When the French Wine Guy met the South African Food Guy, it was a marriage made in heaven. The happy union has produced a Tour de France, the pairing of exceptional French wines with the finest of local cuisine.
Executive Chef at Hyde Park’s popular Italian bistro, Zio la Famiglia, Jonothan Nel and Hervé Delabesse, general manager at specialist wine importer, Premier Cru Wines, have put together an expansive degustation menu.
Said Delabesse: “I selected eight excellent wines from different regions of France, each true to their unique terroir. These days, with the Euro/Rand exchange rate, international travel is limited to a lucky few.
“Our Tour de France is designed to allow our guests to travel without moving, and to journey through French winelands in a delicious way.”
Delabesse educates wine enthusiasts on what makes French wines different from those produced in South Africa, or other parts of the world.
“The soil, as we call ’terroir’, the climate and the ageing process; those are the components that are unique to the country from which the wine comes.”
For this Zio pairing menu journey, Delabesse begins in Champagne, in the Grand Cru village of Aÿ, with a gastronomic Champagne house.
He then moves to Sancerre in the Loire Valley for a crisp white followed by a Burgundy chardonnay full of finesse.
Then he moves south, to Provence where the Rosé is legendary. Next an elegant red wine from Burgundy, followed by a silky and intense Syrah from the Rhône Valley and rounded off with a noble Bordeaux red. For a flourish finish to the meal Delabesse returns to his birthplace, the Loire Valley, for a dessert white in the form of a noble late harvest Chenin Blanc.
“Of course all of these wines that I will present are paired gastronomically. I strive to match people with wine, to take them on a journey to discover their own palate preferences.
“It’s the reason I only work with boutique houses. That way, people can discover which region matches their taste profile.”
Chef Jono is equally excited. He said: “I’ve curated an eight course tasting menu around the wines and the regions.
“We will move around France on a culinary adventure. Each of the wines that Hervé has chosen will be accompanied by my refined version of a classic dish from that region.”
Chef Jono says he’s not giving away too much.
“I promise an extraordinary taste experience. I have put together a carefully considered menu designed for balance and to be palate pleasing.”
This delectable French feast will be a one-off celebration to introduce summer, and herald an early start to the festive season.
Said Chef Jono: “It’s going to be an exclusive gathering meant for discerning patrons. To make it more intimate, we will accommodate just 26 guests. Only those who book early will be lucky enough to be a part of this quite spectacular event.”
WHAT: An 8 course tasting menu paired with exceptional French wines
WHERE: Zio La Famiglia, Hyde Park
WHEN: Sunday, October 20th
TIME: From Noon
BRING: A healthy appetite and a willingness to be wowed.
WEAR: Elastic waist trousers.
PRICE: R980 per person
HOW TO BOOK: This is an intimate, small, exclusive gathering. You will need to put down a 50% payment per booking to make your reservation, immediately, or within a week of booking.
BOOKING DETAILS HERE(010)110-0293 info@ziorestaurant.co.za
