We have all heard about pairing food and wine for the most complete experience of flavours and aroma’s and yet, when we have popped a bottle of our favourite wine, all thoughts of food pairing go out the window. After your last mouthful of ice-cream and chocolate sauce, your beautiful smooth red has turned to tannin soaked vinegar and you wonder what is wrong with the wine.

We have the answer: there is NOTHING wrong with the wine… you have just altered your taste buds in what can only be described as a ‘rookie error’. Without getting all technical on you (because we know you are, in fact, seasoned connoisseurs and not mere rookies when it comes to drinking wine) pairing wine and food is truly one of the most magical ways to experience the full flavours of wine. The chemistry of it is pretty amazing and you will be surprised just how much you actually do enjoy a good Chardonnay when it is paired with the right flavours in your meal.

Of course, we cannot speak of Chardonnay without Glen Carlou popping into the back of our minds because, lets face it, they are the Chardonnay masters! But their selection of beautifully crafted wines extends far beyond just the Chardonnay: their seasonal restaurant menu offers a wine pairing for EACH DISH. This means getting not only a variety of wines to take you through your meal and tantalize your tastebuds, but that each wine you get will taste its very best.

Here is a little teaser of how they do it:

Lamb ribllettes, marsala soaked dates, apricot lemon and cinnamon dressing, tamarind and date chutney, thyme and orange gratine, recommended with Glen Carlou Merlot 2012

Franschhoek trout fillet, black lentils, squid, apple and turmeric veloute, honey and black pepper prawns recommended with Glen Carlou Quartz Stone Chardonnay 2012

Amaretto brûlée, coffee puree, hazelnuts, honeycomb, recommended with Glen Carlou The Welder, Natural Sweet Chenin Blanc 2012

Restaurant @ Glen Carlou is one of those gems in a sea of wine-farm restaurants that not only offers amazing wine and a few nibbles, but a full on culinary experience. They cater for kids, and their health conscious attitude means there is a little something for everyone – even you vegans, and that is rare! By maximising on local sustainable produce, their food philosophy makes not only the food taste better but the wine as well. Check it out here to reserve a spot now.