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FromageMagazineFebruary2019

Monthly content based cheese magazine, showcasing artisanal cheeses and related products, wines and small batch distilleries and much much more

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Fromage<br />

A TEMPTING INSPIRATION<br />

February 2019<br />

For the Love Bread • Belnori Boutique Cheesery<br />

Jewel of the Constantia Valley • Jackie Cameron’s<br />

Recipe of the Month


From the Publisher<br />

We are excited to introduce a new feature, Jackie<br />

Cameron’s Recipe of the Month.<br />

Belnori Boutique Cheesery, who specialize in goat<br />

and jersey artisanal cheeses, visit their website for<br />

details where you can purchase the Belnori products.<br />

Babette Bread the real sourdough deal, her breads<br />

are made to order so see that you get your order<br />

in on time. Babette also runs breadmaking workshops<br />

every Sunday of the month, book essential<br />

as space is limited.<br />

@FromageMag<br />

Publisher<br />

Michele Wood<br />

+27 713944939<br />

fromagemagazine@gmail.com<br />

Design<br />

Michele Wood<br />

+27 713944939<br />

fromagemagazine@gmail.com<br />

Contributors<br />

Babette Bread<br />

Babette Kourelos<br />

Belnori Boutique Cheesery<br />

Rina Belcher<br />

Jewel of Constantia Valley<br />

Nadia van der Westhuizen<br />

Fromage<br />

A TEMPTING INSPIRATION<br />

February 2019<br />

Photography<br />

Babette Bread<br />

Karené Wedekind<br />

Recipe of the Month<br />

Michelle Engelbrecht<br />

Front Cover<br />

For the Love Bread • Belnori Boutique Cheesery<br />

Jewel of the Constantia Valley • Jackie Cameron’s<br />

Recipe of the Month<br />

De Krans Calitzdorp<br />

www.dekrans.co.za<br />

Belnori Boutique Cheesery<br />

www.belnori.com<br />

Styling: Michele Wood<br />

2 Fromage February 2018


HANDCRAFTED<br />

IN THE CAPE<br />

A pure and smooth craft<br />

gin, reflecting the taste and<br />

decent of it's ingredients.<br />

Distilled for your ultimate<br />

drinking pleasure.<br />

www.triplethree.co.za<br />

@triplethreedistillery #triplethreegin<br />

February 2018 Fromage 3


Content<br />

10. Seventy reasons to enjoy<br />

Roodeberg in 2019<br />

Roodeberg, the legendary red blend<br />

that has been bringing friends together<br />

the world over since 1949, celebrates<br />

its 70th anniversary this year.<br />

10<br />

14. Thursday, 14 February 2019,<br />

The Gallery at Grande Provence,<br />

Franschhoek<br />

14<br />

34<br />

16. Discover Steenberg for the<br />

Ultimate Valentine’s diversion<br />

Steenberg Farm is playing cupid for the<br />

entire month of February with romantic<br />

encounters for couples across all the<br />

signature experiences at this beloved<br />

Constantia wine, restaurant and luxury<br />

boutique hotel destination.<br />

16<br />

4 Fromage February 2018<br />

38


18<br />

20. Grande Province Harvest Festival<br />

is a barrel of family fun<br />

February is harvest time in the winelands<br />

and the perfect time for Grande Provence<br />

Heritage Wine Estate to roll out the barrel for<br />

their annual Harvest Festival in Franschhoek<br />

on Saturday, 23 February 2019.<br />

22. Granny Kay's traditional<br />

shortbread with prune compôte, la<br />

petite camembert, local esposito<br />

‘parma ham’ and cranberry sauce<br />

26. For the Love of Bread<br />

Babette always loved baking, but it wasn’t<br />

until she was at university, studying towards<br />

a BA LLB, that she baked her first bread.<br />

One day, whilst trying to decide on a new<br />

recipe to try out, Babette’s step father,<br />

Kevin, encouraged her to bake something<br />

real, something different... not the usual<br />

sweet or savory things.<br />

56<br />

6 Fromage February 2018


Halloumi, Ricotta, Feta, Greek Style Yogurt, Labneh, Butter, Mozzarella, Mozzarella knots, Kefir and<br />

Camembert, as well as Jams, Preserves, Pickled Veg and Rusks.<br />

All products are made from fresh or home grown ingredients and preservatives are used.<br />

The milk is from our family jerseys cows<br />

Inyamazane Farm Glenferness<br />

Cell: 082 418 6121<br />

inyamazanefarm@gmail.com<br />

By Appointment Only


38. Jewel of the Constantia Valley<br />

Constantia Glen, the magnificently<br />

appointed boutique wine estate<br />

on the upper reaches of the<br />

Constantiaberg, is one of the jewels<br />

of the Constantia Valley, home of<br />

South African wine with a proud<br />

history dating back to 1685.<br />

46. Belonori Boutique Cheesery<br />

Belnori really did start as a project to<br />

generate an income for post-formal<br />

employment. I realised long ago that few<br />

South Africans would have the ability to<br />

‘retire’ comfortably. Longevity, changed<br />

retirement regimes and inflation will result<br />

in one’s funds expiring long before you<br />

do. South Africans generally also do not<br />

have a culture of frugality and saving.<br />

Belnori’s best seller, chevré style Forest Phantom<br />

8 Fromage February 2018


indulgence<br />

62<br />

78<br />

14<br />

Seventy reasons to enjoy Roodeberg in 2019<br />

48<br />

Seventy reasons to enjoy Roodeberg in 2019<br />

10 Fromage February 2018


Roodeberg, the legendary red blend that<br />

has been bringing friends together the<br />

world over since 1949, celebrates its 70th<br />

anniversary this year.<br />

A true South African original that has stood<br />

the test of time, Roodeberg is the heart<br />

and soul of memorable get-togethers in<br />

the company of good friends. There are<br />

big plans afoot for 2019 so keep your eyes<br />

peeled and hop on board to celebrate<br />

Roodeberg’s 70th milestone year with<br />

upcoming new wine launches, promotions<br />

and events.<br />

Roodeberg’s rich heritage and colourful<br />

tapestry of wine folklore, has seen<br />

this signature red evolve from the<br />

master’s original blend to an accessible,<br />

contemporary classic in step with ever<br />

changing tastes and lifestyles.<br />

Launched in 1949, Roodeberg is the<br />

brainchild of Dr Charles Niehaus, a<br />

legendary pioneer of the South African<br />

wine industry, who developed new red<br />

blends at KWV in the early 40s. Roodeberg<br />

soon became one of the country’s biggest<br />

export wine brands and although it was<br />

not readily available in the local market<br />

until 2004, it enjoyed iconic status in the<br />

hearts and minds of South Africans. From<br />

the onset, every bottle of Roodeberg had<br />

a story to tell. At the time, locals could only<br />

obtain Roodeberg through a wine farming<br />

acquaintance with a KWV quota. It is said<br />

that bartering sought-after test match<br />

tickets, biltong and the like in return for a<br />

bottle or two was a common occurrence.<br />

For many Roodeberg still conjures up fond<br />

memories of people, places and occasions,<br />

and of sharing special life-changing<br />

moments with family and friends, often with<br />

rare vintages squirreled away.<br />

Dr Niehaus retired in 1971 leaving and<br />

indelible mark on the world of wine. Today,<br />

Louwritz Louw follows the string of fine<br />

winemakers who have borne the torch Dr<br />

Niehaus first lit, proudly continuing the<br />

Roodeberg tradition.<br />

Catch all the action of Roodeberg’s 70th<br />

anniversary year by joining the Roodeberg<br />

community on Facebook or follow @<br />

Roodeberg_Wine on Instagram and Twitter.<br />

February 2018 Fromage 9


10 14 Fromage February 2018<br />

e


xperience<br />

February 2018 Fromage 15 11


Experience<br />

Thursday, 14 February 2019,<br />

The Gallery at Grande Provence, Franschhoek<br />

Valentine's dinner & dance at Grande Provence<br />

10 14 Fromage February 2018


Make this Valentine’s Day unforgettable with a romantic evening at Grande Provence Heritage Wine<br />

