Sweet memories of Louisvale’s Winemakers dinner held at the lovely Le Siemma Café Bistrot in Stellenbosch. It was a 4 course food and wine pairing with Louisvale Cellar Master Simon Smith and Assistant Winemaker Julia Blaine.
About Le Siemma Café Bistrot
Le Siemma Café Bistrot is a quaint French restaurant situated in the heart of Stellenbosch. Their menu is a taste of modern France with a nod to the traditional. A match made in heaven of original and exciting creations with nothing short of the best ingredients followed by delicious wines and of course warm hospitality.
Sebastien Castelot is the owner of this fine establishment and the focus is on French Bistro style food. The food is exceptional and on the menu you can expect Rabbit in Red Wine Sauce served with tagliatelles and Confit Duck Leg to Poached Pear in Red Wine Sauce. The emphasis is on bistro-style food with delightful flavours made with love.
Le Siemma is fairly new and they opened their doors towards the end of last year. They are open 6 days a week from Monday to Saturday, 9am to 9pm.
The name Le Siemma is derived from the names of Sebastien’s daughters, Emma the eldest and Sienna the youngest.
This was Sebastien’s first winemaker’s dinner paired with the lovely wines of Louisvale. We were very fortunate to have been part of this memorable event as the food together with the wines were top notch and everything paired perfectly together.
They say food and wine pairing is a personal preference. There is nothing like sipping on a glass of fine Cabernet while eating a juicy slow-cooked meat. Food enjoyed with wine is a memorable, enriching experience. It is the art of enjoying a fine wine that will enhance the flavours of the food.
Louisvale Location
Situated in the picturesque Devon Valley. From lots of sunshine through the day to mist in the evenings and early mornings, this resulting in a lovely ripeness as the grapes are having a longer hanging time on the vines.
We were welcomed with a refreshing glass of Louisvale Sauvignon Blanc 2022 and delicious canapés to whet the appetite. Julia Blaine who is the Assistant Winemaker for Louisvale took us through the white wines and how the quality of the grapes, thanks to the perfect location, can be tasted in each glass of Louisvale wine.
WHITE WINES
Louisvale Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Typical Sauvignon Blanc from Stellenbosch. Tropical and fruity. Notes of passion fruit grapefruit and guava. The palate is dry and zesty with a vibrant acidity and beautiful tropical fruit flavours. It is an inviting wine that is pleasing to enjoy and an ideal wine to enjoy as a welcome drink or with a delicious lunch.
“Louisvale is the passion project of Altmann Allers who is the owner of the estate. He has got many businesses and Louisvale is kind of where his heart lies” says Julia Blaine
Louisvale has the perfect site for Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay which is what Louisvale is renowned for. The longer hanging time results in more fruit concentration. The cool evenings brings that good acidity in the wines.
Louisvale Chavant 2022
A refreshing lightly oaked Chardonnay and spent 4 months in French oak barrels. It uplifts the Chardonnay and gives it structure. An array of citrus, peach and butterscotch on the nose. The palate is well-balanced with a firm body and clean flavours. A delightful wine and the perfect wine with food.
Louisvale Chardonnay 2021
This is their flagship wine. It was fermented in barrels and matured in French oak after fermentation. An abundance of intense aromas of pinapples and apricot, toast and spice notes. The palate is smooth and buttery with a lingering aftertaste. A complex wine but still shows that vibrant freshness onto the palate.
MENU
1st Course
Trout Carpacchio is refreshingly light and absolutely delicious! Thinly sliced Trout Carpacchio was a welcome start. The slightly fatty texture of the trout was nicely balanced with a creamy Avocado Mousse and Herb Cream to marry all the flavours together. A dish that is full of flavour but won’t leave you too full for what’s next to come.
It paired perfectly with Louisvale’s lightly oak Chavant Chardonnay 2022. The body and mtexture from the wine cuts through the fattiness of the trout and the creaminess of the avocado mousse and herb cream was balanced out by the smooth mouthfeel of the Chavant Chardonnay.
2nd Course
In French cuisine, Escargot is a much celebrated delicacy. Growing up most family restaurants featured snails on their menu, topped with a cheesy garlicky sauce and bread on the side to soak up all the sauce. Le Siemma’s Snails and Leek feuillete, served with a Garlic cream sauce is appetising and flavoursome.
