Winemakers are delving deep into their cellars to find their finest vintages for the Vintage Wine and Dine series at Signal Restaurant.  Many of the wines have been awarded numerous accolades and some are no longer even available for purchase.  These top wines are being paired with a 6-course dinner from the creative genius of Malika van Reenen, Signal’s Executive Chef.

This month, the Q&A spotlight falls on Hamilton Russell Vineyards and Winemaker, Hannes Storm:

Q  IF YOU COULD DO ANY OTHER JOB IN THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD 
     YOU DO?

A   Physician or cardiologist.

Q  WHAT’S THE BEST WINE YOU’VE HAD TO DATE 
   (other than your own)?

A   A few favorites from Burgundy: Domain de la Romanée-Conti, Romanée-
     Conti 2011, DRC La Tache 2002, DRC Montrachet 1972 & Domain Leflaive
     Le Montrachet Grand Cru 1996.

Q   WHAT ‘CHEAP & CHEERFUL’ WINE WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AS
      AN EVERY DAY DRINKING WINE?

A   Cap Classique from a good producer.

Q  CORK OR SCREW CAP?

A  Cork!

Q  DO YOU ENJOY COOKING AND IF SO, WHAT’S YOUR SPECIALITY?

A  Definitely – seafood paellas, pastas and venison dishes.

Q  WHAT WOULD YOU ORDER AS YOUR LAST MEAL?

A  Copious amounts of oysters & a magnum of Louis Roederer Cristal.

Q  WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU LOVE TO TRY BUT HAVEN’T YET HAD AN 
     OPPORTUNITY TO?

A  Truffle dishes.

Q  And lastly, TELL US ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT NOT
     EVERYONE KNOWS

A  I am fond of singing and love opera music.

Join Hannes on the 26th July for the finest wines with the freshest ingredients at Signal.  You will be welcomed with canapés and the Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay 2011.  Our Wine and Dine menu will be paired with a special Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir half decade vertical tasting, of which only a small quantity of each vintage has been retained. Complementing dessert will be the Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay 2010.  The evening costs R650 per person.

To book, please contact René on 021 410 7097 or mailto: renec@capegrace.com.

You can also read our previous Q&A with Anthony Hamilton Russell, owner of Hamilton Russell Vineyards and see the full schedule of  Wine & Dine events here.  The following are still to come so book ahead as space is limited.

30th AUGUST Waterford Estate

20th SEPTEMBER Bosman Family Vineyards

25th OCTOBER Iona Wines

29th NOVEMBER Rustenberg Wines