Estate in the heart of Franschhoek. Setting the perfect mood in the name of love, this enchanting<br />

evening of dinner and dancing will tantalise all the senses.<br />

Starting from 19h00 the culinary indulgence begins with an uplifting glass of bubbly and oysters on<br />

arrival. The Gallery at Grande Provence will be transformed into a romantic dining room complete<br />

with a dance floor, where you can dance the night away after an intimate 4-course dinner. Grande<br />

Provence will be pulling out all the stops so be sure to bring along your dancing shoes.<br />

The cost of the Valentine’s Day dinner & dance is R1 100 per person. Pre-paid booking is essential.<br />

Email events@grandeprovence.co.za or call Tel: 021-876 8600.<br />

Date: Thursday, 14 February 2019<br />

Time: 19h00 – 23h00<br />

Venue: Grande Provence Heritage Estate, Franschhoek<br />

Cost: R1 100 per person<br />

Booking: Call: (021) 876 8600<br />

or e-mail events@grandeprovence.co.za.<br />

De Vos<br />

Located in Franschhoek, the heartland of South African wine country, Grande Provence<br />

offers true South African wine heritage, exceptional food and wine,<br />

and luxury boutique accommodation.<br />

For more information visit www.grandeprovence.co.za,<br />

Facebook.com or Twitter @grande_provence.<br />

February 2018 Fromage 15 11


Experience<br />

Discover Steenberg for the ultimate Valentine's diversion


Discover Steenberg for the ultimate Valentine’s diversion<br />

Steenberg Farm is playing cupid for the entire month of February with romantic<br />

encounters for couples across all the signature experiences at this beloved<br />

Constantia wine, restaurant and luxury boutique hotel destination.<br />

Whether you are looking for an intimate Valentine’s dinner, a nurturing couple’s<br />

spa pamper, an enchanting overnight retreat, or a tempting bubbly pairing at the<br />

winery, Steenberg has all the right ingredients to spoil someone special.


18 Fromage February 2018


Catharina’s Restaurant<br />

On Valentine’s Day Chef Kerry Kilpin will be<br />

exploring new sensual tastes at Catharina’s<br />

Restaurant with a sublime four course dinner menu.<br />

Setting the mood with a delicious Kir Royale and<br />

a secret amuse bouche, the menu entices with<br />

alluring dishes including tempura prawns and<br />

calamari, a rose scented harvest sorbet and porcini<br />

dusted pork belly. A mouth-watering raspberry<br />

ganache with strawberry and buttermilk ice cream<br />

is the cherry on top. The vegetarian alternatives<br />

are herbed chevin tortellini and a vegetable and<br />

chickpea medley. The Valentine’s Day menu is<br />

available at R895 with wine pairings, or R595<br />

without wine.<br />

For bookings contact Tel: +27 (0)21 7137178 or<br />

email: reservations@catharinasrestaurant.co.za.<br />

Steenberg Spa<br />

Take a moment to pause and connect with your<br />

partner and indulge in one of two signature<br />

Valentine’s couple massages in the tranquil<br />

Steenberg Spa. The first includes a scrub and<br />

Pinotage massage, while the second, Being You<br />

Being Me, comprises an essential oil fragrant<br />

candle massage and a soothing twilight tea ritual.<br />

Both Valentine’s massages end with a bottle<br />

of Steenberg 1682 Chardonnay Méthode Cap<br />

Classique and chocolate coated strawberries in the<br />

relaxation area around the pool. The packages are<br />

available for the entire month of February and vary<br />

in price from R2 200 to R3 050 depending on the<br />

duration of the massage.<br />

For spa bookings, call Tel: +27 21 712 7481 or<br />

Email: spa@steenberghotel.com.<br />

Steenberg Hotel, Spa and Catharina’s<br />

Restaurant Experience<br />

Savour the full Steenberg experience for the<br />

ultimate spoil of a luxurious night’s stay complete<br />

with a welcoming glass of Steenberg Méthode Cap<br />

Classique on arrival, breakfast, a complimentary<br />

wine tasting and vineyard walk, and a Pinotage<br />

couple’s massage.<br />

For dinner, guests will be treated to a three course<br />

meal of their choice off Chef Kerry Kilpin’s delicious<br />

new summer à la carte menu at Catharina’s<br />

Restaurant. Available exclusively in February, this<br />

Steenberg experience comes at R4 050 per person.<br />

For reservations, contact Tel: 021-713 2222 or<br />

Email: reservations@steenberghotel.com.<br />

Steenberg Cellar Door<br />

Valentine’s Day is all about indulgence. Look no<br />

further than the Steenberg tasting room for a<br />

magical pairing in the name of love of their blushing<br />

Pinot Noir Rosé Méthode Cap Classique. This<br />

complimentary pairing with heavenly macaronss<br />

is available to all visitors to the tasting room from<br />

Thursday, the 14th to Sunday, 17 February.<br />

February 2018 Fromage 19


Experience<br />

Grande Provence Harvest Festival is a barrel of fun<br />

Grande Provence Harvest Festival is a barrel of family fun<br />

Saturday, 23 February 2019,<br />

Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate, Franschhoek<br />

February is harvest time in the winelands and the perfect time for Grande Provence Heritage<br />

Wine Estate to roll out the barrel for their annual Harvest Festival in Franschhoek on Saturday,<br />

23 February 2019.<br />

Get ready to pick and stomp grapes with the whole family to the jovial beat of the Kaapse<br />

Klopse in the vineyards followed by a harvest table heavily laden with delicious fare and the<br />

chilled sounds of live contemporary music. With plenty of action for the children including a<br />

jumping castle, face painting, a variety of lawn games and tractor rides, adults can look forward<br />

to a laid back day of country food, fine wines and a cellar tour and tasting. In addition to all the<br />

fun filled activities, market stalls will be selling a variety of local produce.<br />

Festivities kick off at 10h00. Tickets for the festival are priced at R650 for adults and R325 for<br />

children under 12. Booking is essential. For more information call: (021) 876 8600 or email<br />

reservations@grandeprovence.co.za<br />

Diary listing information:<br />

Date: 23 February 2019<br />

Time: from 10h00 – 15h00<br />

Cost: R650 pp & R325 for children under 12.<br />

20 Fromage February 2018


February 2018 Fromage 21


Recipe of the Month<br />

By Jackie Cameron<br />

GRANNY KAY'S TRADITIONAL SHORTBREAD WITH PRUNE COMPôTE, LA PETT<br />

Serves: 6 portions<br />

For the Shortbread:<br />

Ingredients:<br />

40g White Sugar<br />

235g Salted Butter<br />

450g Cake Flour<br />

45g Castor Sugar<br />

22 Fromage February 2018<br />

Method:<br />

1. Cream the white sugar and butter very well together.<br />

2. Add the sifted flour and knead well.<br />

3. Press the mixture into a 15X18cm, making sure the<br />

shortbread mixture covers the base to a 1cm thickness.<br />

Prick the shortbread very well all over the top using a<br />

fork.<br />

4. Bake a 160°C for about 35 minutes or until cooked.<br />

Remove from the oven and sprinkle the shortbread<br />

with castor sugar. While still hot cut out 6 rounds using<br />

a 7cm cutter on the outside and a 3cm cutter inside.<br />

Cut the remaining shortbread into desired shapes and<br />

store in an airtight container.


