Calling all Sauvignon Blanc lovers – it’s time to don your summer frocks and fedoras and get ready for a two-day lifestyle festival celebrating this popular white wine.

And there won’t just be wine at Constantia Fresh. Superstar sommelier Jörg Pfützner has put a lot of thought into this wine’s food compatibility too.

Top chefs will be on hand to get the pairings just right. Expect Peter Tempelhoff of Cellars-Hohenort, Bertus Basson of Overture, Garth Almazan of Catharina’s at Steenberg, Roland Gorgosilich of Bosman’s at Grande Roche Hotel and Edgar Osojnik of Buitenverwachting.

Tickets can be purchased at the cellar doors of the participating Constantia Valley producers or by contacting Jörg Pfützner of Fine Wine Events on 072 467 5943 or e-mail him at info@riesling.co.za

One lucky reader stands the chance of winning a double ticket to the Sauvignon Blanc and Food Pairing exhibition on February 27. Enter here.

CONSTANTIA FRESH FESTIVAL 2010 PROGRAMME

Sauvignon Blanc and Food Pairing exhibition 

More than a thirty will exhibit their wines alongside the top of the Cape on the lawns of Buitenverwachting. All exhibiting regions will be paired with top chefs of the Cape and other Sauvignon Blanc producing regions so that guests will be able to select and taste the canapés crafted for these wines. Following the exhibition guests will be invited to a picnic to sit on the lawns and enjoy live entertainment in the form of Adamu whilst enjoying the red wines of the Constantia Valley.

International Sauvignon Blanc tasting
Friday 26 February 2010 14h00–19h00 (R1 500 per person)

Buitenverwachting will host the international Sauvignon Blanc tasting in its Old Cellar where guests will taste different vintages from the best producers of the Loire, New Zealand and the Constantia region to establish stylistic differences, ageability and strong and weak points in comparison to other world-class Sauvignon Blancs.

Fine dining at award-winning La Colombe
Friday 26 February 2010 19h30–00h00 (R1 500 per person)

Award-winning La Colombe restaurant is the location for the fine-dining event with matured international and Constantia Sauvignon Blanc. Sauvignon Blanc food compatibility will be highlighted. Guests will be welcomed with a glass of Constantia Méthode Cap Classique and an introduction to the freshness of Sauvignon Blanc by wine master Cathy van Zyl. A brief address will be given by Luke Dale-Roberts, executive chef of La Colombe restaurant.

International red wine tasting
Saturday 27 February 2010 11h00–13h30 (R700 per person)

Groot Constantia will host an international red wine tasting to showcase the importance of freshness in red wines. The line-up will feature different vintages of Bordeaux, high-end Australian Shiraz, wines of the northern Rhone Valley and South African Bordeaux blends and Shiraz from Constantia and other regions. Sauvignon Blanc and food pairing exhibition Saturday 27 February 2010 15h00–18h00 with picnic to follow from 18h00–21h30 (R450 per person)