{"id":66922,"date":"2015-03-19T05:58:51","date_gmt":"2015-03-19T03:58:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.whalecottage.com\/blog\/?p=66922"},"modified":"2015-03-19T05:58:51","modified_gmt":"2015-03-19T03:58:51","slug":"first-checkers-virtual-twitter-tasting-pairs-odd-bins-and-cheeses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chrisvonulmenstein.com\/blog\/cape-town\/first-checkers-virtual-twitter-tasting-pairs-odd-bins-and-cheeses\/","title":{"rendered":"First Checkers Virtual Twitter Tasting pairs Odd Bins and cheeses!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Checkers<\/a>Last night we were a group of about 40 participating in the first Virtual Twitter Tasting of three Checkers Odd Bins wines, paired with a selection of cheeses from Checkers.<\/p>\n

The secret of the Checkers Odd Bin is explained on the back label: ‘Every so often we manage to bring you the odd bin or two of wine from a famous \u00a0wine farm. To be able to offer you these exceptional wines at a price far lower than what you would pay for them under their original labels, we have vowed to keep their origins a closely guarded secret. \u00a0However, once the wine has been tasted, we are certain that its secret shall be revealed<\/em>‘. \u00a0The Odd Bin front labels look hand-made and appear hand-written, and the dominant information is the bin number.<\/p>\n

The invitation to participate in the Twitter Tasting was received via e-mail from Checkers, the retailer having selected the participating Tweeters. \u00a0As promised, we received an sms to the value of R160, allowing us to select three cheeses, each within a range of cheese suggestions per wine to be tasted, with \u00a0a recommendation made by Checkers as to the most suitable cheese. \u00a0On Monday we received an (unannounced) delivery of \u00a0a beautiful wooden presentation box with the three wines. \u00a0A general invitation had been Tweeted, for wine lovers wishing to participate in the Tweet-up to buy their own wines and cheeses, and join the Twitter conversation.<\/p>\n

The tasting panel was Anel Grobler of Spit or Swallow, her husband Jan Laubscher from Wine Times, Karen \"Checkers<\/a>Glanfield of #UnWined, and an unnamed \u00a0Checkers advisor, to whom we could direct questions. \u00a0At 19h00 we had to introduce ourselves with a pre-written Tweet which was part of our Tweet-Up information. Anel was in charge, and she specified the order of tasting the three wines:<\/p>\n

1. \u00a0Bin 240 Sauvignon Blanc 2014 from Durbanville, described on the bottle as having strong notes of gooseberries, nettles, and citrus fruit, was priced at an unbelievable R39,99. \u00a0 Checkers had recommended Halloumi to be paired with the wine, but also suggested ricotta, Mozzarella, and feta. \u00a0We had bought the Dairy Belle Halloumi.<\/p>\n

2. \u00a0\"Checkers<\/a>Bin 522 Merlot 2013 from Stellenbosch was described as having fruity aromas of raspberries and cherries, with a lingering finish. The price of R49,99 is equally reasonable. \u00a0The cheese pairing recommendation by Checkers was Embroy Camembert (we could not find this at Checkers, so chose an Emborg instead!), but other options were Edam, Ementhal, Gouda, and Gruy\u00e8re.<\/p>\n

3. \u00a0 Bin 922 Bordeaux Blend 2012 (with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec,\"Checkers<\/a> and Petit Verdot) also was from Stellenbosch, also cost\u00a0R49,99, and was described as having a rich and creamy texture, with red berry apricot and tea-leaf flavours. \u00a0The cheese recommendation by Checkers was Wyke Mature Cheddar, but other suggestions were Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, Pecorino, and Parmigiano, the first three cheese styles having being selected most frequently by Tweeters.<\/p>\n

It was a fun way to get to know the Checkers Odd Bins range, not known to most of the Tweeters. \u00a0It also introduced many to the Checkers cheese range, the Wyke Mature Cheddar receiving a thumbs-up in particular. \u00a0 The Twitter Tasting trended during the virtual tasting.<\/p>\n

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio:\u00a0www.whalecottage.com<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 Tel (021) 433-2100, Twitter:@WhaleCottage \u00a0Facebook: \u00a0<\/strong>click here<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Last night we were a group of about 40 participating in the first Virtual Twitter Tasting of three Checkers Odd Bins wines, paired with a selection of cheeses from Checkers. The secret of the Checkers Odd Bin is explained on the back label: ‘Every so often we manage to bring you the odd bin or […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false},"categories":[3,124,1918,266,1590,31,21,19],"tags":[30320,4502,30316,30317,30321,30318,992,30313,4131,32378,30315,30319,4673,28343,4503,1587,30314,32373,13930,30322],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t