed at SUPERSPAR, Village Centre, bringing convenience with a variety of delicious meal options right to our community. It is the solution for busy parents, working professionals or those who just love good food!

Frozen is the new fresh! These meals are prepared by a passionate team from recipes that include high quality ingredients and avoid unwanted preservatives to extend shelf life. The vibrant flavours and ease of preparation make this range an obvious choice.

Hearty Meals

Enjoying a lamb curry, a steaming chicken pie or a vegetarian cottage pie, is as easy as picking up on of these hearty meals after your weekly grocery run. Frozen for You offers a wide range with something to suite every palate.

This new addition to SUPERSPAR offering couldn’t have come at a better time. This is a busy time of the year for many of us as holidays loom, deadlines need to be met, to do lists seem to get longer , so having convenient meal options that don’t compromise on taste or nutrition will be a game-changer for many families. Frozen for You has earned a good reputation for their variety and now they are right on your doorstep!

Gourmet-Ready

Be sure to keep an eye on the freezers during your next shopping trip and don’t miss the chance to explore these gourmet-ready meals. Follow the SUPERSPAR Village Centre’s Facebook page for updates on exciting new products that have hit the shelves.

Pop in and discover a new way to simplify mealtime with Frozen for You!

Read More: Inspired By A Dream – What’s On At The SUPERSPAR

Inspired By A Dream – What’s On At The SUPERSPAR

Inspired By A Dream – What’s On At The SUPERSPAR

Inspired by a dream, St Francis has grown from a sleepy fishing camp to a growing community. Successful communities are generally driven by mutual respect, where members take the time to nurture and share, supporting events that keep them in touch with each other and making a contribution to ensuring the environment remains asustainable one.

This has been a busy week for the community, with St Francis Bay and surrounds having come together to launch the Calamari Festival and all the events that add to making the week an attraction for tourism to our town.

One of the anchor events during the Calamari Festival, is the Calamari Classic Golf Tournament, hosted at the St Francis Bay Golf Course, that was held last weekend. This year marked the 27th anniversary of this popular tournament which attracts golfers from far and wide. SUPERSPAR Village Square, St Francis, is privileged to have been the title sponsor and made some contribution to the success of the tournament and the benefits that it brings to the village.

 

 

The week of the festival presents a packed program with a diverse selection of activities, shows and of course, Calamari eating opportunities. The proceedings started on Friday 20thSeptember with The Calamari Wine Festival by TOPS, Village Square, being one of the first events. “This was a great success!” says Mickey Lindsay, Group Manager, SUPERSPAR & TOPS, St Francis, “With 25 wine farms represented, there was no shortage of choices. There were the old classics as well as some new innovations, all supported by bruschetta cheese cups from Kerry Gold as well as snack platters from local cheesery, One33.”

In the words of author and international speaker, Simon Sinek, “A community is a group of people who agree to grow together”, this is how we would like to position ourselves,” says Richard Moolman, owner of SUPERSPAR & TOPS, St Francis & Humansdorp, “As our community grows, so the need for collaboration will increase if we are to retain the essence of what makes our village so desirable. We look forward to many more years of community involvement and contributing to inevitable growth in a sustainable fashion.”

 

A Community Tradition at SUPERSPAR Village Square

A Community Tradition at SUPERSPAR Village Square

It’s almost Heritage Day and for many South Africans, that means it’s time to light a fire to celebrate the diversity of our culture through a common love, family time around food! So be it Shisa Nyama or a Braai, Umphokoqo or Krimmel Pap, let’s gather around the coals, spend quality time with each other and remember to laugh!

The SUPERSPAR Village Square has gone all out to ensure that all the ingredients for making this another memorable occasion are in store. We have a wonderful selection of choice meat cuts, a fresh assortment of vegetables and salad items and then for those that have limited time, we have a range of pre-prepared items that will uplift any meal!

Justin Bonello

Before getting to involved in the food preparation, you should know that Celebrity Chef Justin Bonello will be in town as a guest of the Calamari Festival and as the creator of the ‘Ultimate Braai Master”, we know he will have some sound advice! So perhaps, pick up your ingredients, head to the festival, pick up some tips and then head home to create that masterpiece to celebrate Heritage Day with friends and family!

Remember, Heritage Day is more than a meal, it’s about counting our blessings, celebrating our differences and despite the challenges that face us, appreciating the beauty of our surroundings and community. Cherish the stories around the fire, laugh with friends and family and recognise the positive in that which makes us uniquely South African.

A Community Tradition

Speaking of community, this year we welcome Carmen Potgieter to St Francis. She has been kind enough to share her Sweet Corn Bake, winning braai recipe with us. This dish has graced many a table at a family braai, let’s see if it makes it to yours!

Carmen’s Sweet Corn Bake

  • 1 tin of creamed sweetcorn
  • 1 tablespoon of sugar
  • ½ cup of cream
  • ¼ cup of mielie meal or braai pap
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • Pinch of salt

Mix all the ingredients and pour into a shallow oven-friendly bowl. Bake the mixture at 180˚C for 40 minutes or until the surface turns golden brown.

This is a simple recipe, but it makes a great accompaniment for the traditional salad and braai meat that will be found on so many tables on Heritage Day!

Let us help you make this another memorable Heritage Day, so come past the SUPERSPAR Village Square and make sure that you have all you need

See also: Show off your four-legged friend at the Best Dressed Doggo Show

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