Jazz on Friday now at Col'Cacchio, Starts 29 October

The new season of Jazz on Friday, featuring the Cape Dutch Connection, kicks off on 29 October 2010 and continues every Friday until 1 April 2011 from 5.30pm - 8.30pm.

This season, the band will be playing at a new venue, Col'Cacchio Pizzeria in Huguenot Street, Franschhoek.

Band leader Derk Blaisse says the venue, which they tried out at a performance during the Bastille Festival in July, is perfect. "The garden at Col'Cacchio has a wonderful country feel and is set against the backdrop of the Franschhoek mountains. Being in the main road we have the advantage of attracting passers-by and the vibe of being in the middle of a cosmopolitan village. I think we are going to have a fantastic summer season."

The hugely popular Jazz on Friday is now in its 12th season and attracts hundreds of music lovers each week. Says Blaisse: "It is very much part of the Franschhoek tourist season and is the only place in the Winelands where you will find top jazz musicians from the Cape playing every week."

Cape Dutch Connection is a jazz quintet with vocalist Charlette Dickson, Wesley Rustin double bass, drummer Jack Momple, Derk Blaisse on piano and a guest soloist on saxophone, clarinet, flute, trumpet or trombone.

The band plays jazz in the style of Benny Goodman, George Gershwin and Cole Porter as well as Brazilian Bossa Nova's in the style of Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto, and even some Cape Goema.

Guest artist Willie van Zyl will join the band for the first Jazz on Friday session. A regular guest player with Cape Dutch Connection, Van Zyl is an acclaimed South African saxophonist and a member of the Navy Band in Simonstown and Gary Deacon's quartet. According to Blaisse, he has an exuberant style of play and a great sense of humour.

Col'Cacchio, at 66 Huguenot Street, has a fabulous menu of Italian food with all the familiar pizzas, as well as pasta and salads.

Tickets are R140 per couple and include a bottle of wine. To book call Andrew on 071 401 6054, or email franschhoek@colcacchio.co.za

For more information about Jazz on Friday go to www.capedutchconnection.co.za.

Free Piano Recital - JS Bach and Sons (Tuesday 16 November 7:30 pm)

Anthony Spiri – piano | Tuesday 16 November 7:30 pm | NG Church, Franschhoek

Donations collected toward concert expenses and  NG Church Piano Fund

 

Anthony Spiri is one of the most versatile and highly-regarded among lied accompanists, chamber music pianists and soloists of his generation. Born in the USA, he studied in Cleveland, Boston and at the ‘Mozarteum’ in Salzburg. From 1988 to 1993 he acted as assistant to Nikolaus Harnoncourt and since 2001 has been professor of piano chamber music at the Musikhochschule in Cologne. He gives master classes and lectures worldwide. Spiri's performance includes music by the great JS Bach (1685-1750) along with compositions by his lesser-known sons.

MCC Enthusiast, Pierre de Klerk, Joins Graham Beck Winemaking Team

The chance to work with “bubbles” under the tutelage of Pieter Ferreira was the driving interest behind Pierre de Klerk’s decision to apply at Graham Beck Wines for the position of Winemaker, Robertson: that, he says, and the flagship Robertson Syrah. Having started with the close-knit team on Monday 4 October, Pierre is effusive about the time he’s spent in the vineyards and cellar so far.

“Bubbles are by far my favourite white wine – and I can’t possibly be in a better place than this,” Pierre says. “Syrah is my choice of red and the way it’s done here speaks volumes about the terroir and the style of winemaking.”

Pierre’s extensive experience in the Napa Valley and Rhône, and with local cellars of the highest calibre, recommend him highly to the Graham Beck team. Coupled with this is his strong belief in seeking premium quality – which he feels can best be achieved by continual benchmarking.

“The best wine to me is the one that shows such balance that you can’t pinpoint the influence of any one thing. Tannins that are perfectly ripe and don’t overpower the fruit; and each component of the wine in perfect harmony - this is the benchmark that I always seek to achieve.”

