I ♥ my Laundry hosted a tasting of French Champagnes led by Reciprocal Wines’ Tarryn Thomas, with oysters from Oyster King, at its Buitengracht Street branch with a number of bloggers last week.

We first met Tarryn at I ♥ my Laundry a year ago, when she did a fascinating tasting with The Winery of Good Hope wines and the effect of tasting them in Riedel Glassware on the enjoyment in wines compared to drinking the wine from ‘ordinary’ domestic glasses.

Riedel is one of the brands represented by Reciprocal Wines in South Africa, as is Miele temperature controlled wine storage units, but its major focus is imported wines, and 52 Champagnes specifically.  Tarryn told us that the company was created in 1969, importing ‘gems and everyday drinking wines of family-owned businesses‘, which are accessible and not too expensive.

Tarryn poured Champagne Gardet Brut Premier Cru NV, made with 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir.  This was followed by Champagne Jacquinot Private Cuvée Brut, with 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir, which comes from Épernay. The highlight was the Louis Roederer Brut and Brut Rosé.  The champagne producer also makes Cristal, but only in excellent years.

An excellent pairing with the champagnes was the charming offering of oysters by Olli of Oyster King, which he shucked for each of us individually and added Tabasco or lemon juice on request.  I had met Olli at the Valentine’s concert at The Castle, where he served the VIP marquee guests with oysters too.  He is dressed the part, with an oyster bucket, the implements needed to shuck the oysters, and the condiments, all stored in his leather apron.  I met the Dutch owner of Oyster King, Pat de Bree, who told me that he saw the mobile De Oesterkoning idea in Venezuela, which had been brought there by Guido from Holland, and he introduced it locally about four years ago.  It is the bulk of his business, the company serving oysters at events, about 50 events a month in the busy periods.  This week Olli is at the London Wine Fair, serving oysters at the South African stand.  About one third of their event bookings are for weddings, Pat said.  Now the company has diversified, offering mobile Biltong Queen, Cake Pop Queen, Bubbly Queen, Caviar Queen, Macaroon Queen, and Sushi Queen services around the country.  Pat calls his service ‘Food Theatre’!

As is usual at I ♥ my Laundry, we had a fun bubbly evening, met lovely new people, and were spoilt rotten with fine oysters and champagne.

Disclosure:  We received a very stylish champagne stopper from Reciprocal Wines.

The Reciprocal Wine Trading Company (Pty) Limited: Tel (011) 482-9178  www.reciprocal.co.za  Twitter: ReciprocalWine

Oyster King:  Tel 0860OYSTER  www.oysterking.co.za  Twitter: @OysterKingSA

I ♥ my Laundry, 59 Buitengracht Street, Cape Town.  www.ilovemylaundry.co.za  Twitter: @ILovemyLaundry

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com   Twitter: @WhaleCottage