An evening of deep, intense ruby reds and brilliant golden hues...the very best of South Africa shine in an elegant wine dinner event at Chef Jessie Rockwell Club.
Nederburg, South Africa's most awarded winery, showcases its premium collection paired with Chef Jessie's signature dishes at Rockwell Club for one extraordinary evening.
Founded in 1791, Nederburg has a strong wine making tradition and heritage spanning over two centuries, blended with passion and precision producing some of the world's best wines. And through the years, Nederburg continues to be rewarded and recognized the world over, including the 2008 Lexus Wine Chiraz Challenge, back-to-back awards in the 2008 and 2009 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show, the 2010 Tri-Nations Wine Challenge, and Winery of the Year in the 2011 edition of the Platter South African Wine Guide. And it's now here in Manila...
The staff at Chef Jessie Rockwell Club prepared the venue for the evening's wine dinner event, with an elegant set-up for a full course wine pairing with Chef Jessie's unique dishes. One of the best chefs in the metro, the event was indeed a pairing with the very best.
Everything set and ready, as more guests arrived. And more glasses of Nederburg wine were served, as I slowly get into the groove. DJ Nina sets the tone for the evening, blending her own cool vibe as I go for yet another glass of Nederburg. 
The evening begins with glasses of Nederburg Winemaster's Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, a crisp and refreshing white with fruity hints, with notes of melon and tropical fruits, a subtle sweetness and a pleasant lingering finish. Entirely made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes, Nederburg's Sauvignon Blanc features a brilliant color with a lightly greenish tinge. Smooth and refined, one can easily go through a number of glasses of Nederburg's premium Sauvignon Blanc, but there's more...
The Nederburg Winemaster's Reserve Pinotage, made entirely from Pinotage grapes, features a deep and brilliant ruby red color, and a distinct bouquet reminiscent of plums and prunes, delivering a full mouthfeel with rich fruit flavors, soft tannins, and a pleasing lingering aftertaste.
The range of fresh and sharp notes from Nederburg's premium collection deliver clean flavors, both with fruity hints that add a layer of subtle sweetness in every sip. Easy and light on the palate, the full range of flavors are again highlighted when paired with Chef Jessie's culinary creations...
Chef Jessie's Country Pate with Cumberland Sauce served on a bed of assorted lettuce, paired with Nederburg Winemaster's Reserve Pinotage. The rich flavors of Chef Jessie's pate pair well with the fruity notes of the Pinotage, with each sip sharpening one's palate to bring out the delicate flavors of the pate.
The delicate pate is complemented by the sweet Cumberland sauce, and the fresh greens add layers of texture to Chef Jessie's elegant starter.
Then, it was time for the main course. Chef Jessie's Grilled Ostrich Steak in sundried tomato sauce served with sweet potato mash and sauteed French beans, paired with The Brew Master Heritage Heroes Range Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Brew Master Heritage Heroes Range Cabernet Sauvignon's dark, and intense red color delivering full-bodied and bold flavors with hints of dark fruit, black currant, vanilla spice and the richness of tobacco for classic and savory notes and a perfect blend of wood and fruit. Refined, elegant, and very classy, the deep flavor tones pair perfectly with the richly flavored main dish.
I've never tried ostrich before, and I was naturally drawn to the dish with curiosity. One bite, and all my preconceived ideas on what I thought it tasted disappeared. And no, it didn't taste like chicken. Not at all. If I didn't know what it was, I would've thought it was a very lean and tender cut of beef. There was no gamey taste, just clean flavors, and the rich sundried tomato sauce complemented the robust flavors of the ostrich. One bite, followed by a sip of Brew Master Heritage Heroes Range Cabernet Sauvignon...perfect.
For dessert, Chef Jessie's Bread Puddingin Butterscotch Sauce A la mode capped the meal...
...paired with the Nederburg Noble Late Harvest, a vibrant golden yellow color with a hint of honey and peach aromas and a perfectly balanced profile of fruit and vanilla spice notes. It's the perfect wine to cap the wine pairing dinner on a fresh and sweet note.
Chef Jessie's dessert is both indulgent and comforting, with the soft bread pudding absorbing the rich butterscotch sauce and ice cream, rich flavors perfectly washed down with the Nederburg Noble Late Harvest.
Distell's Regional Business Manager for China, Hongkong, the Philippines & Vietnam, Sam Martin (L), and Nederburg's very own master winemaker par excellance, Wilhelm Pienaar (R), greet guests at the Nederburg wine pairing dinner. Nederburg and Chef Jessie at the Rockwell Club, truly an unforgettable dining experience.
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