le quartier français
The Rise of RieslingTrivia: Riesling has been cultivated, in Germany, since the 1400’s. I have discovered Riesling! If you’ve never experience this varietal you can expect wines that range from bone-dry and crisp quaffers to complex, oily nectars made from the late harvest Botrytis-affected, shrivelled Riesling berries.
I recently had the opportunity to enjoy some really delicious German (Mosel) Rieslings, with friends, and my top international finds include: The 2004 Wolfer Goldgrube, the Riesling Spatlese 2008 Wolfer Goldgrube, the Riesling Kabinett 2009, the Scharzhof Riesling 2007 Zilliken (Forstmeister Geltz) Saarburger Rausch and the Riesling Spatlese. I so enjoyed my introduction to Riesling that I went in search of a great local version of this wine. What I stumbled upon was the Jordan Riesling 2009 – 100% Riesling harvested from 23 year old, unirrigated vines. The Jordan Riesling 2009 is an off dry wine with an intense lemon and lime flavour and crisp fruitiness. It is subtle, light and thin on the palate with hints of spiciness. This is such an intriguing wine and I can’t wait to start combining it with food to experience the full spectrum of what it has to offer. If you’re looking for something new to add to your wine collection try a Riesling
Posted by: Linda Coltart
Posted in: Wine,  Comments: 0  
End of Range Wine Sale at Le Quartier FrançaisOur end of the range wine sale has started! For a limited time only we will be offering a spectacular selection of wines, from our cellar, at ridiculously great prices. Tip: We have an off sales license. This means that if you really like the wine you’re drinking we can sell you an unopened bottle or a case to take home. Comments: 0
2010 Bastille Festival in FranschhoekIt’s almost time for the 2010 Bastille Festival and this year’s festival promises to be everything last year’s was and more. Taking place, in Franschhoek, on Saturday the 17th and Sunday the 18th of July 2010 the Bastille Festival is definitely one of the highlights of the Franschhoek Festival Calendar. Le Quartier Français, Bread & Wine and Môreson will all be in attendance and they’ll have the following delicious dishes and wines on offer. Le Quartier Français Bread & Wine Flatbread with a delicious topping (always excellent and a Franschhoek Festival favourite) Môreson They will be showcasing their Miss Molly range of wines – including the new Miss Molly Bubbly – which means that a percentage of each bottle sold will be donated to the South African Guide Dog Association for the Blind.
Posted by: Susan Huxter
Posted in: Bread & Wine Vineyard Restaurant, Festival, Food, Franschhoek, Le Quartier Français, Môreson, Neil Jewell, Wine, Comments: 0
De TorenWe participated in the tasting of the De Toren blends for the Fusion V 2009 Directors blend. This blend will be released in 2011. There were a total of 12 guests at the tasting. Each guests was given two flights of seven blends, a score sheet, a pencil and a spittoon. The first five wines were relatively easy to score but after these I started to battle. I had to focus and work hard not to find and identify the same characters in each wine. Given that we were working with the five bordeaux blends this was very challenging. At the end of the process we were asked to rate our top three blends and our least favourite blend. The combined scores (provided by the 12 guests) were saved and the process was repeated in Johannesburg and Durban. The two overall top scoring wines will be the ones that are released in 2011.
By the end of this tasting I had earned myself a set of purple stained teeth, spittoon back-splash in my left eye, a myriad of flavours swirling around my mouth and huge respect for those that taste professionally. It’s definitely not easy work! The day finished off with a perfectly paired menu – created by Margot – where the Fusion V 2002 and the Z 2004 were highlighted; and then I was introduced to a rum … I am not a rum drinker. I have always associated rum with hooligans but I have been converted. Pyrat Rum XO Reserve, a sipping rum from Jamaica that – with each sip – makes you think of secluded tropical island beaches, hot sun and a sexy waiter bringing on the cocktails.
