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