ITE CAMEMBERT, LOCAL ESPOSITO 'PARMA HAM' AND CRANBERRY SAUCE<br />

Method:<br />

1. Place all the ingredients into a small saucepan<br />

and bring to the boil. Turn the heat down and allow<br />

to simmer for about 15minutes, until the prunes are<br />

soft and plump and most of the orange juice has<br />

reduced.<br />

For the Cranberry Sauce:<br />

Ingredients:<br />

1 tin cranberry Sauce<br />

½ Lemon Zest (zest is the outer coloured and perfumed<br />

rind/skin of the lemon that have been removed by<br />

using a zester, then finely chopped or removed by<br />

grating the fruits outer skin, being careful not to get<br />

any white parts as the is bitter)<br />

splash of Balsamic Vinegar<br />

ORYX Salt and Black Pepper<br />

Method:<br />

1. Place the cranberry sauce and lemon zest.<br />

2. Over a medium heat stir the mixture until the<br />

cranberries are soft and mushy, add the Balsamic<br />

Vinegar.<br />

3. Remove from the heat, season with salt and pepper,<br />

blend in a food processor, with a little water if need be<br />

and strain.<br />

Photography: Courtesy Michelle Engelbrecht<br />

Putting the dish together:<br />

Ingredients:<br />

For the Prune Compote:<br />

Ingredients:<br />

200g Prunes, de – pitted<br />

1 g star anise<br />

5 whole cloves<br />

2 ml ground cinnamon<br />

2 ml vanilla extract<br />

500ml freshly squeezed Orange Juice<br />

100ml white sugar<br />

1 La Petite Camembert round (or the best quality you<br />

can afford), cut into chunks<br />

140g Local ‘Parma Ham’ or charcuterie you can find<br />

Freshly Ground Black Pepper<br />

Micro herbs<br />

Method:<br />

Place the shortbread rounds onto the serving dishes,<br />

fill the centre round with 3 prunes each, and place a<br />

‘Parma Ham’ rosette on top of this. Place the 3 bite<br />

size cheeses around this. Place blobs of cranberry<br />

sauce around. Grind black pepper over and sprinkle<br />

with Micro herbs to garnish.<br />

February 2018 Fromage 23


For the L ove<br />

By Babette Kourelos<br />

Phtotography: courtesy Karené Wedekind<br />

Babette always loved baking, but it wasn’t until she was at university, studying towards<br />

a BA LLB, that she baked her first bread. One day, whilst trying to decide on a new<br />

recipe to try out, Babette’s step father, Kevin, encouraged her to bake something<br />

