French flair at 40/800 - Allée Bleue, Franschhoek
I am celebrating wine farm number 40 of 800 in style with some magical bubbles! It is Allée Bleue in the Franschhoek Wine valley. #FhkMCC
I have rated this wine farm experience 4 star.
| OVERALL RATING | WINE | SERVICE | FOOD | LOCATION |
| 75% | 77% | 78% | 75% | 71% |
Allée blue is quite a modern farm which is well known to supply herbs to Woolworths and produce some newly released MCCs. But did you know that it was established WAAAAAAY back in 1690! Enjoy wine tasting, picnics, a bistro and accommodation.
ACTIVITIES and OTHER AMENITIES:
- Wine tasting
- Weddings
- Functions
- Picnics - R195 per adult, booking essential. CLICK HERE.
- Bistro or Pizza/pasta
- Accommodation
- Herb and fruit gardens
Wine Tasting hours:Monday - Friday: 09h00 - 17h00Saturday: 10h00 -17h00Sunday & Public Holidays: 10h00 - 16h00For more information contact: wine.tasting@alleebleue.com or call them on 021 874 1021WHEN TO GO: The months of Spring and Summer are the best times to go (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb). Should it be cold or rainy, you can sit by the fireplace indoors.
Click HERE to view the ranking of this farm against others I have already reviewed.FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit Franschhoek Wine Valley for more information on Wine farms in Franschhoek. Here is my experience:
I have driven past Allée Bleue plenty of times but never ventured onto the farm. I think it was because I could see the small building at the entrance and it put me off because it always looked so empty. But there is a whole other section of the farm which is gorgeous! Do yourself a favour and drive through to see it for yourself.
This is the wine tasting centre. The service is very friendly and there is quite a large portion of wines to taste.
There is a large table where you can sit with total strangers and mingle over some lovely wine.
They have won some great awards including:
Chenin Blanc (Jg. 2014)
- Mundus Vini Award Gold
- Wine Award South Africa 90/100 Points
- John Platter 4 Stars
And their Pinotage seems to be doing really well too!
Pinotage (Jg. 2014)
- Mundus Vini Award Gold
- John Platter 4 Stars
Pinotage (Jg. 2012)
- ABSA Top 10
Pinotage (Jg. 2011)
- Michelangelo Int. Award Gold
- AWC Vienna Award Gold
First, I tasted these lovelies which where were sitting on ice!
I was in for a total treat because the chef presented three types of desserts from the Bistro :)
Allée Bleue has a lovely outdoor area overlooking the gardens. You can sit under the trees too. First up was the Brut MCC 2012 which is 52 % Chardonnay and 48 % Pinot Noir. Note the Michaelangelo award. It is a lovely, fresh, fruity and dry MCC. Perfect for the holidays and long summer days.
I went on a little walk to the picnic area. It is literally family relaxation heaven!
Look at this incredible colour. The bottle is slightly tinted which gives the wine an interesting look. It is a dry blend of 63% Sauvignon Blanc and 37% Chenin Blanc. Taste green peppers and a refreshing tint of tropical fruits like mango and peaches. Only R42 a bottle from tannins.co.za
A 2016 Standard Bank Chenin Blanc top 10 Challenge winner R65. 2015 is sold out so get your hands on the newly released 2016, it's gonna be good! 👌 It is a lovely wood fermented white wine which is dry and zesty. A lemony, nutty taste yet it is still well rounded giving a full mouth feel. 😋Chenin is making a big comeback this summer, challenging the SA popular Sauvignon Blanc varietals.
The red blend called L‘AMOUR TOUJOURS is 40 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 35 % Cabernet Franc, 20 % Merlot and 5 % Petit Verdot. It has spent 16 months in 60% 1st fill French Oak and 40% 2nd fill French Oak Barrels. I could smell fynbos and blackberries whilst on the palate it was full bodied with hints of spice and dark chocolate. Delightfully dark yet smooth.
Some more reds! :)
What a lovely trio!
So which farm will be next?x