Môreson set to lauch new look Cap Classique at the 2009 Franschhoek Champagne FestivalMôreson will be launching their new look Méthode Cap Classique at this years Franschhoek Champagne Festival. We’re one of the few groups of people who’ve been permitted a sneak peak and we can no longer contain our delight … the new Môreson Cap Classique labels, and new packaging, are gorgeous! If you’re at the 2009 Franschhoek Champagne Festival you can pick up a case of six, or three cases of six, from the charming and rather cute Môreson crew. There will also be a whole lot of other Cap Classique and Champagne available for tasting. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit the Franschhoek Information website. * The new look Môreson Cap Classique is the first addition to the 2009 hand-selected Le Quartier Français stocking filler list. Comments: 0
2009 Le Quartier Français Magic of Bubbles specialOn Friday the 4th of December 2009 check into Le Quartier Français, for R1250 per person*. This price includes a Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival ticket and your first delectable Mlle Lamb Burger. To book please email us – res@lqf.co.za We look forward to seeing you next weekend for some serious bubbly fun! *Bed and breakfast included. Terms and conditions apply. Comments: 0
Meet and Eat Mademoiselle Lamb Burger at the Franschhoek Champage FestivalMademoiselle Lamb Burger, the very tasty niece of Lamb Burger (may he rest in peace), will be attending this years Franschhoek Champagne Festival. She’s not quite as big as Lamb Burger but she’s just as delicious.
Mademoiselle Lamb Burger generally doesn’t do public appearances. In fact the 2009 Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival is her first and for that reason those attending should consider themselves very lucky! If you’d like to meet and eat Mademoiselle Lamb Burger you will find her at the Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival Le Quartier Français stand on Friday the 4th, Saturday the 5th and Sunday 6th of December.
The Franschhoek Champagne FestivalThe Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival will be taking place over the weekend of 4th, 5th and 6th of December. If the last few years are anything to go by it’s going to be phenomenal! The Magic of Bubbles is the most vivacious festival in the Franschhoek Festival Calendar. Here the best South African Méthode Cap Classique and French Champagne flow freely and excellent cuisine – prepared by top local restaurants (including us and Bread & Wine) – keeps the hunger at bay. The Franschhoek Champagne Festival is a great opportunity to see what the local méthode cap classique producers are up to. One of our favourites – Môreson – will be launching something really exciting. We can’t wait for the festival to arrive! Comments: 0
New Le Quartier Français WinelistThe new Le Quartier Français winelist is set for release on the 1st of December 2009. At Le Quartier Français our goal – regarding the new winelist – was to create a winelist experience as phenomenal as our other experiences. We’ve worked at changing our approach to wine selection and I’ve started to place a greater emphasis on terroir, and it’s effect on the various wines I’ve selected for the new Le Quartier Français winelist. If you have a look, through the new winelist, you’ll find a really spectacular selection of great terroir-reflecting wines. What’s more our new wine list also offers an even more extensive range of wines-by-the-glass than before.  Picture courtesy of Rennett Stowe (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomsaint/2616557989/) Comments: 0
Eben SadieMargot and I recently took part in an invitation only tasting with Eben Sadie. He only does four a year – at the family farm so – it’s not the type of invite any wine lover says no to! Eben Sadie is a man overflowing with amazing oenological philosophies and remarkable commitment to producing exceptional wines that are both honest and pure. In fact, in this regard, Eben Sadie’s wines take after him.
During the tasting – overlooking the Swartland and Paardeberg – we learned about soils and terroir, both of which are the not-so-secret ingredients of Eben’s magic. To illustrate the importance of terrior Eben had us taste three Shirazs. All three were farmed using the same methods, same vines and same oak. The only difference was the soil. The three Shiraz’s were all totally different – everything from their colour to their flavour and texture was unique to that particular wine. This was the first time that I’ve really experienced the differentiating effects terroir can have on a wine. Another first – for me – were Eben’s concrete egg tanks which he imported exlusively for fementing his award-winning Palladuis. These egg tanks apparently maintain the minerality and the concrete – being natural – keeps the purity in the wine.
Eben, I soon discovered, does not believe in spreadsheets, he dislikes producing “oak soup” and his wines never see a machine. He believes in “capturing a place and locking up time” – which is what he does with his wine.
We got to sample this time capsule wine and my new favourite is the Columella 2006. Here each berry is hand-selected then basket pressed. The beautiful colour, a gorgeous purple hue, and the layers of texture and flavours created a smooth and oh so subtle wine. Phenomenal! Comments: 0
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