Born and raised in Stellenbosch, Pierre began his career with a Bachelor of Science in Viticulture and Oenology. His first harvests were with Rust en Vrede and Chateau de Panery in the Rhône Valley in 2004; followed by Haskell Vineyards, Ernie Els and Duckhorn Vineyards in Napa Valley in 2005; and finally Zevenwacht Wines later the same year, where he remained until his appointment at Graham Beck Wines.

Pierre’s new role will involve operational work with the Graham Beck Robertson still wines, and Méthode Cap Classique. His appointment completes a three-strong team that includes Cellar Master Pieter Ferreira, and Graham Beck Franschhoek Winemaker Erika Obermeyer.

Cotage Fromage Christmas Hampers go on Sale

Buy a variety of goodies including Kloovenburg olive oil, balsamic vinegar and olives;  Tierhoek organic jam;  Karoo Gold honey; Onion marmalade; Tillys beetroot chutney and sweet and sour peppers; Spiced preserved oranges; Willow Creek tapenade; 375ml bottle of Vrede en Lust wine as well as homemade marshmallows and  a Christmas cake for two in the form of Cotage Fromage's Christmas Hamper.

R395 and stand a chance to win the a lucky draw to be done on 10 January 2011. The prize is one night's stay for two at Vrede en Lust, two bottles of Vrede and Lust wine and a complimentary breakfast for two at Cotage Fromage. (Terms and Conditions Apply).

Jozi gets Grapes, Glitz and Glamour with Stellenbosch at Summer Place

Teaming up with Sanlam Private Investments, the inaugural Stellenbosch at Summer Place brings grapes, glitz and glamour to the City of Gold, to showcase the finest wine, food, art and crème de la crème of the Stellenbosch winelands, on Wednesday 10 November 2010.

Savour the true spirit of Stellenbosch in style and rub shoulders with 50 top Stellenbosch winemakers. From De Toren to Dalla Cia, Kanonkop to Kleine Zalze, delight in 200 of the finest wines from the country’s premium wine region. 

Meet five of the finest Stellenbosch chefs who will lend their gourmet flair with their signature dishes :

• Bertus Basson, Overture
• Daniel Vercuiel, Volkskombuis
• George Jardine, The restaurant at Jordan Wine Estate
• Grégory Czarnecki, The restaurant at Waterkloof
• Michael Broughton, Terroir at Kleine Zalze

Talented Stellenbosch music sensation Zamar will add rhythm to this glamorous affair and art aficionados will be able to feast their eyes on select pieces exhibited by Stefan Hundt, curator of the Sanlam Art Collection – one of South Africa’s oldest and most extensive corporate art collections.

Tickets for Stellenbosch at Summer Place cost R395 per head and include wine tasting and gourmet delight throughout the evening. As tickets are limited, immediate booking is essential to avoid disappointment. The evening starts at 18:30 for 19:00. For more information and ticket sales contact Christa at Tel: (021) 886 8275, or click HERE.

FWVTA Congratulates Franschhoek's Winning Wines

Veritas Awards 2010

• Double Gold
  Glenwood Vigneron's Selection Chardonnay 2009
• Gold
  Boschendal 1685 Chardonnay 2009
  Dieu Donné Merlot 2008
  Graham Beck Bowed Head Chenin Blanc 2009
  Graham Beck Lonehill Chardonnay 2008
  Graham Beck Pheasants' Run Sauvignon Blanc 2010
  Graham Beck Pheasants' Run Sauvignon Blanc 2009
  Graham Beck The Ridge Syrah 2006
  La Petite Ferme Merlot 2008
  Môreson Pinotage 2008
  Môreson Solitaire N/V
  Vrede en Lust Marguerite Chardonnay 2009

Austrian International Wine Awards 2010

• Gold Medal: Grande Provence Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Grande Provence Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 and Grande Provence Shiraz 2007.
• Silver Medal: Grande Provence Chardonnay 2009.

Mundus Vini International Wine Awards (Germany)

• Gold Medal: Grande Provence Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Signs That It's That Time of The Month

Stellenbosch Municipality will start with the removal of all “red, white and blue” signs located in the main road of Franschhoek during the last two weeks of October 2010.

Removed signs will simultaneously be replaced with the appropriate official brown tourism signs with the symbol applicable to accommodation establishments.

Please contact the office at 021 876 2861 if you require further information.