real, something different... not the usual sweet or savory things.<br />

26 Fromage February 2018


of Bread<br />

February 2018 Fromage 27 27


28 Fromage February 2018


With this request in mind, she decided to bake her first<br />

loaf of bread - a wholemeal cottage loaf. Somewhere<br />

between the mixing of the ingredients, the kneading<br />

of the dough and the scoring and baking of the bread,<br />

something “clicked”. She was hooked!<br />

Babette loved every stage of the bread baking<br />

process and was happy to sit for hours just watching<br />

the dough rise. Bread baking is practical, and creative.<br />

With the most basic ingredients, you are able to make<br />

something beautiful and unique by hand and then eat<br />

it too!<br />

Babette did not fully realize just how much that first<br />

loaf of bread was going to shape and change her life.<br />

She soon became bread obsessed and her mom,<br />

Theodora, stopped having to buy bread as there was<br />

always a surplus of fresh loaves in the house. After<br />

graduating, Babette’s growing interest in bread and<br />

hunger to improve her own baking skills finally saw<br />

her traveling to Vermont, in the USA, to become an<br />

apprentice to the late French Master Baker Gerard<br />

Rubaud.<br />

It was at the bakery in Vermont, where bread took on a<br />

whole new meaning for Babette. The techniques and<br />

traditional methods of bread baking that she had read<br />

about and attempted to copy at home, finally began<br />

to fall into place. She started to learn and get a feel<br />

for the ways of the levain (sourdough) and she had the<br />

opportunity to bake traditional sourdough loaves in a<br />

wood fired oven.<br />

Babette is a passionate artisan baker and a strong<br />

supporter of the Real Bread movement. She believes<br />

that everyone has the right to know which ingredients<br />

and techniques were used in the production of their<br />

bread. Why all those additives when all that is required<br />

for a wholesome, nutritious bread, is flour, water, salt<br />

and minimal amounts of yeast? In her Real Bread<br />

workshops, Babette explains the difference between<br />

commercial and artisan breads and teaches consumers<br />

how to differentiate between the two. Babette’s bread<br />

workshops can be booked for private groups as well<br />

as corporate team building events.<br />

What then, is artisan bread? It is bread that is<br />

handmade by a skilled craftsman, who is trained<br />

in the traditional methods and techniques of bread<br />

baking. The baker carefully selects and mixes simple,<br />

good quality ingredients and carefully monitors the<br />

development and progress of the dough. Artisan<br />

bakers pride themselves on being bread purists - their<br />

relationship with the dough is very personal and their<br />

knowledge and techniques have in many cases been<br />

passed down for several generations. These skills<br />

include knowledge and understanding of hydration,<br />

fermentation and the use of sourdoughs, natural<br />

leavens and other pre-fermented doughs.<br />

Babette explains that an artisan baker knows how to<br />

read the dough, understands when to work with it<br />

and when to leave the dough to work its own magic.<br />

Above all, the baker needs to provide the dough with<br />

the best possible environment for it to reach its full<br />

potential.<br />

February 2018 Fromage 29


This means having to monitor and manipulate factors<br />

such as temperature, time and humidity. The baker<br />

has to be patient and give the dough adequate time<br />

to develop flavour and character.<br />

The art of bread baking is tens of thousands of years<br />

old and is said to have originated in Ancient Egypt.<br />

There is a rich history involving both leavened and<br />

unleavened breads around the world. Scientific<br />

findings suggest that humans started baking bread at<br />

least 30 000 years ago. These prehistoric breads were<br />

flatbreads (as they contained no leavening agents).<br />

They were made by mixing grains and water together<br />

and then baking the mixture on hot stones. The grains<br />

were coarsely milled (this was done by hand using<br />

stones) and resulted in heavy, dark and rustic breads.<br />

The discovery of yeast and it’s leavening properties<br />

was accidental and has two possible origins. Most<br />

people do not know this, but we are surrounded by<br />

thousands of wild yeast spores or particles that are<br />

floating around in the air around us and that can<br />

also be found on the surface of fruit and most other<br />

things we touch all the time. If these wild yeast spores<br />

30 Fromage February 2018


come into contact with grains or flour that has some<br />

moisture/water in it, they begin to feed on the natural<br />

sugars that are present in the grain. This process<br />

results in CO2 production, which in turn aerates the<br />

dough and ultimately results in a lighter, airier bread.<br />

It is widely believed that the first yeasted bread<br />

was the result of such wild yeasts landing in a bowl<br />

of porridge which was later baked on hot stones<br />

(either by accident or deliberate experimentation). An<br />

alternative version of the story suggest that a piece of<br />

dough had accidentally found its way into a bowl of<br />

beer (which naturally contains yeast).<br />

Regardless which of the two stories is in fact true,<br />

the fact remains, that primitive man had found a<br />

way to create lighter bread and started to cultivate<br />

and experiment with sourdough cultures. The most<br />

common practice was to keep a piece of dough from<br />

a previous bake and to add it to the next batch of<br />

dough. Other cultures used the foam skimmed from<br />

beer or even wheat bran steeped in wine to create<br />

their sourdough cultures.<br />

February 2018 Fromage31


Over the years, people became very skilled at working<br />

and baking with sourdough cultures. France is<br />

particularly renowned for its exceptional bread, but<br />

few people know that in the 1960’s, the art of bread<br />

baking had almost disappeared and was quickly being<br />

replaced by factory breads.<br />

This was largely due to the invention of commercial<br />

yeast in the 1930’s, which reduced the bread<br />

production time considerably. Artisan bakeries could<br />

not compete with the speed and efficiency of industrial<br />

bread factories and these traditional bakeries almost<br />

became extinct.<br />

It is a well known fact that all good things require<br />

time, and BREAD is no exception. The quality of<br />

bread was severely compromised by the reduced<br />

production time. Bread became airy, tasteless and<br />

lacked nutrients. Where artisan bakers had prided<br />

themselves on keeping their loaves pure (using only<br />

32 30 Fromage February 2018


flour, water, salt and yeast), the factories made use<br />

of bleached flour, preservatives and other chemical<br />

additives. Fermentation, the key to good bread, was<br />

completely disregarded in the factories and whole<br />

grains were almost forgotten.<br />

It is interesting to mention at this point, that the<br />

obsession with white and refined flours started around<br />

800 BC, when the Mesopotamians came up with the<br />

concept of using two large circular stones to mill the<br />

grains. These stones were placed on top of each<br />

other and rotated by beasts of burden or slaves. The<br />

resulting flour was much finer and smoother than the<br />

flour obtained from grinding the grains by hand and<br />

soon became a bit of a status symbol. The desire for<br />

the whitest, most refined flour has carried through to<br />

today, where the practice of removing the wheat bran<br />

and germ has become the norm and chemical bleach<br />

is even used to enhance the whiteness of the flour.<br />

However, a bread revolution occurred in the 1970’s<br />

in France and a decade later in America. People<br />

started to travel to Europe in search of better bread.<br />

There was a need to rediscover the lost techniques of<br />

classic bread baking. People wanted to know what<br />

had happened to the flavour, colour and crusty loaves<br />

of the past? This interest saw a return in popularity of<br />

whole grain breads as well as sourdoughs.<br />

In France and America, Bread Guilds and baking<br />

associations became increasingly popular and small<br />

artisan bake shops began to pop up again. In the UK,<br />

“Real bread” campaigns and community supported<br />

baking systems started to develop.<br />

Today, home bakers too, have become bread<br />

obsessed and are not daunted by the thought of<br />

cultivating and caring for a sourdough starter. These<br />

sourdoughs are shared amongst friends and family<br />

and so the bread culture continues to grow and<br />

develop across the globe. Instagram and Facebook<br />

is scattered with posts by bread obsessed novice and<br />

professional bakers and even the New York Times<br />

recently acknowledged that “bread is back”.<br />

Babette’s advice for the home baker is to take care<br />

to select the best and most natural ingredients. Why<br />

not try your hand at cultivating your own sourdough<br />

cultures - many books make this sound like a<br />

complex and highly scientific endeavor, when all it<br />

really requires is flour, water and patience. Make time<br />

for bread - watch the dough rise and appreciate the<br />

difference between commercial bread and traditional<br />

handmade bread.<br />

February 2018 Fromage 33


Participatory/hands-on workshops<br />

Introductory/beginner<br />

Basic introduction to artisan bread baking. This<br />

includes a discussion and full explanation of the<br />

necessary ingredients, mixing/shaping/scoring/<br />

baking techniques. Also provided are ideas on how to<br />

add to/change the basic bread dough recipe as well<br />

as how to properly store your loaves. Each participant<br />

will mix their own batch of dough from scratch, will<br />

observe the development of the dough during the<br />

bulk fermentation phase and will finally shape and<br />

bake their very own loaves.<br />

We will also look at the following points:<br />

• Characteristics of real bread<br />

• Modern bread (commercial bread) vs artisan bread<br />

• Gluten<br />

• Commercial yeast vs sourdough<br />

• Unbleached stoneground flour vs commercial flour<br />

• Basic ingredients and principles of bread baking<br />

• NB: questions to ask when buying bread<br />

34 Fromage February 2018<br />

Intermediate<br />

This workshop builds on the knowledge and skills<br />

learned in the introductory workshop but is also<br />

suitable for people with prior bread baking experience.<br />

This workshop focuses on the use of preferments:<br />

Poolish, Biga and Pâte Fermentée as well as other<br />

methods of fermentation. We will take you through an<br />

in-depth discussion of the effects of preferments on<br />

the flavour, appearance, shelf-life etc. of the resulting<br />

loaf.<br />

This course also includes lunch and beverages.<br />

Advanced<br />

This workshop assumes that you already have<br />

extensive experience in bread baking. Here we teach<br />

you how to create and maintain your own Sourdough<br />

culture. This workshop includes an in-depth discussion<br />

of slow fermentation and natural/wild yeast. Bread


Speciality Workshops<br />

baked at this workshop will make use of our 4 year<br />

old sourdough culture, “Maggie”. Sourdough differs<br />

considerably from commercial yeast and it is essential<br />

to learn how to read and understand the nature and<br />

habits of the sourdough culture. Participants may<br />

choose to take a sample of “Maggie” home with them<br />

to bake with and maintain.<br />

Lunch and beverages also included.<br />

Each of the above workshops include lunch and<br />

refreshments throughout the whole day. Breads<br />

baked during the workshop can be taken home to<br />

be enjoyed with friends and family. Workshops can<br />

be booked for private groups/friends. Vouchers are<br />

also available for purchase as Christmas or birthday<br />

gifts. A minimum of 4 people are required to attend a<br />

workshop in order to book and schedule a date.<br />

Speciality workshops are offered throughout the<br />

year. These include Enriched & Sweet Breads / Easter<br />

Baking / Christmas Baking etc.<br />

Demonstration workshops<br />

In the demonstration workshops, I do all the baking/<br />

demonstrations and explaining in front of a group of<br />

attendees. All information provided in the participatory<br />

workshops is shared with the students, but the<br />

students do not do the baking themselves and view/<br />

watch the process instead. Demonstration workshops<br />

also include lunch and refreshments throughout the<br />

whole day. Demonstration workshops can be booked<br />

for private groups/friends. Vouchers are also available<br />

for purchase as Christmas or birthday gifts.<br />

Workshop prices are provided upon request/booking<br />

Bookings:- are now open for February 2019.<br />

February 2018 Fromage 35


36 Fromage February 2018


Jewel of the Con<br />

By Nadia van der Westhuizen<br />

38 Fromage February 2018<br />

Constantia Glen, the magnificently appointed<br />

boutique wine estate on the upper reaches of<br />

the Constantiaberg, is one of the jewels of the<br />

Constantia Valley, home of South African wine<br />

with a proud history dating back to 1685.


