In March, Akemi ̶ Dar es Salaam’s only revolving restaurant ̶ staged the first of its increasingly popular wine tasting and jazz events for 2016. As usual a wide selection of wines from Mark Techno, MMI Tanzania, Red N’ White, Mohans Oysterbay Drinks Company and TDL were available for Dar’s wine lovers to savour.
It is always exciting for me to sample wines I have never tried before. The 40 plus wines that were available at this event more than satisfied my never-ending curiosity about wine. And let me tell you, the wine companies make a special effort to bring different bottles to each event, so that serial attendees like myself do not end up drinking the same wines.
Congratulations to Akemi for always making the effort to invite a variety of wine importers together with cheese merchants. The cheese company this time was Njombe Milk Factory. They brought along their locally-made, top quality Italian-style cheeses including: Fresh Mozzarella, Pizza Mozzarella, Asiago, Taleggio, Ricotta and Provolone.
Akemi’s kitchen always excels at making fabulous canapés. As usual we were spoilt for choice with top-notch finger food including: Smoked Salmon Bruschetta; Curried Crab Puffs; Goats Cheese and Beetroot tart; Smokey Biltong; Prawn and Lobster Spring Rolls with a Citrus Sweet Chilli Dip; Roast Duck and Brie Burgers; Beef Carpaccio; California Club Roll; Cajun Chicken Strips; Pumpkin Gruyere Gourgeres; Smoked Salmon Pate; Roast Feta and Pepper Bruschetta; Blue Cheese, Cinnamon Roasted Pear and Caramelised Walnut; Salami and Olives Bruschetta; Wasabi Shrimp Avocado on rice crackers; Lamb Cigars with Minted Agrodolce; and Schezuan Fingers!
As always, I do try to sample as many wines as possible, so let me share my highlights:
My best value selections were both sparkling wines. Really fruity Andre Brut Rose from California has refreshing, slightly sweet cranberry flavor (and low alcohol content) should be a crowd pleaser at any gathering. The J.C Le Roux Sauvignon Blanc is a dry yet fruity bubbly which is light and clean on the palate. Both of these retail under 20,000Tshs so really there is no excuse to serve substandard bubbly at your next party!
I am partial to Shiraz wines from Australia, and my delightful new finds were two fantastic offerings at the Mohan’s stand . The Penfold’s Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2014 (South Australia) is a blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that produce a full-bodied, structured and silky wine that should go well with your red meat choices. The Lindeman’s Bin 50 Shiraz 2014 (South Eastern Australia) is also a full-bodied wine with soft tannin structure that makes it very approachable.
The MMI Tanzania stand served my white wine of the moment that is the Kapuka Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough (New Zealand). Marlborough is always touted as the producer of the best Sauvignon Blanc wines in the world and Kapuka is up there with the best of the region’s offerings. It is dry, it is vibrant, it has fresh flavours of apples and citrus fruits, everything you ever wanted in a white wine!
The legendary Bordeaux region is always a favourite with many lovers of bold, red wines ̶ including myself . The Calvet Chateau Saint Germain 2013 Bordeaux (France) was available to satisfy lovers of full-bodied red wines. If you love your red wines on the smooth side, however, then a Merlot like the Peacock Ridge Wild Ferment Merlot (South Africa) is more appealing. This is one of those elegant wines that is fantastically priced and should suit various palates.
Finally, the star of the evening for me was the Spier Signature Chardonnay/Pinot Noir (South Africa). Good Rose wines are hard to come by in this part of the world so this was a real treat. This particular one is a blend of the Champagne grapes whereby each grape variety’s unique flavour is captured perfectly.
Photos courtesy of Moments Photography
The next Akemi’s Wine and Jazz evening will be on 15th July 2016. Email Akemi on info@akemidining.com to receive notification when tickets go on sale.
