Nitida Wine Estate

In the heart of the Durbanville Wine Valley lies the Nitida wine farm just a mere 20 minute drive from Cape Town. Since 1996, Nitida has built an enviable reputation for its cellar door hospitality and award winning wines, a particular favourite of mine is their Sauvignon Blanc. Their story is a fairytale.. being a small little farm producing such amazing bottles mostly from their own love of drinking good wine is truly inspiring.. within 3 years they managed to create their first double gold Sauvignon Blanc. My favorite thing about visiting them is their restaurant, Cassia.

Cassia, in a beautiful country setting in the Cape Winelands is the most relaxing and picturesque place to visit.. Cassia is one of the restaurants situated on the Nitida wine farm in the heart of the Durbanville Wine Valley just 20 minutes from Cape Town. Dining at Cassia is a beautiful experience as you will find a mixture of elegance and charm offering an appetising seasonal menu. I especially enjoy their breakfasts... Eggs Florentine is the order of any day, perfectly poached eggs on an English muffin sautéed spinach and smoked salmon topped with hollandaise and it is never too early to enjoy a bottle of their Chardonnay. 

If you happen to be out that way for lunch, I suggest you try the Bobotie filled Ravioli served with apricot and raisin French toast, pear chutney and curry sauce with their Sauvignon Blanc. The Double baked camembert souffle parmesan crisp, blue cheese mousse and green fig preserve is sublime paired with their Cabernet Sauvignon. Whatever your mood or company brings, you will find a perfect piece of harmony at Cassia.. and the wine at Nitida.

At home, canape's & wine to me could actually replace a meal.. I love eating with my fingers, love being able to enjoy different tapas with my wine and I like lots of wine. One of my favorite canapes I make are tasting spoons.. very easy, just pan fry some cleaned prawns in butter, garlic, salt and pepper, chop up some luscious smoked trout or salmon, add to prawn but don't fry. Add a bit of freshly chopped capers and spoon on to spoons. Make a little Asian dipping sauce from a simple syrup, add chopped chili, fish sauce, dash of lime, soya sauce and sweet chili, ground black pepper, a hand full of coriander and salt and just drizzle or dip onto the spoons. Enjoy with a beautiful crisp white wine or Champagne...

These gorgeous little tasters will tempt your guests... let the wine flow...

Nitida is conducive to a happy place moment in a lime orchard or on a dusty highveld plain. Awesome balance. Intense minerality, sweetpea, lemon grass and citrus pith. Inspires Asian anything, essential with salad. Beautiful with seafood. Serve Chilled

 

Ocean fresh crab with prawns, chili, coriander and an Asian Ginger Dipping Sauce