stantia Valley...<br />

February 2018 Fromage 39


Constantia Glen’s rolling dryland vineyards thrive<br />

without irrigation on the sheltered slopes just below<br />

Constantia Nek, where the vines are protected from<br />

gale force winds and dry, scorching summers. This<br />

unique location allows an extra hour of sunlight to<br />

reach and ripen the grapes – helping to shape beautiful<br />

Wine lovers are spoilt for choice with Constantia Glen’s<br />

range of flagship red and white wines. Intense varietal<br />

character is the cornerstone of Constantia Glen’s<br />

classically-styled Sauvignon Blanc, while the TWO is a<br />

rich and concentrated blend of Sauvignon Blanc and<br />

Sémillon. The THREE, a classic blend of the three most<br />

revered Bordeaux varieties – Cabernet Sauvignon,<br />

Cabernet Franc and Merlot, is a firm favourite for<br />

lovers of beautifully crafted reds. The more complex<br />

Constantia Glen FIVE, the showstopper of the range,<br />

is a blend of the five archetypal Bordeaux varieties –<br />

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec<br />

and Petit Verdot.<br />

Justin van Wyk – Constantia Glen winemaker<br />

Winemaker Justin van Wyk has been responsible for<br />

creating the signature cool climate Constantia Glen<br />

wines since 2011 after joining the team in 2008 as<br />

assistant winemaker. Crafting Bordeaux-style wines<br />

is the perfect fit for this cum laude graduate in<br />

Viticulture and Oenology at Stellenbosch University<br />

who developed a love for this time honoured wine<br />

culture during harvests in St Emilion in the Bordeaux<br />

region of France.<br />

“Chateaux Trianon and Bellefont-Belcier in St Emilion<br />

gave me wonderful insight into the art of winemaking<br />

and particularly the importance of the vineyards and<br />

vineyard practices. I treasure the value of the vine<br />

and its fruit and enjoy seeing positive results when<br />

extra effort is put into the viticultural practices,”<br />

says van Wyk, who also spent time during his formative<br />

years in winemaking at PlumpJack and Cade Wineries<br />

in Napa Valley, California.<br />

40 Fromage February 2018


Hailing from a sheep farming family in the Karoo, this<br />

hard-working, hands-on winemaker loves reaping<br />

the rewards of a successful harvest. His winemaking<br />

philosophy is to keep things simple by allowing the<br />

grapes to do the work.<br />

“Respect the terroir, and work with it as much as<br />

you can to enhance the quality of the wine, whilst<br />

maintaining the identity and sense of place. In the<br />

cellar everything is done to make the most refined<br />

and balanced wines possible; bold aromatics with<br />

vibrancy and structure, yet still maintaining elegance<br />

and finesse. Constantia Glen produces fantastic<br />

white wines that have freshness, minerality and<br />

stunning purity; very much classic examples of the<br />

cool-climate region. The farm also has the ability to<br />

produce amazing red wines with the same freshness,<br />

but which have ripe, black fruit flavours and delicious,<br />

round, yet persistent tannins that lend to a mouthfilling<br />

richness and wonderful texture.”<br />

In 2017, van Wyk launched a special range under his<br />

own label. The Van Wyk Family Wines range focuses<br />

on grape varieties bought in from the greater Western<br />

Cape and wine styles that are quite different from the<br />

wines produced from Constantia Glen’s estate-grown<br />

grapes. Van Wyk’s Karoo roots shine through on the<br />

label featuring a Merino ram among other family<br />

iconography.<br />

History<br />

The farm, originally known as Benydendal and later<br />

Klein Benydendal, was first registered to its original<br />

owner, Johannes Gregorius van Helsdingen in 1813.<br />

By 1832, when his nephew Johannes Frederick<br />

inherited the property, it was a productive farm under<br />

15 000 vines. Not much is known about these early<br />

years, which saw a fairly rapid succession of ownership<br />

until 1843, when Sebastiaan Valentyn van Reenen a<br />

grandson of the formidable Cloetes, the famous Dutch<br />

February 2018 Fromage 41


42 Fromage February 2018


VOC merchant family, bought the farm and renamed<br />

it Glen Alpine. Under the van Reenens Glen Alpine<br />

prospered and became a renowned wine estate<br />

visited by many callers to the Cape including Queen<br />

Victoria’s son, Prince Alfred. In 1851 the land was<br />

sold once more on auction and the property changed<br />

hands several times after that. During later years, the<br />

land was used primarily for small scale farming with<br />

fruit trees, a small vineyard and dairy, home today to<br />

the Constantia Glen tasting room. The land was not<br />

actively farmed from the 1960s until the 1990s when<br />

it became an elite stud farm for champion Red Angus<br />

breeding stock.<br />

Since the late 1950s, the 60 hectares of undulating<br />

landscape overlooking False Bay have been under<br />

the custodianship of the Waibel family, first as rolling<br />

forest land, then an Angus stud before returning to its<br />

historic wine farming roots.<br />

In 1995, shortly after the completion of the picturesque<br />

manor house, Alexander, the current owner and third<br />

generation Waibel associated with the farm, moved<br />

to Cape Town from Dornbirn, Austria with his family.<br />

Eager to transform the farm that his grandfather,<br />

Manfred, had bought back to its original purpose<br />

as an acclaimed boutique wine estate, Alexander<br />

and his brother-in-law, Gus Allen, changed the name<br />

to Constantia Glen. The first vines were planted in<br />

2000 with the very first vintage of Sauvignon Blanc<br />

harvested in 2005.<br />

Today, his grandfather’s pioneering spirit lives on in<br />

beautiful Manfred’s Legacy, a tranquil retreat ideal<br />

for private functions and entertaining on the farm.<br />

The first two Sauvignon Blanc vintages were made at<br />

neighbouring cellars until the completion of their own<br />

Constantia Glen cellar in 2007 just before the harvest<br />

season.<br />

At Constantia Glen great care is taken of every facet<br />

of the winemaking process. Their remarkable cool<br />

climate location, close proximity to the sea, altitude<br />

and diverse aspects are some of Constantia Glen’s<br />

richest assets.<br />

Cultivated with dedication and a singular vision, their<br />

31 site-specific vineyard blocks are unique in the<br />

Constantia Valley. The 30 hectares comprising 70%<br />

red and 30% white grape varieties are situated at 110<br />

– 250 metres above sea level. Only grapes grown<br />

on the estate are used for their Constantia Glen<br />

wine range. Painstaking attention is given to every<br />

vine, resulting in the extraordinary concentration of<br />

flavours. Each vintage grown, vinified, and bottled<br />

at Constantia Glen shows a clear “fingerprint” of its<br />

unique terroir offering wines of balance, elegance and<br />

remarkable character.<br />

February 2018 Fromage 43


44 Fromage February 2018


Tasting Room<br />

Constantia Glen has an inviting tasting room situated<br />

a mere 20 minute drive from the Cape Town city<br />

centre. A stylish fusion of European and Cape design,<br />

this tranquil setting is the perfect backdrop for a day<br />

of relaxation.<br />

Visitors to the tasting room will be taken on a sensory<br />

journey of the elegant wines and mouth-watering<br />

food pairings while enjoying sweeping mountain<br />

views. Guests can look forward to a variety of wines<br />

in addition to the flagship Bordeaux-style blends,<br />

including the winemaker’s own range and the palate<br />

pleasing Constantia Saddle wines. The easy drinking<br />

Saddle range is exclusive to the tasting room and<br />

ideal to enjoy with friends over lunch. Guests in the<br />

mood for some fizz will be delighted by the Rosemarie<br />

& Funa Methodé Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs,<br />

available exclusively at the Constantia Glen tasting<br />

room.<br />

Over and above enjoying this diverse selection of<br />

wines, visitors can enhance their experience by<br />

choosing from a range of breakfast options served<br />

until 12h30; crispy Flammkuchen straight from the<br />

wood fired oven; or by adding artisanal cheese and<br />

charcuterie to their wine tasting. Indulge your sweet<br />

tooth with a finalé of rich desserts, including a baked<br />

chocolate fondant topped with a cherry coulis and<br />

served with homemade crème frâiche ice cream. The<br />

Constantia Glen tasting room is the ideal setting for<br />

a relaxing day spent taking in scenic views of lush<br />

vineyards and outstretched mountain foothills.<br />

The tasting room is open Monday to Sunday<br />

from 10h00<br />

Booking via http://www.constantiaglen.com is highly<br />

recommended to avoid disappointment. Look out<br />

for the Constantia Glen signs towards the top of<br />

Constantia Main Road.<br />

Call 021-7955639, e-mail reservations@constantiaglen.<br />

com, visit www.constantiaglen.com, www.facebook.<br />

com/ConstantiaGlen or follow @ConstantiaGlen<br />

on Twitter and Instagram.<br />

The GPS co-ordinates are S 34º 0’39.6” E 18º 24’30.6”.<br />

February 2018 Fromage 45


Belnori Boutiq<br />

By Rina Belcher<br />

46 Fromage February 2018


ue Cheesery<br />

Belnori really did start as a project to generate an income for post-formal employment.<br />

I realised long ago that few South Africans would have the ability to ‘retire’<br />

comfortably. Longevity, changed retirement regimes and inflation will result in one’s<br />

funds expiring long before you do. South Africans generally also do not have a culture<br />

