Of Wine, Women and Song: Wine!

There are some truly great wines produced in South Africa. At Le Canard we generally ask our diners what they would like, and we do make suggestions, but have found that many people have their personal preferences. The most requested are Meerlust Rubicon; Rupert & Rothschild; Kanonkop, Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir; Whole Berry Cabernet Sauvignon; Graham Beck Cabernet Sauvignon, and of the foreign red wines Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

By far the most popular champagne for celebrations is Moët & Chandon. Proves the power of advertising, doesn't it?

One should be adventurous about wine as well as food A great deal is written about wine, and it is worth reading and learning new ideas. "Platters South African Wine Guide" is concise and easy to understand. Wherever you may be, I am sure wine guides are available which are usually written by authorities.

I do find that individual wine farmers don't bother to recognize the importance of their Sales Representatives. An attentive, knowledgeable rep can gain sales by his/her personal presence. They in turn need to recognise the waiter/waitress selling their wine. Any rep walking into a restaurant, and I suppose the same applies to a large liquor outlet, should greet the people selling their products. Not many restaurants has a dedicated sommelier, and it is generally the waiting staff who are serving wines. Acknowledgement of them would increase sales. One South African wine rep I would award a gold medal to is Karyn Rutherford, Regional Sales Ambassador of Graham Beck wines, who has always been bright, cheerful and professional.

Talking of "recognition," I must relate the saga of an incident that took place some years ago. We held a dinner in conjunction with a particular Wine Farm. The owner, his wife, the wine maker and the sales manager flew up from the Cape to Johannesburg for the event. They arrived a short while before the guests. The sales manager greeted me, the farm owner nodded at me, but it turned into one of those moments that became frozen in time. As hostess to the party, I stood waiting to receive them. "Mrs Farm Owner" approached, and I was about to say "thank you for coming" and enthusiastically extended my hand. She looked disdainfully at me, walked straight past and made a beeline for the Maitre D' who was placing orders, and she beamed all over him.

My ego was so dashed that I didn't immediately realise my hand was still extended, awaiting to be accepted. Oh ignorant me! I imagined that, as the owner of Le Canard, I warranted at least slight recognition. Of course, I continued allowing the wine to be purchased by my Maitre D', but remained slightly bruised by the incident.

Freda

Of Wine, Women and Song: Women!

Through the years many really interesting women have dined at Le Canard. Walking down memory lane Adelaide Tambo comes to the forefront.  She was a wonderful human being who, I believe, was a major player in the "Walk to Freedom." She called me her "sister," and I thought likewise of her. I had the honour of having Oliver Tambo celebrate his last birthday with us. He was frail and somewhat tired, but a consummate gentleman.



Adelaide Tambo

Another very gracious and ever friendly lady is Zanele Mbeki, who is lovely smiling and caring. Brigitte Radebe is equally gracious, friendly and caring. She is always a fashion statement. Her feet are firmly on the ground, and one would not know that she is a most successful business woman, and the wife of a senior government minister.

Bridgette Radebe

 I had the pleasure of meeting her entire family. Her parents celebrated a wedding anniversary with us, a remarkable couple who provided all their children with university education, and who lived to see all of their offspring rise to the top of their fields. But this blog is about women, and I should make mention of South African portraitist Silma Keys, a talented artist and most thoughtful hostess.
 

Painting by Silma Keys

Then there is the charming Annabel Ravazotti, a lovely, always smiling individual after whom we named her favourite dessert "Annabel's Parfait" (Walnut Parfait).

When I think of all the women who visited Le Canard over the years, many, many more come to mind, but I must mention a very glamorous and "classy" Middle Eastern lady. She visited South Africa every four months for a fortnight to "take care of her investments." This ritual continued over a period of two years, and we never ascertained exactly what the "investments" were. She was a very disciplined woman, always dressed to the "nines." In winter she was covered in magnificent furs, and in summer time very uncovered in "minis" generally, with revealing slits and, of course, plunging necklines.

 

During what was to be her last visit, we did ascertain that she had been negotiating the purchase of a "strip joint." Our "informant" was her liveried chauffeur, who drove a shiny Rolls Royce with two passengers at the back - our "foreign" lady and her "body guard." While the chauffeur remained constant, the "body guard" changed at every visit she made, however, they all had one thing in common. They were young, gorgeous looking, well built men, usually blonde and occasionally darked haired. According to the chauffeur, they all had "amazing stamina."

The back of the Rolls Royce had a well stocked bar with Krug Champagne, a filled ice bucket, and crystal flutes. The boot of the vehicle had an ice chest packed with "Krug" and a box of flutes. According to the chauffeur, after dinner (always a three course meal during which "Krug" was copiously downed, and which we learnt to order supplies as soon as we got a reservation from the mentioned lady), she would bid us "good night" and then their good night started. The chauffeur was instructed to drive and drive no matter where, and he only stopped when commanded "more champs"! He would then stop the Rolls, open the boot, refill the bar, replace the flutes with fresh ones, and continue the 2-3 hour drive. His complaint was not having to drive endlessly, but to have to listen to the moans, groans, squeals of delight and instructions. All this information came out one night when I invited him to have coffee or something to eat. "No," he said, "nothing to eat, just coffee. I don't need to fill my stomach. I need to empty my chest!"

I am sure you think you have been reading fiction. I guarantee this is an absolutely true story!!

"Wine" to follow!

 

Freda