WIN!
Join our Facebook Group
to enter our monthly draw

The Property Dinner With industry leaders, elegantly tasted

 (Left: Tony & Andrew)

It’s one of those perfect summer evenings in Cape Town. Not a breath of wind, the heat of the day toned down to a gentle sultriness and the sunset on the horizon a perfect swirl of flamingo pinks and citrusy oranges dusted with cottony clouds.

With Signal Hill keeping watch and pristine white yachts bobbing slightly on the V&A Marina, guests of The Property Magazine’s Property Dinner make their way to the Bascule Bar at the Cape Grace hotel.

Some are old friends, like Elisabeth Kretschmer of Kapstadt International Properties and Michael Louis of Louis Group International, Andrew Golding of Pam Golding Properties and Mike Greeff of Greeff Properties, whereas others are new friends to be made.

 (Left: Anina & Angela)

The ice is broken over canapés and the first of a series of Van Ryn brandy tastings. Forget polisiekoffie (brandy and Coke)... in fact, forget the ice too, as Caroline Snyman of Van Ryn’s opens up a whole new dimension to this much-maligned amber elixir.

South African brandy is some of the best in the world and is distilled to a much higher degree of refinement than most cognacs. Although it should ideally be tasted from a snifter (because the bowl of the glass captures the delicate aromas), Caroline suggests that the cliché of swishing the brandy around vigorously is not ideal, because it causes the flavours to evaporate faster.

And, in our climate, it’s also not necessary to warm brandy with your hands. As for heating it over a flame – quelle horreur! After a splash of Van Ryn’s, guests make their way upstairs for dinner. Elisabeth remarks how well brandy marries with food.

(Left: Elisabeth)

Conversation turns in all sorts of directions: George Viljoen reassures everyone that the new owners of the Waterfront recognise the importance of not alienating Capetonians, while Mike and Andrew discuss charter flights.

Michael and Caroline Jane Coates of Madison Property Fund Managers chat about reality TV – especially the Big Brother UK debacle – while Anina Stapelberg of Shimansky Collection proves that diamonds really are a girl’s best friend, especially this season’s more delicate filigree designs set in dainty platinum.

In between tastings of ever-older brandies, talk turns to the pros and cons of boarding school education, the latest news on the Bishop’s Lion (a tradition that sees boys of different houses of the school fighting for possession of a patched-up fluffy lion!), the movie The Queen and the joys – or not – of living in London.

(Left: Michael)

Elisabeth – a keen horse rider since she was eight – enjoys a canter in Hout Bay before breakfast every morning, and reveals that she has given herself a very special birthday present: an office away from home in the new building she has just bought. Everyone agrees that it’s hard to break away from the property industry, with the highs and lows becoming addictive very quickly!

All too soon it’s time to end the evening and assuage the old sweet tooth with a specially created Van Ryn’s brandy pudding, a modern take on granny’s favourite. Boring vanilla custard has been replaced by moreish pistachio ice-cream and a spiced apple garnish.

Insider tips? Well, nothing you probably won’t have heard before: the market is settling, the boom is calming down, what’s expensive now will be cheap in two years’ time, and 2010 presents a fantastic opportunity. After all, just because we eat, sleep and drink property, it doesn’t mean that it’s the only thing we talk about. Cheers!