of frugality and saving.<br />

February 2018 Fromage 47


Neither of us felt you could commence with a BIG<br />

BANG so we started slowly and built up. One of us<br />

had to continue working and it was considered that as<br />

I had good employment with a reasonable income I<br />

continue working. It also made much more sense for<br />

Norman to remain on the farm and do what had to be<br />

done to get us started.<br />

As the goats are seasonal and thus ‘dry’ during the<br />

Winter months, we tend to measure everything in<br />

Seasons. The ‘season commences when the kidding<br />

season starts – Spring. Once the kids are born there<br />

is milk! The goats continue delivering milk until about<br />

half-way through their pregnancy – the milk then starts<br />

changing in composition and quantity and we stop<br />

milking. The end of the season and we enter the ‘dry’<br />

period of about 2-3 months.<br />

We started in 2002 with four goats - went to two farmer’s<br />

markets in 2003 and then ran out of milk. Our first<br />

‘real’ season started in 2003/4.<br />

The only Dairy Goats we were aware of when we<br />

first decided on the project was the Saanen breed.<br />

Commonly identified in RSA as the ‘Heidi’ goats. We<br />

have subsequently come into contact with three other<br />

breeds. We often wondered whether our choice would<br />

have been different ha we been better informed but<br />

there has been enough time to re-adjust opinion and<br />

we are more than satisfied with our initial choice. Milk<br />

quality and quantity depends more on good genetics<br />

and feeding than the type of animal. Saanens though<br />

do seem to be easier to handle and less boisterous.<br />

Mischievous enough and full of individual character<br />

but not aggressive at all.<br />

Goat milk is extremely delicate and has a fine molecular<br />

structure. It makes it difficult to work with – one has to<br />

be gentle and patient. Goats milk has A2 type protein<br />

which makes it more digestible. Goat’s milk is also<br />

naturally homogenised making it possible to freeze<br />

without the fat separating – a useful phenomenon.<br />

The milk lowers cholesterol levels.<br />

The biggest draw-back to Goat’s milk is the often-found<br />

‘barn-yard’ flavour. It is at time quite overpowering<br />

and been responsible for many folk not wanting to use<br />

any Goat’s milk products. So the product has earned<br />

an un-just reputation as something to be avoided at<br />

all costs!<br />

The remedy is really very simple. The culprit in the<br />

saga is the Buck. When in rut they exude a strong<br />

unpleasant odour – loved incidentally by the does. This<br />

odour originates from glands on their heads but more<br />

particularly from their own ‘Old Spice’ that they rub<br />

all over the does – marking their harem. This flavours<br />

the milk! The answer? Keep the genders apart and<br />

they meet only to pro-create. Once done the ‘girls’<br />

are shampooed. Housekeeping and good animal<br />

husbandry also plays a huge role. New bedding is<br />

required every week – we use wood shavings – and<br />

the pens are kept free of droppings. Our climate is<br />

hot and the animals perspire too. Dirty houses and<br />

unclean bodies add off-flavours to the milk and this<br />

gives Goat products a thumbs down.<br />

48 Fromage February 2018


February 2018 Fromage 49


50 Fromage February 2018


Shampooing is done regularly during the year and in<br />

particular once they have kidded. In fact the Does get<br />

Royal treatment once they have kidded. Their udders<br />

are shaved – we do not want stray hair in the milk –<br />

their nails are cut, and their pelts brushed before they<br />

are shampooed.<br />

We milked by hand until we had thirteen goats and<br />

then bought the first small milk machine. All the<br />

milk was frozen in 5lit tubs and we only made cheese<br />

over week-ends. It took absolutely ages. Our first<br />

batch was about 5 lit made on the kitchen stove and<br />

there was much trial and error. Our Rottweiler was<br />

overweight but very happy.<br />

One of the major stumbling blocks in establishing<br />

one’s products is to find a market for them. With so<br />

few products on offer the only place we could start<br />

was at a Farmer’s/Food market. Not quite as easy as it<br />

sounds as there are usually already other people there<br />

selling Dairy Products and markets want a variety of<br />

products in order to attract the public. So one applies<br />

and you wait for a spot to open.<br />

By chance we stumbled on a website for South<br />

African Dairy and made contact with the organisation<br />

AgriExpo. Not only do they organise the annual<br />

Cheese Festival they also arrange the annual S A Dairy<br />

Championships. Their ‘roving Cheese Ambassador’<br />

called on us and many others to encourage entries into<br />

both events and so we entered our first championships<br />

in 2004. We entered a clutch of offerings and were so<br />

excited to obtain two second spots – one for Feta and<br />

one for Chèvre.<br />

This single event had some major consequences. Our<br />

whole business plan was based on doing everything<br />

cash so it left little to spend on advertising and<br />

marketing – we had to think outside the box.<br />

In 2005 we won two cheese categories and then<br />

one’s budding business is mentioned in ‘despatches’.<br />

Selling directly to the public as the cheese-makers,<br />

gives one an edge – you are interacting with the enduser<br />

directly. You hear from them what they like and<br />

do not like.<br />

So this method became our strategy – enter the SA<br />

Champs and continue to sell directly to the public.<br />

There is one MAJOR proviso though. Quality, quality,<br />

quality. You cannot do well in a competition with a<br />

mediocre product and the public do not come back<br />

for more either.<br />

One aspect of the competition here that was very<br />

useful – and still is – is the feed-back given by the<br />

judges. It can be hurtful to read but it does keep one<br />

on the right track.<br />

We used this method to build our brand. Our aim<br />

was to make Belnori synonymous with Goat Cheese.<br />

Locally we are achieving that aim. Since 2005 and<br />

including the 2018 results we have delivered 48 SA<br />

Champions across all cheese types and all milk types.<br />

We are very proud of our Qualité awards of which we<br />

