Cape Town Diamond Museum opens

Cape Town Diamond Museum interior

The Cape Town Diamond Museum has opened its doors to the public in the newly upgraded Clock Tower precinct at the Waterfront. It is the only museum of its kind in Cape Town and the first to pay homage to the extraordinary story of the South African diamond industry.

The Cape Town Diamond Museum is the latest in Cape Town’s list of must-see attractions and is conveniently located at the gateway to the world-famous Robben Island.

Mariette Du Toit-Helmbold, CEO of Cape Town Tourism commented. “The Diamond Museum is an exciting addition to Cape Town’s diversity of attractions – telling the stories of our city and country and the journeys that shaped our history. The Diamond Museum will give visitors and citizens a first-hand experience of South Africa’s significant contribution to the international diamond industry.”

The museum features a number of authentic artefacts that tell the amazing story of diamonds, and in particular the story of South Africa’s diamond trade. The entire experience was designed to ensure that visitors feel the excitement and mystery surrounding these beautiful gems and learn more about one of South Africa’s greatest exports.

The museum tracks the entire journey of diamonds – from mine to finger, how they were shaped deep beneath the earth billions of years ago to how they are cut and polished – making it a one-stop resource for anyone with an interest in the glittering stones. Great care has been taken to show how South Africa’s own diamond industry was instrumental in shaping the global industry. During the 19^th century, South Africa produced most of the world’s diamonds.

Since diamonds were first discovered in South Africa in 1867, the country has produced some of the world’s largest, most valuable and most memorable stones, including the Cullinan, the Hope and the Taylor Burton. Visitors can see exact replicas of the world’s most famous diamonds and delve deeper into the amazing story of the South African diamond rush. Visitors will explore the romance of this fascinating era through the museum’s displays and knowledgeable guides, leaving them enriched with knowledge and insight about diamonds.

The Cape Town Diamond Museum is open 7 days a week, from 9am to 9pm. For more information, please visit www.capetowndiamondmuseum.org or call 021 421 2488 for bookings.

Tasting sensations at Plaisir de Merle

In keeping with its long-standing tradition of “classic elegance”, Plaisir de Merle has taken novel approach when it comes to tasting exclusive wines in an exclusive venue.

The Tasting Centre has a relaxed lounge atmosphere, where visitors can sample wines at their leisure, ensconced in comfy couches and fine surroundings.

This approach is designed to expand the whole experience and allow visitors to absorb not only the pleasures of the wine, but, at the same time experience the atmosphere of a by-gone era.

On fine days guests may also enjoy a relaxed tasting in the magnificent garden overlooking the vineyards under the shady trees.

Apart from the standard wine tasting, there are other tasting options. The Flavour Sensation tasting is designed to trigger your taste buds - bite-sized items of food are matched with a wine, bringing out the dominant flavour of each cultivar or wine tasted.  Sauvignon Blanc is paired with sundried tomatoes, Chardonnay with cashew nuts, Merlot with berries, Cabernet Sauvignon with fruit-cake, Shiraz with biltong and the flagship signature Grand Plaisir red blend with date balls.

Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy the Sweet Sensation tasting – which pairs Merlot with orange fudge, Cabernet Sauvignon with rum fudge, Shiraz with chili and lime fudge, and Grand Plaisir, the flagship signature red blend, with cherry fudge.

You may also wish to experience the line-up of unusual single varietal wines like Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, as well as a blend of all the cultivars to illustrate how these flavours integrate.  These limited edition cultivars are sold only from the farm.

In for a challenge, then the Blind Tasting is the one to go for – invite your friends and have fun – and the winner takes home a free bottle!

There is no restaurant at Plaisir de Merle but it does serve a light lunch - a platter of cold meats, cheeses and accompaniments served with a Croissant.  The platter is priced at R60 need to be pre-booked.  These can also served outside in the garden on fine days to enjoy with your favourite bottle of Plaisir de Merle wine which you may purchase from the tasting centre.

Plaisir de Merle is open for tasting and wine sales from Mondays to Fridays from 09h00 to 17h00 and on Saturdays from 10h00 to 16h00 from November to March and from 10h00 to 14h00 during the winter months (April to October).

The tasting facility and wines sales are open on Public Holidays but closed on Christmas Day, Good Friday and New Year’s Day.

Contact Plaisir de Merle: Tel 021 874 1071 or email plaisirdemerle@capelegends.co.za. Fax: 021 874 1689. Visit the website on www.plaisirdemerle.co.za