“Wine, like food, is so emotional. If you think about it, so much of the courting ritual is surrounded by wine and food. There’s a built-in romance to wine” – Padma Lakshmi
Even though Cupid’s job has been done, officially, that is, I don’t see the need of being stuck in that one love bubble. Love does ‘make the world go round’ and in my opinion, regardless of whether it’s to a sibling, a spouse, a friend, you name it, keep creating those love bubbles.
I’ve always relished the idea of something new, or better still something different. I get excitable at opening a new wine in the same manner feelings of excitement are invoked in me at visiting a new place. It’s the kind of excitement that takes you back to when your life revolved around being that little boy or girl, yes, that sort of excitement.
I’ll have a bottle of wine any day, and I’m one of those bush ‘chicks,’ driven by having a totally ‘outdoor’ experience. I love nature, and I have to admit, I had an amazing weekend, pairing love, wine and nature at Stanley and Livingstone in Victoria Falls. It’s snugged away in a private game reserve offering absolutely luxurious accommodation set in a rustic yet desirably pure and natural beauty of our indigenous African savannah. The uncomfortable temperature called for a light and fresh Klein Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc, which cooled my palate from the warm weather synonymous with Victoria Falls. Its slight crisp palate, helped me in absorbing the lush green gardens surrounding me. A sense of peace and tranquility engulfed me and the delicious wine, and my ‘good company’. I must admit, being the price conscious wine lover at ‘wine by the glass’, I was not interested in the price. I was just enjoying this Sauvignon Blanc moment.
With the journey still continuing, in this arduously beautiful place filled with activities for everyone, I got ready for the next day, where I decided on a Viljoensdrift Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 red wine as my wine of choice. I have to admit, with temperatures raging in the 30s, the chilled red wine lived up to its expectations. Serenely seated facing towards a watering hole on a small vlei, hoping to catch some animal excitement, the smooth black berry filled, rich wine made friends with my palate. Game viewing, nature’s surrounds and the wine, were all in perfect sync. My ‘little girl’ mood was ecstatic. This journey was proving to be the journey I’ve always imagined.
With an array of wines available for order, I was a little disappointed with the unavailability of a Riesling. A Fleur Du Cap unfiltered white full-bodied blend with character and a sophisticated palate saved the day. I was in my wine element and Stanley and Livingstone Lodge lived up to its world-class standards.
From wine and game viewing to dinner in the cellar, Stanley and Livingstone quenched my desire for something new. The wine was enough to create my own ‘love’ bubbles. To my ‘good company’ who understands the meaning of friendship, fun and wine, thank you. To all wine lovers, may you create your own love bubbles and may your next safari be paired with love and wine. Till the next adventure, it’s a Sauvignon Blanc cheers to safari and wine.
The vintage year on a wine label is the harvest year of the grapes from which the wine was made.
?DID YOU KNOW?
The year on a wine label (vintage) is the year in which grapes were harvested to produce a particular wine.
Please note: This article first appeared in the The Standard Lifestyle magazine.
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