now have nine – four awarded in 2018. Norman’s<br />

Feta was the first Goat’s cheese ever to be awarded<br />

A Qualité<br />

February 2018 Fromage 51


Our next challenge was to find an identity for the<br />

cheese we made. ‘Goat’s Gouda’ is, in my opinion, a<br />

contradiction of terms. Gouda is, first and foremost,<br />

a bovine product. The public also have an idea of<br />

what a Gouda tastes like. Eat my offerings and it does<br />

not fit their preconceived mental and palate profile<br />

and they shoot it down. Also no two cheeseries even<br />

when they use pretty much the same guide-lines will<br />

produce exactly the same cheese.<br />

So we gave our cheeses their own identity. The<br />

hallmark of handcrafted Goat’s cheese – in fact any<br />

artisanal product – is it its individuality. Our small farm<br />

is in what used to be a large Wattle plantation years<br />

ago and we still have large tracts of self-generating<br />

trees. The dry branches that fall off lie on the bed of<br />

the forest and cause quite a tangle. Our first semihard<br />

cheese was called ‘Tanglewood’. Some of the<br />

local Gauteng customers found it a trifle strong and<br />

we developed a slightly milder cheese Highvelder<br />

Classic. Then came Mulderswood (with Madagascan<br />

green peppercorns), Nederwood (with Cumin seeds)<br />

and Junior (obviously milder still).<br />

A lack of funds forced me to think a little about how<br />

to wax the cheeses. I loved the rich vibrant colours<br />

produced by a Cape concern – Navy Blue, Chocolate<br />

Brown, Dark Green, Black, Amber and a rich Maroon.<br />

The only way I could cope was to dribble the wax over<br />

the cheese in what is now our signature way of waxing.<br />

We soon started experimenting with different cultures<br />

and styles and even developing our own ideas.<br />

The soft and semi-soft cheeses were not forgotten and<br />

there too our range developed. I worked for years on<br />

trying to perfect the Goat Yoghurt. The first samples<br />

sent to the SA Champs solicited rather unflattering<br />

comments. I could not quite believe that the judges<br />

did not agree with my assessment! In 2015 I had the<br />

52 Fromage February 2018


February 2018 Fromage 53


54 Fromage February 2018


privilege of attending a Congress in Limassol, Cyprus<br />

and was really taken with the texture of their yoghurt.<br />

I came back and for the umpteenth time adjusted<br />

methods here. Then I was really satisfied. We now<br />

produce a thick creamy yoghurt free of all additives<br />

and sugar – it is delicious.<br />

Other soft cheeses that were developed is St<br />

Catherine, a small Camembert-style cheese, Snow<br />

Queen an oblong-shaped Brie-style cheese and one<br />

of our top sellers – Forest Phantom. This comes in a<br />

125g Mini-Log, 400g Pyramid and 850g Log. It is a<br />

Chèvre, inoculated with white mould and then rolled<br />

in ash. It is left to mature and is ready when the white<br />

mould has grown through the ash.<br />

Forest Phantom was originally named Phantom<br />

Forest. There are heavy mists in our area and when<br />

it swirls around one often cannot see the Wattle<br />

forest. It appears and disappears as the mist swirls – a<br />

Phantom Forest. When the cheese was sold to a chef<br />

at an Eco-resort in the Southern Cape an objection<br />

was made about the appellation as the place too was<br />

called Phantom Forest. While I had no intention of<br />

abandoning the name, I was no longer as content as<br />

I like to be. On another misty morning I sat on the<br />

back step of the cheesery contemplating the mist and<br />

lamenting the air of dissatisfaction I now felt about<br />

my favourite Phantom cheese. Eureka! A brand new<br />

idea! I changed the name to Forest Phantom. My<br />

contentment returned and I remain eternally grateful<br />

for the unnecessary complaint.<br />

A simple matter such as labels is also a major headache<br />

for the smaller operators – particularly when<br />

having a large range of cheese. We eventually solved<br />

the problem by having our logo pre-printed on decent<br />

labels and then overprinting these ourselves as and<br />

when needed. Saved a huge amount of money and<br />

eliminated the need to print more than needed.<br />

One thing we could not really do is have the gorgeous<br />

labels printed such as those used overseas. The small<br />

quantities we use make it totally uneconomical. We<br />

have solved this problem by decoupaging our cheese<br />

and this has worked very well indeed for our African<br />

range that sports lovely African-type scenes. I was<br />

born in Zambia, Norman while born in Cape Town,<br />

went to school in Zambia and we both ended up in<br />

Zimbabwe. Between Zambia and Zimbabwe I spent<br />

time in Uganda and Kenya and their my heart still lives!<br />

The African range has Kilembe, Kabaka and Kilimanjaro<br />

(Goat), Serengeti (Sheep) and Kalabash and Amboseli<br />

(Bovine).<br />

There are also a few more – Balmoral and Belmont<br />

(Bovine) and Benedictus and Sonata (Sheep).<br />

Some nine years ago we bought half a dozen East<br />

Friesian Dairy Sheep in Sutherland and I have been<br />

pottering about with these. We seem to breed more<br />

rams than ewes but it is what it is. Not much milk<br />

but it has a terrifically high yield and makes a superb<br />

cheese. I soldier on.<br />

We purchase excellent Jersey milk from a local farmer<br />

who has a very good herd and takes pride in producing<br />

February 2018 Fromage 55


56 Fromage February 2018


the very best milk. Ideal for cheese making. What<br />

we have done over the years is make with the other<br />

milks what we already make with goat’s milk. It has<br />

been amazing to work with the three different milks –<br />

and what a difference between the three!<br />

So Tanglewood, Balmoral and Serengeti are all<br />

the same style. So too is Kilembe, Kalabash and<br />

Benedictus. Also - St Catherine’s, Snow Drop and<br />

Sonata.<br />

We were first invited to enter the World Cheese Awards<br />

in 2006 and excitedly dipped our toes in the unknown.<br />

One has no feed-back from this event. If the cheese<br />

does not achieve a Bronze, Silver or Gold – it does not<br />

achieve. Medals are not awarded for position but for<br />

points gained. Thus you could have 5 cheeses from<br />

one table judged to be of a Gold standard.<br />

We achieved nothing in 2006. Nor 2007. Nor 2008.<br />

