“Drinking good wine with good food in good company is one of life’s most civilized pleasures”. These are the words of the late Michael Broadbent MW, legendary wine critic, writer, author and auctioneer – a towering figure in the international world of wine. However, these could so easily be the words of Annatjie Melck, foodie legend and chatelaine of Muratie, where the culture of food and wine is an intrinsic ingredient of the Melck family’s history, and life at Muratie today.
It comes as no surprise that Annatjie has developed a treasure trove of her own very special recipes and loves to explore the very best pairings with Muratie’s wines, all of which are named after intriguing personalities intertwined with the story of the historic estate. She shares one of her favourite dishes… Salmon with Tarragon and Cream Sauce… perfectly paired with the Muratie Isabella Chardonnay 2019.
ANNATJIE’S SALMON WITH TARRAGON AND CREAM SAUCE
INGREDIENTS
2 Salmon fillets
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1 Tbsp (15ml) sunflower oil
½ Small onion, finely chopped
2 Tbsp (30ml) fresh tarragon, finely chopped
4 Tbsp (90ml) thick cream
2 Tbsp (30ml) fresh parsley, finely chopped
METHOD
Preheat the oven to 160˚C. Season the salmon on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a heavy-duty pan until hot and cook the salmon (skin side up) for 3 minutes until light brown, then turn it over and cook on the skin side for 2 minutes. Place the salmon in an oven safe dish and sprinkle the onion and the tarragon over the fish. Add the cream to the dish and bake for 10-12 minutes until the salmon is cooked. Sprinkle parsley over the dish and serve with boiled baby potatoes
Enjoy with the Muratie Isabella Chardonnay 2019
MURATIE ISABELLA CHARDONNAY 2019
Every wine tells a story at Muratie, the historic Stellenbosch Estate that dates back to 1685.
The story: For Rijk and Kim Melck, there could be only one name for their Burgundian-style Chardonnay, the name of their first child, Isabella, who today, as a young woman, is classic and elegant just like the Chardonnay.
In the cellar: The Isabella Chardonnay 2019 was made from the free-run juice of hand-harvested, whole-bunch pressed grapes, and barrel fermented (40% wild fermentation). 60% underwent malolactic fermentation. The wine matured for 9 months in 500L French oak barrels (30% new).
Tasting notes: A beautifully fresh, understated and elegant Chardonnay with an enticing peach-blossom fragrance, ripe stone fruit, melon and citrus flavours with hints of hazelnuts and vanilla cream from subtle oaking, and a lingering mineral finish.
Purchase: Muratie Isabella Chardonnay 2019 is available at the estate, online at https://www.muratie.co.za/wine/buy-wine/ and at select fine wine merchants around the country.
