Amongst the Cape Town Hotels, the five star One&Only Cape Town Resort in South Africa takes dinner at the famous Reuben’s Restaurant up a notch with a Sommelier’s Table that is a fascinating showcase of the resort’s extensive wine collection. There’s no denying that aside from the world-class facilities at the luxurious One&Only Cape Town Resort that a large part of the attraction at this urban hotel is the prospect of dining at two of the best restaurants in the city namely Nobu Cape Town and Reuben’s. A new development at the One&Only Cape Town is the launch of its top Sommelier’s Table at Reuben’s. Guests up to 12 at any one time are offered a private dining experience at the restaurant while being hosted by internationally renowned sommelier Luvo Ntezo or his well-versed colleague Tinashe Nyamudoka. With a plus-5000 bottle strong wine and Champagne collection at his disposal and a healthy thirst for discovering new and interesting wines, Luvo is a fascinating host and warm raconteur of cellar tales from his many wine adventures. The Sommelier Table experience has a delightful laidback flavour to it that both aficionados and enthusiastic new wine lovers will appreciate. On arrival at Reuben’s, Sommelier Table guests will meet their host in the impressive three-floor, all-glass, climate-controlled cellar. Here they will enjoy a ‘blind tasting’ ice breaker – perhaps sampling an interesting new find or a wine that is perfectly primed for enjoying that day. Guests will be given a cellar tour and will be able to ask Luvo or Tinashe any questions they may have about this impressive collection of both local and international wines and Champagnes. Light tapas-style snacks will be served in the cellar before guests move to the nearby private dining table for their dinner. Consulting with Reuben and his chef lieutenant Maritz Jacobs as to the best dishes of the day and the latest fresh produce that has been sourced is very much a part of the One&Only sommelier approach and one that has led to these popular dinners. An ideal entertainment opportunity for epicureans, business persons and their clients and people looking for an out of the ordinary experience, the Sommelier Table has proved exceptionally popular and a welcome addition to the offerings at the hotel. Each evening will follow the format of a traditional tasting menu, with four carefully conceived courses, each paired with an equally special wine. Guests will be afforded the opportunity to learn about some lesser-known wine gems, to savour some of the world’s ‘big hitters’ and to enjoy an evening relishing the finer things in life in five-star surrounds. In keeping with the bespoke nature of the events, guests may also request their wine appreciation evening follows a theme or may leave things entirely in the hands of Luvo and Tinashe. Sommelier Table guests will also be given a bottle of wine of the wines tasted that evening as a keepsake. With Reuben’s star rising thanks to the success of his second cookbook, numerous TV appearances both locally and abroad and the fact that national airline carrier South African Airways recently announced a partnership with him for their business class in-flight menus, there’s no doubt that a chance to dine at his eponymous restaurant is a special occasion. Dining at the One&Only Cape Town Resort is a memorable experience. (Article by South African Hotels - Edited by Liquorwise)

Die Burger berig dat die omstrede konsepvoorstelle oor drankverkope laatnag en op Sondae in die Stellenbosch-omgewing weer bekyk gaan word. Die nuwe DA-beheerde stadsraad van Stellenbosch sal die konsepvoorstelle wat die vorige stadsraad goedgekeur het, ernstig heroorweeg en verwelkom die insette van die gemeenskap daaroor, sê mnr. Conrad Sidego, nuutverkose burgemeester.

Sidego het gister by navraag gesê die stadsraad is baie bewus van die diepe kommer wat voorstelle dat drank nie op Sondae verkoop mag word nie in veral die toerismebedryf veroorsaak.“Ons is deeglik bewus daarvan dat ons ’n toerismedorp in die middel van die wynlande is en hierdie stadsraad sal geen besluit neem wat die dorp, sy beeld of sy inkomste sal skaad nie.

“Daar is geen rede om opgeklits te raak nie – nugtere oorweging sal aan die kwessie gegee word,” het Sidego gesê. Vrese bestaan dat talle restaurante, veral dié op landgoedere, hul deure sal moet sluit as drankverbruik in restaurante in en om Stellenbosch op Sondae verbied word.

’n Plaaslike toerismeorganisasie win trouens reeds regsadvies in oor die kwessie. So ’n “belaglikheid” sou ’n “verleentheid” vir die gebied wees en kan verreikende gevolge hê vir die ekonomie van die gewildste wyngebied van Suid-Afrika, is aan Rapport gesê oor die konsepbesluit.

Die besluit, wat voorlopig geneem is na gelang van die impak van provinsiale wetgewing, sou nie net die verkoop en bedien van wyn op Sondae in restaurante in die dorp en op landgoedere verbied het nie, maar sluit ook ’n verbod op kroeë in om saans ná 23:00 alkohol te verkoop. Die verordening kon in elk geval nie finaal deur die stadsraad aanvaar word voordat die voorgestelde provinsiale konsepwetgewing, die Wes-Kaapse Drankwysigingswetsontwerp, in werking tree nie.

Dié wetsontwerp word tans deur die provinsiale regering hersien. Die aanvaarding van ’n Stellenbosse drank-verordening, soos die vorige stadsraad voorgestel het, sal ’n verlammende invloed op die ekonomie van die gebied hê omdat wyntoerisme 25% van die bruto ekonomiese produk hier uitmaak, sê me. Annareth Bolton, uitvoerende hoof van die toerismeorganisasie Stellenbosch Wynroetes.

Van die land se toprestaurante, wat gereeld die Eat Out-wenlys haal, is in dié gebied geleë.Sondae is van die gewildste kuierdae, sê Bolton. “Dis die dag waarop sowel plaaslike as buitelandse toeriste die wyngebied die graagste besoek om sy kos en wyn te geniet. Dit maak wynplase, restaurante en wynkelders van die grootste werkverskaffers hier.”

Bolton sê Wynroetes is in gesprek met hul regsverteenwoordiger, ’n kenner op die gebied van dranklisensiëring. Volgens mnr. Beyers Truter, eienaar van die landgoed Beyerskloof buite Stellenbosch, sal dit kortsigtig wees om die voorstel van die vorige stadsraad deur te voer en sal dit die restaurant- en toerismemark hier doodmaak.

Many wine farms are not aware that they can trade on Sundays.

Although the current Act do not allow them to trade on Sundays, they can apply to be allowed to trade. There is often a great need for this, as many wine farms have extended their core business to

include a restaurant, outdoor facilities, accommodation and much more.

Do you agree?