With Franschhoek Uncorked just around the corner – it’s happening on the weekend of the 10th and 11th of October – I thought we should start talking about what’s going to be on offer at the farm.

Traditionally, or at least for as long as there has been a Franschhoek Uncorked (I think this is the third year) we’ve put together a delectable food market. Everything – from Neil’s mussels to his famous boerewors rolls (the best in the business) – is available.

Then there is the wine – who can, or who wants to, forget about that. A full selection of Môreson wine is on offer and this year we’re planning on introducing everyone, at Franschhoek Uncorked, to our new Miss Molly range of wines. I think she’ll even be dressed up in her new printed screw cap – ready just in time for Uncorked. How lucky!

I’ll post a proper Uncorked Expectation Update later this week. I’m just confirming exactly what will be happening on Môreson and around the valley.

What I am sure about is the following:

• there will definitely be delicious food and wonderful wine at Môreson
• this year there might be some sunshine.

That would be nice.

Exciting. Exciting. The 2008 Môreson Pinotage has won a gold at the Michelangelo International Wine Awards.

*confetti, confetti, confetti*

Pinotage is one of the Môreson wines that seems to excel on the awards front – The 2006 was an ABSA Top 10 Pinotage and the 2007 won a diamond award at the Investec Winemaker’s Choice Awards. The 2008 Môreson Pinotage seems to be continuing the tradition.

Regardless of awards we know – because we drink it all the time – that our Pinotage is absolutely delicious. But an award is a nice way of high-fiving the team; like a wine Noddy badge.

Plus, because this is first Môreson Pinotage to receive a gold at the Michelangelo International Wine Awards, it’s a big deal us and our Pinotage.

Le Quartier Français has started blogging. The last quarter of 2009 looks set to be super exciting at Le Quartier. First they add their Culinary Concierge program and now they start blogging. What is coming next?

I have no idea but the anticipation is killing my nails …

It’s still early days and that means that they’ve only got a few posts up and it’s already looking amazing! Nice design guys!

Apparently they’re going to be posting three times a week, which is more than enough. No need to overwhelm. At least that’s what we think.

So pop on over, give it a read and add your two cents worth.

It’s delicious! Salivate.Salivate.Salivate.

Hands-down the best Sauvignon Blanc we’ve ever had come out of Môreson. Enough said.

Our favourite award-winning local hotel and restaurant – Le Quartier Français – has just launched their Culinary Concierge offering.

The Culinary Concierge, the very talented and charming Annemarie Steenkamp, has designed and built (under the guidance of Margot Janse and Linda Coltart) a series of exceptional experiences. All of these experiences centre around some kind of culinary offering ranging from cooking, to tasting, to adventuring in the surrounding countryside to giving back to the less priviledged.

The Culinary Concierge – and the related experiences – afford culinary guests the opportunity to get to know the Franschhoek Valley, and its unique offerings, on a very intimate level. Each experience gives participants the chance to get really stuck-in and involved. There is no sitting on the sidelines, these are experiences to immerse yourself in!

For more information on the various Culinary Concierge experiences visit the Le Quartier Français website: www.lqf.co.za/cuisine/culinary-concierge.

Image courtesy of the charming Sarah Blake: www.littlepinchofsalt.com.

The delightful tarts above were baked by me on the ‘Dessert Me’ Culinary Concierge experience. They tasted even better than they looked!

What do you get a person who has everything?

Every year it gets harder and harder to be original – when it comes to Christmas gifts – without it costing you an arm, two legs and the better part of your torso. Invariably what you settle on is another pair of socks, a book that doubles as a dust collector or some such thing. Hardly the stuff Christmas dreams are made off.

Luckily this unfortunate present conundrum (great word) doesn’t have to apply to Christmas 2009. Because this year you can buy your loved one, your Father-in-law or Mother-in-law (only if they’ve been good) or your team the gift of a 2010 Môreson Wine Blending Experience. If you know someone that likes wine, wants to spend the day experiencing it with our phenomenal team and enjoys food then this is Christmas gift for them.

For more information contact us on +27(0)21 876 3055 or at sales@moreson.co.za