A buttery puff pastry accompanied with leeks and snails together with a delicious garlic cream sauce is a taste sensation and amazing how well the sauce and leeks paired with Louisvale’s Chardonnay 2021 – a delicious pairing that was pleasing to the palate.
3rd Course
Scrumptious and savoury is how I would described these delicate cabbage rolls stuffed with a juicy and mouthwateringly tender Pullet Beef Brisket, cooked bourguignon-style in a red wine sauce.
It’s a hearty and flavourful dish and was paired beautifully with Louisvale’s Dominique 2020 which is a full-bodied Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
4th Course
No dinner is complete without a rich and luscious Chocolate Ganache Tart made from one of the best Valrhona chocolate in the world and served with a crispy Sesame Tuile.
This decadent and rich tart was chocolatey and every chocolate lovers delight, deliciously paired with Louisvale MCC Brut Chardonnay.
RED WINE
Cellar Master Simon Smith has been with Louisvale for 27 years and together with his awesome sense of humor, told stories about how Louisvale’s journey started in 1989 with plantings of only Chardonnay. With his passion for wines and a vision that other cultivars will do well on the farm, he started planting Cabernets 8 years ago.
“To make good wine you need good grapes. You cant make good wine from bad grapes, but you can certainly mess up good grapes” Simon says.
Louisvale Limited Edition Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Still a bit young, however the 2018 vintage was awarded the Best Cabernet Sauvignon at the Trophy Show. Rich layers of ripe black fruit and firm, finely textured tannins, enriched by oak. Full bodied with well-structured textures and a long elegant finish.
Louisvale Dominique 2020
This wine was named in remembrance of a champion Schnauzer. It’s a three cultivar wine that comprises of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Intense fruit aromas of black currant and plum are underpinned by toasted oak. The palate is medium to full bodied & rich.
Louisvale MCC Brut Chardonnay
100% Chardonnay. Expressive aromas of fruit and brioche on the nose. On the palate the bubbles are fine and the mousse lingering and you can expect fragrances of zesty lemon and green apple flavours.
Winter Winemaker’s Lunch At Louisvale
Missed out but want to be part of Louisvale’s next event? Louisvale is hosting a Winter Winemaker’s Lunch on the 28th of August.
Winter weather brings cravings of deliciously hearty meals paired with fine wines and good company. Louisvale offers all three!
Simon Smith, wine maven and renowned for winning many prestigeous awards for the Louisvale brand, will be your host at the winter winemaker’s lunch on the 28th of August. The wines will be paired with delicious flavours of specially crafted dishes by head Chef, Kirstie du Toit.
Your table awaits you from 12 noon and will cost R500 per head inclusive of a curated selection of wines to compliment each course.
Welcome Drink
MCC Brut
Hors d’oeuvre
Goats Cheese Tartlet with Burnt Orange Segments,
Orange Caviar, Beetroot Puree & Micro Greens
Louisvale Unwooded Chardonnay
Appetiser
Steamed Mussels with Curry Coconut Broth, Paprika Oil, Lemon Pickled Red Onion & Baby Marrow
Louisvale Chardonnay
Palate Cleanser
Strawberry Sorbet with Lime Sugar
Main Course
Grilled Beef Fillet with Pressed Beef Cheek, Turnip Puree, Mushrooms, Spinach, Black Berry Puree & Olive Oil Sabayon
Louisvale Dominique
Dessert
64% Dark Chocolate Tart with Cherry Gel,
Burnt Meringue & Cherry Ice Cream
Louisvale Limited Cabernet Sauvignon
Petit Fours
Chef’s Preference
Louisvale Honey Pot
Wine tasting is not available on Sundays or on special event days
Booking is essential to avoid disappointment mouton@louisvale.co.za
For more information, please visit www.louisvalewine.com
Enquiries and wine sales: anzelle@louisvale.com
Contact: +27 21 865 2422
All Louisvale wines are served in the restaurant or available to purchase online https://www.louisvale.com/wines-online/
Categories: Le Siemma Café Bistrot, Louisvale
