Chez François Presents
A South African Wine Dinner
with Nico Steyn of Avinya Imports
Thursday, April 27, 2006
6:45 pm
Join us for a South African wine dinner that will feature nine wines from this beautiful country. Our co-host for this event will be Nico Steyn. Nicos ’family arrived in South Africa from Europe in 1672, he was born in Namibia in the heart of the Namib desert. He went to school in Stellenbosch( the Napa of South Africa) and in1984 he was transferred to Los Angeles, from Cape Town, by the South African Tourism Board.Since 1993 Nico has been involved with the importing and marketing of South African wines in the USA when trade sanctions against South Africa were lifted.
At the southern tip of Africa, where two mighty oceans meet in the shadow of landmark Table Mountain, lies the fairest Cape in the world. Known locally as the Mother City, Cape Town is the gateway to the South African winelands and one of the great wine capitals of the world. Here the cultures of Africa, Europe and the East have met and mingled for over 350 years, shaping a city both ancient and modern, rich in colorful history and culturally diverse.
Today South Africa is a peaceful democracy, a vibrant and exciting country of enormous diversity. This variety is reflected in their wines. With a winemaking history dating back more than 300 years, the industry reflects the classicism of the Old World but is also influenced by the contemporary fruit-driven styles of the New World. This rare combination makes for wines which are complex yet accessible, refined yet powerful, eloquently expressing the unique terroir and people of the Cape.
In the last few years, a dynamic new vision has given momentum to changes within an industry which is innovation driven, market directed, globally competitive and highly profitable. With the advent of democracy, the opening of new markets and exposure to international trends, South Africa can now compete with confidence on the world wine stage.
The Menu
Apéritif
White “Celebration”, Westerland, Coastal Region, 2005
Cream of Organic Carrot Soup, Maine Sea Scallop
An Asian spiced Maine sea scallop served with puréed organic grown field carrots
and roasted ginger, garnished with crystallized ginger and curry oil.
Chenin Blanc, Ondine, Darling, 2005
Poached Alaskan Halibut Filet, Saffron/Tomato Broth
Alaskan Halibut filet topped with a lobster/herb crust served with shaved braised fennel, and a white wine saffron and tomato broth, garnished with PEI mussels and South African lobster segments.
Chardonnay, Westerland, Coastal Region, 2005
Crayfish Raviolis, Pesto Butter Sauce
Louisiana crayfish raviolis, sauced with a pesto butter sauce of toasted pinenuts, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and sweet basil.
Sauvignon Blanc “Bushvine”, Villeria , Stellenbash, 2004
LaBella Farms Quail, Cranberry Relish
Char-grilled boneless breast of New York Quail served on a chestnut purée topped with sun-dried cranberry/golden raisin/orange zest relish and a pinotage reduction sauce.
Pinotage, Westerland, Coastal Region, 2005
Seared Indiana Duck Breast, Michigan Cherry Glace
A lightly peppered breast of Maple Leaf Farms duck breast served over a duck confit timbale wrapped with Napa cabbage, sauced with a California raisin and sun dried cherry glace.
Red “Vision”, Steytler , Stellenbosch, 2002
Roast Loin of Breckenridge Lamb, Ratatouille Niçoise
Roasted loin of lamb with eggplant, roasted tomato, zucchini, cipollini onions olives with sauce au natural.
Merlot, Ondine, Darling, 2004
Red “Celebration”, Westerland, Coastal Region, 2005
Pineapple and Apple Frangipane Tart, Walnut Ice Cream
A baked pineapple and apple frangipane tart topped with an apricot glaze, served with a walnut French vanilla bean ice cream.
Edelspatz “Noble late harvest Riesling” , Delheim, Stellenbosch, 2004
$85.00/Per Person
Tax & Gratuity not included