Just for fun . . LIST . . ( take a guess ) . .
TOP 10 . . . WINE - MAKING 'COUNTRIES' . . . in the World
( Answers at the END of this Blog / Post )
This Van picked up 2 Couples in Cape Town . . then 2 Couples in Stellenbosch
. . and away we went to Paarl to begin . . Touring 5 WINERIES
. . plus & including . . a typical South African "Braai" ( rhymes with 'dry' ) Picnic Lunch
Driver 'Granwell' is also our Guide for the day.
Former Bar Tender . . he's right "in - his - element" here treating us
to a variety of Vineyards . . . many 'Tastings' . . . much History . . . and . . . lots of Fun
It's all about the Grapes . . "Anybody can make Wine", he says,
" but . . it takes an . . Expert . . to GROW Grapes ".
These are very small . . with Concentrated Flavor
We start the day in Granwell's home town . . PAARL . . at "FAIRVIEW" Vineyard
( Also . . Home to . . 50 Estates ! )
A Toast to 'the - fun - part' . . Six types of CHEESE with Six varieties of WINE
Beautifully organized and presented . . We're impressed already . . We've "only just begun"!
3 Continents are represented in our group . Asia . Africa . North America
The 4 Africans have driven together all nite from Johannesburg (17 - 18 + Hours) !
( Before we move on ) . . Opportunity to try more Cheeses . See other available Products
"Art - Inspired" TRACTOR - or whatever . . . ( "Chopper" maybe )
Next . . "VILLIERA" Vineyards . . We move from Paarl . . to
STELLENBOSCH . . ( Home to 150 Wineries ! )
This time the "Bubblies" . . The Champagnes
Discussing the 'Process' . .
The WINE ( "sparkling" ) you drink .. spends a lot of TIME in Containers . . like these
The Fruit that becomes your Beverage . . "travels" via Conveyor Belt
. . long before being Packaged for Shipping
On an extra warm day . . these shady places are where everyone gathers . .
"G - Man" ( our Guide - his chosen nickname ) goes into full swing
. . Serving more Samples ( 5 or 6 at each stop ) . . Confessing
. . he's trying to shed a few pounds so he can fit properly
into his upcoming March wedding clothes !
He's built like the bar 'bouncer' . . maybe too fun - loving for the bouncer role !
The Asian couple bring their two - year old "Yurie" . . who is always included in the tasting.
G - Man sees to it that she has fresh grapes and grape juice !
Her Dad "Tsuyoshi Uchimura" is working in Johannesburg at a newly opened office
representing the Bank of Tokyo. Mom's name is "Yui".
"Yurie" is catching on fast . . offering SIPS of her juice . . . to Dad !
Mid - Point in the 5 Winery Itinerary . . "MIDDELVLEI" Estate . .
MIDDELVLEI . . is our Lunch spot . . where eating comes before more 'sampling'
Chef is busy "braaing" . . ( sounds like 'crying' ). Chicken "on - the - barbie" . . and Beans
and . . Salads . . and . . Melon . . and
. . Middelvlei's own home grown . . ( you guessed it ) . . WINE
Then the Tour . . and the TUBE . . that plunges into the Oak Barrels
Everyone gets in on the Act . . .
Note two year old "YURI" . .
Her Body Language demonstrates how HAPPY ( ! ) we all are by now . .
We notice how UNIQUE each Estate's Tour is . . .
The 4th Estate "LOVANE" dates to the 1600's . . begun by the Dutch . .
Today owned by a German family
This unflattering ( our apologies ) Intro to our 'Host' . . does him no justice !
Hilarious . Dry Humored . he wastes no time
describing and defining Obama ( sorry to bring up his name )
. . In minutes he's "nailed it !"
. . We're amazed by his accurate insights . . from these 9 time zones away
Then he goes on . . with the History of this Winery . . with details that call attention to
much more recent activity . . such as these . . COBWEBS . . from the 18th Century !
His rolling commentary 'Fills the Bill'
. . we're all ready to detour from historical record . . ( like a short Recess )
Lance (far right) is an Accountant. He and Catherine (far left) married 4 months ago.
Lance and Othibile ( 3rd from left ) have been friends for years.
His wife's name is Kgomotso
( Grape Juice will do this to you . . . ) . . . "Yurie" has the right idea . .
We adults envy her innocence in 'tuning out' and catnapping for a while
( . . especially those who drove all night )
The final samples are enjoyed at "ANNANDALE" . . a small private ownership . .
In fact . . owned by legend Springbok Rugby player Pieter Gerardhus . . .
who is the 6th Generation wine maker for Hempies du Toit
Into his Family CELLAR we go . .
The presentation here offers several different
Chocolate Candies . . . paired with Wines . . .
that compliment dinner desserts
. . Perfect way to end our stay ! . .
Notice we're not all neatly lined up . . nor standing as straight and orderly
. . as we were in Paarl at the Fairview bar !!
( Got your List of Countries handy . . How did you do ? )
TOP 10 . . WINE - MAKING COUNTRIES . . in the World:
10. Germany
9. Chile
8. South Africa
7. Australia
6. Argentina
5. China
4. United States
3. Spain
2. Italy
1. France
Rusty and Wrinkles sign off with . . . 'TOASTS' and 'CHEERS'
NAMIBIA . . comes next. Join us in . . Etosha National Park !
____________________
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