Recommended South African Wines at Jiko?

[Leota]

Yes, they put the cork back in it! (sorry, couldn't resist) I've done this once or twice at Jiko.

That is good to know! If they still have any of that 2004 Five Soldiers, I'd buy a bottle & take the remainder back to the room. If I can take it back, I can still have other wines with other courses. Very cool.

 

[johnsonet]

I found the Rosa Regale to be a huge disappointment.

OMG - I totally agree

 

[Leota]

OMG - I totally agree

I was starting to think I was the only one around here that thought that.

 

[johnsonet]

Every time I see it in the refrigerated wine section of my local Whole Foods, I shudder

Sorry to those of you who love the stuff

 

[DreaminDisney]

bumping

 

[Inkmahm]

I had the Nederberg Stein. My server recommended it to go with my Kenyan Coffee BBQ chicken flatbread appetizer. It was delicious. I don't normally even care for wine, but when I do drink it I prefer white to red. I can't wait to go back in September so I can get another glass. I tried to find it locally but I guess it isn't sold anywhere and PA doesn't allow wine to be shipped in so I can't even order it.

DH is from PA originally. I just read this whole thread to him and he said to tell you that if you do the legwork to find a distributor, you can order a case of the wine you are looking for from the state store. (I'm still not used to the idea of a state cornering the liquor business in a state store.) There will be a charge but there will also be a case discount so it may work out for you. Good luck!

 

[Andy123]

The staff at Jiko is very good... Stephen is wonderful when he's around. Try the Hamilton Russell Chardonnay... very Burgundian (clean, crisp) in style with just a little richness. Also generally hard to come by in your local retail stores... The staff is very well trained and can offer recommendations that will enhance your meal.

Pinotage is sort of the "national red grape" of South Africa (always a burnt-rubber boot note to it), and Chenin Blanc (also known as Steen) is the "national white grape" (dry or off-dry, depending on the producer and vintage), though they are making some New Zealand styled Sauvignon Blancs that are really good.

If you have any specific questions, send me a PM.

 

[johnsonet]

The staff at Jiko is very good... Stephen is wonderful when he's around.

Sadly, Steve is now at Spoodle's He was given a promotion to head of Food & Bev at the BWI; Jeremy at Jiko is now the "main man" and he is doing a great job; but Steve is the best and will be missed! He had built up the relationships with the winemakers and from everything I saw was - along with Chef Anette who is leaving this week - the heart and soul of Jiko. Nothing lasts forever, I guess...

 

[Keokagal]

Our first African wine was a red varietal Goats do Roam at Boma. We have a bottle in the pantry right now. Have fun. We'll be back in Aug.

 

[chamonix]

So sad to hear the Chef is leaving, and I hope her replacement is as good! Jiko is a must for us every trip. Some of the wines we have enjoyed there are the Rustenberg John Merriman 2002

and we especially enjoyed the Vergelegen "V" 2001 on our last trip in March.

It's a wonderful blend. For more info on this wine, see
http://www.57mainstreet.com/news/index.php?arr1=0,1&itemid=1&eventid=22
http://www.57mainstreet.com/products/index.php?arr1=0,50&itemid=50&eventid=163

I agree that you will get good advice from the staff at Jiko when it comes to wine. We have had many more bottles there, but these are all that I have photos of on this laptop. Sorry for the poor pictures, but instead of writing down the wines, we use the camera to remember for us--we are drinking wine, after all.

 

[jcemom]

DH is from PA originally. I just read this whole thread to him and he said to tell you that if you do the legwork to find a distributor, you can order a case of the wine you are looking for from the state store. (I'm still not used to the idea of a state cornering the liquor business in a state store.) There will be a charge but there will also be a case discount so it may work out for you. Good luck!

Thank you! I didn't know that and the employees at the stores I visited either didn't know it either, or didn't offer up the information.

 

[Andy123]

Do keep in mind that not every wine is imported into every state... even most California wines are only in 10-25 states, so it's very possible that you won't be able to get the wine where you live.