I had a wonderful week filled with birthday celebrations and am once again grateful for my October birthday. In South Africa, it is the prettiest of all the months! The purple splendour of Jacaranda trees in the streets of Pretoria is one big photo moment waiting to happen, it is clear to see why Bloemfontein is called the City of Roses and in the Winelands, vineyards and oak trees have the most intense shade of green while fruit trees blossoming en masse turn the whole landscape into a party!
No wonder that Leipoldt wrote “Dit is die maand Oktober, die mooiste, mooiste maand“. Do read the whole Afrikaans poem – it really is a summary of all that is to love about October! There is also an English translation, October Month.
When I read about violets, roses, jasmine and orange blossoms, I can’t help myself to be reminded of wine tasting notes! While it might be a little less romantic, floral wine aromas are from a variety of chemical compounds, such as esters, terpenes and thiols. (Read more) Some wines are better known for their floral attributes, but here are some of the best known floral aromas in wine:
- Roses (Gewürztraminer, Gamay, Pinot Noir, Grenache, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo)
- Lillies (Pinot Grigio, Semillon, Muscat, Torrontes)
- Violets (Mourvèdre, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Merlot, Touriga Nacional)
- Honeysuckle (Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Cabernet Franc)
- Geranium (Moscato, Gewürztraminer, Torrontes, Malbec, Petit Verdot)
- Citrus/orange blossoms (Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Viognier)
- Lavender (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Petit Verdot, Tempranillo, Sangiovese)
- Jasmine (Viognier, Muscat, Torrontes, Gewürztraminer, Riesling)
- Elderflower (Sauvignon Blanc and Prosecco grape)
Are these delightful floral bouquets limited to wine or can coffee have floral notes too? It seems so! Next time when you sip on your morning brew, try to identify the delicate aroma of rose, jasmine, chrysanthemum or chamomile. The intensity of the aroma depends on the processing of the beans and the roasting level. It can also be affected by the brewing method. Lighter roasts might be kinder to the delicate floral aromas derived from the coffee beans and berries. Do follow this handy guide, to guide you in identifying the rose in your roast!
While we are all inspired by the magnificence of Spring, a host of floral activities are happening at the moment. On 12 October we celebrated Garden Day to kick off the season and during October and November, the Cape Winelands play host to some exciting events.
- At La Motte Wine Estate, we are opening a new floral inspired art exhibition and exciting series of workshops on 18 October. Entitled ROSE’D, it draws its inspiration from the flourish of spring and summer as well as the many forms of the rose. It promises to be exceptional and guests to the estate are also invited to experience floral interpretations from the menu at L’Ami to the Bakery’s delicate patisserie, rose-inspired delights in the Spens, beautiful rose shopping from the Farm Shop and even a delightful Vin de Joie Rosé and Turkish delight pairing! (Here is all you can expect) We are also very fortunate to have two special roses named after the family on the farm – the Hanneli Rupert and Berdine roses. (Read more)
- The popular Franschhoek Open Gardens weekend takes place early November and we are very excited to host international landscape designer and botanist Leon Kluge on La Motte for two interesting talks in La Motte’s newly restored Parshuis – one on his Gold Medal Chelsea Flower Show experience and one on the fascinating adaptations South African plants have developed to attract pollinators.
- The Stellenbosch Garden Town festival runs from 31 October and as part of this experience, guests are invited to also join for Growing Beauty Without Pesticides with Anja Taschner on 1 November, The Origin and History of the Rose with Ludwig Taschner on 5 November and Wildflower & Rose Floral Arranging with Anja Taschner on 6 or 7 November.
Make the most of the beautiful season, whether you take a garden stroll or find a flower in your cup or glass!