Olfaction (the sense of smell) and other senses at Ormonde

First published on http://www.westcoastway.co.za 

The word sensory comes from the Latin word sentire meaning to perceive or feel. This adjective describes something relating to sensation i.e. something that you feel with your physical senses.

Multi-sensory means that sight, sound, smell, touch and taste – though not necessarily all of them – are stimulated at the same time.

As you drive down to the end of Mount Pleasant Street in Darling the immaculate garden and beautiful old manor house of Ormonde Private Cellar await you. Should you enter the cellar you can smell the grapes fermenting, depending on the season. Often a cool Atlantic breeze caresses your skin.

It’s time to feel the weight of a wine glass in your hand.

Tasting wine calls upon all five senses.

It starts off with hearing the sound of the bottle being uncorked. Then you hear the sound of the wine being poured into the glass.

Once the wine has been poured you have a look at the colour and the clarity of the wine.

At Ormonde Alexanderfontein Cabernet Sauvignon has an intense deep colour, Ondine Chenin Blanc is a beautiful lime green whilst the Ondine Sauvignon Blanc has a light yellow, straw-like colour, and Ondine Pinot Noir is ruby red. The Ormonde Pinot Noir is intensely crimson, the Ormonde Shiraz purple-red.

The first aromas of the wine emerge even before you swirl your glass. The second aromas come to the fore once you have moved your glass. Swirl your glass gently, do so two or three times. Breathe in and try to identify the aromas.

Alexanderfontein Sauvignon Blanc has tropical aromas of fig, gooseberry and white peach. Ondine Semillon has hints of green apple and herbs. Ormonde Proprietors Blend (Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Chenin Blanc) has aromas of fresh citrus and tangerine. Ormonde Theodore Eksteen (Shiraz and Grenache blend) has plum and cranberry aromas, Ormonde Vernon Basson has a display of aromas ranging from black pepper to flamed cherries and blueberries.

‘Touching’ the wine is when you experience the first ‘feel’ of the wine in your mouth. You become aware of the temperature of the wine – also of its volume and acidity.

Now taste the wine.

Alexanderfontein Chardonnay has lemon and lime flavours and fresh acidity. Ondine Malbec is intensely fruity. Ormonde Sauvignon Blanc features an explosion of gooseberry and ripe figs. Ormonde Cabernet Sauvignon has blackberries and spice on the palate.

Doing a wine tasting at Ormonde engages all five senses. Even more so with the bespoke chocolate and wine pairing which expresses – through taste and linking the tastes to different aspects of the estate and the winemaking process – what the brand looks like and how it smells, feels and tastes.

Ondine Chenin Blanc is paired with a Peanut Butter Cup, Ormonde Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc with Rock Salt Caramel Chocolate, Ormonde Barrel Selected Chardonnay with a Vanilla Truffle and Ormonde Single Vineyard Merlot with a Raspberry Truffle. Lastly the Theodore Eksteen, a blend of Shiraz and Grenache, is paired with an Espresso Chocolate with a coffee bean on top.

All the chocolates are by Tomes Chocolates and exclusively African ingredients such as cocoa from Ghana, vanilla from Madagascar and coffee from Malawi and Zimbabwe are used.

Clink! Cheers to your next visit to Ormonde.