On a warm Saturday morning, 1 September 2018, wine lovers gathered in the lovely outdoors at the Sammy Marks House Museum in Bronkhorstspruit for a celebration of Spring!  Symbolic of the new season, flowers adorned all the tables where tasty treats were consumed, including quiche, apple crumble and, of course, bubbly. If you didn't join us, you definitely missed out.


No less than NINE sparkling wines (including one actually named Mensa) were tasted and graded by our discerning members. The tasting started with the still wines, the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Once some of the aromas and flavours were identified, they were tried together in a blend, seeing how the balance and impact of the whole was more impressive than the parts. 
Then, the same blend fermented a second time into a 'champagne' was tasted. It was wonderful tasting the way each change enhanced and developed the wine.


After a light lunch, the Villeria Tradition Brut, Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel, and Pongeacz champagnes were tasted, ending with the Pinot Noir. Either green apple or apple pie was present on the nose and palate of each. The Chardonnay showed lemon, lime, and grapefruit. As the Pinot Noir quantity increased, hints of liquorice, brioche, strawberry, and shortbread were revealed.

To cap off the tasting, the sweet Krone Night Nectar Rose was drunk as the sort of 'pudding wine'.
It was a wonderfully fresh and refreshing wine tasting, in more ways than one, proving once again, that flowers and bubbly make a great combination.

PSST!!! If you haven't yet booked your place for the Spring Wine Tasting event, you can still do so! Email pta.treasurer@mensa.org.za now to secure your place!

More info:
You are cordially invited to join Mensa Pretoria for an "Out of Africa" Garden Party and tasting of South Africa's very best Méthode Cap Classique Wines (better known as "Champagne" to anyone who lives OUTSIDE of France...)

Enjoy a welcoming glass of Bubbly on arrival and Morning Tea in the garden of the historic Sammy Marks House Museum, before a guided tasting of a number of award-winning sparkling wines and the still-wine cultivars that they are made from... the best Bubblies to come "Out of Africa".

Those with creative flair will want to come dressed for the occasion, in keeping with the theme ("Out of Africa" or "Spring Day", you decide). Prizes will be awarded (Bubbly, of course) for the Best Dressed and the Most Interestingly Dressed people.

The tasting will continue into the mid-afternoon after a break for a light lunch and awarding of prizes.

ESSENTIAL INFO:

DATE:
SPRING DAY, Saturday 1 September 2018

TIME:
10:30 for 11:00

PLACE:
Sammy Marks House Museum

GPS:
25° 44' 59.41″ S 28° 22' 48.16″ E

ADDRESS:
Bronkhorstspruit Rd, Savannah Country Estate, Donkerhoek, Pretoria
DIRECTIONS:
Take the N4 East from Pretoria
Take Exit 11, Solomon Mahlangu Drive
Turn left at the traffic island
After 800 m turn right on the R104 towards Bronkhorstspruit
After about 1.2 km turn left to Sammy Marks House Museum (white sign board)

FOOD:
Upon arrival you will be treated to some milk tart, coffee and tea. Brunch will be quiche and salad, finished off with apple pie and cream.

COSTS:
R125.00 for paid-up Mensa-members (same price for adults and children); R150.00 for non-members.
This cost covers the food and wines to be tasted.

ADDITIONAL INFO:
The venue is child-friendly and has ample parking.
There is no a la carte menu on that day. If you have special dietary requirements, please let us know in advance, so that we can notify the venue and arrange the necessary with them.
There is a cash bar available for soft drinks and other refreshments.

BOOKINGS: Please e-mail the below information to pta.treasurer@mensa.org.za to secure your booking:
Your name and membership number
Number of bookings
Your cellphone number (in case we need to reach you beforehand)
Proof of payment. Payment details are: Mensa Pretoria, FNB Lynnwood, Branch code 252 045, Account number 5103 0053 626, Ref: Name and membership number

Booking is essential!

You are cordially invited to join Mensa Pretoria for an “Out of Africa” Garden Party

and tasting of South Africa’s very best Méthode Cap Classique Wines

(better known as “Champagne” to anyone who lives OUTSIDE of France!)

Enjoy a welcoming glass of Bubbly on arrival and Morning Tea in the garden of the historic Sammy Marks House Museum, before a guided tasting of a number of award-winning sparkling wines and the still-wine cultivars that they are made from... the best Bubblies to come "Out of Africa".

Those with creative flair will want to come dressed for the occasion, in keeping with the theme ("Out of Africa" or "Spring Day", you decide).  Prizes will be awarded (Bubbly, of course) for the Best Dressed and the Most Interestingly Dressed people.

The tasting will continue into the mid-afternoon after a break for a light lunch and awarding of prizes.

ESSENTIAL INFO:

DATE:	SPRING DAY, Saturday 1 September 2018
TIME:	10:30 for 11:00
PLACE:	SAMMY MARKS HOUSE MUSEUM GPS: 25° 44' 59.41″ S 28° 22' 48.16″ E ADDRESS: Bronkhorstspruit Rd, Savannah Country Estate, Donkerhoek, Pretoria
DIRECTIONS:	Take the N4 East from Pretoria Take Exit 11, Solomon Mahlangu Drive Turn left at the traffic island After 800 m turn right on the R104 towards Bronkhorstspruit After about 1.2 km turn left to Sammy Marks House Museum (white sign board)
FOOD:	Upon arrival you will be treated to some milk tart, coffee and tea.  Brunch will be quiche and salad, finished off with apple pie and cream.
COSTS:	R125.00 for paid-up Mensa-members (same price for adults and children);  R150.00 for non-members. This cost covers the food and wines to be tasted.
ADDITIONAL INFO:	The venue is child-friendly and has ample parking. There is no a la carte menu on that day.  If you have special dietary requirements, please let us know in advance, so that we can notify the venue and arrange the necessary with them. There is a cash bar available for soft drinks and other refreshments.
BOOKINGS:	Please e-mail the below information to pta.treasurer@mensa.org.za to secure your booking: Your name and membership number Number of bookings Your cellphone number (in case we need to reach you beforehand) Proof of payment.  Payment details are:  Mensa Pretoria, FNB Lynnwood, Branch code 252 045, Account number 5103 0053 626, Ref:  Name and membership number
	Booking is essential!  Please let us have your complete booking information by WEDNESDAY, 22 AUGUST 2018, as we need to confirm the number of attendees with the venue and wine guides.

We are looking forward to seeing you there!