In despair Norman suggested I give up as he felt<br />

we clearly did not reach the lofty heights required. I<br />

entered all the same – without his knowledge. Just<br />

one cheese, a simple Feta that he made and we<br />

managed a Silver! It was glorious. We have entered<br />

every year since and have done splendidly.<br />

Our Benedictus achieved a Super Gold in 2016.<br />

About seventy-odd cheeses are awarded Super<br />

Gold – the best of the Golds on the table. From this<br />

sixteen are selected to go forward for a second round<br />

of judging by the Supreme Judges and the Winner<br />

chosen from this by all the judges scoring all sixteen<br />

cheeses. Benedictus did not go forward but it was<br />

the highest scoring cheese from RSA and received the<br />

AgriExpo Trophy for the best South African cheese.<br />

In 2017 we sent five entries and received four medals.<br />

In 2018 we sent five entries again and received<br />

five medals amongst which were two Super Golds.<br />

Kilembe and Kalabash – among the top 78 from 3472<br />

entries. Kalabash made it no higher but Kilembe went<br />

through with the top 16 and ended 12th in the world.<br />

We were honoured to again receive the AgriExpo<br />

trophy for the top South African entry. We are now<br />

the happy recipients of 28 World Awards.<br />

Apart from taking care of the Goats / Sheep and<br />

making cheese we have been very active in the Dairy<br />

Goat Industry. I have arranged seven Dairy Information<br />

Days – five of which were held here on the farm. These<br />

are great days. For a small fee we invite providers<br />

of goods and services to the industry to exhibit here,<br />

organise five speakers to chat on pertinent topics and<br />

get farmers and prospective – many emerging – dairy<br />

farmers to attend. It is a lovely social occasion too.<br />

Since 2018 we joined forces with the ALFA Livestock<br />

show that is held over three days in Parys and we<br />

exhibit the entire Small Stock Dairy aspect there.<br />

We have close contact with Dairy Goat farmers<br />

elsewhere in Africa where we promote the benefits<br />

February 2018 Fromage 57


of the industry. Norman recently sold more than 85<br />

goats to Botswana to five different farmers. There has<br />

also been visits from a Zambian farmer interested in<br />

the industry.<br />

At home we have a splendid team that work with us.<br />

Many are multi-functional and we have over the past 9<br />

years in particular built a strong team that support one<br />

another and take great pride in the cheesery and their<br />

contribution to it.<br />

As we, like our cheeses, age we have this<br />

team of excellence who will carry on<br />

the task.<br />

58 Fromage February 2018


T18.23<br />

Wine Made Art<br />

TOKARA, an award-winning wine estate in Stellenbosch,<br />

has been named as one of the World’s Top 50 Most<br />

Admired Wine Brands for 2018, by the prestigious<br />

UK-based magazine, Drinks International.<br />

www.tokara.com T: +27 (0) 21 808 5900 E: wine@tokara.com<br />

Not for sale to persons under the age of 18. Enjoy responsibly.


Contributors<br />

List<br />

www.copelandrum.com<br />

james@copelandrum.com<br />

www.avontuurestate.co.za<br />

www.constantiaglen.com<br />

www.babettesbread.co.za<br />

Tel: +27 (0)28 2121107<br />

info@creationwines.com<br />

www.creationwnes.com<br />

www.belnori.com<br />

Contact details are<br />

cultureclubcheese@gmail.com<br />

www.cultureclubcheese.co.za<br />

087 150 9118<br />

wayne@buffaloridge.co.za<br />

www.buffaloridge.co.za<br />

082 375 0977<br />

Telephone: +27 (0)21 2002580<br />

cheese@dalewood.co.za<br />

www.dalewood.co.za<br />

60 Fromage February 2018


www.derustica.co.za<br />

Cedar Square Fourways • Tel: 011 467 9709<br />

www.popsicles.com<br />

Ginifer Small Batch Handcrafted<br />

Tel: 011 608 1838<br />

http://www.ahbev.com/.<br />

Telephone: +27 (0)44 213 3314<br />

www.dekrans.co.za<br />

Website: www.draymans.com<br />

Office Tel: 012 804 8800<br />

Moritz Cell : 082 787 9136<br />

E-mail: info@draymans.co.za<br />

Address: 222 Dykor Road,<br />

Silverton, Pretoria, 0184<br />

GOAT PETER<br />

Contact Us<br />

Alastair: Cellphone: + 27 72 136 2087<br />

Marianne: Cellphone: + 27 83 268 6709<br />

Sales: Hazel Food Market in Hazelwood; Pretoria<br />

www.hazelfoodmarket.co.za<br />

every Saturday from 08:00 to 14:00<br />

Enquries: 012 205 1271<br />

Trade: Kyle 071 631 9003<br />

www.flowstone.co.za<br />

Tasting Room: 7 Hopkins Street<br />

Salt River, Cape Town<br />

Follow us on Facebook,<br />

Instagram and Twitter<br />

@HopeOnHopkins #choosehope<br />

www.hopeonhopkins.co.za<br />

February 2018 Fromage 61


Websites : www.hydeawayfarm.co.za<br />

Dairy Product Orders, Farm Visits and<br />

General Enquiries<br />

Dinki Hyde 0832543921<br />

dinki@hydeawayfarm.co.za<br />

www.leonista.co.za<br />

Facebook: @leonista_100%agavespirit<br />

Inst: leonista_spirit<br />

Twitter@leonista_spirit<br />

082 418 6121 • inyamazanefarm@gmail.com<br />

Telephone: +27 79 2071061<br />

www.lucaniadairies.za.net<br />

www.jackiecameron.co.za<br />

Telephone: 021 421 1000<br />

www.originroasting.co.za<br />

Telephone:021 807 3095<br />

www.laborie.co.za<br />

QUALITO DISTILLERY<br />

36 Potgieter Street, Phalaborwa 1390 Limpopo<br />

South Africa<br />

(064) 522 7600<br />

Raw Honey<br />

www.lapetitefrance.co.za<br />

www.rawhoney.biz<br />

caroline@rawhoney.biz<br />

61 Fromage February 2018


www.roodeberg.com<br />

Website: https://www.triplethree.co.za<br />

www.steenbergfarm.com or<br />

#LiveSteenberg on<br />

Twitter @SteenbergWines and<br />

Facebook at facebook.com/steenbergestate.<br />

vineyards@endlessgroup.co.za<br />

028 284 9488<br />

Website - www.thegourmetgreek.com<br />

Email - dimitriades@telkomsa.net<br />

Facebook - The Gourmet Greek<br />

www.zevenwacht.co.za<br />

Tel: +27 219005700<br />

Fromage<br />

A TEMPTING INSPIRATION<br />

Telephone: 021 808 5900<br />

www.tokara.com<br />

Cell: +27 713944939<br />

Facebook: @FromageMag<br />

February 2018 Fromage 62


Experience the abu<br />

ZEVENW<br />

Experience the finely crafted elegance and fascinating variety of<br />

our wines in the leisurely atmosphere of the tasting room.<br />

The picturesque Estate offers visitors dining, accommodation,<br />

conferencing, banqueting as well as the Bakwena Spa.


ndant delights of<br />

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